Susan Power is an American writer and editor. She became popular due to the novels about Native Americans.
Background
Ethnicity:
Susan Power’s mother had Sioux roots, and the writer’s father was of New England Euro-American origin.
Susan Power was born on October 12, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She is a daughter of Carleton Gilmore Power, a publishing sales representative, and Susan Kelly Power (maiden name Dunning), an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Tribe of the Dakotas.
One of her great-great-great-grandfathers governed New Hampshire.
Education
Susan Power attended the University of Chicago Laboratory School. Then, she received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and the Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University Law School.
She also studied at Radcliffe College and attended University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop from 1992 where she obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Career
Susan Power had short law practice at the beginning of her career. Then she realized that the profession of an author was more suitable for her.
Before becoming a full-time creative writer, she served as a secretary, storyteller, technical writer, and editor. Her first novel, ‘The Grass Dancer’, was published in 1994. The novel about a young Sioux Indian, his teacher, and his ancestors which plot took place in reverse chronological order, portrayed the complex relations between members of the Sioux community in North Dakota. Having good reviews from critics, the book provided Power with the first acclaim. The debut volume was followed by other publications, including the most recent ‘Sacred Wilderness’ of 2014.
Susan Power has also contributed to many periodicals, including Atlantic Monthly, Paris Review, Ploughshares, and Story. Many of her short stories have been included in several anthologies, like Best American Short Stories of 1993.
Nowadays, Susan Power serves as a teacher at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She gives writing seminars and lectures as well.
Membership
Susan Power has been in the list of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation members.