The National Book Foundation has named Stacie Shannon Denetsosie one of its 2025 5 Under 35 honorees, recognizing her debut collection The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories (Torrey House Press) as a standout work of fiction by a writer under 35. Selected by 2023 National Book Award Longlister Mona Susan Power, Denetsosie joins a prestigious cohort of emerging authors whose first books promise to leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape.

The Missing Morningstar offers powerful, emotionally layered stories centered on the lives of Diné characters, exploring themes of intergenerational trauma, family, and cultural survival. Denetsosie, who grew up in Utah and is a member of the Navajo Nation, has earned wide acclaim for her voice and vision. The collection was a finalist for Artists of Utah’s 15 Bytes Book Award in 2024. Read our review here.

Now in its 20th year, the 5 Under 35 program celebrates debut fiction authors whose work demonstrates exceptional talent and promise. Honorees each receive a $1,250 prize and will be celebrated at a live event in Brooklyn on June 4, 2025.

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.