Nanette Gamily’s debut Native American crime fiction novel, Cry for the Child, is represented by Josh Getlzer at HG Literary. She’s an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a Tin House Finalist, and a Regis University MFA graduate. She lives in Denver with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.
What writing advice has impacted your work?
During my MFA at Regis, I struggled with the plot structure of my book. It was flat, with little-to-no arc, and a splashy conclusion. I took a Save the Cat workshop with Erika T. Wurth. She taught an approach to plot based on a three-act structure in a series of 15 beats. She also introduced me to Jane Cleland’s Mastering Suspense and Structure. I also learned how to organize my book along the lines of genre and audience expectations. Both the workshop and books saved my novel from the trash bin.
How have you found community among Colorado creatives?
My writing has existed mostly in my head, and I was been reluctant to share my work with others for many years. I started at Arapahoe Community College, then Lighthouse, and finally, Regis. Coming out of the corporate world, I expected the writing community to be dog-eat-dog, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that others are willing to share their experiences and successes. I love the Colorado writing community.
What do you love about living in Colorado?
Everything! My husband and I decided to move to Colorado many years ago. We were drawn to the outdoor lifestyle and the friendliness of the people. We enjoy hiking in the mountains, so Colorado was a natural fit.
What are your current reading and writing projects?
I am reading Tommy Orange’s new book, Wandering Stars, a prequel to There There. I am also working with my agent, Josh Getzler on finalizing my novel for spring submission.
What will you be reading at the event, and what is meaningful about this selection?
I am reading from my debut novel, Cry for the Child, which is about a Cherokee woman who is a volunteer victim advocate at a rape crisis center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I will be reading from one of the chapters about a Cherokee Stomp Dance. As an enrolled Cherokee citizen, I’m excited to share a bit about my home state and some of the culture and traditions of the Cherokee people.
Reading Den 
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