Seasoned journalist and writing professor Laurie L. Dove's debut novel, Mask of the Deer Woman, is the culmination of a lifetime of craft and advocacy. Tackling the real-world issue of missing Indigenous women, Dove's novel also explores the ethereal bond between mothers and daughters, as well as the innate symbolism of Native American cultures. In this exclusive interview with Cowboys & Indians, Dove discusses how her journalism influenced her writing, what it was like to find a publisher, and how her network of editors and fans alike helped her cross the publishing finish line.