Book of the film - LAST STAND AT SABER RIVER

 

Written by Elmore Leonard in 1959, my copy is published 2005. Leonard is famous for both his crime novels (Get Shorty, Mr Majestyk, Glitz, and Out of Sight) and also westerns (3:10 to Yuma, Hombre, Valdez is Coming, Joes Kidd, and The Bounty Hunters) and many of his books have been filmed.

Last Stand at Saber River took almost forty years to be filmed, as a TV movie starring Tom Selleck, Suzy Amis, Haley Joel Osment, Keith Carradine, David Carradine and David Dukes.

The film and the book differ mainly in the beginning and end sequences.

The film starts earlier than the book, filling in background that is flashbacked in the book. The Civil War still rages. Reported killed in action, Paul Cable is a Confederate veteran returning home to surprise his wife Martha and two children (they lost a third to disease while he was away fighting; though in the book the child is alive [economising on young actors]). His family has been staying with her parents but now he is going to take them to their homestead in Arizona, which they left during his absence. However, in the book it begins with them arriving at the trading post which is near to their homestead. But the owner has passed away and it is now part owned by Janroe who lost a hand in the war.

Cable soon learns that a Union-sympathising family has assumed control of Cable’s homestead and land. This is the Kidston family: Vern, his brother Duane and his daughter Lorraine. Some of the Kidston cowhands are staying at the homestead. Cable chases them off. Thus begins an ongoing feud between the two families. In the book Cable suffers two brutal beatings at the hands of the Kidston crew and Duane (the film doesn’t impose this on Selleck, he is tougher and not averse to killing in self defence).

Janroe harbours a powerful hate for the Union and all who supported the North. He is intent on engineering further conflict between the two families, even while both Vern and Lorraine are about to talk rather than fight with Cable and Martha.

It is all brought to a head in the final pages and is taut and tense, as one is accustomed when reading any Elmore Leonard book.

However, the film moves beyond the book, stretching out the suspense, determined on inserting more action and conflict.

Both endings work for their different media.

If you like the actor Tom Selleck, then you should enjoy this film. If you like a novel with conflict, strong characterisation and a moral core, then you’ll enjoy the book.

Writing - 'An inspirational book'

It’s not often that writers get a personal letter from a reader. Occasionally, there may be a comment on the website or the blog, or even a review, all of which are always welcome and appreciated.

Today, however, I received that rare thing, an e-mail from a reader I don’t know that really made my day.

 

***

I was paging through the latest issue of Writers' Forum and to my great interest came across 'How To Break Into Westerns' which included an interview with your good self. As a long time devotee of Westerns I thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments and it inspired me to get off my rear and purchase Write A Western In 30 Days and finish it in two days. I have also ordered several reference books you recommend. As a result of your inspirational book I am putting aside another book I am attempting to write and concentrating on a Western. 

My first love of the Western came about when growing up in South Africa in the fifties and every Saturday would find a group of us down at the local cinema swapping comics and enjoying the latest goodies v. baddies sagas. At this time I also sent a 1/6d postal order to the UK to join the Hopalong Cassidy Fan Club and was duly rewarded with a signed photo of Hopalong himself!

Something I have discovered that makes my writing easier, more enjoyable and even more interesting is to use Google Earth.

After research via the Internet - Google, Wikipedia - and books, I insert icons on Google Earth at the locations mentioned. For example, my Wyatt Earp folder includes his birthplace, grave and places in between pinpointed with the appropriate icons (Stetson, boots, revolver etc). An added plus is that you can have border outlines, cities etc., or turn off the markers and just have the continental USA in bare geographical splendour. I divide the characters into outlaws, lawmen etc.

What has struck me is how much the characters travelled during their lifetimes. Considering the size of the country and the means of transport, they certainly got around. I am also setting up the different trails - Santa Fe, Chisolm etc. Time passes quickly when you get absorbed in this.

Once again, thank you for the interview and your fascinating book. I will be purchasing your other works as well.

Happy trails,

 
Geoff Riddell

***

So, thank you, Geoff, for taking the time not only to write but to comment at length. I’m happy that my book has inspired you. 

It can be purchased on Amazon UK here

and

Amazon COM here

and

the print book can also be purchased post-free world-wide here
 

‘I don’t read westerns’

How many times have I heard that? Too many to count. And of course along with that statement is many a publisher’s comment, ‘Westerns don’t sell well these days.’ Thankfully, besides old faithful Robert Hale, a crop of new publishers are embracing tales of the Old West.
 
Today, I’ve viewed my Public Lending Rights statement and it suggests that there are still plenty of readers out there for the western genre.

My oldest western, Death at Bethesda Falls, published in 2007, clocked up 1,400 borrowings last year. Since its publication it has been borrowed 8,709 times, apparently. True, it’s possible that the same reader has taken it out of the library more than once; though he or she has a choice of four other titles from my penname Ross Morton…

Anyway, those figures tend to tell me that the western genre is still popular. So, thank you Robert Hale and all your readers and borrowers!

 

None of the following titles follow any formula western storyline. They're about the human condition, set in the Old West.

Death at Bethesda Falls

 

Jim Thorp had killed plenty of men. They deserved to die. Thorp was a hard man, made so by a bloody Civil War. But he didn’t relish this visit to Bethesda Falls. His old sweetheart Anna worked there as a school-teacher and he was hunting her brother, Clyde, for armed robbery and other more terrible crimes. He didn’t want to hurt Anna but it looked like he would anyway.

Clyde, the foreman of the M-bar-W ranch, is due to wed Ellen, the rancher’s daughter. He’s also poisoning the old man to hasten the inheritance. Thorp’s presence in town starts the downward slide to violence, when not only is Ellen’s life in danger, but also that of Anna and Thorp himself. It is destined to end in violence and death.

Last Chance Saloon

 

The Bethesda Falls stage is robbed and Ruth Monroe, the stage depot owner, is being coerced into selling up by local tycoon, Zachary Smith. Meanwhile, Daniel McAlister returns from gold prospecting to wed Virginia, the saloon’s wheel of fortune operator. Daniel hits a winning streak but is bushwhacked, his winnings stolen.

Virginia sees this romance with Daniel as her last chance of happiness and no matter what, she’s determined to stand by her man, ducking flying bullets if need be. Daniel and Virginia side with Ruth against Smith and his hired gunslingers. Only a deadly showdown will end it, one way or another.

The $300 Man

 

What’s a life worth? $300, maybe. Half-Mexican Corbin Molina lost a hand during the Civil War but he has adapted. Now he’s on a mission to Walkerville. On the way, he prevents a train robbery and finds an old friend. Corbin always carries $300, which is significant, since that’s what he was a paid as substitute soldier for the Union.

When Corbin starts asking questions about Walkerville’s law and administration, he discovers that the Walker family, who seem to have bought and paid for loyalty and position, dominates the townspeople. Inevitably, Corbin’s questions attract plenty of trouble. And his past emerges to confront him during a tense showdown that threatens not only him but also his newfound love.

Blind Justice at Wedlock

 

Clint Brennan interrupts two men kidnapping his wife Belle and he’s shot and left for dead. When he recovers his senses, his wife has gone and he discovers he is blind. Most men would give up there and then, but not Clint. Astride his donkey, he sets out with his faithful dog Mutt on the trail of his wife’s abductors.

Belle believes her husband is dead. She’s rescued, but not by Clint. Her saviour is protective and takes her to his grand home in Wedlock where she meets the charming housekeeper, Mrs Kilbride. Maybe here, they say, she can forget her husband and start a new life…

On the trail, Clint is waylaid by robbers but soon learns to combat enemies at night, when darkness is his ally. Distracted and delayed, he’s still determined to locate his missing wife. A tale of betrayal and lies, it will all end at Wedlock, amidst flames and bullets.

Old Guns

July, 1892. Sam Ransom, 62, learns of the death of Abner, his old partner. Abner left a warning note – the Meak twins were out to get Ransom and the rest ‘because of what happened at Bur Oak Springs’. Ransom sets out to alert his old friends, Jubal, Rory and Derby.

Bur Oak Springs happened over two decades ago. The place was a ghost town even then. Ransom’s family is put in jeopardy and they can only be saved by Ransom and his friends returning to the ghost town, to confront the Meak brothers and their gang. There’s a sense of déjà vu about this; yet, there are fresh revelations too. It’s a showdown: young guns against old guns. [Cover by Tony Masero]

The Magnificent Mendozas (due in July 2014)

Southern Colorado, 1879. The gringo town of Conejos Blancos has just hosted the Mexican circus; no sooner do they move on to their next venue when Hart and over thirty desperadoes take over the town – and the adjacent silver mine! The sheriff is slaughtered and many of the citizens are held hostage.
 
In desperation, two boys escape from the locked-down town. They recruit seven Mexican circus performers, the Magnificent Mendozas: the troupe comprises Mateo, the leader, and his wife Josefa, both expert knife-throwers; José, younger brother of Mateo, a trick rider who lusts after Josefa; Antonio Rivera, sharpshooter; Juan Suaréz, gymnast and trapeze artist with his companion Arcadia Mendoza, who is also expert with bow and arrow; and Ramon Mendoza, escapologist. In order to penetrate the cordon of sentries and free the hostages, the troupe employs their many skills.
 
Not everything runs smoothly, however. Soon, it’s a battle of wits between the Mendozas, Hart and his men and the townspeople. There’s betrayal, bravery and plenty of quick-fire action… and death on both sides. [This might make a better film than a remake of The Magnificent Seven…? I can dream.]

Write a Western in 30 Days by Nik Morton

 

Bullets for a Ballot by Nik Morton (e-book from BTAP)

 

 

Print is mightier than the electron

Well, maybe for a little while longer, anyway.

Ricoh Americas Corporation researchers interviewed over 800 readers and discovered that, regardless of media hype regarding electronic publishing, ‘Nearly 70% of consumers feel it is unlikely that they will give up on printed books by 2016.’  Why they chose 2016 is anybody’s guess. Anyway, the majority of those questioned claimed to have an ‘emotional, visceral and sensory attachment to printed books. Despite their perceived popularity, 60% of e-books downloaded in the US are never read.

Apparently, since 2012, the growth of e-books has slowed noticeably as dedicated e-reader sales decline and tablets are increased which offer alternative forms of entertainment.

College students prefer printed textbooks rather than e-books as they ‘help with concentration’.

The top three reasons given for preferring printed books are: lack of eye-strain, the look and feel of the physical book, and the ability to add the book to a library or collection. (I make that four reasons, since ‘look’ and ‘feel’ are two separate sensations. [Sourced this from a market item in Writers’ News, February 2014.]

I’m happy with my home library of about 4,000 printed books and 150 e-books. I’m surprised that college students don’t seem to have taken to the e-book, as the search facility must be useful in their learning process. Both media have their place and although it isn’t mentioned I suspect that e-readers have encouraged young people to read. And of course the sales in erotic fiction has climbed considerably since nobody can see the book’s possibly lurid cover!

 

Happy reading!

 

My e-books are:

Blood of the Dragon Trees (Crooked Cat Publishing)

 

Spanish Eye (Crooked Cat Publishing)

 

Write a western in 30 Days (John Hunt Publishing)

 

Bullets for a Ballot (BTAP Publishing)

 

Death is Another Life (out of print)

 

When the Flowers are in Bloom (Solstice Publishing)

 

My paperbacks are:

Blood of the Dragon Trees (Crooked Cat Publishing)

 

Spanish Eye (Crooked Cat Publishing)

 

Write a western in 30 Days (John Hunt Publishing)

 

Death is Another Life (out of print)

 

When the Flowers are in Bloom (Solstice Publishing)

 

 

'The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.' - Jane Austen

 

NUN MORE WORTHY

Nuns, even before the haunting Nun’s Story, have carried with them a certain mystique. Granted, there are those bad apples who, like wicked stepmothers, delighted in inflicting pain on children, yet the vast majority have done good work and many have given their lives for their charges and their faith. (The book excerpt below is based on real events...)

I’ve just seen an announcement that Hodder’s going to run a 12-part serial about a gun-toting nun. Bookseller states: ‘Hodder & Stoughton has bought a "groundbreaking digital serial Western", Nunslinger by Stark Holborn. Anne Perry bought world rights in a deal with Ed Wilson of Johnson & Alcock. Set in 1864, the story sees nun Sister Thomas Josephine on her way to California, and finding she has to pick up a gun, in a plot featuring "varmints, lowlifes, cowboys, drifters, desperadoes, high-plains adventure and page-turning excitement". [Who'd have thought Hodder was so pro-westerns?]

The story will be published as a 12-part serial digital original, with parts 1, 2 and 3 published on 26th December 2013 and nine more parts following in March, June and September 2014. Nunslinger is to be promoted with a "spectacular" digital campaign across online communities starting on Boxing Day 2013. Author Stark Holborn is said to be "shrouded in mystery", with Nunslinger "his or her" first published work.’ [I don't think it's J.K. Rowling this time...]

Nuns in fiction are not new, of course – not even in westerns. A far cry from the nunslinger is Thomas Eidson’s brilliant St Agnes’ Stand (1994), an excellent character-driven story. There are a good number in crime fiction: Sister Mary Helen Sister written by real-life nun Sister Carol Anne O’Marie (books 1994-2006), the Sister Mary Teresa series by Ralph McInerny (creator of Father Dowling) writing as Monica Quill (1981-1997), Sister Fidelma, a 7^th century nun in Ireland, written by Peter Tremayne (1994-2012), and Sister Agnes by Alison Joseph (1994-2011).

 

A beginners’ guide to detective nuns, (of whom, the compiler states, there are too many, particularly medieval ones) can be found at this website: some 35 are listed: http://www.detecs.org/intro.html

There’s also a slew of comicbooks, notably in the US, about warrior nuns. Some of these are juvenile with buxom barely clad nuns, while some are sci-fi incarnations such as Avengelyne – the emphasis on ‘avenge’, I suspect.

In the early 1990s I wrote a short story about a nun who used to be a cop. I entered it for a competition but it didn’t win. It featured Sister Hannah who ran a hostel for the homeless in Charleston, South Carolina (I’d been to Charleston). Inevitably, the story grew, and involved her traumatic past as a cop in New York.

In 1995 I went to London to compete in the ‘novel in a day’ competition, which took place at the Groucho Club. I borrowed a laptop from work and spent two days there, two 12-hour stints, and produced roughly 18,000 words, Silenced in Darkness. Prior to going, I’d plotted the storyline and used the nun character, visualising the scenes in my head so that when it came time to write it down, I could simply transcribe as if from a movie. Of course, it wasn’t as simple as that, but the preparation helped. These were the judges’ comments: ‘Sister Hannah is a deeply felt character’ – Terry Pratchett. ‘I kept turning the pages, wanting to find out what happened next! Sister Hannah is an original!’ – Kathy Lette. ‘I too enjoyed Silenced in Darkness’ – Melvyn Bragg. I was joint fourth, so no cigar!

 

By now, I was keen to write a full-length book about Sister Hannah. In the meantime, to establish my claim on the nun who was a cop, I published two novellas – A Sign of Grace, the extended short story, plus Silence in Darkness, both as Robert W. Nicholson. The Bookseller announced it and I sold a number of copies, and gleaned local press coverage, but that was it. The day-job probably got in the way too.

I had a few close calls with literary agents. One wanted me to provide more violence for the modern reader; another said the same, but seemed squeamish when I delivered. Once, I spent an hour or so in a publisher’s office and they seemed keen on using Sister Hannah as a lead crime character, but then declined to take it further. A major literary agent spent a few months with me but eventually decided to back off. After which, I moved to Spain and finally found time to write almost continuously. I rewrote the original book, changed it from Charleston and New York to Newcastle upon Tyne and London, altered its title and  made it first person narrative instead of third person. The first chapters won a prize in the Harry Bowling competition for first-time novelists. The judges wondered if I was in the police, and before meeting me wondered about the author’s gender, and even considered I might have been a nun! No, I explained, it was all down to research. I thought I’d arrived. Alas, no, again the book was declined. I took time off to write my first western, which was accepted within a week. This goaded me to return to the nun, now renamed Sister Rose.

Finally, in 2007, Pain Wears No Mask was accepted and published by a new publisher on the block. It gained a good selection of reviews. Two psychic spy thrillers followed from the same publisher, both very popular. Then, sadly, the publisher shut its doors and I was left with three books effectively out of print. And that’s where they are now.

 

An excerpt: Policewoman Maggie Weaver is in a hospital run by nuns, recovering from serious trauma; she’s bitter, heartbroken. Unlike the rest of the book, this section is third person, for good reasons.

On the following day another nun entered her room. ‘I’m Sister Veronica,’ she said. She was Irish, tall, with a long austere face, a thin hooked nose and almond-shaped eyes. ‘Sister Gonzalez is indisposed.’ She kissed her rosary, murmured, ‘Hail Mary, Mother of God.’

            ‘So? Look, Sister, I don’t need religion and all this forgiveness nonsense.’
            ‘You will soon be free to do whatever you wish – presumably within the law.’
            ‘Yes. Presumably.’
            ‘Sister Eulalia Gonzalez took the name of Saint Eulalia of Merida, the most celebrated virgin martyr of Spain?’
            ‘I don’t really care. A bit thin-skinned, is she?’
            ‘No. On the contrary. May I sit here with you?’
            ‘So long as you cut the sanctimonious bits.’
            Sister Veronica smiled thinly, clasped her hands together as she sat on the bedside chair. ‘No, I won’t inflict anything religious on you, to be sure.’
            Despite herself, Maggie liked this nun. Well, she’d liked the Gonzalez one as well, even if she was a bit docile. ‘About Sister Eulalia Gonzalez?’
            ‘Oh, she comes from Guatemala.’
            ‘So?’
            ‘A mission down there. You may have read that some ultra-right forces have long considered the Catholic Church to be supporting leftist terrorists?’
            ‘No. Get to the point, Sister, will you. I’m not in the mood for a history lesson.’
            ‘Sister Gonzalez was kidnapped and taken in a police car to a warehouse on the outskirts of Guatemala City. They blindfolded her and threw her into a room where she was left to pray. She’d accepted her death.’
            Maggie felt a cold chill begin to creep up her spine.
            ‘Two of Sister Gonzalez’s captors removed her clothes, poured wine over her, and raped her repeatedly. Then they said that if she gave an answer they liked they would let her smoke. If they didn’t like the answer, they would burn her. She said that was unjust, so they burned her anyway. She screamed with the pain but there was no-one willing to do anything about it.’
            Tears, salty to taste, flowed freely down Maggie’s cheeks, but she was incapable of lifting a hand to brush them away.
            ‘Her torturers said she knew guerrillas and demanded she identify her contacts. Eventually she passed out. She regained consciousness in a courtyard. Here there was a pit filled with dead and dying, some jerking with the last vestiges of precious life. She remembered someone crying very loudly. Perhaps it was her own voice.’
            ‘Oh, Christ,’ Maggie whispered, and finally put her hands to her streaming eyes.
            ‘One of the police shot her and she tumbled on top of the bodies. But that night she awoke and found the bullet had gone straight through without any serious damage. Somehow, she struggled free and crawled away to hide till she could get help.’ Sister Veronica stood up. ‘She wants to go back, to testify against the perpetrators... but we’re afraid for her, you see?’

-*-

I know it’s only a matter of time before Sister Rose will be published again. She has more stories to tell. You can’t keep a good nun down.

 

 

'A lot of good advice...'

It's very pleasing to get a 5-star review, and it's appreciated!

 

A Gold Mine of Information About Writing Westerns

By Suspense Fan on August 8, 2013

Format: Paperback Amazon Verified Purchase

 

Write a Western in Thirty Days is one of those books anyone who is thinking about writing a western should read before they get started. It contains a brief outline of the era that would be of great use to the beginner--and as a general reference for the seasoned writer. Besides tips on how to create plot, theme and chapters, there are dependable book references and online website suggestions for those who write in the western genre. Even for writers of other genres, this book has a lot of good advice about plotting, creating character biographies and setting up a book in general. Recommended.

 

Thank you, 'Suspense Fan'.

‘ONE OF THE BEST HOW-TO BOOKS…’

‘…the rest of these tips apply to every genre of fiction, which makes this one of the best How-to books I've come across in a long time.’

This is an extract from a review I received from my publisher, John Hunt. It’s by Jennifer Stewart (The Write Way/Write 101 - http://www.write101.com/archives/index.htm) and she has sent it out to her thousands of subscribers.

Jennifer writes:

…The Western is an excellent genre for a first novel because it offers such scope for the Battle between Good and Evil, which is the mainstay of every good adventure story. You can have your hero on a quest (to right a wrong, avenge a lost loved one, prove himself etc) and already you have a structure for your story.

Nik Morton offers plenty of great tips to help write a Western (and promises you can do it in just 30 days -- if you work hard!)

His chapter on plot, "The Plot Thickens," outlines the various stages in plotting your story, from deciding on the emotions you want to arouse in your readers (do you want them to admire, love or fear your hero?) to choosing the theme that will run through your book and tie it all together (some he suggests are Justice Wins, Taming the Land, Death Isn't Particular).

You must also make sure your central character's "major emotional trait is essential to the theme and the desired emotional effect." No point in building a serious mood for your story and then painting your hero as a selfish buffoon.

And equally important is to "Give the protagonist a specific purpose -- one clearly arising from his major emotional trait; it must be of the utmost importance to him and must fit the theme."

Once you have your character up the tree, comes the fun part -- throwing stones at him! Every memorable tale involves conflict and clashes that test the resolve and courage of your character, so choose lots of different tests and dramatic high spots that push your hero to the limits.

Finally, you must present the climactic Black Moment -- this is the last crisis, the one where you "...demonstrate how the protagonist resolves the situation, possibly at great personal cost."

In a similar vein, this book explains how to create believable characters readers will care about, how to name your characters so they fit right into their setting (Luigi MacDuff is the wrong name for a cowboy for so-o-o many reasons!) Likewise how to dress them, what they eat, drink and how they sound.

All characters need to communicate, and there's a whole chapter on using dialogue not just to advance your story, but also to "foreshadow coming conflict, reveal character and indicate the setting."

He reminds us that "a book is a movie inside a reader's head," and as such each scene must be clearly depicted. The only way to do this is through the words you choose to describe the various settings, and the best way to describe any scene is to "... use all the senses when possible -- sight, touch, smell, sound and taste (because) ... People don't exist in a vacuum - they're standing, lounging and walking in a solid world of your making. Let the readers see it - but let them see it through your characters' eyes."

Then there's a whole chapter on a workable schedule to get your book written in 30 days!

You'll find some genre-specific information about where and how to research the Wild West, places that publish Westerns, and how to send off an appropriate synopsis and query letter, but the rest of these tips apply to every genre of fiction, which makes this one of the best How-to books I've come across in a long time. See why here: http://bit.ly/15Yvh7F

If you have an unlimited data plan, you can watch all these Westerns online (I don't, so I can't vouch for the programs): http://www.westernsontheweb.com/?page_id=75

A list of the world's best-selling authors (note the writers of Westerns are right up there with the big sellers): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_fiction_authors

Thank you, Jennifer, for this endorsement!

Coming soon - The Riflemen

The third Solstice Western will be ready soon. Keep an eye out for its striking cover.

Two men - against an army!

Mexico, 1868. Two men. One white, one colored. Proficient in only one thing. Shooting with the long arm. The greatest long range weapon of the age. The .50 caliber Sharps rifle.

When the two ex-sharpshooters, Nick Guardeen and Thaddeus Johnston receive an invitation from the Arizona State Governor, they answered his call out of courtesy for a fellow veteran. But he offers them something they've never had before. Land. The prospect of their very own homestead leads them to accept a highly dangerous mission across the border into Mexico.

Hounded by a merciless gang of assassins, they press on into the desert redoubt of the self-styled and ruthless General Wyatt whose crazy ambition is nothing less than reinstating the Confederacy. Their only help is the beautiful Christine Lenoir. Her hatred for the General is the reason she risks all and remains a spy in the heart of the renegade fortress.

Alone in the wilderness, they need all their skills and technique to survive against Apaches, murderers and a reinstated army of rebel forces.

Cover painting/illustration by Tony Masero.His website is at http://www.artnillustration.com/tonymasero-weste.html

New job - Chief Ed

Today is quite exciting for me, as I start work as the Editor in Chief of Solstice Publishing. Where before I was responsible for submissions to the new western imprint, now I’ve been hired to deal with all submissions. Fortunately, I have an excellent and keen team of editors.

Since first taking up an editing pen in the 1970s, I’ve always found it exciting to open a new submission, hoping to discover new voices and great stories. I hope to find a good number of really good stories within all genres published by Solstice.



Naturally and inevitably, there will be a goodly portion of material that ‘still needs work’. And that’s the point: anyone beginning in this writing business must keep writing regardless of rejection, striving to learn from other writers. They must persevere. A thick skin, inordinate patience and a good dollop of self-belief will help, too. Maybe a sense of humour helps too. A rejection isn’t personal, it’s subjective, merely an opinion. True, that opinion may be based on years of experience and knowledge of the market, but it’s still subjective. Many a household name author was rejected a lot of times. That’s not the point. A rejection should ask you at least to take a step back from that work and be self-critical: after time and further reflection, is it good enough or could it be improved?

A third Solstice Western – The Riflemen by Tony Masero – is being prepared, and he's just completed the cover, which is excellent. A couple more western novels are in the pipeline.

Submissions details.
Electronic only
American English spelling
Double quotes for speech
Indent paragraphs
No line spaces between paragraphs
Maximum 100,000 words
See website: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/pages/Submission-Guidelines.html
Manuscript with synopsis should be sent to:
Westerns – westernsubmissions.solstice@live.com
Everything else (see website for genres) – submissions.solstice@hotmail.com

Boom in e-books – my way forward

Reported in City & Finance, Daily Mail, August 27: The CEO of Bloomsbury, Nigel Newton is looking forward to tapping into the boom in digital books. ‘Newton believes Britain is “one year behind America”, where e-book sales trebled in the first six months of 2010 to £120m. The report ends, ‘With a £33m warchest, Newton is looking for further acquisitions after beefing up its non-fiction wing following a spate of recent takeovers.’ So small-to-medium publishers had better watch out. I’d like to think his acquisitions would be new authors rather than other publishers, but maybe I’m being a bit naive there.

Anyway, I’m embracing the e-book. I’ll still buy and treasure printed books and wherever possible I’d like to see and hold my books in print, but e-books have their advantages too.

In light of the above, I’ve accepted the job offer of editor made by Gary Dobbs, the chief western editor for Solstice Publishing (pictured right in pensive mode).



Gary achieved the impossible by getting his Black Horse Western Tarnished Star to outsell any other Hale westerns and in record time. His Tainted Archive blog is worth visiting regularly too. He has constantly banged the drum for a western revival in books. And he is the driving force in getting the Edge gritty western series by George G Gilman into e-book format (published by Solstice). This western line for Solstice is shaping up into an exciting project and I’m honoured and pleased to be a part of it.

TRIPWIRE by Brian Garfield

I was loaned this book by my Swedish friend Iwan. It’s one of his favorite books. This edition is a US hardback, 2nd printing in 1973 and signed with a personal note from the author dated 1975. The cover picture is poor and though relevant the title isn’t particularly good, either; yes, much later, Lee Child used it too. The cover calls it a novel, yet it is a western; maybe this is because Garfield has a very good track record with best-selling books in a variety of genres and the publishers feel the book transcends the genre. These are minor quibbles, however.

This is a great story, tightly written in 185 pages.

Buffalo soldier Boag helps out with a gold heist only to be double-crossed, thrown overboard from a steamship and shot. Doggedly, he tracks the men who robbed and hurt him. Boag is a believable character and we take the hard long journey with him. There are setbacks. He meets a variety of individuals, helps some and others help him. He’s a likeable man, but you don’t want to cross him.

The denouement is riveting and exciting. Highly recommended.

Countdown-03 FINALLY

The publication of The $300 Man happened! And on the day of publication (29 May) the book received a generous review from

http://westernfictionreview.blogspot.com/2009/05/300-man.html

Please mosey on over... among the comments, there's this: 'Ross Morton (real name Nik Morton) presents the reader with a fascinating character in Corbin Molina...'

The $300 Man

What’s a life worth? $300, maybe.

Half Mexican Corbin Molina lost a hand during the Civil War but he has adapted. Now he’s on a mission to Walkerville. On the way, he prevents a train robbery and finds an old friend. Corbin always carries $300, which is significant, since that’s what he was paid as a substitute soldier for the Union.

When Corbin starts asking questions about Walkerville’s law and administration, he discovers that the Walker family, who seem to have bought and paid for loyalty and position, dominate the townspeople. Inevitably, Corbin’s questions attract plenty of trouble. And his past emerges to confront him during a tense showdown that threatens not only him but also his newfound love.

Countdown to 2nd Old West anthology-01

Express Westerns has begun the countdown to the next Old West anthology of short stories.

Deadline date for finished stories - Sunday 26 July. For no other reason than on that date in 1878 Wyatt Earp had a gunfight in Dodge City!

Publisher Ian Parnham has featured an interview with me at
http://ijparnham.blogspot.com/2009/04/interview-with-nik-morton.html