Jan Kelly | Author, Educator
“To read this novel is to enter a world both real and ancient, for Native American myths are woven into the texture of this novel (the myth of Elder Brother) in this dazzling story and intricate plot, almost a maze itself but with a clear narrative thread that pulls us through the enchantment. This novel sweeps you up into a story of great psychological depth but it's also action-packed, full of breath-taking suspense."
- Reader Review
“Kelly’s prose is rich and observant, whether she’s writing about the landscape, people, or animals.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Kelly’s prose is rich and observant, whether she’s writing about the landscape, people, or animals.” - Kirkus Reviews
Jan Kelly
Jan Kelly is a native Arizonan with an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University where she taught for thirty years. She has one daughter and lives with her husband in Scottsdale, Arizona.
What People Are Saying
“What I love about [Elder Brother’s Maze]: the way Kelly incorporates the ancient native story of Elder Brother’s Maze into the modern western tale, the wonderful detail with which she writes about native plants, animals, myths, her brilliant rendering of the horse world, the variety of sharply drawn characters, and a plot which is NOT predictable. It is a rich, exceptionally well written book, and I look forward to the next in the series.”
— Reader Review (Amazon)
“[Jan] definitely has writing chops with an MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University, and obviously did intensive research on the desert O’odham tribe and either has a background with Arabian horses or again, did a lot of research. Will read more in the series.”
— Reader Review (Amazon)
“The main character, a cowboy named Guy, is complex, deftly drawn--all the characters are drawn from a truly and richly multicultural palette--and what is more, Kelly's knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology, and cultures of Arizona, her rich treatment of training and showing horses, is unparalleled. I understand that this novel is the first in a series of five novels. Prepare to be spellbound when you discover this wonderful talent and savor this riveting story! A must read.
— Reader Review (Amazon)
“Jan Kelly is an exceptional storyteller.”
— Reader Review (Amazon)
Land Acknowledgement
Jan acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited for centuries the land which she writes about and lives on. Her home is located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. Jan acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. She is an advocate for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary education at all levels. Jan hopes her work will inspire others to undertake a journey of reflection and learning to honor and respect the sovereignty and legacy of Indigenous peoples in Arizona.
