Ramona Emerson

Ungelbah Davila Shivers

Ramona Emerson is a Diné writer and filmmaker who comes to the festival with a ghostly thriller, "Exposure." Her first novel, "Shutter," was longlisted for the 2022 National Book Award in fiction.

Originally from Tohatchi, New Mexico, Emerson started her career as a forensic videographer. She then became a photographer, writer and editor. She is an Emmy nominee, a Sundance Native Lab Fellow, a Time-Warner Storyteller Fellow, a Tribeca All-Access Grantee and a WGBH Producer Fellow. She now lives in Albuquerque and co-manages a production company called Real Indian Pictures. 

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Awards: Lefty Award for Debut Novel

Communities: Indigenous or Native American

One Shade Darker

If you like your stories like your chocolate, dark and rich, this is a session for you. Take a walk on the creepy, scary side with authors Kelley Armstrong, Ramona Emerson and Kate Alice Marshall. From a deadly blizzard to chilling secrets, these authors will keep you on the edge of your seat.

UA Campus Store (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - UA Campus Store Lower Level (following presentation)  

Panelists: Kelley Armstrong, Ramona Emerson, Kate Alice Marshall
Moderator: Erica Ruth Neubauer
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of UA Campus Store, JT Kasper

Where the Trail Leads

Ramona Emerson, Rachel Howzell and Craig Johnson know that the where is as important as the what when framing their bestselling mysteries. Today they will discuss when in the writing process they determine a book's setting.

UA Mall Tent (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Central Mall (following presentation)  

Panelists: Ramona Emerson, Rachel Howzell Hall, Craig Johnson
Moderator: Juliet Grames
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Pepper Viner Homes, Joe and Michelle Millstone

Forensics in Mysteries

It’s science! These sleuths--coroners, forensic photographers, and spies--use their training, skills, and smarts to solve the unexplained and mysterious.

Koffler Room 204 (Seats 300, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sun, Mar 16, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: Jennifer Dornbush, Ramona Emerson, Tess Gerritsen
Moderator: Deborah J. Ledford
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Marshall Foundation, Vanessa C. Moss, Attorney-at-Law

Lights! Camera! Publish!

Ed Burns, Ramona Emerson and Bill Carter have resumes that often bridge the gap between page and stage. Each has experience in film. All three are authors. In this session, they will discuss how they think differently when it comes to storytelling in various media, and how each uniquely enhances a story.

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 670)  
Sun, Mar 16, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Multigenre
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area South Ballroom (following presentation)  

Panelists: Edward Burns, Bill Carter, Ramona Emerson
Moderator: Herb Stratford
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of TMC Health, University of Arizona

Books:

Exposure

Mystery / Thrillers
Soho Press
October 2024
ISBN 9781641294768
288 pages

Shutter

Mystery / Thrillers
Soho Press
April 2023
ISBN 9781641294812
312 pages