Latest Book Cover
It’s always fun to get a new book cover, even if it is for a reprint. This is the planned cover for Mix-Up at the O.K. Corral, the third volume in The Memoirs of H.H. Lomax. It’s not the typical western cover, … Continue reading →
Connections to the Past
One of the things I love about history is the connections you can make to the past. This past week, Harriet and I made a connection all the way back to the Declaration of Texas Independence through Noah T. Byars, … Continue reading →
Spur Begats Spur
It’s always good to see hard work pay off as it did last week for Patrick Dearen, a Sterling City native and longtime writer friend who now lives in Midland. Patrick earned a Spur Award from Western Writers of America for … Continue reading →
Western Writers Hall of Fame
During the Western Writers of America convention, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s induction into the Western Writers Hall of Fame. After the 2015 ceremony, the Hall of Fame, which is housed at the Buffalo Bill Center of … Continue reading →
Fort Griffin Fandangle
Of all the Old West towns I’ve read about over the years, Fort Griffin, remains my favorite, but not until this year had I ever had the opportunity to attend the Fort Griffin Fandangle, produced by the citizens of nearby … Continue reading →
Texas Falling
I missed the first installment of Texas Rising as I was out of town, but picked up the second part of the History Channel’s mini-series. I must admit I was disappointed. While I favor historical movies and westerns, this one … Continue reading →
Writing Mentor: David McHam
One of my luckiest breaks in life was attending Baylor University when I did because I was able to get a journalism education under David McHam, who provided the foundation for my writing career and got me my first professional … Continue reading →
Texas Bluebonnets
Landscape is an essential part of most westerns and this weekend we traveled to the Texas Hill Country around Mason in search of Lupinus texensis, better known as the Texas Bluebonnet. Yes, who can live in Texas without going on … Continue reading →
Quanah’s Birthplace
I just returned this weekend from the annual meeting of the West Texas Historical Association, which always offers an interesting program of presentations on the region’s history. One of the most fascinating papers was by Holle Humphries on “Quanah Parker … Continue reading →
Aliases
Occasionally, I get asked why I’ve written under various pennames. The answer can be simple or complex, but either way it carries on a great literary tradition. Mark Twain, of course, was actually Samuel L. Clemens, Lewis Carroll was really … Continue reading →