A Publisher dealing with American Indians

[longknife]

Okay, with my epublisher shutting down, I'm in the process of seeking a publisher {or publishers} for my novels.

The first two deal with a Cherokee Indian modern-day soldier who suffers from combat shock and is treated by a Papago elder. The sequel deals with the MC and his new Cherokee medicine woman wife who set out to track down and confront those who killed his family. That means finding a publisher that deals in American Indian theme and DOES NOT require only submissions from agents - or perhaps an agent who'd deal in this theme.

The trilogy, Father Serra's Legacy, is about the founding of the California missions. They also deal with how the Spanish and Franciscans dealt with the Indians of Baja and Upper California.

Any hints/suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

[Fenris]

I wasn't aware there were agents or publishers who dealt specifically with American Indian novels. Are you sure the identity of the protagonists would make that much of a difference? I'd think that if the story was good and the characters were believable, anyone who dealt with urban fantasy (or even fiction in general) would be happy to take you on board. Whether or not the MC is part of a minority or not shouldn't make a difference, and if it does I'd suggest not letting racists publish your book.

As for suggestions, I'd say just stick it out. Not very helpful, I know, but it sounds like it's back to the querying board. Best of luck!

[longknife]

Well, I've noticed a lot of agents and publishers using the word multicultural and that sends up flags of all types to me.
I have noticed that certain publishers deal with stories about American Indians, but all seem to be agented or only deal with American Indians authors - which I'm not.

I tried to make ALL five novels character driven but the themes are clearly about American Indian customs, myths and legends.

As you said, back to the query process.

[Fenris]

Best of luck!

[Nathan Bransford]

Okay, with my epublisher shutting down, I'm in the process of seeking a publisher {or publishers} for my novels.

The first two deal with a Cherokee Indian modern-day soldier who suffers from combat shock and is treated by a Papago elder. The sequel deals with the MC and his new Cherokee medicine woman wife who set out to track down and confront those who killed his family. That means finding a publisher that deals in American Indian theme and DOES NOT require only submissions from agents - or perhaps an agent who'd deal in this theme.

The trilogy, Father Serra's Legacy, is about the founding of the California missions. They also deal with how the Spanish and Franciscans dealt with the Indians of Baja and Upper California.

Any hints/suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

I don't know any off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are small presses that fit this description. Just make sure to do your research to make sure they're reputable.

[longknife]

Thanks Nathan - I've gone through a long lists of publishers and weeded out those who seem to fit the bill. I'm also going to try to find an agent, although I've never seen one specifically dealing with that subject.

I know it was good enough to be accepted by one publisher so there has to be more.

[Louise Curtis]

I have some potentially difficult news for you. . .

Here in Australia I'm writing a spec-fic book with one Koori (Aboriginal) character, and I will probably need to (a) Pick a specific tribe, (b) Go to their traditional land and meet them there, (c) Ask permission to use elements of their culture.

And that's just the start.

Because I'm not Koori myself, I do not have the right to use elements of their culture/s without permission.

Intense, I know - but I'm not making this up. I alse can't use the name of any deceased Koori person without printing a warning at the beginning of the book.

Here are two documents I've been advised (by Anita Heiss, a Koori writer) to get very familiar with:

http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__da ... _guide.pdf

http://www.asauthors.org/lib/ASA_Papers ... tralia.pdf

In my opinion, having American Indian characters is no barrier to any publisher. But you need to find out if America's indigenous people guard their culture, religion and heritage the way the Koori do. (And, having experienced a time within living memory when most of Australia systematically attempted to eradicate their cultures, Koori have every right to set limits on what I can write about.)

The good news: All the guidelines I linked to aren't actually meant to dissuade writers from writing about indigenous people - they're just meant to make sure writers get it right.

I imagine, like me, you want to celebrate your indigenous people. Wading through legalities and consulting the right people is simply part of the writing process.

[J. T. SHEA]

Just use Irish characters instead. I hereby grant you all full permission to use elements of our culture, religion and heritage (which we no longer guard with high explosives, so don't worry) and the names of our deceased persons (but do print a warning at the beginning of the book about my granduncle Tobias). And you don't even have to visit me. Even if you're not Irish yourself!

And don't worry about getting it right either. After all, WE never do!

[longknife]

Just use Irish characters instead. I hereby grant you all full permission to use elements of our culture, religion and heritage (which we no longer guard with high explosives, so don't worry) and the names of our deceased persons (but do print a warning at the beginning of the book about my granduncle Tobias). And you don't even have to visit me. Even if you're not Irish yourself!

And don't worry about getting it right either. After all, WE never do!

Well the Dutch/German/Irish part of me doesn't need permission either. It's just that I don't have proof of the Cherokee side of me. However, as my parents were supposedly born in Kentucky and Tennessee, I'm certain there's Indian blood in their somewhere so I'm gonna use all the traditional stuff I want!

And - it was an Australian publisher who wanted to see my stuff on the founding of the California Missions.

[longknife]

Just got a very nice request for the synopsis of that novel.
So, at least that's a start.

[Nathan Bransford]

Just got a very nice request for the synopsis of that novel.
So, at least that's a start.

Nice!

[longknife]

Just got a very nice request for the synopsis of that novel.
So, at least that's a start.

Nice!

And, if that wasn't enough, one of the publishers who asked to see the full manuscript of The Sailor and The Carpenter ALSO asked for the full on Sonora Symphony!!!!!