Mohawk writer Alicia Elliott on how her own experiences shaped character in 1st novel

Mohawk writer Alicia Elliott's first novel is receiving a lot of attention.

The book is called And Then She Fell. Along with some great reviews on the website Goodreads, the Brantford author has also just won this year's Amazon First Novel Award, which comes with a $60,000 prize.

She recently spoke with CBC K-W's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris about the book.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The audio of the interview can be found at the bottom of the article.

Craig Norris: When you found out, how did you feel?

Alicia Elliott: When they called my name at the ceremony, my mind just kind of went blank and I was like sitting there kind of like almost paralyzed for a second because I was just like, so in shock and disbelief. 

And people continued looking at me and coughing, so I was like, I guess I have to go up.

Norris: What do you hope something like this does for your work and your career as an author?

Elliott: It's so hard to say what effect awards have. I mean, I think it's important. I know it's validating for me to have won this because I especially have so much respect for the judges. So the fact that they chose my book means so much to me.

And I think, because I'm on my second book, so I have some experience with how books are received and things like that, I think it's just really good to kind of know that the book is being understood and received.

I know you mentioned Goodreads. Some people definitely don't get it. Totally fine. I knew that I was writing a book that was challenging in certain ways of narrative and of expectations and things like that. 

So knowing that, getting this award for it regardless, was just really validating because I knew I was taking all these chances and I wasn't sure whether people would think they paid off or not. So it's great to hear that it has.

Norris: So let's get to the book. Tell us a bit about And Then She Fell.