Kristina Hunter

Kristina Hunter was an American author of young adult fiction, who wrote in a variety of genres, including fantasy, comedy, mystery, and historical fiction. She is best known for her series Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, set in the 1940s and 1950s, which follows the lives and adventures of four young cowgirls living in Texas. Hunter was born on October 7, 1959 in Spokane, Washington. She developed an interest in books and writing at a young age, and went on to attend the University of Washington, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature.

After college, Hunter worked as a copywriter and copy editor for various newspapers and magazines, as well as writing freelance stories for publications such as The Washington Post and Atlantic Monthly. She began writing fiction in her spare time, and eventually signed a contract with Viking books in 1986 to write Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. The book followed the lives of the four young cowgirls, and was a critical and commercial success.

The book was adapted into a 1993 film of the same name, directed by Gus Van Sant, which received mixed reviews but gained a cult following. Hunter wrote two sequels, Cowboy and Cowgirl (1995) and Riding the Lucky Trail (1999). In the interim, she wrote several other young adult novels, including the supernatural mysteries Never Let Me Down (1991) and Spirits of the Desert (1993), the psychological suspense drama Maniacball (1994), and the historical fiction novels Turquoise and the Dragonfly (2001) and The Dangling Girl (2004).

Hunter also contributed to a number of anthologies, including the mystery/horror anthology, Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1996). Her stories were also adapted for television and radio, including teleplays for the series Ghostwriter and Big Wolf on Campus.

Hunter had a special place in her heart for young adults and their adventure stories, believing that stories should encourage kids to be curious and explore the world around them. Her books often included coming-of-age stories, as well as explorations of friendship and loyalty. She wrote with a sense of humor and adventure, and her stories have been praised for their originality and creativity.

Hunter was honored in 2001 with the Great American Young Adult Fiction Award, and in 2004 she was chosen as a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California’s summer writing institute. In 2006, she was named Writers Guild of America 12 award winner, and in 2010 she received the Heart of Texas Award.

Kristina Hunter left behind a legacy of charming and adventurous stories that have been enjoyed by readers of all ages. She was a trailblazer in young adult fiction, and her books have held up the test of time. She will always remembered as an inspiration to aspiring writers, and her stories will continue to be loved for years to come.