The Great Western Drive
Monday, August 17, 2009 3:48
I admit when Kristie J emailed I pretty much said yes before I finished the email because it was Kristie and she said the code word – WESTERNS.
I envy those of you who were around for the high ‘trend’ of the western. Lucky for me so many of you have recommended such amazing novels I have read, loved, collected, and hoarded to read while I wait for the ‘trend’ to come into vogue again.
Every year it seems, the western is on the verge of a comeback, every (ok most, but that post comes later in the week) publisher wants that NEXT great western to publish. And this year will be our year. Why you ask? Because like the spirit of the west – our hope springs eternal – there is a never ending well of rebirth. No matter what the past sins of publishing, this year, if they only pack up their covered wagons and moved west, it could happen!
Of course there are those publishers who will be forever be in my heart: Harlequin Historical, HQN, Dorchester, Kensington, and Samhain. When I ask (and ask and ask and ask) why we don’t have more historical westerns, the blame more often than not is put right back in our court.
Now I know Kristie, Wendy and I do – we read them, buy them, and WANT them. And the plan for The Great Western Drive is to spend the week telling you why you should read them, buy them, and WANT them too.
Read A Western: Cowboys Need Love Too.
KristieJ says:
August 17th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I read them!!
I want them!!
I buy them!!!
You should too!!
(heh heh heh)
Seriously – I couldn’t be happier or more excited that you and Wendy got onboard so quickly and so involved!!
Diana Tixier Herald says:
August 17th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I, too love Westerns. All kinds including fantasy westerns. In addition to the publishers mentioned don’t forget Tor/Forge who is one of the biggest publishers of traditional Westerns. Some of my favorite authors include Win Blevins and Linda Lael Miller. Very different style and content but both are superb. Was in Grand Junction High School Library last week and saw some relatively recent books by Eugene Vories, another Western author I like, that had been published by a small press. Got to add them to my to be read list on GoodReads.
Tracy Garrett says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Speaking as one who loves to write westerns, keep reading, wanting and buying! And I’ll keep writing.
azteclady says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hear, hear!
*checking shelves and TBB list*
Yes, I want them, read them and (when possible) buy them!
Pam Crooks says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Hey, Sybil! We love western romances, too! In fact, we write them, promote them and blog about them on Petticoats and Pistols!
http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com
(But then, you already knew that, eh?)
Thanks for the Great Western Drive! We’re going to help you spread the word about it–the link is up on P & P.
Wendy says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
My “Readers don’t read them. Readers don’t buy them. Readers don’t want them.” whine is on tap for Friday. I know, y’all are waiting with baited breath! LOL
If it were logistically possible you know what I would love to do? Have you, me and Kristie get together in one secret location with our individual western romance collections so we can paw through all of them. Getting us all in one place might not be so hard – but dang – do you know how expensive it would be to ship all those books?
Lori says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
OMG – I love you!! I am all over this one. In the infamous words of Meg Ryan, Yes! Yes! YES!!!!!!
Victoria Bylin says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I’ve been hearing for years that “westerns are dead.” Not here! Not for this author! I will always love rugged men with big ideas and big hearts. And the heroines . . . They’re strong women with courage and common sense. It’s a great combo. Long live the western!
Casee says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I love westerns, both historical and contemporary.
My favorites are written by Pamela Clare. Love her.
Tanya Hanson says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I love Westerns. The resilience, the self-reliance, the conflict, the hottie cowboy, the strong yet vulnerable heroine. Oh my. I read them and I buy them and I write them.
Long live the Western!
Thank you for this great blog! Come visit the fillies, Western authors all, at http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com when you have time.
Hugs,
~Tanya
http://www.tanyahanson.com
http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com
Mary Connealy says:
August 17th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I love westerns. I think your poll just caught western lovers off guard. They were probably busy with a cattle drive somewhere.
Historical romance is hot right now and westerns fit in there just fine.
That’s why I keep writing them.
Hunt of Cowboy Christmas in bookstores in September.
Mary Connealy says:
August 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I love westerns. I think your poll just caught western lovers off guard. They were probably busy with a cattle drive somewhere.
Historical romance is hot right now and westerns fit in there just fine.
That’s why I keep writing them.
Hunt for Cowboy Christmas in bookstores in September.
Sybil says:
August 17th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
ok this is sad I can’t get into the back of the blog yet but hopefully soon…
should I make people wait to hear about contests or post about some of them today
You know IF I can get back into the blog
Georganna says:
August 17th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I LOOOOOVE me a good western! But I’m strictly a contemporary gal, (ducking) I am not a fan of historicals. (Sorry.)
arani says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I too love contemporary western only. (Waves to Georganna)
Can I have a hunky cowboy for my birthday?
cheryl c. says:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I absolutely love westerns, both contemporary and historical. A cowboy is sexy no matter the time period!
Sybil says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
LOL contemporary’s need lurve too, as I am a personal fan of the historical I lean that way… but hit me
What are your faves?
And do tell which historicals have you tried and why didn’t you like them? Completely ok to not like it, promise
. And how long ago was it you read them?
Georganna or Arani would you be willing to try again or do you guy not read historical romance at all?
Sybil says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I adore Pamela Clare’s western romances Casee! Ride the Fire is one of my all time tops.
DeeCee says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I love westerns. I got started on Linda Lael Miller’s old originals, but got hooked with Sarah McCarty’s Promises series. Also loved the Clare books and the Jodi Thomas series’.
I like them simply because there isn’t much in the way of technology in them. Kind of a refreshing change from reality where people can’t spend 10 minutes away from their cell phones or laptops.
Wendy says:
August 17th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
It’s funny because as much as I love westerns, I tend to naturally gravitate towards the historical end of the spectrum. I honestly don’t read too many contemporary westerns, and I’m not sure why. Although I will admit I read quite a bit in the Harlequin SuperRomance line and they usually offer a fair share of the contemporary westerns.
I’m open to contemporary western recs. C’mon people. Hit us with ‘em! LOL
Paty Jager says:
August 18th, 2009 at 8:48 am
You can find westerns both historical and contemporary at The Wild Rose Press in the Cactus and Yellow Rose lines. both in e-book or print. http://www.thewildrosepress.com
And yes, I love reading them and writing them!
Paty Jager says:
August 18th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Wendy,
My contemporary western “Perfectly Good Nanny” won an EPPIE for Best Contemporary of 2008. You can find it at The Wild Rose Press website or any online print and e-book store or you can order it from your local book store.
Casee says:
August 18th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Sybil, I can’t believe you didn’t cyber slap me. How could I have forgotten JO GOODMAN? Mother-f-er. Her Dennehy Sisters series is to die for.
I am so disappointed that I forgot she has another western coming out on Sept. 1.
I deserve more than one cyber slap. Bring it on.
Wendy, the only contemporary westerns I can think of at this very moment are Diana Palmer’s. I know there are more. I’ll be back when I remember them.
Georganna says:
August 18th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Sybil – I am always willing to try a new book, but in general I prefer contemps. Do you have one or two historical westerns that you can recommend that might change my mind?
Sybil says:
August 19th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Good news site is much better…
Bad news HORRID migraine yesterday and I am running mucho behind today… post up shortly
thank god for Cheryl St.John (that is sort of funny when you see the post)
JennJ says:
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:23 am
I read them!! I want them!! and I buy them too!!! It’s actually one of my favorite genre’s! Thank God we still have those authors who have remained faithful to our beloved westerns and some who are returning soon YIPEE!!!!!
Virginia C says:
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Thank you so much for The Great Western Drive! My heart lives in the Old West. I was raised on the great TV Westerns like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Big Valley & etc. My whole family watched those shows together. My grandfather was a great fan of Zane Grey & Louis L’Lamour. My heartthrob of all time is Sam Elliott, who has no peer as a Western star. I love historial romances set in the Old West of the mid to late 1800′s. I often think that I lived in that time period and that is where I experienced the love of my life!
gcwhiskas @ aol dot com
Natalie Acres says:
August 27th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I write westerns and constantly search for historical western romances. Thank you for bringing more attention to the genre by joining The Great Western Drive!
Cowboy Love,
Natalie Acres
Mageela T. says:
August 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I love westerns. And thank you for the Great Western Drive because as an unpublished writing trying to sell her historical western I always hear that westerns don’t sell.
And some good historical westerns (that are my keepers), Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson and The brides series by Leigh Greenwood.
2009 TBR Challenge (September): Ride the Fire « Renee’s Book Addiction says:
September 16th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
[...] KrisiteJ, Wendy and Sybil decided to hold The Great Western Drive. At the end of this week-long extravaganza celebrating the [...]