While your trail mileage may vary, supporting the work of authors who are still putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and telling Western stories is absolutely critical to the continued survival of the genre.
- Loren Estleman
- Johnny Boggs
- Ed Gorman
- Richard Wheeler
- Cormac McCarthy
- Larry McMurtry
- John Jakes
- Win Blevins
- Bill Brooks
- Elmer Kelton
- Tim Champlin
- Robert Vaughn
- Max McCoy
- Robert Randisi
- Thom Nicholson
- J. Lee Butts
- Rod Miller
- Dusty Richards
- Cotton Smith
- Joseph A. West
- Tim McGuire
- Peter Brandvold
- Matt Braun
- Elmore Leonard
- Bill Pronzini
- James Reasoner
- Frank Roderus
- R.C. House
- Tom Franklin
- Benjamin Capps
- Glendon Swarthout
- Richard Matheson
13 comments:
Here are a few writers I have read over the past few years (in particular order): Tim Champlin, Robert Vaughn, Max McCoy, Robert Randisi, Thom Nicholson, J. Lee Butts, Rod Miller, Joseph A. West, and Tim McGuire.
I'll think some more, and add as they come to me.
A few older writers (I just thought of as I was posting): Gordon Shireffs, Harry Whittington, Lauran Paine, Brian Garfield, and. Hmm.
Ben
That should have been: no particular order.
How about Robert Parker's westerns? How do they stand among the genre's other titles? How do they compare to his crime novels?
Off the top of my head:
Peter Brandvold, Matt Braun, Elmore Leonard, Bill Pronzini, Dusty Richards, James Reasoner, Frank Roderus, R.C. House...
I was thumbing through S. Jean Mead's MAVERICK WRITERS, her book of interviews published in 1989, and it was interesting (and sad) to see how many of her subjects were no longer around or generally represented between the covers of a Western anymore. Many of the so-called traditional Western authors, who cut their teeth on the 40s-50s pulps and so on, passed away by the 80s or 90s. As much as we hear about the death of the Western, however, there is a new crop that has come forward since then, perhaps typified by folks like Brandvold & McGuire, who give me hope. This is a pretty long list we're generating and that's also a good sign.
Adios, Jim Collette
I can't believe no one's mentioned the wealth of authors from Black Horse Westerns. I haven't been able to find any of their books in the U.S. but they seem to be one of the best examples of people trying to keep the Western alive and being succesful at it. I am really fascinated by the robust number of titles they have on their catalog as well as their books' presentation and covers (they look to me as the Western equivalent of what Hard Case is doing with crime fiction). Judging from the content on their websites, they seem to have some good writers on their stable.
We do our best, GB, we do our best. . . Black Horse Westerns can now be bought directly through the publisher's website and mailed anywhere in the world. The prices for the latest/forthcoming titles are usually offered at a discount, e.g. there's currently a good saving to be had on my "Misfit Lil Fights Back", ready for delivery next month. The large-print editions of BHW books, from Ulverscroft, are stocked by some US retailers. Coming shortly is the first Misfit Lil -- "ML Rides In", which was issued in its successful regular-print edition just a year ago.
I'm sure there's nothing wrong on your end. It's just that it's too bad (and expensive) how difficult it is to get your titles. Thanks to the internet, however, there's no excuse not to give BHW books a try and I certainly will.
Do you have a list of US retailers that carry your books? I see no reason why more distributors in the country wouldn't be willing to sell some.
Sorry, GB, I'm based in New Zealand and have no such list and rely on buying most of the books I want via the Net, often from US suppliers. And yes, I know shipping and exchange rates don't make these transactions cheap. Amazon (US) does stock several of my large-print paperbacks -- even some BHWs at ridiculous prices, like $71.85!! Powells have a coupla LPs but say "currently out of stock". Walmart still lists "The Rebel and the Heiress" (LP) but again says "out of stock". Sad, sad, sad!
A friend just recommended I try author Tom Franklin. It seems he’s written two western novels – Hell at the Breech and Smonk – and they’ve garnered great mainstream reviews. His short story collection, Poachers, has some blurbs by heavyweights like Philip Roth and Richard Ford. Has anyone here read him?
I'm Michael S. Katz, the author of Shalom On The Range. I tried to put a new spin on the genre, with a lot of comedy and Hollywood-style adventure. It's gotten excellent reviews, including from Johnny D. Boggs ("Think Louis L'Amour meets Jerry Seinfeld. Shalom On The Range is an irreverent, quirky and fast-paced non-traditional Western read."), The Denver Post ("an amusing yet clear eyed look at the stereotypes and prejudice that permeated the Old West."), Bookgasm ("Shalom is just so damn entertaining."), Jimmy Palmiotti, author of Jonah Hex ("Fast-moving, daring and at all times captivatingly charismatic"), La Vista Bill Bell from Guns of the Old West Magazine ("With authentic Old West details, plenty of humor and 'edge of the seat' action, Shalom On The Range is a page-turner whether you are kosher or not!"). I could sure use all the support I can get so I can keep writing westerns, and the book (in hardcover) is available through Amazon.com for under $10.00. If you know someone who likes a funny read, or an exciting Western, or a study of cultures in the old west, please point them my way.
RE - THE BLACK HORSE WESTERNS. Borders US can order them direct,as can most good bookshops. And a quick plug here - Look out for my, The Tarnished Star by Jack Martin due next year from Black Horse westerns.
Fans of Western fiction who are interested in new works might also want to check out my novel, The Pirooters, on Sundowners, a division of Treble Heart Books. It can be found on the Internet at http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/
SDMellon.html
Those interested in learning more about my writing can also visit my own website: www.mellonwritesagain.com
Might also try Spirit of the Snake by yours truly. Just released by Unlimited Publishing, it is post Civil War Texas ... I've read it, it's a good one :)www.unlimitedpublishing.com/spirit
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