James Jones First Novel Fellowship
1 appearances
-
Edition 13 (2004) Winner
John Smelcer
ジョン・スメルサー
John Smelcer
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Chugiak, Alaska → Anchorage, Alaska → Madison, Wisconsin
Career
- Occupations
- poet, novelist, university professor, literary editor
- Active Years
- 1990-
- Affiliations
- University of Alaska Anchorage, Rosebud (literary journal, Madison), Ahtna, Incorporated (shareholder)
- Memberships
- Ahtna, Incorporated (shareholder)
- Nominations
- PEN Center USA literary award nomination (2017)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | James Jones First Novel Award | The Trap | — | James Jones Literary Society | 受賞（後に2000年代後期に受賞取り消し） |
| 2004 | Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award | Without Reservation | — | Binghamton University | 受賞 |
| 2017 | PEN Center USA literary award (nomination) | Stealing Indians | — | PEN Center USA | ノミネート（抗議を受け取り下げ） |
James Jones First Novel Award
2004
Work:
The Trap
Organization:
James Jones Literary Society
Result:
受賞（後に2000年代後期に受賞取り消し）
Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award
2004
Work:
Without Reservation
Organization:
Binghamton University
Result:
受賞
PEN Center USA literary award (nomination)
2017
Work:
Stealing Indians
Organization:
PEN Center USA
Result:
ノミネート（抗議を受け取り下げ）
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Trap
2007 Young adult novelA spare, lyrical story about a boy and his grandfather facing challenges in a remote part of Alaska.
man and naturefamily bondscoming of age
Without Reservation
2004 PoetryA collection of poems blending traditional forms and personal voice. Winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award.
identityland and memory
Stealing Indians
2017 Young adult novelPresented as a work engaging with Indigenous culture and identity; its PEN nomination was withdrawn amid controversy over the author's claimed Native heritage.
cultural identityhistory and memory
Bibliography
- The Trap (novel, 2007)
- Without Reservation (poetry, 2004)
- Stealing Indians (novel, 2017)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- spare, lyrical proserealist depiction
- Recurring Motifs
- Alaskan landscapefamily bondssearch for identity
Legacy
While some works received praise, repeated questions about the author's claimed heritage and credentials have led to rescinded awards and withdrawn nominations, making him a controversial figure in literary circles.
Quotes
-
I resent people with dubious stories, who benefit from white privilege and refuse to be accountable to hardworking Natives who have to struggle against oppression and stigma every day.
Source: Terese Marie Mailhot (criticism) (2017) -
These poems contained damaging stereotypes of Native people. I deeply regret the manifest distress this has caused.
Source: Kenyon Review (editor's statement) (2016)
Trivia
- Neither of Smelcer's biological parents is reported to be Native American.
- Enrolled with the Native Village of Tazlina as a shareholder of Ahtna, Incorporated (under Alaska's unique corporate enrollment rules).
- The 2004 James Jones award associated with his first novel was later rescinded.
- In 2016 Kenyon Review withdrew poems by Smelcer; in 2017 his PEN nomination was withdrawn following protests.