West of the Page

What happens when a retired U.S. Marshal turns decades of real-world experience into unforgettable fiction? Best-selling author Marc Cameron joins us to talk about the road from Alaska law enforcement to the pages of his latest work, why Rough Country is more than just another anthology, and how the places he's lived and worked shape every story he tells. Along the way, he shares the origins of his writing career, the secrets behind crafting edge-of-your-seat thrillers, and a glimpse at what's next. If you love authentic crime fiction, behind-the-scenes writing conversations, or stories rooted in real experience, you won't want to miss this one.

What does it take to write 30 novels, overcome imposter syndrome, and keep readers turning pages for more than three decades?

Bestselling author Matthew Clemens shares the mindset, discipline, and creative process behind his remarkable career. From writing 2,000 words a day to collaborating with Max Allan Collins, Matthew offers a candid look at what it really means to be a professional storyteller.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of thrillers and Westerns, or simply love hearing how great stories are made, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

Retired Oklahoma State Trooper and author Betsy Randolph joins us to discuss her powerful contribution to the Rough Country anthology, If Only: A Policewoman’s Heartache.

Drawing inspiration from a traumatic real-life case she encountered during her 27-year law enforcement career, Randolph explores the emotional toll of policing, the cumulative impact of trauma on first responders, and the importance of mental health support, honesty, and vulnerability.

In this interview, Betsy shares the story behind her strong female protagonist, Linda—a former law enforcement officer who transitions into journalism before ultimately returning to serve as a U.S. Marshal—and how her own experiences in journalism, military service, and policing shaped the narrative.

Rough Country is more than a collection of western stories—it's a charitable anthology supporting the U.S. Marshals Museum and survivors of U.S. Marshals.

Watch the full interview to hear the story behind the story.

#BetsyRandolph #RoughCountry #WesternFiction #USMarshals #LawEnforcement #FirstResponders #AuthorInterview #Anthology #WritingCommunity #ContemporaryWestern #MentalHealthAwareness

Crime fiction author Phillip Thompson joins us to discuss his short story "Get Out of Denver," featured in the Hard Country anthology. Thompson shares the inspiration behind the story, the challenges of writing outside his usual Southern crime fiction settings, and what makes a compelling noir-inspired character.

He also reflects on his journey from journalism and the Marine Corps to becoming an acclaimed crime writer, offering insights into his writing process, the importance of reading, and the discipline required to bring stories to life. Along the way, he discusses the influence of great authors, the value of strong editing, and why supporting the U.S. Marshals Museum through Hard Country is meaningful to him.

Whether you're a fan of crime fiction, interested in the craft of writing, or curious about the stories behind the stories, this interview offers a fascinating look inside the mind of a working author.

What does it take to build a career spanning 19 novels, dozens of published short stories, and multiple award-winning mystery and Western series?

In this fascinating conversation, author Larry Sweazy pulls back the curtain on his writing life, sharing hard-earned lessons about creativity, discipline, storytelling, and the unexpected ways great ideas take shape. From discovering characters on the page to crafting stories that resonate long after the final chapter, Larry offers insights that will inspire writers and readers alike.

We also explore the tale behind "Rusted Birdcages," his short story that is featured in the Hard Country anthology, and the powerful themes that drove its creation.

If you love books, storytelling, or hearing how accomplished authors approach their craft, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Award-winning author and historical researcher Jefferson Glass joins us for a fascinating conversation about the American West, historical fiction, Western mysteries, and the art of bringing history to life on the page.

We explore Jefferson's unique research process, his passion for uncovering forgotten stories from the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain West, and how real historical locations inspire his fiction. He also shares insights into character development, writing authentic Western settings, and the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with compelling storytelling.

Along the way, we discuss the rich history of Kanab, Utah—known as "Little Hollywood"—the influence of legendary Western authors, and the importance of preserving the stories that shaped the American frontier.

Whether you're a fan of Western fiction, historical mysteries, American history, writing craft, or independent authors, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the research, inspiration, and dedication that go into creating unforgettable stories.

Award-winning author Laura Buchwald joins West of the Page for a fascinating conversation about ghosts, grief, creativity, and the stories that connect us.

Laura discusses her debut novel The Coat Check Girl — a finalist for the American Bookfest Awards in Best General Fiction — and takes us inside the supernatural world of Josie, a young woman learning to live with her ability to communicate with spirits.

In this episode, we explore the inspiration behind her haunted and atmospheric settings in New York City and New Orleans, the real-life origins of the “Ghost Table” concept, and why restaurants became the perfect backdrop for stories about energy, emotion, and the afterlife. Laura also shares how themes of grief, healing, and human connection shape the trilogy, offers a preview of The Book of Reservations, out now in hardcover and paperback, and discusses the emotional direction of Book Three as Josie searches for purpose without her sixth sense.

If you love literary fiction with supernatural elements, conversations about the creative process, and stories rooted in emotional truth, this episode is for you.

From Top Gun graduate to bestselling thriller author, retired Navy fighter pilot Jack Stewart shares the stories behind the stories.

In this conversation, Jack dives into his military career, the reality of Top Gun training, and his contribution to the upcoming anthology Rough Country — a gripping historical fiction tale set in the golden age of aviation, where an air mail pilot flying through the Rockies stumbles onto a dangerous bootlegging operation.

He also opens up about writing espionage thrillers, honoring military families through storytelling, and why supporting Rough Country was a “no-brainer” in support of the US Marshals.

A must-watch for aviation fans, military history lovers, and thriller readers alike.

Award-winning author Anthony Wood discusses the inspiration behind his modern western short story, The Last Hanging Tree, featured in the Rough Country anthology. Set in 1940s Round Rock, Texas during World War II, the story follows a newly elected sheriff investigating cattle rustling, only to uncover a devastating connection much closer to home.In this episode of West of the Page, Wood explores the historical research that shaped the story, including wartime meat shortages, cattle theft across the American South and West, and little-known accounts of Nazi efforts to disrupt beef shipments to U.S. soldiers overseas. He also reflects on the spiritual and emotional connection he feels when visiting historical locations, his instinctive “pantser” writing process, and the honor of appearing alongside acclaimed authors such as Craig Johnson in Rough Country, an anthology supporting the U.S. Marshals.Fans of western fiction, historical fiction, Texas history, Southern storytelling, and behind-the-scenes author conversations will enjoy this compelling discussion with one of today’s most prolific independent writers.

In this episode of West of the Page, award-winning Western and Southern fiction author James Wade joins us for a deep conversation on craft, character, and the power of place.

From his latest short story “The Harvest” in the anthology Rough Country—written in support of the U.S. Marshals—to his broader body of work, Wade unpacks how setting becomes a living force, how moral lines blur under pressure, and why writing can serve as a form of self-therapy. Drawing from works like Narrow the Road, All Things Left Wild, and Beasts of the Earth, he humbly reflects on a career marked by major recognition, including multiple Spur Awards and the 2026 Western Heritage Award.

The conversation moves through the influence of East Texas on his Southern Gothic tone, the idea that “criminals” and “cops” are often shaped more by circumstance than character, and why he believes reading is a kind of sacred collaboration between writer and reader. He also shares the early influences and mentors that shaped his path—and why the writing community remains one of the most supportive creative spaces.

This is a conversation about storytelling—but also about humanity, imagination, and the choices that define us.