January 2010

A new book Learning to Cope with Sight Loss from William L. McGee gives his personal journey told from the perspective of a legally-blind author looking for ways to continue plying his craft. Available in print and audio; learn more at BMC Publications.

Congratulations to Mark Mellon whose novella Escape From Byzantium came in at no. 14 for science fiction/fantasy novels in the Critters Workshop poll. Visit Mark's site to learn more about this and other of his short stories.

Terry Halden has started the new year well. He has an article with seven photos in the February issue of Wild West Magazine (on newsstands now) about the Montana ghost town of Castle; also, his book Ghost Towns and Mining Districts of Montana received a positive review at Western Mining History. To learn more about Halden and his book, visit his Web site

December 2009

Congratulations to Gary Svee for his moving short story, "Henry's Christmas", in the 12 Dec. issue of Saturday Evening Post. Read it here, and check out the October interview with Svee at One-on-one

Mark Mellon has a retro-science fiction story, "The Occultation Suit", in issue no. 14 of Twisted Tongue magazine. Anyone interested in reading the yarn can order a hard copy of the magazine or download a PDF for free at the Twisted Tongue Web site.

November 2009

Congratulations to Randall Platt for her newest book Hellie Jondoe, from Texas Tech University Press. This young adult fiction has plot surprises and captivating characters. Learn more at Platt's Web site.

A new title is out from Eugene Vories, author of more than a dozen Westerns. Return to the Arrowhead is a ranching story with grit and authenticity.

Michael Spradlin's second book of The Youngest Templar series is now available. The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate, from Putnam's Puffin Books, is full of adventure and mystery for a young reader. Click here to learn more.

October 2009

Mike Cox' new release, Time of the Rangers, will be on virtual tour from 10/15 through 11/15/09. This is Book II of Cox' definitive history of the Texas Rangers, published by FORGE Books. Cox is an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters. This is his sixth book on the Texas Rangers. Check out the book.

Mark Mellon rides again, on a good review of his novella Escape from Byzantium. Read the review here. Mellon has authored several short stories (see below), and the book The Pirooters.

September 2009

On September 12, Terry Halden, author of the comprehensive book Ghost Towns and Mining Districts of Montana was voted in as president of Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society (MGTPS). The Society seeks to restore and preserve mining camps and ghost towns for their cultural benefits and against depredation. Halden's book is available at regional bookstores and online at his Web site.

Congratulations to Western Kansas historian Charlotte Hinger on her newest title Deadly Descent. The mystery was published by Poisoned Pen Press and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. This is Hinger's second novel; learn more about it at her Web site.

August 2009

Congratulations to Gladys Smith, whose title In the Shadow of Rebellion has been named Finalist in Best Trade Publication by Women Writing the West (WWW). WWW annually presents WILLA awards at their yearly conference. Gladys Smith, author of five titles, has won two WILLAs and been a Finalist for two other titles.

A short story by Mark Mellon, author of The Pirooters is now online. "The Espantosa," can be found at Rope and Wire, a Western ezine. Mark has also been written up in the ezine's Authors pages. Mellon also has a short story, "Buzzards Circle Dogtown", online at Six Guns & Shootouts.

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