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Featuring Authors of Western Fiction
CATEGORIES
Westerns (traditional)
In the manner of classic westerns by Zane Grey, William McLeod Raine, Max Brand, Louis L'Amour, and others.
These stories usually feature a hero who, like a Knight of the Range,
answers the call to adventure, rescues damsels in distress,
and brings bad guys to justice. His idealism drives him to right
wrongs and/or seek vengeance for injustices done to innocent people.
Westerns (historical fiction)
These stories are centered around
historical events and feature characters who have a keen desire to
survive, no matter the odds. "Cold Mountain" is one example.
Westerns (non-fiction)
This category includes journals, diaries,
and narratives by people who actually lived during the early years of
American history, as well as historical texts and articles based on
actual events.
Westerns (contemporary fiction)
The Western culture is not dead. Stories
set in present time contain all the elements we look for in a good
western story. Cowboys, rodeo stars, and humble folk on farms and
ranches are alive and well, even in this modern age, and continue to
contribute to our western lore.
Westerns
(suspense/mystery/thriller)
These stories may or may not have a
romantic subplot, but the main thrust will be "who dunnit,"
woman-in-jeopardy, solving the mystery, or trying to survive a running
battle with the bad guys. A good example is Alistair Maclean's
"Breakheart Pass."
Westerns (historical romance)
These stories feature heroines, as well as
heroes, and the strong sensual attraction between them. The central plot
deals with their developing relationship. Like all romance stories,
these have "happily ever after" endings.
Westerns (contemporary romance)
These stories, set in present time
somewhere in the west, often in one of the southwest or Rocky Mountain
states, feature cowboys, ranch hands, rodeo stars, horse trainers and so
on. The plot centers around their courtship of the woman they've set
their sights on. The heroine, usually the main character, has the guy
jumping through hoops to win her heart.
Westerns (Inspirational)
This category includes
inspirational novels with a western flair. These stories set in
the Old West have a Christian element appropriate to the times.
Westerns (time travel romances)
These stories are similar to the historical
romances, except one of the protagonists travels back in time and has to
face the arduous task of melding his/her modern perceptions with very
old fashioned ways. Like all romance stories, these have "happily
ever after" endings.
Westerns (erotic romances)
A new trendy genre has developed, featuring
romance plots studded with sexy scenes. These aren't recommended for
readers under the age of eighteen.
Westerns
(Poetry)
Westerns (Young Readers)
Western Related
Links
A directory of websites related
to the Old West.
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Click here
to find western authors listed alphabetically by name.
"I think
of myself in the oral tradition - as a troubadour, a village
tale-teller, the man in the shadows of the campfire. That's the way I'd
like to be remembered - as a storyteller. A good storyteller."
~ Louis L'Amour
Free e-texts of classic western novels in the public domain
IN HTML FORMAT:
Zane Grey
Riders
of the Purple Sage
and other novels by him at:
Project_Gutenburg
Thalasson
Palm-Press
Memoware
Tantor Media
digital audiobooks
Joseph A. Altsheler:
Lords of the Wild
Jack London:
Brown Wolf and Other Stories
also at Black
Mask in various formats.
IN TEXT FORMAT
William McLeod Raine
numerous novels at Thalasson
ADOBE ACROBAT READER
Stephen Crane
The
Red Badge of Courage
FOR YOUR PDA:
B. M. Bower
The
Uphill Climb
and other novels
Ralph Connor
The_Man_From_Glengarry
and other novels
Max Brand
from memoware
Way
Of The Lawless
Riders of the Silences
SOURCES OF FREE
WESTERN_EBOOKS
Thalasson
Black
Mask
Memoware
Authorama
Amazon
Project_Gutenburg Palm-Press
(for Palm readers) |
