Research Guides: Sherman Alexie: Biography

Sherman Alexie (Born on October 7, 1966)

Within a year of graduating from college, Alexie received the Washington State Arts Commission Poetry Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship. Alexie has said that receiving the two fellowships, followed by a book contract with Hanging Loose Press to publish The Business of Fancydancing, motivated him to quit drinking and that he has remained “sober” ever since. The following decade revealed his talent and determination to excel in a number of different literary genres, and he was named on multiple lists as one of the most promising writers under the age of forty. Continue . . .

Source: Sax, Richard. “Sherman Alexie.” Critical Survey of American Literature, Dec. 2016, pp. 46–52. From Literary Reference Center Plus database.

eBook Collection

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie: a collection of critical essays

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me : A Memoir

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

Resources

Reservation Home Movies: Sherman Alexie's Poetry The article presents information on the poetry of Native American author Sherman Alexie, including the poems "A Reservation Table of Elements," "My Heroes Have Never Been Cowboys," and "Rediscovering America." The author looks at theme in his poems, including alcoholism, blues music, and crossculturalism. The article also discusses the styles and techniques that Alexie uses in his poetry.
"Another Kind of Violence": Sherman Alexie's Poems Journal article from Ron McFarland.
Sherman Alexie's Indigenous Blues Journal article by Douglas Ford.
Sherman Alexie's Webpage It includes biography and stories.
Sherman Alexie from PBS Arizona Alberto Rios interviews Sherman Alexie.
Sherman Alexie | Conversations at KCTS 9 http://kcts9.org/conversations-kcts-9 Author Sherman Alexie talks to Enrique Cerna about Spokane, Washington, living on the reservation, and about his life. Airdate: July 11, 2008
Deconstructing Cultural Icons - Sherman Alexie and Junot Díaz.
Sherman Alexie and the Absolute Truth of Double-Consciousness.
A World of Story-Smoke: A Conversation with Sherman Alexie.
Postmodern Magic, Traditional Rage: The Critical Reception of Sherman Alexie's Work.

From Films On Demand database:

Poet Sherman Alexie Talks Faces and War Dances Author Sherman Alexie talks about his new book of poetry called Faces and his new short story collection, War Dances.
Living Outside Tribal Lines In this edition of Moyers & Company, Bill is joined by writer Sherman Alexie. Born on a Native American reservation, Alexie has been navigating the boundaries of American culture in lauded poetry, novels, short stories, screenplays, and even stand-up comedy for more than two decades. Alexie discusses the challenges of living in different cultures at the same time—“I know a lot more about being white than you know about being Indian,” he tells Bill—and shares his irreverent perspective on contemporary American life. Broadcast dates: April 12, 2013, and May 31, 2013. (43 minutes)
American Indian Experience Alexie explains that Native Americans have greater challenges than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Americans should know that tribes exist as separate political and economic entities, and he believes education is crucial for empowerment.
Manifest Destiny The Indian Removal Act passed in 1830. Sherman Alexie describes early 1800s art and its depiction of Native Americans. Writers of the mid-19th century focused on identity, and what it means to be American; John Rollin Ridge, Walt Whitman, and James Fenimore Cooper write on themes of masculinity.