Author Event with Eliana Ramage, in Conversation with Michelle Sutton
Thursday, October 9 | 6:00 PM
About the Book
One young woman’s relentless quest to become the first Cherokee astronaut will irrevocably alter the fates of the people she loves most in this tour de force of a debut about ambition, belonging, and family. Spanning three decades and several continents, To the Moon and Back encompasses Steph’s turbulent journey, along with the multifaceted and intertwined lives of the three women closest to her: her sister Kayla, an artist who goes on to become an Indigenous social media influencer, and whose determination to appear good takes her life to unexpected places; Steph’s college girlfriend Della Owens, who strives to reclaim her identity as an adult after being removed from her Cherokee family through a challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act; and Hannah, Steph and Kayla’s mother, who has held up her family’s tribal history as a beacon of inspiration to her children, all the while keeping her own past a secret.
About the Author
Eliana Ramage holds an MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She has received residencies and fellowships from the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center, Lambda Literary, Tin House, and Vermont Studio Center. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, she lives in Nashville with her family. To the Moon and Back is her first novel.
About the Moderator
I was born and raised in Coffeyville Kansas. I was the first person in my family history to finish high school, then attend college. I became an artist in the early 90s and attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I finished my degree at Wichita State University. I have lived in Wichita for 27 years. I worked in education for 20 years. I’ve been an art teacher for the last 15 years. The landscape of education has changed drastically in the last few years, and I’ve retired to focus directly on being an artist. I am inspired by the lives and the experiences of women. I make art that illuminates the drive, beauty and fortitude of women. Across all generations and classes, women have a vast bank of similarity. We are kindred and linked in our existence. The overall philosophy of my work is to make any viewer see a less obvious side of women. I focus on a dialogue beneath the outward façade we present in our everyday lives. People can understand more about women in everyday life, and open a dialogue where it may be useful, in the spirit of evolving to care for each other. I hope each person who sees my work can feel a resonant, elevated self-worth.
This is a ticketed event presented by Watermark Books & Cafe at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. MAAIM will have Indian Tacos available for sale beginning at 5pm, and the museum floor and gift shop will be open during the event.
Tickets available via Watermark at
https://watermarkbooks.com/event/2025-10-09/author-event-eliana-ramage-0?
General Admission: $5. This ticket includes entry into the Mid-America All-Indian Museum on the day of the event and admission to the event.
VIP Ticket: $40. This ticket includes a hardcover copy of the book, complimentary Indian Tacos, and a Meet and Greet dinner with Eliana beginning at 5 p.m.
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