Regina McLemore

When my Cherokee ancestors arrived in Indian territory in 1839, it was not a choice. Their names were included on a Trail of Tears muster list. Although I only know snippets of their history, they are my inspiration for writing the stories they might have told. My own story began in the small town of Stilwell, Oklahoma, in 1953, where I have lived most of my life. I served here and in the surrounding areas as a teacher/librarian until I retired in 2010. At that time I began a full-out pursuit of my life-long dream, to become a published author. Since then my byline has appeared in several publications, and I have published two young adult historical fiction books: CHEROKEE CLAY and CHEROKEE STONE, under the direction of Oghma Creative Media. CHEROKEE CLAY was a Western Fictioneers Peacemaker finalist and received a Will Rogers Medallion Award. The final book of the "Cherokee Passages" series, CHEROKEE STEEL, is now available for purchase. When I am not writing or researching, I like to travel with my husband Dennis. We just recently completed an inspiring cruise to Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland, all significant places in our family histories. My current plans revolve around completing my nonfiction book, which discusses the history of Native American tribes before, during, and after their removal to Indian Territory. I also have three children's books featuring the adventures of Wesa, a little Cherokee girl, I am working on.