One of New Mexico’s most widely lauded and loved writers, Tony Hillerman, would have turned 90 this year. The bestselling author, who wrote more than 30 books, also taught journalism at UNM and contributed stories to New Mexico Magazine. His best-known body of work remains beloved to its legions of readers: the Joe Leaphorn mysteries, an 18-book series of Navajo tribal police procedurals, mainly set in the Four Corners area of New Mexico. Anne Hillerman, his daughter, triumphantly continued the series in 2014, with Spider Woman’s Daughter, a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, which received the 2014 Spur Award for the Best First Novel and won two New Mexico–Arizona Book Awards. Her second Joe Leaphorn book, Rock with Wings, named after the Navajo term for Ship Rock, was released in May.
One might consider reviving (and then some) a signature series to be a sufficient homage by a loyal daughter, but to celebrate Tony’s 90th birthday year, Anne has scheduled an ambitious series of events that, in line with her father’s reputation, embrace and support writers as they grow the Hillerman legacy. In addition to the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference, four new two-day workshops will debut (details below), and Albuquerque will proclaim October 4 Tony Hillerman Day, during Balloon Fiesta.
“Throughout my father’s life, he did his best to encourage and help other writers,” Anne says. “My family is so proud that his legacy is being honored this year by Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico for his 90th birthday.”
NEED TO KNOW
MAY 23
Book signing for Anne Hillerman’s latest, Rock with Wings Tony Hillerman Library. 2–4 p.m.; 8205 Apache Ave. NE; (505) 291-6264; abclibrary.org/tonyhillerman
JUNE 19–20
Crime & Punishment
Crime-genre writing workshop, Tony Hillerman’s Literary Landscapes Series. South Broadway Cultural Center. 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE; (505) 471-1565; wordharvest.com/literary-landscapes
JULY 23–24
Screenwriting and History of New Mexico Film
Writing workshop, Tony Hillerman’s Literary Landscapes Series. South Broadway Cultural Center. 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE; (505) 471-1565; wordharvest.com/literary-landscapes
SEPTEMBER 25–26
Historical Fiction
Writing workshop, Tony Hillerman’s Literary Landscapes Series. South Broadway Cultural Center. 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE; (505) 471-1565; wordharvest.com/literary-landscapes
Tony Hillerman Day
At this event, celebrated during Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque mayor Richard J. Berry will read the proclamation for Tony Hillerman Day. A book signing for Anne Hillerman’s Rock with Wings and a video presentation on Tony’s life will follow. 10 a.m.–noon; Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE; (505) 768-6020; cabq.gov/balloon
OCTOBER 30–31
Family Legacy and Genealogy Writing workshop, Tony Hillerman’s Literary Landscapes Series. South Broadway Cultural Center. 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE; (505) 471-1565; wordharvest.com/literarylandscapes
SANTA FE
NOVEMBER 5–7
Tony Hillerman Writers Conference
Along with the usual rich offerings of workshops and talks, the 13th annual conference will hold a November 5 birthday celebration that is open to conference attendees. Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza. (505) 471-1565; wordharvest.com/hillerman-writers-conference