In a climate where even people of their own ethnic group are criticized if they don’t do things a certain way, you’re left with little opportunity to: 

It all leaves you uncertain if you should even include Native characters in your stories.

…as a writer who wants to tell a good story that accurately portrays Native people, and as an American Indian who has seen how the pillaging done by mainstream entertainment affects Native peoples. 

I’m here with an understanding heart for your challenges and a willingness to guide you through them.

I'm Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, and as a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I’ve written and published 15 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. I’ve been honored as a Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Artist in Leadership fellow, and I’m a former First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership fellow. 

My online course, “Fiction Writing: American Indians,” was birthed from years of researching, writing, and teaching First Americans history, and experiencing the culture. Now I want to pass that on and equip you to write fiction that honors Native American history and culture.

“I was searching for deeper understanding of various Native American cultures and the pitfalls to avoid when writing them. I've done a LOT of research and read a lot of firsthand accounts, but there's still so much I need to learn. It was so helpful to hear the "inside perspective" on what American Indians prefer when it comes to describing and interacting with them. Also, hearing the main stereotypes described will make it much easier to avoid them than when they were vague ideas that "didn't feel right" in writing. Thank you so much for putting together this course!” 

—Misty M. Beller 

USA Today Bestselling Author of the Call of the Rockies series