STORIES SET IN THE WEST
Several of my author friends have deals for new series set in small-town America or on ranches, with cowboys and horses and great characters. An important component to these type of books is the wide open places, endless sky, and the decent, hard-working people of the west. I don’t think westerns are dead. They’ve been repackaged into stories that are smarter, action packed and more vivid for today’s readers.
Western Writers of America is a group devoted to promoting the genre. Members include not only novelists, but song writers, historians, screenwriters, musicians, living history re-enactors, and fans of everything western.
WWA members receive a copy of the Roundup Magazine, the official bi-monthly publication of the group. The October 2015 edition just happens to include two of my articles: “Researching West Texas” is a summary of the panel of museum archivists who spoke at the WWA Convention in Lubbock this past summer. “Texas Rangers: Then and Now” is a summary of the keynote given by historian and author, Robert M. Utley.
As a member, you’ll benefit greatly from being a part of this organization. Members can have one entry in WWA’s online catalog, one entry on the WWA app, a WWA Star Speakers Listing, and be included on the WWA Facebook Page and WWA Twitter links—all for FREE!
Whether you’re a history buff, writer, or just a fan of great stories set in the west, you’ll love being a part of this group. Here’s the website:
Mark your calendar right now for the next WWA Convention dates:
June 21-25, 2016: Cheyenne, Wyoming
June 20-24, 2017: Kansas City, Missouri
Wordsmith Six 