Western Stories

[The Scip]

Hi to everyone in the western forum.

I'm usually a horror writer but recently got an idea for a horror/western story and I was looking for some western stories or novels to give me an idea for the feel of westerns. I love western movies but have never really read much. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[JeanneTGC]

*waves madly to Scip*

Welcome!

I'd suggest a sample -- Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, Larry McMurtry are the ones that leap to my mind, but I'm sure the other folks here will have suggestions as well.

There's a lot of markets for cross-horror, so go for it!

[Tom Johnson]

Hi Scip, there's a Bristish publisher printing westerns with a horror theme - the outlaws are vampires, that sort of thing. But I'm not into that, so don't remember what the name of the publisher is. There's a non -paying market, Wild Cat Books, that has started a series called Weird Western Tales, but you're not going to make any money there. I'm not sure if that British company pays much, either. Good luck with your western idea.

[The Scip]

Thanks for the help. I'll check all of those out. What about western short stories, any specific place to find those that I might not know about?

Jeanne, I didn't know you spent you time in here. How ya been?

[dpaterso]

You can find a bunch of Zane Grey's writings on Project Gutenberg, check out this thread from last year: Zane Grey, 1872-1939 (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55838) -- they may be old-ish but they sure do give you a "feel" for Westerns. :)

-Derek

[JeanneTGC]

Thanks for the help. I'll check all of those out. What about western short stories, any specific place to find those that I might not know about?

Jeanne, I didn't know you spent you time in here. How ya been?
A woman spends time in may forums...;)

Been great! Busy as all get-out.

As for Western shorts, I *think* Duotrope has that as a selection, but am not sure. (Been having trouble with my internet connections all weekend, so can't confirm.)

[C.M. Daniels]

For gritty Westerns, try Elmore Leonard. That style may lend itself to someone who's going for a darker feel.

[OmenSpirits.com]

www.blazingadventuresmagazine.com has a few westerns and a serial western on part 2 right now.

:)