We are just a day away from the release of one of my most anticipated reads of the year! Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. comes out on August 26!

This anthology of interconnected stories about a mythical drive-in that appears whenever you need guidance centers Native joy and is perfect for both young adult and adult audiences alike!

I was lucky enough to be able to ask a few questions to some the contributors of the anthology ! Below you'll find responses from AJ Eversole (Cherokee), author with upcoming stories in Legendary Frybread Drive-In, Beyond The Glittering World and Never Whistle At Night Volume 2.

Naomi: Hi AJ! Can you discuss why you started writing and what your writing journey has been like?

AJE: Growing up as an only child with a single mother, I spent countless hours entertaining myself with stories. My grandmother and mother were voracious readers, so our house was always filled with books, from the classics to whatever paperback romance my mom was devouring that week. That constant exposure to storytelling naturally led me to want to create my own worlds and characters.

But honestly, for the longest time, writing felt like an impossible dream. In rural Oklahoma, "real people" weren't writers or actors or musicians. Those were fantasies as distant as Narnia itself. It took years for me to realize that people like me could tell stories professionally, that our voices mattered and belonged in the literary world.

My journey has been one of slowly building confidence in my own voice while learning the craft and the industry. Every story I write, every rejection and acceptance, has taught me something new about both writing and myself. Even if some of my work never sees publication, I've learned that the act of creating is inherently valuable.

Naomi: Why do you write for a young adult audience?

AJE: When I write for young adults, I'm writing for my seventh grade self. The girl who was obsessed with Twilight and shared a graduating class of only 29 students in my tiny rural school. I want to show those kids, especially the ones from small towns like mine, that their dreams aren't impossible. That if someone like me can do this, so can they.

Young adult literature has this incredible power to reach readers at a time when they're figuring out who they are and what they believe. I write across age groups, but there's something special about YA. It's where readers are most open to seeing themselves differently, to imagining new possibilities for their lives. I want to give Indigenous teens the representation I didn't have, while also creating stories that speak to universal experiences of growing up, finding love, and discovering your place in the world.

Naomi: Why do you think representation is important, especially for youth?

AJE: My perspective on this has evolved over the years. Initially, I focused on the importance of people seeing themselves reflected on the page, and that's absolutely crucial. But now I also think about the bridges representation can build. I want non-Native readers to connect with my characters experiences, to find the universal themes that make us human while also learning about our specific cultural perspectives.

When I was young, Tiana became my favorite Disney Princess not because she was a person of color, but because of her grit and determination, that "almost there" spirit that refuses to give up. That's the kind of connection I want to create. Were readers identify with the themes and emotions in my stories, regardless of their background, while also gaining understanding of Indigenous experiences they might not have encountered before.

Naomi: What are some of your favorite themes to write? Do you find yourself returning to the same themes in different projects?

AJE: I'm drawn to three main themes that appear in different forms across most of my work: redemption and messiness, decolonization and survival, and bravery and courage.

With redemption and messiness, I want people to know they're allowed to fail, admit they're wrong, and try again. Growing up in rural Oklahoma in an evangelical household shaped me deeply. I'm still a Christian, but I've had to reassess many facets of belief over the years. It's okay to change your mind and move past mistakes. Teenagers, especially from the rural south, need that message.

Decolonization and survival are central to Indigenous literature. People often talk about the destruction of the libraries of Baghdad and Alexandria as great losses to human knowledge, but I'd argue that the near-complete erasure of Indigenous cultures across the Americas was far more devastating. There's a piece of us that will always be missing, and my stories explore how we navigate that loss while still thriving.

Finally, bravery and courage are essential in today's world. We need to stand up for our beliefs with conviction, regardless of the outcome. These themes weave through everything I write because they're fundamental to how I see the world.

Naomi: How has your community responded to your work?

AJE: The response from the Native community has been incredible and deeply moving. The literature community itself is welcoming, but the Cherokee response just melts my heart. I've had cousins reach out to say they can't believe things like this are getting published, meaning stories that center our experiences with joy and authenticity rather than just trauma. They talk about how excited they are to share these books with their own children.

There's something powerful about seeing your own people reflected in literature in ways that feel real and respectful. When Cherokee readers see the cultural details in my work like the language, the family dynamics, the way our communities interconnect, they recognize it as authentic. That validation from my own community means everything to me.

Naomi: What do you hope readers take away from your story in the  anthology? From your work? (Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers)

AJE: For "Hearts Aflutter," I hope readers take away the joy of finding love in unexpected places and the importance of being true to your feelings. Mia's journey shows that sometimes the thing you're looking for has been right in front of you all along. For Indigenous readers, I hope they see themselves reflected in the cultural details. The powwows, the family connections, the way our communities are interconnected. For non-Indigenous readers, I want them to see that our stories are universal, everyone has experienced that awkward first date or pined after someone who seemed out of reach.

From my work overall, I hope readers understand that Indigenous people are still here, still creating, still thriving. We're not museum pieces or tragic historical figures. We're teenagers falling in love, families making dinner together, people navigating modern life while honoring our traditions.

Naomi: What challenges have you faced in publishing?

AJE: One of the biggest challenges has been the expectation that Indigenous stories must always center trauma or historical tragedy. While those stories are important and valid, there's also room for joy, romance, humor, and everyday experiences. I've had to advocate for stories that show the fullness of Indigenous life.

There's also the challenge of authenticity readers, people who question whether your work is "Native enough" or whether you're representing your culture "correctly," when the truth is that Indigenous experiences are as diverse as our hundreds of tribal nations.

Naomi: What changes have you seen in the publishing industry in terms of support for Indigenous authors?

AJE: The changes have been remarkable, especially in the last five years. We're seeing more Indigenous editors, imprints dedicated to Indigenous voices like Heartdrum, and publishers actively seeking our stories. There's been a shift from tokenism to genuine investment in Indigenous authors' careers. Organizations like We Need Diverse Books have also created pathways and mentorship opportunities that didn't exist before.

However, there's still work to be done. We need more Indigenous people in gatekeeping positions and continued commitment beyond initial diversity initiatives.

Naomi: Who are the Indigenous authors that influenced you?

AJE: Cynthia Leitich Smith has been instrumental. In her writing and her advocacy for Indigenous voices in children's literature. Her work creating Heartdrum and mentoring new authors has changed the landscape entirely. Andrea L. Rogers' work, particularly "The Art Thieves," speaks to me deeply. Rebecca Roanhorse showed me that Indigenous authors could write across genres, from fantasy to horror to contemporary fiction. And Joy Harjo's poetry taught me about the power of language and the importance of our voices.

Naomi: What is one book by an Indigenous author you recommend to everyone?

AJE: "Sisters of the Neversea" by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Growing up, many Native kids only saw themselves in two Disney movies, Peter Pan and Pocahontas. When I was little, I didn't understand the reasons these portrayals could be hurtful or how they helped grow harmful stereotypes about Native people. All I knew was that there was an Indian on the screen and I thought that was cool.

"Sisters of the Neversea" is a brilliant, necessary response to that exact story. Cynthia takes the Peter Pan narrative we all know and completely transforms it, centering Indigenous characters with agency, complexity, and authentic cultural grounding. She creates something entirely new and beautiful that doesn’t just critique the original, but honors both the magic we loved as children and the truth of Indigenous experiences. It's the book I needed as a kid, and it's the book that shows how powerful it can be when Indigenous authors reclaim and reimagine the stories that have been told about us. Every reader, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, will come away with a deeper understanding of storytelling's power and responsibility.

Naomi: Who are you reading now?

AJE: I'm currently reading Angeline Boulley's "Sisters in the Wind" and Danica Nava's "Love Is A War Song."

Naomi: What are you working on next?

AJE: I’m currently in the query trenches with a YA novel and am finishing up revisions on a middle grade!

Legendary Frybread Drive-in Intertribal Stories Synposis:

The road to Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In slips through every rez and alongside every urban Native hangout. The menu offers a rotating feast, including traditional eats and tasty snacks. But Sandy June's serves up more than food: it hosts live music, movie nights, unexpected family reunions, love long lost, and love found again.

That big green-and-gold neon sign beckons to teens of every tribal Nation, often when they need it most.

Legedary Frybread Drive-in Intertribal Stories features stories and poems by: Kaua Mahoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K. A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Brian Young

Releases: August 26, 2025 and is Good Day To Read Indigenous Book Club reading selection for September!

Order it now!

AJ's Upcoming Stories:

"Hearts Aflutter" in Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Heartdrum/HarperCollins)

"Dilasulo Walks" in Beyond the Glittering World (Torrey House Press)

Story in Never Whistle At Night Part II: Back For Blood