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Asked what she would say to encourage young writers, author Cynthia Leitich Smith made an analogy. 

“When you're thinking about a story, particularly within books for young readers, but a story in general, I think it's helpful to think about a tree trunk and all the tree rings,” she said. 

“A particular protagonist may be specifically reflected by a child at the center [of the tree trunk] but all children are in the circle of story, and in that, they support each other in continued growth.”

Smith reflected on her experiences as a young-adult and children’s book author at the Information School’s 33rd annual Spencer G. Shaw Lecture on Oct. 16 in the UW HUB and over Zoom.

Smith addressed the room after being introduced by Ph.D. student and MSIM alum Iisaaksiichaa Ross Braine, a citizen of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation, and Michelle H. Martin, the Beverly Cleary Professor for Children and Youth Services. She presented it as a circle of celebration and conversation, instantly connecting with the crowd.

She took the audience through her upbringing, describing herself as a “library kid” with a love for books and movies, naming “Star Wars” as a favorite. As a citizen of the Muskogee Nation, she grew up primarily in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Despite her pride in her Native identity, she recalled that as a child she found herself often avoiding books with Indigenous content. 

“At some point in my childhood, I had learned that the books that purported to represent that part of me, my mother's side, and the love that she had given to me were not necessarily books that would ring true, that would invite me in, in a way that made sense,” she said. 

Smith addressed the challenges Native authors of books for young readers have faced over the years, herself included. 

“We are in a process of healing,” she said. “But we are so much more than the worst things that someone has ever done to us. That will never fully define us or limit us.” 

She explained that when she first entered the industry in the early 2000s, publishing defaulted to two or three voices from every traditionally marginalized group, most of whom were men. 

“People at that point felt very comfortable saying to me, ‘We love you, Cynthia, but we don't need you.’” she said

She shared that when she first submitted the manuscript of her debut book, “Jingle Dancer,” editors rejected it based on stereotypical ideas of Native stories. “Jingle Dancer” tells the story of a young girl named Jenna whose cousin cannot make it to the powwow because she is too busy working on a big case at her law firm. 

“One [editor] said to me, this is very aspirational, and we would love it if there were Native American women in the law, but unfortunately, we're just not there yet, and we don't want to mislead children,” Smith said.

She recalled her response was to make clear that she is a Native American woman and has a law degree, which prompted plenty of applause from the audience. 

Smith also spoke about the 2014 #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement that grew out of frustration among authors of color about the lack of diversity in children’s publishing. She noted the works of children’s book authors Walter Dean Myers and Chris Myers and the contributions they’ve made to creating change in the children’s publishing industry. 

“I will pause here and note that throughout everything good, through every step of progress, the leadership of the diversity movement has come from the Black artistic community. In terms of authors and illustrators, they led the way and the gratitude cannot be overstated,” she said.  

The #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement sparked a season of change and better opportunities for Smith. She began publishing more books, including 2018’s “Hearts Unbroken,” a young adult romance novel featuring a Native girl as she navigates dating in her predominantly white town. The story connects to her earlier novel, “Rain is Not My Indian Name” (2001), as both are set in the same fictional town in Kansas.

Reflecting on the 17-year gap between the books’ publications, Smith shared, “It wasn't that I had lost interest. It's that the opportunities weren't there.”

Smith explained that despite the struggles she’s had in her career, the uncomfortable conversations she had with editors needed to happen; without them, these books would not be here for the Indigenous children of today. 

“The most gratifying aspect of this journey is proving over and over again exactly how wrong they were,” she said. 

Spencer Shaw, for whom the lecture series is named, was an African American University of Washington professor and later professor emeritus of library science. He was internationally known and recognized as a gifted teacher, librarian and storyteller. The Information School celebrates his legacy by spotlighting the best authors and illustrators in the field each year.