West of the Page

What happens when a physicist turns his lifelong fascination with history into stories of revenge, redemption, and the American West?

In this interview, author W. Michael Farmer talks about his short story “The Longshot,” featured in the anthology Hard Country, and the research behind its unforgettable characters and long-range shooting history.

We also talk about Farmer’s journey from earning a PhD in physics to writing more than 20 novels, his fascination with Apache history, and the real historical events that continue to inspire his fiction.

And he gives us a glimpse into his upcoming book, An Apache Iliad, which reexamines a pivotal chapter in Geronimo’s story through a series of compelling historical vignettes.

Watch the full conversation for the stories, history, and research behind the writing.

What happens when you combine a 1970s government operative, a remote-viewing psychic ability, an abandoned Oregon gold mine, and a mystery that refuses to stay buried?In this episode, we sit down with LA Times bestselling author Baron R. Birtcher to talk about his story “The Bullet Song,” featured in Hard Country from Roan Weatherford Publishing. We dig into the real-world history and political mistrust that inspired the story, the eerie appeal of writing without modern technology, and the creation of Rex Blackwood—a character whose story spans decades.

Birtcher also gives us a glimpse at what’s next for the Ty Dawson series, including the upcoming Telegraph Road.

And at the heart of it all is Hard Country and its important mission: supporting the United States Marshals Service Survivors Benefit Fund.

What does it take to write an authentic Western story—and to live a life worth writing about?On this episode of West of the Page, Lindsay and Staci sit down with award-winning cowboy poet and author Rik Yonder Goodell to talk about his writing, his remarkable collection of life experiences, and the stories that have come from them.Rik’s cowboy poem “Die First, Then Quit,” featured in the Rough Country anthology from Roan & Weatherford Publishing, is built around a simple but powerful idea: don’t put off living. Live fully, keep pushing, and do what matters while you still can.

A four-time Will Rogers Medallion Award winner—including three gold medals for poetry—Rik travels throughout the West performing his work at cowboy poetry gatherings, often from memory. He also brings a lifetime of experience to his writing, from ranch work and law enforcement to military service, Hollywood, carpentry, and teaching scuba diving.

In our conversation, Rik shares what all those experiences have taught him about storytelling, including why authentic dialogue matters, how historical accuracy brings a Western world to life, and why discipline and “industry” are essential to a writer’s craft.

We also talk about the Rough Country anthology and its mission to benefit the survivors of U.S. Marshals.

From cowboy poetry to Western fiction, Rik Yonder Goodell reminds us that the best stories are often built from a life fully lived.

From true crime to the Old West, M. William Phelps knows how to build a compelling character.

In this episode, the New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist talks about his leap into Western fiction, the real-life experiences that inform his complex characters, and his story “Divinity Price” in Hard Country.

Phelps takes us behind the research that brings the post–Civil War West to life—from opium use and the harsh realities of the Gold Rush to the strong, independent women who populate his fiction. He also shares what he learned as a consultant on Dexter and why contributing to Hard Country—which benefits the U.S. Marshal Survivor Benefit Fund—is especially meaningful to him.

And if you're a fan of Phelps's work, there's more ahead: he gives us a look at his upcoming Tom Callahan novels, They Came for Blood and They Came for the Children.

Watch the full conversation and discover what happens when a true-crime investigator turns his eye toward the Wild West.

What happens when the Old West is changing, the law can't always be trusted, and a perfectly respectable man might be more dangerous than someone carrying a gun?

Bestselling author Heather Graham joins us to talk about her story, "The Almost Wild Wild West," featured in Hard Country. A lifelong history buff, Heather drew inspiration from the places and people of the American West—and from that fascinating moment when civilization was moving in, but the Old West wasn't quite ready to disappear.

We also talk about morally complicated characters, unexpected talents, the power of reputation, and why, no matter what genre you're writing, it all comes back to the characters.

Come meet the mind behind more than 200 novels and discover what happens when Heather Graham heads West.

What happens when a master of suspense steps into the world of the Western?

In this episode, award-winning author Jeffery Deaver takes us behind the scenes of his short story, "Paradise," featured in Hard Country, an anthology benefiting the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund.

Deaver talks about blending the classic Western “stranger comes to town” story with noir, creating characters who feel real, and building the kind of tension that keeps readers turning pages. He also shares his thoughts on research, empathy, writing characters outside our own experiences, and why even the smallest details can make a story feel authentic.

And because this is Jeffery Deaver, we couldn’t talk about storytelling without getting into the art of the twist.

Discover what happens when one of suspense fiction’s great plotters rides west.

Bestselling crime thriller author Harry Hunsicker joins West of the Page to discuss his powerful short story, "The Butcher of Boquillas," featured in the anthology Rough Country, edited by Reavis Z. Wortham and published by Roan & Weatherford Publishing.

Set in the rugged borderlands of Big Bend and Boquillas, Mexico, the story follows a deputy sheriff pursuing a murder suspect across the Rio Grande. The conversation explores the challenges of writing believable crime fiction, the importance of setting, and why the most compelling stories force characters to confront impossible choices.

Harry also reflects on the experiences that shaped his writing career, what readers can expect from his upcoming thriller, Mother May I, and why great stories begin with a deep love of reading.

If you enjoy crime fiction, mysteries, thrillers, or conversations about the craft of storytelling, you'll enjoy this episode of West of the Page.

Rough Country is a historical crime anthology featuring stories set across different eras of the American West, with proceeds benefiting the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund, supporting the families of fallen Deputy U.S. Marshals.

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Some stories are written for more than entertainment—they're written to make a difference.

In this episode of West of the Page, bestselling thriller author D.P. Lyle shares why contributing to the Hard Country Anthology was an easy decision. He talks about his personal connection to the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund, why supporting the families of fallen U.S. Marshals matters, and why writing short fiction has always been a labor of love.

If you enjoy thrillers, crime fiction, mystery novels, short stories, and behind-the-scenes conversations with bestselling authors, you won't want to miss this inspiring interview.

What happens when a veteran officer turns real-life experience into fiction?

In this episode of West of the Page, we sit down with J.B. Stevens, author of "You Can't Escape This," from the Hard Country Anthology, to talk about the stories that shaped his life—and the ones he now writes.

Drawing on his combat service in Iraq and years in law enforcement, Stevens shares how authentic experience influences his fiction, what he believes every great story needs, and why reading has guided nearly every major decision in his life. We also discuss the mission behind Hard Country and the meaningful cause the anthology supports.

If you enjoy crime fiction, thrillers, Westerns, behind-the-scenes writing conversations, or hearing from authors with extraordinary life experiences, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

What does it take to write historical fiction that feels authentic?

In this conversation, author Paul Colt shares the journey behind his writing career, the inspiration for his latest work, and the experiences that have shaped his approach to storytelling. From uncovering overlooked moments in American history to traveling the landscapes where those events unfolded, Paul reveals why authenticity matters just as much as imagination.

The interview also explores his transition from a successful business career to becoming an award-winning Western and historical fiction author, the invaluable mentorship that helped launch his writing career, and why he now enjoys helping the next generation of writers find their own voice.

If you love historical fiction, Westerns, behind-the-scenes writing conversations, or discovering the stories behind the stories, you won't want to miss this interview.