Progressive Historical Westerns

In June, I won a contract from Sourcebooks for a progressive historical western series. What does the “progressive” part mean? Traditionally, western novels have featured more than their fair share of racism, misogyny, and erasure of history. Major retailers such as WalMart are anxious to turn the page, so to speak, with western novels that are more respectful of women, indigenous people, and people of color who helped settle the west. For example, 20% of the Plains Army was comprised of black men, mostly formerly enslaved, who saw the Army as a gateway to a better life – the so-called “buffalo soldiers”. Their presence and contribution has been largely ignored by Hollywood and historical fiction in general. Or, that most of the so-called “Indian Wars” erupted when the government made treaties with plain’s tribes and then broke them. Yet historical fiction has treated these tribes as the aggressors rather than people fighting to maintain what was promised them.

You might say, “This is just political correctness.” I’d say you’re half right – this is correctness. My first job as a historical author is to get the history right. Not forgetting what happened and who participated is the first job of a historian. As a result, my novels will feature all the people who played a role in the panorama of western migration, and from their perspectives. If I do it right, I can participate in a new wave of western novel that opens eyes and unlocks doors.

7 Comments:

  1. I’ve read your David Paynter series and enjoyed them immensely. You give some other angles to western life different from those portrayed by most western authors. But you do not give the impression of obscuring the truths of those times on the altar of historic revisionism. In fact, you affirm the value of the good parts of our heritage. From a fan who still appreciates Louis L’amour and Zane Gray (I’ve read most of their books more than once), thank you!
    Have you ever read the non-fiction book, “The Frontiersmen” by Alan W. Eckert? That book is so descriptive of the many facets of early frontier life. No need to romanticize there! It was an eye-opener for me. Your books, like that one, also leave room for the flaws of real people in those extraordinary circumstances.
    I’m trying to write a book on my own history of smuggling Bibles into Eastern Europe in the mid to late eighties. I hope my style can be as engaging as yours, though admittedly, there were no six-guns involved!
    Please keep writing more Western genre material. It really suits you!

    • Thank you for the kind words! As a historical writer, you know the difficulty of presenting unvarnished truth of a culture without dismissing the purer motivations of individuals. It’s a tightrope that will attract criticism form *someone* no matter what you do. Thanks for the recommendation of “The Frontiersmen” – I will check it out. In return, I’d recommend H. W. Brand’s Dreams of El Dorado if you haven’t read it. As non-fiction, it does a tremendous job of describing the less attractive cultural motivations of settling the West while celebrating the individuals who made it happen. Good luck with your book! The world before the fall of the Iron Curtain is a fascinating time!

      • Thank you for the book recommendation. I will check it out.
        I read some of the criticism of your other genre work and they went on long enough to let me know I didn’t share their view.
        I just know you write a great Western. Please write some more!

  2. Your books of historical Western lore have hit pay dirt with me. I truly enjoyed the plots, characters and your style of writing. I only wish there were more than three that I am aware of. Kindest regards.

    • Thank you, Ralph! Reader comments are worth their weight in gold, whether they be critical or affirming. In short, I am waiting for my publisher to decide on next steps. I have a fourth Jake Paynter outlined (what happens when the gang goes to Chicago) and a new three-novel series set during the California gold rush. I will post on my website and Facebook page as I learn updates. Thanks for your kind words and patronage!

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