This document discusses the genre of Westerns. It notes that Westerns typically have settings in the American West between 1865-early 20th century and feature cowboys, settlers, lawmen and the clash between civilization and lawlessness. The document outlines some key elements of Westerns like rich landscape descriptions, mythic heroes, and morality tale storylines. It then recommends several classic Western authors like Louis L'Amour and Larry McMurtry. The document also explores trends in the genre like modern adaptations, genre blends with historical fiction, and awards for Western fiction.

1. Westerns
A Landscape Genre

2. Landscape Appeal:
Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Westerns
• Settings—whether real or imagined—and
background details frame these stories
• Often slower paced at first to accommodate
extensive details and world building
• Stories may build on historical characters or
events or retell familiar tales
• Timeless—or out-of-time quality. Don’t date
as quickly; classics remain popular.

3. Why Read Westerns?
• Useful crossover for some historical fiction
fans
• Great stories—adventure, exploration,
gunslingers, pioneers
• Represent the past of both our countries so
there’s a guaranteed market

4. Westerns in the US…
• Are set west of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers
from end of Civil War (1865) until 20th century
• Offer a feel of the Old West rather than the details of
Historical Fiction
• Feature cowboys, scouts, Indians, settlers, and
lawmen
• Explore the clash between civilization and anarchy in
mythic stories of men and the land.
• Share similarities with Australia: terrain, aborigines,
settling the unsettled areas

5. The Appeal of Westerns

6. Frame/Setting
Rich in landscape
descriptions with
setting lyrically and
evocatively described
but also treacherous

7. Characterizations
Stories feature mythic
heroes and real
historical characters.
Women may be
secondary in traditional
westerns but play a
larger role in recent
titles.
Often stereotypical
good/bad.

8. Story Lines
Story lines often place
hero in a morality play; he
brings justice and restores
order.
Other themes include
survival in a harsh
environment, the
redemptive power of the
west, revenge, and
coming of age.

9. Pacing
Pace depends on
storyline. Adventure
moves story more quickly;
description slows the
pace. These are stories of
the westward expansion
and there’s a sense of
forward movement.

10. Style/Language
Colorful but spare
language.
Often rich in jargon.
Reminiscences and
diaries sometimes tell
these stories.
Even poetry.

11. Tone/Mood
Often a nostalgic tone,
celebrating past times.
Humor may also play a
role.
Think: cowboy songs

12. Classic: Elmer Kelton
• Sure Bet
• Character-centered
• Historically accurate
• Texas settings
• Characters placed in
realistic settings rather
than action

13. Classic: Louis L’Amour
• Sure Bet
• Congressional Gold Medal
and Presidential Medal of
Freedom
• Revived Westerns stories
• Action-packed tales of
adventure and survival
• Strong heroes fighting for
justice
• Lives on in reprints

14. Classic: Ivan Doig
• Sure Bet
• Homesteaders, not
cowboys
• Western Montana
setting
• Lyrical writing
• Sense of place and love
of the land

15. More Classics
• Robert B. Parker
• Don Coldsmith
• Owen Wister
• Jack Schaefer
• A. B. Guthrie
• Alan LeMay

16. Johnny D. Boggs
• Action and adventure
• Vividly drawn
characters, including
Native American
protagonists
• Unusual settings
• Spur Award winner
• Also writes historical
fiction

17. Loren D. Estleman
• Known also for Detroit
Mysteries
• Single title westerns about
Western figures and Page
Murdock series (Mystery
blend)
• Solid research
• More elegant writing
• Gritty
• Details of western
landscape, external and
internal

18. Joe Lansdale
• Dark, gritty, quirky
and offbeat tales
• Fast paced adventures
• Well-drawn characters
• Witty style
• Also writes award-
winning mysteries and
horror

19. Larry McMurtry
• De-romanticized the West,
historical and contemporary
• Vivid characters, including
woman
• Strong sense of time and
place
• Lyrical prose
• Often nostalgic, melancholy
tone
• Sweeping, cinematic tales
• Leisurely paced
• Western Nonfiction

20. Richard S. Wheeler
• Prolific with multiple
series
• Frontiersmen and
settlers
• Real historical figures
• Character-centered
• Richly detailed settings
• Compelling stories

21. Genre-blending
Historical Fiction as
biggest crossover genre
with tales of the historical
figures and the settlement
of the West.
The line between the two
can be very faint.

22. More Genre Blends
• Mystery
• Romance
• Inspirational
• Fantasy
• Science Fiction
• Horror

23. The Ultimate Blend
• Western
• Historical Fiction
• Crime Thriller
• Literary Fiction
• Black humor

24. Trends

25. Modern “Western”

26. Reprints and Whole Collection

27. “Adult” Westerns
• Explicit sex and violence
• Less concern for
Western settings and
themes
• Generally covers reveal
whether traditional or
adult

28. Westerns on the Web
• Western Writers of America
• Western Fictioneers
• Western Authors

29. U.S. Awards for Westerns
• Spur
• Western Heritage
• Peacemaker

30. Literary Westerns