Picture a Denver-born storyteller who weaves the vibrant, often overlooked lives of Indigenous Latinx women into unforgettable tales—meet Kali Fajardo-Anstine! With her National Book Award-finalist collection Sabrina & Corina, she’s redefined Western American literature, bringing a fresh, powerful voice to the literary scene. Her stories pulse with heritage, resilience, and the beauty of Colorado’s landscapes, captivating readers worldwide.
Fajardo-Anstine’s work isn’t just fiction—it’s a cultural bridge, shining a light on the Chicana experience in a region where history often forgets these voices. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore her journey, stories, and lasting impact.
The Making of Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Born on November 9, 1986, in Denver, Colorado, Kali Fajardo-Anstine grew up as the second eldest of seven siblings in a mixed-race Chicana family with Indigenous, Jewish, and Filipino roots. Her childhood was shaped by a sense of cultural disconnect—she often felt out of place among peers, turning to books and writing for solace. After facing challenges in high school, including dropping out due to an unsupportive teacher, she earned her GED and pursued higher education, eventually graduating with an MFA in Fiction from the University of Wyoming in 2013. There, mentors like Joy Williams and Brad Watson helped her hone her craft, laying the groundwork for her debut collection.
Influenced by her mother, an artist and storyteller, Fajardo-Anstine absorbed tales of her family’s deep Colorado roots, stretching back generations. This heritage, coupled with her love for the American West’s landscapes and history, became the heartbeat of her writing, which seeks to preserve and celebrate the stories of her ancestors.
Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s Unforgettable Stories
Fajardo-Anstine’s debut, Sabrina & Corina (2019), is a collection of 11 short stories set in Denver and southern Colorado, centering Latinas of Indigenous descent. The tales explore themes of abandonment, heritage, and feminine resilience against a backdrop of gentrification, poverty, and violence. In the title story, two cousins navigate a cycle of violence, with Corina confronting her cousin Sabrina’s tragic death. Critics, including Sandra Cisneros, praised its “wildfire” intensity, earning it a spot as a National Book Award finalist and an American Book Award win.
Her 2022 novel, Woman of Light, expands her vision, chronicling five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West. A national bestseller, it blends betrayal, love, and fate, earning accolades like the WILLA Literary Award in Historical Fiction. Fajardo-Anstine’s style is lyrical yet unflinching, weaving magical elements with stark realities. Her settings—Denver’s urban sprawl, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains—act as characters, grounding her stories in place and identity.
She also contributed an introduction to Willa Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop (2023), showcasing her literary influence. Her essays and stories appear in outlets like The New York Times and Electric Literature, further amplifying her voice.
Why Kali Fajardo-Anstine Matters
Fajardo-Anstine’s work reshapes the narrative of the American West, challenging the cowboy-centric myths by centering Indigenous Latinx women. Her stories confront issues like colorism, gentrification, and violence against women, offering a lens into the resilience of marginalized communities. As a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and the 2022–2024 Endowed Chair in Creative Writing at Texas State University, she inspires new writers to embrace their cultural narratives.
Her impact extends beyond literature—through speaking engagements, she champions intersectional Chicana identities, urging society to recognize the nuanced histories of the Southwest. For readers, her work is a call to connect with their own roots, making her a vital voice in contemporary fiction.
- Born: November 9, 1986, Denver, Colorado
- Key Works: Sabrina & Corina (2019), Woman of Light (2022)
- Awards: American Book Award, WILLA Literary Award, National Book Award Finalist
- Fun Fact: She worked as a bookseller for over a decade at West Side Books in Denver!
Snag Sabrina & Corina or Woman of Light and dive into Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s lyrical, heart-wrenching world—your bookshelf will thank you!