Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My Native American (Tlingit) name is Kadashan. When I decided to use Kadashan as my pen name, I asked three well known elders if it would be okay to use my Native name. They agreed so long as I did not use my journalistic license in my essays to damage the good name of my great grandfather, Kadashan. i recently decided that if I tell the truth that I would be careful.
My first book was a short story collection called This Is Yakutat, a short story collection about our village. I rewrote it and changed the place names in the stories to their original Tlingit names, and changed the name to Yaakwdaat Aya (This is Yakutat). It is now available free on Amazon.com. The stories are illustrated with my water color paintings.
I served as the President of my tribal council for twelve years. Here I became well informed about Native American history and tribal governments and how they interacted with the federal government. I was also familiar with the U.S. Constitution and so I wrote articles about these issues. I used my information to write a column for the Juneau Empire for six years. These essays have been compiled into a book and is now on Amazon.com titled The Law of Nature and Nature’s God.
My only novel is out of print, but can be found as a collectors item these days. It is called When Raven Cries. In the works is another novel and a non-fiction documentary.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Law of Nature and Nature’s God is a collection of essays I compiled from my column from the Juneau Empire. what inspired me to write this was my knowledge and research about the Natural Law. I attempted to tweak the essays and insert into the premise that if we want to make changes in the way country is heading that it is important to return back to living the natural laws.
The Founding Fathers of America knew and understood the Natural Law and mentions it in the Declaration of Independence. Native American lived the Natural Law before western influence and assisted the Founders in formulating the federal system patterned after the Iroquois Confederacy. The essays also discusses the lack of spirituality in America, and why I think we are headed down the path of socialism.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sporadic. I write when I am inspired. I work on several projects at the same time. I do my best work early in the mornings.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
John O’Hara short stories. He was the first author I read when I was in college and inspired me to write short stories. John Smelcer’s short stories about interior Alaska has encouraged me to continue writing about my Native history and culture. The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen helps me to understand the principles of what made America a great country and what we need to do bring our country’s greatness back again. He spends time explaining the Natural Law.
What are you working on now?
A novel: Of the Dying Years, about a young man who come to southeast Alaska, and falls in love with a .Native girl. This was a period of time when the Tlingit people were trying to be accepted as citizens of the United States. At the same time this young man was trying to be accepted into the Tlingit culture. Both issues we learn is not as easy as one would think.
Non-fiction: Gunaaxoo Kwaan which means people of Dry Bay. This is a first person story of my search for the Ancient village of Guseix, a village on the Akwe River where my ancestral roots comes from. Since I was a child I always felt that i needed to find out who I really was as an Alaskan Native. When I learned about the village of Guseix from my elders, I set out on the adventure of trying to find the village where my tribal house once stood along the banks of the river. Many, many, many years passed by, but when we finally located the village site and identified the seven tribal houses, a void that stuck with me all those years was finally filled.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.kadashan.simplesite.com and promos offered by KDP Select and what I am learning with websites that offer free promotions.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot—read everything you set your eyes on and fill the “filing cabinet” of you mind with a variety of information.
Write a lot, but write about things you know.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day—even if it only a few sentences or a paragraphs
What are you reading now?
Thinking in Indian by John Mohawk Reader
Wampum Belts and Peace trees by Gregory Schaf
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish writing Of the dying Years and Gunaaxoo Kwaan.
I want to do another short story collection about modern day Native Alaska
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
Democracy in America
An Enemy Hath Done This
First Things First
Author Websites and Profiles
Bertrnad Adams Sr Website