John Smelcer facts for kids
John Smelcer is an American writer known for his poetry and novels. He has written many books, including stories for young adults.
Early Life and Background
John Smelcer was born in the United States. His birth parents are not Native American. However, he was adopted by a Native American father.
He is also a shareholder in Ahtna, Incorporated. This is a special company in Alaska connected to the Ahtna tribe. Because of unique laws in Alaska, people who are not Native American by birth can sometimes join these tribal corporations. This allowed him to become part of the Native Village of Tazlina, located in Tazlina, Alaska.
Personal Life
John Smelcer is married to Dr. Amber Johnson. She works as a professor at Truman State University.
Career as a Writer
John Smelcer has worked as a professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He was hired to help bring more diverse teachers to the university. Later, he left this job.
He also works as a literary editor for Rosebud, a magazine that publishes stories and poems. This magazine is based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Books and Awards
John Smelcer has written several books. In 2004, he won an award called the James Jones Literary Society First Novel Award. This award helped him write his novel, The Trap, which came out in 2007.
The Trap is a novel written for young adults. It tells a "spare and lyrical" story about a boy and his grandfather facing challenges in a remote part of Alaska. Many people liked this book.
Another one of his books, Without Reservation, won the Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award in 2004. His book Stealing Indians was also nominated for a literary prize.
See also
In Spanish: John Smelcer para niños
