Adrianne Chalepah (Kiowa), comedian, and founder of Ladies of Native Comedy, can now add published author to her resume. The comedian and businesswoman contributed a short story to the upcoming book Funny Girl.
Betsy Bird, the editor and author of Funny Girl, contacted Chalepah about a year ago. “She was looking for a diverse amount of female comedians,” says Chalepah. “She asked if I could submit something. I was stoked because I love writing.”
Chalepah admits that she was a little skeptical when she was first contacted by Bird. “I’m naturally suspicious so I researched her to make sure she’s legit and she definitely is. We talked over the phone and after she explained the process, I was happy to contribute a piece.”
Although Chalepah is an established writer and journalist, this is Chalepah’s first paid published piece in a book. When asked about what she contributed to the book, Chalepah said her chapter is “basically tips on how to be funny, with short stories based on my life.”
Funny Girl is a collection of uproarious stories, rollicking comics, rib-tickling wit, and more, from 25 of today’s funniest female writers for kids, and will be released May 9 (available for pre-order here).
