A Fistful of second opinions

Head on over to Booklife for the second part of the article where a handful of western writers, myself included, talk about the power of the western.


"“Of course,” says Gary Dobbs, who writes Westerns as Jack Martin, “the Western is fun by its very nature–gunslingers, bounty hunters, soiled doves, Indians, outlaws–all the cool stuff, really.”" Click HERE for the full article

A Fistful of opinions

Head over to Booklife where a fistful of  western authors, myself included, are talking about the power of the western

AND THE SHERIFF SAID TO THE KID

A sixteen year old female western writer and one that's been published professionally - now that's got to be a novelty. Check out the details HERE

Half a Pig

I am pleased as a politician who managed to shred his expenses list before the Daily Telegraph came looking, at being included in the anthology A Fistful Of Legends - 21 new stories of the West.

I am double pleased, maybe even as pleased as Gordon Brown would be if he woke up on election day and found it had all been a bad dream and Mrs Brown was actually a pron star from Eastern Europe, because one of the stories, Half a Pig by Mathew P. Mayo was shortlisted for one of those groovey Spur Awards.

Fellow groovey hipster, Dave Lewis looks at the story as part of his look at the book - go HERE

And while you're there take a look around because Dave sure keeps a mean old blog.

A FISTFUL OF LEGENDS

Got my copy in the post today and it's an excellent looking book. The cover art is vividly reproduced and gives the book a hip look - it gives the impression that the western, far from being an outdated genre is all about the here and now. Which is a point James Reasoner makes in his excellent introduction to the collection - Those who avoid it (the western) thinking that the western is an outdated genre and has no relevance to today's world simply don't understand what they're missing. The western has a universality that is just stunning.

And the range of subjects covered by the writers of this collection reflect the entire human condition - revenge, greed, love, hate are all subjects raised somewhere within these pages.

Course I'm proud and honoured to have a story of mine, The Gimp, included in the collection, but this book would be a must for me regardless of that fact. Western anthologies are thin on the ground and when one comes along like this, you just have to snap it up.

My story - The Gimp, deals with a young boy, who overcomes his physical handicap in order to achieve his dreams. It originally went under the working title of The Youngest Gun but editor, Nik Morton suggested the current title. Gimp being a derogatory word, thrown at the character. I'm grateful to him for that - it's a far punchier title and a little bit rebellious in these overly PC times. Anyway, I hope, readers enjoy it but if they don't - well, there are also twenty other stories from writers who sure know how to spin a yarn.

Lance Howard's tale, Billy is a beautiful, tender tale with the author handling the subject of Downs Syndrome responsibly and sensitively. And that's just one of the many highlights within these covers. Each and every story, selected by Nik Morton and Charles Whipple, is an example of the best of the modern western genre.

Any fan of the west will want this book - check it out HERE

A fistful of reviews

The review are starting to come in for the western anthology - check out Laurie Powers thoughts on the book HERE.

"Some themes are just a little on the edge, while others follows the standard western story lines. Dead Man Talking by Derek Rutherford recounts a childhood in which a family is slaughtered. Lonigan Must Die by Ben Bridges is about a convict who confronts a minister who was responsible for his arrest years earlier. Some are hilarious, such as "The Pride of the Crocketts" by Evan Lewis. Two stories centered around characters that are usually outcasts in western society, "Billy" by Lance Howard, and "The Gimp" by Jack Martin, are stunning stories that will break your heart with just a couple of words."

Wow - get over there and read the full review

A FISTFULOF LEGENDS

If you haven't picked up a copy of this excellent anthology then now is your last chance to take advantage of the free shipping offer. Go HERE for details and don't say we haven't warned you.

The book is destined to become a classic of the genre.

A FITSFUL OF LEGENDS FREE SHIPPING OFFER DUE TO END

Dave Lewis reminds us HERE

The fantastic anthology of new western fiction, one by yours truly, will delight any western fan.

If you haven't already then check it out.

A Fistful again

I wanted to quick draw Archive readers attention to this review of the spectacular western anthology, A Fistful of Legends.

Visit the Broken Trails

Don't forget the book is still available as part of the special offer and you will find details of this within the review.

THE WORD IS OUT

A FISTFUL LEGENDS
HERE
HERE
HERE
HERE
HERE
And quite probably everywhere else.

THE MAGNIFICENT TWO

Yesterday I told you about the special offer in which you could get hold of the eagerly awaited western anthology, A Fistful of Legends a full month before official publication date - HERE ARE THE DETAILS.

What I didn't realise was that you can also buy the previous anthology -WHERE LEGENDS RIDE as part of a super duper double deal.
You can buy either book separately or for an even better saving get the two together. And shipping is free, making this not so much a super duper offer but more a super duper whooper offer.

But seriously these two books contain stories by some of the best western writers working today. Established names like Lance Howard, Ian Parnham, Jack Giles, Mathew Mayo and Ross Morton as well as newer writers. A Fistful of Legends for instance features a story by a sixteen year old British writer which proves that the western is alive and well with the youth of today.

So get these books, maybe both of them, on your Christmas list. Follow the link above for details of how to purchase.

RELATED - IT'S WESTERNS ALL THE WAY TODAY ON THE ARCHIVE. LATER WE WILL BE LOOKING AT CHAP O'KEEFE'S NEWIE FROM BHE BOOKS AS WELL AS CLINT EASTWOOD:ICON BY DAVID FRANGIONI. AND MORE IF I GET A CHANCE TO FIT IT IN BETWEEN LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND A FULL DRESS REHEARSAL THIS EVENING FOR PUSS IN BOOTS.

Mind you I'm not moaning for it is the season to be jolly.

WOW - LOOK AT THIS!!!!!! SUPER DUPER OFFER!!!!!!!!

Regular readers will know that the eagerly awaited anthology from Express Westerns will be published on Jan 31st 2010. However for a limited time only you can buy the book now at a special price and it will be mailed to you immediately. That means that if you act fast you can read this superb book before it's even officially published - And what's more this offer is good for both the UK and US.

Now that's good news indeed. The book, contains 21 stories of the old west, one by yours truly, and will make an excellent Christmas present for the western fan in your life. Twenty one stories from big western names and newcomers to the genre.

Here's the lineup for A Fistful of Legends:
INTRODUCTION by James Reasoner
DEAD MAN TALKING by Derek Rutherford
BILLY by Lance Howard
LONIGAN MUST DIE! By Ben Bridges
THE MAN WHO SHOT GARFIELD DELANY by I J Parnham
HALF A PIG by Matthew P Mayo
BLOODHOUND by C. Courtney Joyner
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Gillian F Taylor
BIG ENOUGH by Chuck Tyrell
ONE DAY IN LIBERTY by Jack Giles
SHADOWS ON THE HORIZON by Bobby Nash
ON THE RUN by Alfred Wallon
THE GIMP by Jack Martin
VISITORS by Ross Morton
THE NIGHTHAWK by Michael D George
THE PRIDE OF THE CROCKETTS by Evan Lewis
DARKE JUSTICE by Peter Avarillo
ANGELO AND THE STRONGBOX by Cody Wells
CRIB GIRLS by Kit Churchill
MAN OF IRON by Chuck Tyrell
CASH LARAMIE AND THE MASKED DEVIL by Edward A Grainger
DEAD MAN WALKING by Lee Walker

THE WESTERN EVENT OF THE YEAR.

US READERS GO HERE
UK READERS GO HERE
Readers elsewhere in the world drop a query to the UK link and I'm sure you will find help there.

A Fistful of Legends

It's one of the most eagerly awaited western collections of the past year and the wait is almost over - A Fistful of Legends will be available to buy from 31st January 2010.

The book's introduction comes from none other than James Reasoner and the full listing of the 21 stories:

DEAD MAN TALKING by Derek Rutherford
BILLY by Lance Howard
LONIGAN MUST DIE! By Ben Bridges
THE MAN WHO SHOT GARFIELD DELANY by I J Parnham
HALF A PIG by Matthew P Mayo
BLOODHOUND by C. Courtney Joyner
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Gillian F Taylor
BIG ENOUGH by Chuck Tyrell
ONE DAY IN LIBERTY by Jack Giles
SHADOWS ON THE HORIZON by Bobby Nash
ON THE RUN by Alfred Wallon
THE GIMP by Jack Martin
VISITORS by Ross Morton
THE NIGHTHAWK by Michael D George
THE PRIDE OF THE CROCKETTS by Evan Lewis
DARKE JUSTICE by Peter Avarillo
ANGELO AND THE STRONGBOX by Cody Wells
CRIB GIRLS by Kit Churchill
MAN OF IRON by Chuck Tyrell
CASH LARAMIE AND THE MASKED DEVIL by Edward A Grainger
DEAD MAN WALKING by Lee Walker


(How cool is that! Look Jack Martin's sandwiched in amongst all those great writers! I'm gonna' go whoooopiieeee!)

Discover what it’s like to ride with damaged men and sinister night stalkers, tragic doves, plucky homemakers and gun-toting belles. Experience for yourself the harsh reality of birth and death, love and hate, revenge, retribution and robbery. You'll find it all here, penned by a whole posse-full of Western writers old and new.
So what are you waiting for? Saddle up for action and adventure ... and grab yourself A Fistful of Legend


And the previous anthology from Express Westerns - Where Legends Ride is still available. Ride HERE for details of how to purchase either or both books


AND IN RELATED NEWS: I got Lee Walker's début western, Gun Law in the post today - pre-ordered from Amazon and received a few weeks before official publication. Expect a review here soon.

A Fistful of Excitement

Head on over to THE CULBIN TRAIL for the most exciting news since Wyatt Earp showed Doc his pistol.

THE ARCHIVE SAYS: WHOOOOPIEEE!

A FISTFUL OF QUESTIONS - NIK MORTON MINI INTERVIEW

It's one of the most eagerly waited events in the Western calendar - the arrival of the second anthology from Express Westerns. A fistful of Legends, is shaping up nicely, containing 21 all new stories, one from yours truly, of the old west.

I caught up with editor in chief Nik Morton AKA western writer, Ross Morton and forced him at gunpoint to spill the beans on this new project. Well, a man's gotta' do what a man's gotta' do!

TA - Firstly I’m over the moon to be in the anthology with my story ‘The Gimp’.

What other newcomers are there?

N - There are two types of newcomers in A Fistful of Legends. The first fall into the category of being writers but the anthology is featuring their first western. I think that C Courtney Joyner, Edward A Grainger and Bobby Nash fall into that category. The second are those who are brand new to writing short stories: among these is Michael D George, an accomplished western novelist with 60 books under his gun-belt, but we’re featuring his first short story; Cody Wells and of course Peter Avarillo are total newcomers to published commercial fiction.

TA- It’s great to see that the anthology will feature someone so young (Chantel) - and she comes from a western writing family too! What made her work stand out?

N- As with all the other contributors, the story is the thing. I liked the idea of her main character and the storyline; it’s a neat little ending, too. I suspect that we’ll see more of her and her enigmatic character over the years.

TA-What can readers expect from this collection?

N – Action, character, authenticity. I’d hope that readers will be impelled to turn the pages and enjoy the ride, possibly shedding a tear here, laughing a bit there, and come away fully satisfied with a damned fine read. Well, we writers have to be optimistic, otherwise we wouldn’t write, would we?

TA- Are the themes as varied as in the first volume?

N- More stories, so in fact more varied. Where Legends Ride was a good selection with a couple of daring tales to boot – in 186 pages. A Fistful of Legends just goes that bit extra distance because it has more material, filling over 240 pages. James Reasoner says in his introduction that the ‘Western has always featured much more moral complexity than its critics give it credit for…’ This selection supports his words. The Western will survive because its themes are universal. In A Fistful of Legends you’ll find: revenge, redemption, punishment, prejudice, humour, courage, selflessness, honour, duty and pride.

TA -When will A Fistful of Legends be available?

N - Can’t say, though it’s hoped to be out this December. It depends on a number of factors. Bear in mind, it’s being produced by talented unpaid volunteers in their spare time, while they have other pressures to deal with in tandem, not least to earn a living wage.

TA-And have you any other future projects lined up?

N – I’m always working on a novel or two. January this year I started my fourth BHW but other projects meant it was put on the backburner. Now may be the time to get on with it. I have a book of (published) shorts stories and four novels out with various publishers, awaiting rejection or acceptance, and I’m busy compiling another collection of linked short stories about a guy called Leon Cazador, a modern-day Simon Templar. Just published is my second psychic spy thriller The Tehran Transmission, set in Iran at the time of the start of the Islamic Revolution in 1978; spookily, there are many parallels with the current events in the storyline.


Keep an eye out on the Archive for reports as the book becomes available
The first Express westerns anthology - Where Legend's Ride is still available HERE