An Authors Kiss with Sara Troy and her guest Grinelle Desjarlais, on air from October 24th

Grinelle “Buzz” Desjarlais, author of Saving KC (Classic Day Publishing, September 17, 2024), the historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of post-Vietnam America which delves into the complexities of addiction, recovery and redemption. The new re-released edition of Saving KC offers readers a unique experience by presenting two alternate endings, allowing them to choose between a hopeful conclusion and a more somber, thought-provoking one. Saving KC explores the human condition through the lens of addiction and the quest for personal salvation. Desjarlais, who comes from a long line of Native American creatives, brings a deeply personal narrative to life, reflecting his own experiences through fictional storytelling.

Set in post-Vietnam America, Saving KC is a story of addiction, recovery and redemption 

New addition with dual endings allows readers to choose their own ending 

In an interview, he talks about: 

• Why he decided to allow the readers to determine the fate of the characters by offering two different endings to the story
• Why he decided to set the story in post-Vietnam America
• His work as an activist dedicated to supporting Native American communities 
• Co-founding the NATIVE Project, a non-profit that initially served as an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center for Native youth
• How he brought twelve-step meetings to the Washington State prison system for nearly a decade
• How his father represented their native culture in the 1939 classic film Susannah of the Mounties alongside Shirley Temple
• His great-grandfather, Mountain Chief, was a revered figure in their community

Born on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in Montana, also known as the Chippewa Cree Reservation, Buzz comes from a lineage steeped in creativity and cultural preservation. His father famously represented their native culture in the 1939 classic film Susannah of the Mounties alongside Shirley Temple, while his great-grandfather, Mountain Chief, was a revered figure in their community.

Beyond his writing, Buzz is an activist dedicated to supporting Native American communities. He co-founded the NATIVE Project, a non-profit organization that initially served as an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center for Native youth, using a combination of traditional Native American healing practices and twelve-step programs. Recognizing the growing substance abuse issues among urban Native youth disconnected from reservation life, the NATIVE Project has since expanded into a full-service clinic under the Indian Health Service (IHS), providing comprehensive care to the urban Indigenous population of eastern Washington. Buzz also brought twelve-step meetings to the Washington State prison system for nearly a decade.

Buzz’s life has been filled with diverse experiences, including his service in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. He has lived in various parts of the world, including California, and now resides south of Seattle with his wife, Loni. His daughter, McKenzie, and her family, including grandsons Cowen and Kaplin also live nearby.  

AMAZON

www.savingkcthestory.com

https://linktr.ee/grinnelldesjarlais

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