Small Town Author

by John R. Erickson

Genres: Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years."

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks.

When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans.

Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."

Reviews

[Nathan Ellzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like his earlier book “Story Craft,” Erickson opens up and tells his own story of being and becoming a writer. This book, however, left me with an even greater sense of getting to know him. Now, I’ve known John Erickson my whole life. Heck, Pete the Barn Cat was my cat and High Loper my father! But after reading “Small Town Author,” I feel like I’ve gotten to know him much more than ever before.

But the book is not just autobiographical. I learned a great deal about Texas authors and their various works. I’ve even bought some of them as a result of reading this book. On top of all that, the whole book is written is Erickson’s usual easy-to-read style, making it a real page turner. If you’re at all interested in the life of the man behind Hank the Cowdog and/or Texas authors, this is a must read!

P.S., I was at one of those rodeos in Amarillo, TX, back in the early ‘80s selling the original “Devil in Texas” book. Thanks for all the great memories, John!

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read (and own) several of his books and some of his short stories, but reading this book about the experiences that led him to become the specific kind of writer he is today really captured my attention. I read the book very quickly, only putting it down when I was too sleepy to keep reading or had other obligations to attend to. I found myself looking forward to the next free time I would have to continue reading, and I also had that kind of sad feeling you get when you finish a book that you wish you could keep reading. I think the key might be that those readers who have ever harbored any secret ambition of being an author will feel like me when they read this book. If you can't identify at all with the desire to be "published," you may not be grabbed by this book in the same way I was. (But you'll still enjoy the story because Erickson is a good storyteller.)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first halfish of the book, which deals with Erickson's experiences in college and getting started as a writer, was absolutely five stars. The later chapters, which cover different Texas writers and which are largely adapted from previous publications, were more hit or miss with me, probably because I'm not very familiar with them and their works; another reader with a wider experience of Texana might find them delightful. The book also includes Erickson's first short story in what would evolve into his "Hank" voice and style, which I found tremendously enjoyable.

[Natalie Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical John Erickson book, once you start reading you can't stop. Erickson brings readers a reflection of a life well-lived, although a bit harsh in his self-evaluation of situations he might have handled differently. He also explores the western genre in depth. A great look into the mind of a writer by the creator of Hank, The Cowdog. A treat from cover to cover.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very random read (for me), somewhat interesting, especially for its insight into writing/publishing, but overall a bit tedious. A favorite quote (ironically another author's): "Religion and art both fight, on different fronts, against the dull rust that habit puts on the wonder of things." (Herman Wouk)

[Francisco GS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this as a passing read for the flight home since I read a boatload of Hank The Cowdog when I was a kid...I was not expecting to be moved so deeply by the man behind the talking dog and, as it turns out, other equally impressive works 🥹