American Westerns discussion

Welcome to the group, Wando. Aren't a lot of posters, but some of our discussions are pretty interesting.

Personally, I guess I go for the 'old fashion' type of western (Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, etc.). I do find Larry McMurtry's 'Berrybender' novels a bit unusual. Quite a bit of humor and poking fun at some western & British stereotypes.

Hi Wando,
Welcome to the group.

I like unconventional westerns, too. One that's a bit quirky is Liar's Moon. A few of my titles are off the path, too :)

What's the link for your novella?

To Steve's point about traditional westerns, I wandered into a Barnes & Noble this week. The good news is they actually had a case with western titles. The bad news is all but two or three of the authors available- are dead. It's a shame. There is some great contemporary work being done in the genre that isn't finding its way to market. The publishers keep pushing the classics because they are safe.

For a twist Wando might enjoy Max McCoy's Damnation Road. It won a Western Writers Spur Award last year.

Now that's a good question. If someone comes up with the answer readers will have more choices and authors will sell more books. Film makers have their success stories. True Grit, 3:10 to Yuma, the list goes on. Why doesn't that translate to book sales? That Barnes & Noble I visited this week had two aisles of romance novels, a significant sub-genre of which are western. I think there are two reasons the western doesn't get the play it should. 1.Traditional western readers read traditional westerns. Walmart says 'Reprint some more Zane Grey.' 2.Kids aren't growing up on westerns. That B&N had three aisles of sci-fi. What do you do about those things- short of writing a romance crossover. Try that wearing dirty boots...

I think there would be more western book sales if publishers would buy more authors in the genre, and if book stores would then stock the books. I have a couple of close friends who write westerns, both are Spur award winners. Dusty Richards finally got his books in at Wal Mart and his latest was the top seller the first month in. Max McCoy, mentioned earlier, is a fantastic writer in several genres. He's a board member of our Ozark Creative Writers Conference held once a year in Eureka Springs. It's not readers so much as it is publishers and book stores that are putting a kink in western sales. I write western historical romances, but have turned almost strictly to Kindle and/or E book publishers for my sales. They are doing well.

Paul wrote: "Now that's a good question. If someone comes up with the answer readers will have more choices and authors will sell more books. Film makers have their success stories. True Grit, 3:10 to Yuma, the..."

I think you make two very good points, Paul. I admit that as a western reader I tend to be drawn to those writers with whom I'm familiar. I'll pick up a L'Amour, Grey, or Elmore Leonard before glancing at a 'new' author. To be honest, I due that in most genres.

When I was a kid, in the '50s, the only thing on Saturday mornings (before the networks took over with cartoon shows) were westerns. Not counting Gene, Roy and the Lone Ranger, local stations were always showing older western films. Kids nowadays just don't see them.

Velda is right about Dusty Richards. Traditional western readers will love his work. I wouldn't be a western writer today if it weren't for Dusty. He made a writer out of a story teller with his advice. I'm still amazed he bothered to spend the time on me that he did. I'm forever grateful and a fan.

Steve, traditional western readers do exactly what you do. The classics are great, but those guys aren't writing anymore. (Well most of them. Some are 'writing' by lending their brand to the publishers who own them.)All that is fine, but it's tough for the genre to grow on that. Velda is right. The publishers keep giving us what we ask for. Pogo famously once said: "We have me the enemy and he is us."

Damn, Paul! How can I not agree with a man who quotes Pogo?

I don't know about trad publishers doing more with westerns. When I was shopping my first two books around (they are historical fiction set on the 19th century American frontier!) a lot of the agents and publishers had on their submission guidelines that they didn't do 'Westerns'. It was like Westerns had cooties or something.
Eh - their loss.My books are all out there and keep chugging along!

Historical fiction, especially in the 'romance' genre moves well at the Library where I work. As has been mentioned before, 'western romances' are also very, popular (although some of those are in the contemporary west with the cowboys driving pick-ups).

As a side note, I haven't read any myself but wonder if any group members are reading the 'adult westerns', like Slocum & Longarm. We have dozens of each series we have received as donations, but can't say the circulation is all that great.

Howdy. Regina here. Love me some Westerns!

That's good to know, Regina. I have a bunch for you if you like historical western romances with grit. They're all on Kindle, some new from publishers, others from my backlist. Love westerns myself, else why would I write them?

Hi Regina - me too! I read them and write them (one book published so far).

I've stayed away from promoting my stuff in these discussions, but I do have two titles out there with a romance crossover western readers might enjoy.
Case File: Union Pacific
Case File: Black Friday
Both are available in audio and Kindle.

Velda wrote: "I think there would be more western book sales if publishers would buy more authors in the genre, and if book stores would then stock the books. I have a couple of close friends who write westerns,..."

As to the state of the western genre it seems that the old style is gone by the wayside with Louis L'Amour who’s all seem to have some gimmick,(With the exceptions of the Sacketts) and cant be call old style as was Zane grays. My old grandfather used to read the old pulp westerns. That is what got me started as a young lad during WWII. as a western reader. We now have the Western romance, or the super western hero i.e... Longarm etc.. My favorite was Louis B Patten "Death of a Gunfighter, Cheyenne autumn and 98 others." I am pleased that I joined this group and may have found the old style western writer in Dusty Richards. Thanks Velda

Sarge, Dusty is great. If you like his stuff, you'd also likely enjoy Elmer Kelton's work. He's got enough Spurs to outfit an entire bunkhouse. You can fill your reading list with great westerns by those two for a good long time.

I agree am currently reading "Lone Star Rising" with "Texas Blood Feud" next In line.

Dusty continues to turn out Westerns at a rate that amazes me. Together we chair a writer's critique group and I began my writing career with Western Historical Romances because of Dusty. No telling how many writers he's helped and continues to help.

I'm one of many writers Dusty has helped over the years. He is a great ambassador for the genre.

I'm certainly familiar with Kelton, whose work I enjoy quite a bit. I'll have to look for Richards and thank you all for the recommendation.

Waltzing with Tumbleweeds Just finished reading Waltzing with Tumbleweeds by Dusty Richards. Interesting group of short stories some were my kind of Western and some were not. Was a quick read took about two hours to finish.

For "unconventional" westerns I would have to say The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt and A Congregation of Jackals by S. Craig Zahler.

Jackals had some issues when it came to the weapons but it was a good story and well worth the time.

Sisters was just different but I thought it was really good.

I'm not sure how to categorize mine. I set out to write a non-fiction book on the rapid evolvement of firearm technology from 1850-1890, but got sidetracked into a fictional history of a real Texas cavalry regiment fighting in the Southeast. That devolved into a Western as my two heroes headed home, and that led to a post-war sequel in the Panhandle, including Custer's attack on Black Kettle's 'friendly' village on the Washita. In the past I've asked stores to place them as 'Historical Fiction' but they sell best from the Western section. Website is http://www.mckendreelong.com if anyone is interested. I'd love some feedback.

Mike wrote: "I'm not sure how to categorize mine. I set out to write a non-fiction book on the rapid evolvement of firearm technology from 1850-1890, but got sidetracked into a fictional history of a real Texas..."

I've read "No Good Like It Is" - it's good!

Celia wrote: "Mike wrote: "I'm not sure how to categorize mine. I set out to write a non-fiction book on the rapid evolvement of firearm technology from 1850-1890, but got sidetracked into a fictional history of..."

Thanks, Celia. My wife says Dog Soldier Moon is far better.

Paul wrote: "I've stayed away from promoting my stuff in these discussions, but I do have two titles out there with a romance crossover western readers might enjoy.
Case File: Union Pacific
Case File: Black Fr..."

Paul, I commented on one of your blogs and won Case File: Union Pacific. Just got it last week, so it's on my stack to read, but looks good. Eunice

Eunice,
Thanks for the blog comment. I hope you enjoy the book. It's a light fun read.
Paul