Is there a market for westerns novels?

[Skeeter Lewis]

Sure, there are lots of people like us who like to read westerns but do we form a big enough market to keep the genre alive? I've heard it said often that westerns are dead as far as most publishers are concerned.

If there are publishers for westerns, which are the best known? Are there agents who specialize in westerns?

Any thoughts gratefully received!

[Stillwater]

Sure, there are lots of people like us who like to read westerns but do we form a big enough market to keep the genre alive? I've heard it said often that westerns are dead as far as most publishers are concerned.

If there are publishers for westerns, which are the best known? Are there agents who specialize in westerns?

Any thoughts gratefully received!

I saved all that I read, in the past. I must have a couple hundred on my book shelves.

Bill

[Harley Starr]

Well Skeeter I've been buying a few western novels here lately. They've proven to be quite entertaining.

[Forty Rod]

My first was published in March 2005, the second in November 2007.  Based on my sales history I could have done better collecting aluminum cans.

The first got very good reviews and there have been less than 2,000 sold.  One movie company looked at it seriously before rejecting it as "too long and with too many little details".

[Drayton Calhoun]

My first was published in March 2005, the second in November 2007.  Based on my sales history I could have done better collecting aluminum cans.

The first got very good reviews and there have been less than 2,000 sold.  One movievcompany looked at it seriously before rejecting it as "too long and with too many little details".

Uh-oh, I'm in trouble! Anybody have any dealings with Dorrance Publishing?

[Forty Rod]

I went with AuthorHouse for my first two.  I learned a lot, but will have Chuck Buchanan / "Charlie MacNeil" at the newly founded Sisley Creek Press do my next one.

I turned Dorrance (and several others) down when I started because I felt they were too expensive for what they offered.  AuthorHouse was the pick of the litter at that time but they have begun to hire youngsters with no business skills, no publishing skills, and no customer relations skills. Sounds rough but that's how I see it from my point of view.

Best bet is still an agent, but one who will take on a new western writer is as scarce as eyebrows on eggs.

BTW, I also joined Western Writers of America.  I feel they are a "good ol' boys" club and they don't seem terribly interested in helping new folks, so I dropped them after a couple of years.

[Drayton Calhoun]

I went with AuthorHouse for my first two.  I learned a lot, but will have Chuck Buchanan / "Charlie MacNeil" at the newly founded Sisley creek press do my next one.

I turned Dorrance (and several others) down when I started because I felt they were too expensive for what they offered.  AuthorHouse was the pick of the litter at that time but they have begun to hire youngsters with no business skills, no publishing skills, and no customer elations skills. Sounds rough but that's how I see it from point of view.

Best bet is still an agent, but one who will take on a new western writer is as scarce as eyebrows on eggs.

BTW, I also joined Western Writers of America.  I feel they are a "good ol' boys" club and they don't seem terribly interested in helping new folks, so I dropped them after a couple of years.

Thanks, well if it doesn't work out, I still have my day job and I know where there's a lot of beer cans!

[Forty Rod]

Let us know when it hits the market and I'll buy an autographed copy.

[Drayton Calhoun]

Let us know when it hits the market and I'll buy an autographed copy.

You got it! In a few years, ya might even be able to trade it for a cup of coffee!