Alexa's Publishing Chat

How to Write About Native Americans with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer {ep. 143}


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In this podcast episode, we discuss:

  • the importance of knowing how to refer to and write about Native Americans; terminology matters - differences between “American Indian,” “Native American,” and “First American.”
  • Is it okay for authors who aren’t Native American to write about them?
  • How to start researching a tribe's history and culture and whether or not you should approach a tribal community for researching their story
  • How to build relationships so that you avoid common stereotypes in your writing
  • Cultural sensitivity - for example, is it okay to say Happy Thanksgiving?
  • Sarah's course designed to help writers authentically represent Native American characters.
(Special discount code for podcast listeners.)
Resources Mentioned:

  • Five Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing About Native Americans – Free eBook by Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.
  • Fiction Writing American Indians course: Available at fictioncourses.com/americanindians with the code “WIPFWA” for a $50 discount.
  • Sarah’s book on Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I.

Important Links:
https://www.fictioncourses.com/americanindians
https://www.fictioncourses.com/stereotypes
https://www.choctawspirit.com

About Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
As a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, she has written and published 17 historical fiction books with Native main characters, and over 275 non-fiction articles on Native artists and organizations with representatives from dozens of North American tribes. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian honored her as a literary artist through their Artist Leadership Program for her work in preserving Choctaw Trail of Tears stories, and she is a First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership alumni.
Discover more at www.fictioncourses.com/americanindians. (And don't forget your coupon code WIPFWA to save $50.)

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Alexa's Publishing ChatBy Alexa Bigwarfe

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