Picture a storyteller who reimagines North America as a land untouched by colonization, weaving mysteries that pulse with heart and heritage—meet B.L. Blanchard! A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Blanchard blends her legal expertise with a passion for speculative fiction, crafting narratives that explore justice, identity, and the resilience of Anishinaabe culture. Her debut novel, The Peacekeeper, has captivated readers with its thrilling alternate history and deep emotional core.
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Blanchard now calls sunny San Diego home, joking that she’s traded harsh winters for a life where cold weather is just a memory. A lawyer, mother, and self-proclaimed map nerd, she brings a unique perspective to contemporary fiction, proving that stories rooted in Indigenous culture can resonate universally.
The Making of B.L. Blanchard
Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Blanchard was steeped in the traditions of the Anishinaabe people, which later shaped her writing. Her childhood love for stories offered an escape during tough times, sparking a lifelong dream of becoming an author. After graduating from the University of California, Davis’ Creative Writing Honors Program in 2006, she honed her craft as a writing fellow at Boston University School of Law. Balancing a legal career and motherhood, Blanchard faced burnout and a health scare before recommitting to writing, a journey that led to her breakthrough debut after years of persistence.
B.L. Blanchard’s Unforgettable Stories
Blanchard’s debut, The Peacekeeper (2022), is a gripping mystery set in a never-colonized North America, where the Great Lakes thrive under Anishinaabe governance. The story follows Chibenashi, a peacekeeper in the village of Baawitigong (Sault Ste. Marie), as he investigates a murder tied to his mother’s death 20 years prior. With sustainable cities and a restorative justice system, Blanchard’s world is vivid yet flawed, reflecting human complexities. Her use of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) adds authenticity, immersing readers in a culture that’s both modern and ancestral.
Her follow-up, The Mother (2023), shifts to a Europe that never colonized, proving Blanchard’s knack for flipping historical narratives. This thriller explores family secrets and autonomy, maintaining her signature blend of emotional depth and speculative intrigue. Critics praise her ability to craft flawed protagonists and richly imagined settings, with themes of community, sustainability, and responsibility woven throughout. Blanchard’s legal background shines in her nuanced portrayal of justice, making her mysteries as thought-provoking as they are thrilling.
Blanchard’s style is accessible yet layered, appealing to fans of alternate history and crime fiction alike. Her worldbuilding, inspired by maps and Anishinaabe values, creates immersive settings that feel plausible, not utopian. Readers are drawn to her focus on Indigenous futurism, where native cultures flourish in a modern context, free from historical trauma.
Why B.L. Blanchard Matters
Blanchard’s work is a bold reclamation of narrative space, offering a vision of Indigenous sovereignty that challenges mainstream speculative fiction. By centering Anishinaabe culture, she honors her heritage while inviting readers to rethink history’s possibilities. Her stories resonate with those seeking diverse voices in mystery and sci-fi, earning accolades like a feature at the 2022 National Book Festival. As a lawyer and mother, she’s also a role model for aspiring writers balancing multiple roles, proving perseverance pays off.
- Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, now resides in San Diego.
- Key works: The Peacekeeper (2022), The Mother (2023).
- Enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
- Obsessed with figure skating and space documentaries.
About B.L. Blanchard
Snag The Peacekeeper and dive into B.L. Blanchard’s thrilling world of mystery and Indigenous futurism—you won’t look at history the same way again!