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Word S5:E8 — Indigenous Detective Literature And Young Adult Fiction

KJZZ | By Tom Maxedon

Published May 18, 2021 at 8:34 PM MST

Sara Fujimura is the American half of her Japanese-American family. Her 2020 young adult novel, “Every Reason We Shouldn’t,” was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. Her new young adult novel, “Faking Reality,” comes out in July.

Episode Description

What are you reading this summer?

Roger Scott — Roger (R.S.) Scott is author of the novels "Burning Sky" (2016) and "Morning Star," which will be widely released in June. This second work is the sequel to a trilogy that explores what he calls the "Navajo Dark Arts" through the lens of detective fiction

We have some suggestions by Arizona writers for adults and kids or those who don’t want to adult for a minute and feel their youth again.

Hear their stories on this Season 5 finale of “Word,” a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region, hosted by Tom Maxedon.

Guest List

Roger (R.S.) Scott is a Navajo writer whose 2016 novel, “Burning Sky,” was a finalist in the Arizona Authors Association literary awards. “Moving Star” is the second book in what will be a trilogy and is currently available for pre-sale. It explores what he describes as “The Black Arts” in Navajo culture via a police pastiche.

He is from the Kinłichíí’nii clan born for the Bit’ahnii clan.

New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr moved to the Phoenix Metro Region about seven years ago.

Melissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages. Her latest young adult fantasy novel, "The Hidden Knife" is available in June.

Unfolding from four distinct points of view, Marr's new tween fantasy novel, “The Hidden Knife,” comes out in June.

Sara Fujimura is an award-winning young adult author, creative writing teacher who lives in the Valley and is the American half of her Japanese-American family.

Fujimura's 2020 young adult novel, “Every Reason We Shouldn’t,” was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. Her new work in the same genre, “Faking Reality, ” comes out in July.

Our final guest this season, Kelly DeVos, is from Gilbert. Her fourth young adult novel, “Eat Your Heart Out,” comes out in June.

Portions of this program have been nominated for Edward R. Murrow and Public Media Journalists Association awards.

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