Picture a Navajo storyteller who weaves crime, culture, and the supernatural into unforgettable tales—meet Ramona Emerson! Born in Albuquerque and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, this Diné author, filmmaker, and former forensic photographer burst onto the literary scene with her 2022 debut novel, Shutter. Longlisted for the National Book Award, Emerson’s gritty yet mystical storytelling draws from her unique life, blending Navajo heritage with the haunting realism of crime scenes.
With over two decades in visual storytelling, Emerson’s work pulses with vivid imagery and emotional depth. Her ability to capture the unseen—both in photography and prose—has made her a powerful new voice in crime fiction and supernatural realism. Ready to dive into her world?
The Making of Ramona Emerson
Ramona Emerson grew up on the Navajo Nation, shaped by her grandmother’s strength and her mother’s artistry as a painter and photographer. These influences sparked her love for visual storytelling. After earning a Media Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 1997, she stumbled into forensic photography, spending 16 years documenting crime scenes for the Albuquerque Police Department. This intense career, coupled with her MFA in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts, laid the foundation for her genre-bending narratives.
Emerson’s filmmaking journey also flourished. With her husband, Kelly Byars, she runs Reel Indian Pictures, producing documentaries like The Mayors of Shiprock that highlight Navajo life. Her Emmy-nominated work and fellowships from Sundance and Tribeca showcase her commitment to authentic Native stories.
Ramona Emerson’s Unforgettable Stories
Emerson’s debut, Shutter (2022), is a chilling blend of crime thriller, supernatural horror, and coming-of-age tale. It follows Rita Todacheene, a Navajo forensic photographer who sees ghosts of crime victims, guiding her to clues others miss. Set in the Navajo Nation and Albuquerque, the novel’s sparkling yet gruesome prose earned it critical acclaim, including nominations for the Edgar Award and PEN/Hemingway Award.
Her follow-up, Exposure (2024), continues Rita’s story, plunging her into Gallup, New Mexico, to track a serial killer targeting Native homeless people. The novel alternates between Rita’s perspective and the killer’s, amplifying the suspense while exploring Navajo taboos around death. A third book, Gallup, is planned to complete the trilogy, cementing Emerson’s knack for gritty, culturally rich narratives.
Emerson’s style is raw and vivid, painting crime scenes with forensic precision while weaving in Navajo spirituality and identity. Her stories confront heavy themes—violence, loss, and cultural disconnection—with a lens of resilience and humanity, making them resonate deeply with readers.
Why Ramona Emerson Matters
Ramona Emerson is redefining crime fiction by centering Native American voices and experiences. Her work challenges mainstream narratives, offering authentic portrayals of Navajo life that defy stereotypes. By tackling taboos like death in Navajo culture, she sparks meaningful conversations within her community and beyond. Her blend of supernatural realism and procedural detail appeals to fans of crime and horror while elevating Indigenous storytelling on a global stage.
As a filmmaker and novelist, Emerson bridges visual and literary arts, humanizing victims of violence through her lens and words. Her growing influence, marked by awards and a TV series option for Shutter, signals a bright future for Native voices in genre fiction.
About Ramona Emerson
- Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico; raised in Tohatchi, Navajo Nation
- Key Works: Shutter (2022), Exposure (2024), Gallup (forthcoming)
- Awards: National Book Award Longlist (2022), Edgar Award Nominee, PEN/Hemingway Finalist
- Fun Fact: Emerson runs Reel Indian Pictures with her husband, producing Navajo-focused documentaries.
Snag Shutter or Exposure and dive into Ramona Emerson’s thrilling blend of crime and Navajo mysticism—you won’t look at a crime scene the same way again!