Literary.

Agent.

Novel.

Her name is Lisa Gallagher. Originally from London, she currently resides in New York. She joined DeFiore & Company Literary Management in 2014 and is considered a top agent here in the US. “You had me at Wilbur,” she said about a character in my manuscript. A few weeks later we were having lunch in Manhattan. I wanted to meet the accent on the other end of the phone . . . the voice who would eventually be pitching my book to publishers. I liked her immediately.

We spent three hours exchanging stories: how she came to be here in the US, other authors she represents (she brokered the book deal for Molly’s Game), why she doesn’t have a presence on social media . . . then the conversation turned to me. My mother was Comanche. I’ve used names of family members in my story but have twisted and turned their stories in every direction offering just a glimpse of who they are. Then, “Have you ever been to a powwow?” I asked. Without hesitation, “No, I’d love to go!” The next thing I knew I was making hotel reservations in Lawton, Oklahoma to attend the Comanche Nation Fair.

Why a powwow in Oklahoma? Besides the obvious, the setting of my book takes place at Medicine Bluff located in Lawton on Fort Sill Military Base. The bluff is a sacred place to Comanches, and its surrounding area was leased by the US Government in the late 1800s. “Want to go to the top of Medicine Bluff?” and on our second day in Lawton I received permission to enter the base and hike the bluff. I still hear the echoes of Lisa’s words, “It really upsets me you have to ask for permission from the military to visit your sacred site.”

We then drove through Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge where buffalo (don’t say it, I prefer buffalo over bison) could be seen in the far-off distance. Lisa had never seen a buffalo in person and silently I asked my ancestors to lead them our way for a close up look. Shortly after they walked in our direction and greeted us — wisely we remained inside the car. The buffalo then did a special dance for us and Lisa had the sense to video it. Me? While my husband commentated the scene before us, I watched in awe… buffalo are a sign of sacred life and abundance.  

That evening was the powwow, and we were all mesmerized by the grand entry. The colorful regalia, face paint, and dancing took Lisa’s breath away. Personally, I love the drums and singing, it takes me back to my childhood when I attended powwows with my mother. The next morning, we drove back to Oklahoma City and said our goodbyes. The trip was good medicine and the fact she was willing to visit the place of my ancestors and meet my people spoke volumes of who Lisa Gallagher is.