Western Writers Of America Top 100 Books. Spurs are given in the following categories. Winners and fi
Spurs are given in the following categories. Winners and finalists are scheduled to be honored June 16-19 at WWA's convention in Loveland Western novels, courtesy of Western Writers of America by SMPLfictionlibrarian - a community-created list : San Mateo Public Library is honored that Western Writers of America awarded us their 2020 Best Library Book Display contest Award. Jun 6, 2018 · Mainstream publishers are leery of Westerns, so what ends up getting printed is rather good. From 1977 to 1984 he was associate editor of the Western Historical Quarterly and assistant professor at Utah State University, before moving to the University of New Mexico in 1984. Lever-action rifles stood in corners, holstered Peacemakers hung from pegs, and not a TV was to be found. In 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. Nov 21, 1999 · Here they are together at last, the Chronicle Western 100 in fiction and nonfiction: the best books of the 20th century written in or about, or by an author from, the Western United States. Utley and published by University of Nebraska Press Finalists: Beneath the Backbone of the World, by Ryan Hall and published by University of North Carolina Press Finalists: South to Freedom, by Alice L. J. However, around the year 2000 the WWA felt it was time to reprise the Best Western Survey. Most novelists struggle to have their debut novel published, but once published they often This is a list of best-selling fiction authors to date, in any language. Publishers found success with dime Westerns, novels mythologizing We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Two Louis L’Amour novels were among the 25 chosen. A top five Western for me in both book and film form. 🤠🌵📚 All the books on the list "100 Best Western (United States) Works of Fiction" from San Francisco Chronicle. Patent and Trademark Office by Western Writers of America, Inc. John Mort explains the The Greatest Western Books Since 2000 This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books in Western literature. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. What was most challenging for publishers was not delivering their books in the publishing pipeline or backlists, but publishing new books amid COVID-19 lockdowns. It was introduced for the awards' 1988 iteration, replacing the earlier category of Best Historical Novel. Originally sponsored by Levi Strauss Corporation of San Francisco, the Owen Wister Award was first called the Saddleman Award. The story follows disgraced Texas Ranger Rooster Cogburn and his spunky young ward, Mattie Ross, as they head into the rugged frontier wilderness on a dangerous mission to find justice. Apr 29, 2022 · Since 1953 Western Writers of America has honored those who write about the American West with its prestigious Spur Awards. Aug 12, 2001 · A survey of 100 members of the Western Writers of America, Inc. Best Western Juvenile Fiction Winner: Wish Upon a Crawdad, by Curtis W. S. Box are also 2022 Jul 20, 2022 · In the second half of the 19th century, the figure of the cowboy emerged as the defining feature of American Western literature. Rediscover the golden age of the Western with this collection of four unforgettable novels of honor, adventure, and violence set against the magnificent landscapes of the American frontier Mar 9, 2025 · The Last Wild White Buffalo is a story song that won the Western Song: Little Joe, the Wrangler Members of The Western Writers of America included Little Joe, the Wrangler in the list of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time. Mark Lee Gardner’s dual biography The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is not only the best Western history book of the year, but one of the best overall history books published in 2022. The Spur Awards began in 1953, the same year the WWA was founded. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best western romance authors of all time, ranging from trailblazing pioneers to contemporary voices. From romantic tales of the wild west to violent modern Western novels, let your imagination run wild with the best Western books to read. Since 1953, the Spur Awards have been one of the most prestigious awards in American literature. Cather uses a series of vignettes to tell the life story of a priest who was sent to establish a diocese in the New Mexico Territory during the post Civil War era. May 25, 2022 · The 10 Best Cowboy Books: These 10 iconic Western books need to be on every cowboy's bookshelf. The founders were largely authors who wrote traditional western fiction, but the organization swiftly expanded to include historians and other nonfiction authors, young adult and romance writers, and writers interested in regional history set in the American West. This year top honors go to Irene Bennett Brown, a Kansas-based author of historical and juvenile novels, who will receive WWA’s Owen Wister Award for lifetime contributions to Western literature. While finding precise sales numbers for any given author is nearly impossible, the list is based on approximate numbers provided or repeated by reliable sources. Spur judges Discover the best books in Amazon Best Sellers. To keep the list manageable, only authors with estimated sales LibraryThing catalogs yours books online, easily, quickly and for free. You should find a nice little list of titles to get caught up on! Explore a curated playlist of popular tracks on Spotify's web player for an immersive music experience. " The Yellow Rose of Texas " is a traditional American song dating back to at least the 1850s. Condon and published by Heart of Oak Books for Young Readers Finalists: Where Duty Calls: Rebels Along the Rio Grande, Book 1, by Jennifer Bohnhoff and published by Kinkajou Press Finalists: Tenmile, by Sandra Dallas and published by Sleeping Bear Press www. Image license via iStockphoto. Written in a western-style reminiscent of the great western authors of old, True Grit is one of the best western novels of all time. Roundup, Spur, Literature of the West for the World, and Western Writers of America in combination with the stylized WWA are trademarks registered in the U. Ivan Gundulić – poet; work embodies central characteristics of Catholic Counter-Reformation Marko Marulić – poet; inspired by the Bible, Antique writers, and Christian hagiographies Andrija Kačić Miošić – poet Petar Preradović – was a Croatian poet, writer, and military general of Serb origin. Jan 12, 2026 · These engaging, thought-provoking and powerful books by Black authors will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading them. The Spur Award for Best Western Novel is a prize given by the Western Writers of America as part of the annual Spur Awards. com Ever wondered who penned those gripping tales of the Wild West that have kept readers enthralled for generations? Western literature is a treasure trove of adventure, grit, and timeless characters. [1] For a period, the Spur Awards included a Best Western Novel category as well as a Best Novel of the West category. 8 Global Rank 1 Score 4 Added 2024 Best Western Historical Nonfiction Winner: The Last Sovereigns, by Robert M. Sep 6, 2024 · Five literary Westerns, selected as landmark novels of the genre by Susan Kollin, professor of American studies at Montana State University. Since 1953 the Spur Awards Western Writers of America annually honors writers for distinguished writing about the American West with the Spur Awards. TUCSON, Arizona – Four-time Academy Award-nominated actor Viggo Mortensen is receiving Western Writers of America’s Spur Award for Best Western Drama Script for The Dead Don’t Hurt, a film in which he also starred, directed, produced, and wrote the musical score. 1 in the United States in 1955. Newsday. A second category for novel-length prose fiction, the Historical Novel award, was introduced in 1972. Apr 19, 2025 · Explore the best western books that capture the spirit of adventure, grit and frontier life in iconic tales of the American West. Oct 19, 2010 · Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Western Writers of America: The Top 100 Western Songs at October 19, 2010 Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Mar 12, 2022 · /PRNewswire/ -- David Heska Wanbli Weiden has won his fourth Spur Award in three years, and bestselling novelists Michael Punke and C. The first book edition appeared in March 1852 and sold more than 300,000 copies in the first year. Like the Western landscape itself, WWA and the books, songs, and stories produced by its members have evolved immensely. I have attempted to include a diverse selection, in as many ways as I could think of. Information for these popular western fiction books is included as well, such as the author's name and the book's publication date. Western Writers of America WWA was incorporated in 1953 to promote the literature of the American West. Winners and finalists were announced Saturday, March 15, at the Tucson Festival of Books. True Grit. Jan 6, 2012 · Western Writers of America's 100 Greatest Westerns. If cowboys, Indians (Native Americans), gold miners, and outlaws are your favorite types of characters, then you're a western fiction fan. Find the top 100 most popular Amazon books. An epic novel of the violence and depravity that attended America's westward expansion, Blood Meridian brilliantly subverts the conventions of the Western novel and the mythology of the "wild west. Since 1953 the Spur Awards hav Subgenres hide Lists Lists of Western films List of Western fiction authors List of Western television series Golden Boot Awards show Terms Western authors are represented by the Western Writers of America, who present the annual Spur Awards and Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement. It includes many styles, from traditional western fiction to penetrating historical analysis, from mysteries to biographies, from romance to short stories, and from screenplays and documentaries to short stories, poetry, and songs. com is the leading news source for Long Island & NYC. The category was introduced in 1953, when it was known simply as the "Novel" award. Owen Wister Award Page Title The Owen Wister Award is the highest honor given by Western Writers of America. Western Fictioneers was founded in 2010 to promote the oldest genuine American art form, the Western story. D. He was one of the most important Croatian poets of the 19th century Illyrian movement Mar 9, 2024 · TUCSON, Ariz. Cormac McCarthy | 4. Mar 9, 2024 · Western Writers of America Announces 2025 Spur Award Winners and Finalists Longmire novelist Craig Johnson to receive Owen Wister Award from Western Writers of America Mar 8, 2021 · Weiden's Winter Counts (Echo/HarperCollins) won Spurs for Best Contemporary Novel and Best First Novel. Blood Meridian. Here's our take on the top 20 American writers of all time, with detailed bios and book lists of each author. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 662 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the most acclaimed literary works from the Western tradition. Apr 29, 2023 · With sprawling landscapes and rugged cowboys, these stories have become a staple of American literature. Over the last year or so, I’ve read through the canon of what’s considered to be the cream of the crop for Western literature. Western Writers of America annually honors writers for distinguished writing about the American West with the Spur Awards. com Dec 8, 2022 · The heroic efforts of the men and women who write and publish about the West must be celebrated. 600 readers contributed to the list. – Bestselling novelist Craig Johnson and Dayton Duncan, documentarian Ken Burns’s longtime scriptwriter, are among this year’s Spur Award winners from Western Writers of America. 120 books based on 141 votes: Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, True Grit by Charl Western Writers of America Inc. May 16, 2016 · So instead I have compiled a list of my favorites, supplemented with some crowd-sourcing from other Rioters, Goodreads, and my husband. America has a great and proud literary tradition. ® Western literature ranges far and wide across Western America. Mar 21, 2025 · Unveil the celebrated Western authors and their greatest works that have left an indelible mark on literature. DeRosso – One of the darkest western writers out there…and one of the least well known. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Numbers given are estimated copies sold of all fiction books written or co-written by an author. Nelson and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers Finalists: Romeo and Emilia: How One Brave Girl Rose Up from a Wheelchair onto the Back of a Horse, by Roni McFadden and image processor Melissa Fischbach and published by The Biscuit Press Aug 18, 2011 · The Best Western Novels of the 20th Century from The Western Writers of America Ago 18, 2011 by James Nava in Análisis y opiniones The Western Writers of America (WWA) had issued the lists of the Best Westerns twice before; in 1985 and again in 1995, both times with similar results in several areas. 83. Jul 11, 2008 · Western Writers of America has released their Top 100 Western Films Western Writers of America, a nonprofit organization of more than 600 professional writers, founded in the 1950s to promote and honor the best literature about the American West -- including screenwriting -- announced the 100 Greatest Western Movies of All Time on Thursday, June 12, at Scottsdale's Chaparral Suites during the Jul 31, 2023 · Discover 30+ of the best Western fiction writers who’ve shaped the genre with their rugged landscapes, complex characters, and timeless themes. True Grit is his most famous novel--first published in 1968, and the basis for the movie of the same name starring John Wayne. In the mid 1980s, the 300+ members of the Western Writers of America (WWA) were asked to select the best western novels ever written. Three of the authors were awarded 2024 Spur Awards by the organization and another was a finalist for the award. leegoldberg. Death Comes for the Archbishop, by Willa Cather (1927), ranked the 7th-best "Western Novel" of the 20th century by the Western Writers of America. Lonesome Dove. Books from this list will have a Western flavor with a base in Historical Fiction. Here's their list of 2021 Spur Award Winners. Jan 25, 2011 · Listed below are 18 of the Best Western Novels… not in any order of distinction: John Grady Cole, a 16-year-old dispossessed Texan, crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico in 1949, accompanied by his pal Lacey Rawlins. ” A few years back, the members of Western Writers of America voted on the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time. If you'd like to know who's writing some great works in the Western genre these days, you should follow the Western Writers of America, and see who gets nominated each year for the best Western novels and short stories, and read those. A. (WWA) was founded in 1953 to promote the literature of the American West and to recognize the best in Western writing with the prestigious Spur Award and the Western Writers Hall of Fame. I consumed dozens of books, and have here narrowed them down to the best 21 that every man should read. Charles Portis | 5. Experience the wild frontier with legendary tales of cowboys, outlaws, and adventure. This article explores 15 of the most influential American Western authors, detailing their lives, works, and contributions to the genre. The purpose of the Spur Awards is to honor writers for distinguished writing about the American West. Scholastic Book Fairs empower kids to find the stories that speak to them. These are the books purchased with the prize money. Larry McMurtry | 5. The PEN America Literary Awards program celebrates literary excellence, encourages global discourse, champions important voices, and brings new books to life through our publication awards. 15 Most Influential American Western Authors 1. All the Pretty Horses tells of young John Grady Cole, the last of a long line of Texas ranchers. The WWA bestows Spur Awards annually for distinguished writing in the western field. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. The Best Western Novels of the 20th Century From the Western Writers of America The Western Writers of America (WWA) had issued the lists of the Best Westerns twice before; in 1985 and again in 1995, both times with similar results in several areas. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living writing novels and other fiction, while others aspire to support themselves in this way or write as an avocation. sgwarnog's List25LibraryThing25 RankTitleAuthorAdded sgwarnog's profile 1 The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister 2,341 members 43 reviews 3. Spur Award Winners Western Writers of America annually honors writers for distinguished writing about the American West with the Spur Awards. , lists the best Western nonfiction books, novels, authors,short stories, films, TV series and TV miniseries of all time (only the top three choices in each category are listed in order ofvotes received; the other leading vote-getters are listed alphabetically: Western Writers of America (WWA), founded 1953, promotes literature, both fictional and nonfictional, pertaining to the American West. Created by Kasparius. May 1, 2009 · Last year, a line was drawn in the sane when, as part of their annual summer convention, the Western Writers of America (WWA) decided that they would make a list of 100 Greatest Western Movies of All Time. WWA boasts historians, nonfiction authors, young adult, romance writers, songwriters, poets, and screenwriters Jan 7, 2021 · We recommend 15 notable modern western books, including novels and story collections from Cormac McCarthy, C Pam Zhang and Louise Erdrich. Although its founders wrote traditional Western fiction, the more than 600 current members also include historians and other nonfiction writers, as well as authors from other genres. From exciting new voices to underrecognized masters of their craft, PEN America honors challenging, thought-provoking, genre-defying writers. Glendon Swarthout – His terrific novel The Shootist is a classic and, fittingly, was the basis for John Wayne’s final western. Jul 13, 2025 · Western literature, a genre uniquely tied to the history and mythology of the American frontier, has been shaped by many talented authors. 00. Jul 3, 2024 · A list of Western fiction authors with writers who specialize in all types of Western historical fiction and tales of the American frontier. 80. Jun 16, 2010 · His latest book, The Apache Wars, was just awarded the best nonfiction Spur Award from Western Writers of America (June 2017). Classic Western Novels The Wild West has captivated readers’ imaginations for generations, and classic western novels are a significant part of that allure. In 1977, the Western Writers of America conducted a poll of its members as to their choices of the 25 best Western novels ever written. Learn how you can participate in a school book fair! A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. The titles featured here from 1900 to 1950 have had a profound effect on American life, but they are by no means the only influential or best ones. This is their list. Jan 30, 2018 · Three thousand books lined the walls of my childhood home; among them the entire works of Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey, along with a myriad other titles by authors. This list includes the best western fiction novels, Dec 7, 2023 · Under the tutelage of academics and grassroot historians and authors in such organizations as Westerners, Western Writers of America, Western History Association, Wild West History Association (formerly the National Association for Outlaw and Lawmen History and the Western Outlaw-Lawman History Association), Women Writing the West and local and Mar 25, 2024 · Five Wyoming authors were honored by the Western Writers of America for their 2024 contributions to the Western genre. Or the Evening Redness in the West. Jul 1, 2012 · Those books (fiction and nonfiction) that embody the spirit of the Old West, the heroism, tragedy, and drama of this mythic era of American history. Because the Top 100 songs were chosen by writers, we’ll focus on the song lyrics. Baumgartner and published by Basic Books Dec 30, 2002 · Dive into the rugged landscapes and audacious spirit of the Wild West with these top Western books, carefully aggregated from leading literary sources and ranked by their frequency of recommendation. A love story, an adventure, and an epic of the frontier, Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize— winning classic, Lonesome Dove, the third book in the Lonesome Dove tetralogy, is the grandest novel ever written about the last defiant wilderness of America. Among previous Spur Award winners are Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove Creating Literature of the West for the World. Based on a reader poll. Sep 1, 2025 · List of famous western fiction books, listed alphabetically with jacket cover images of the books when available. I love that the film depicts the two protagonists reloading their revolvers directly after a gunfight or during a pause in the action, just as the book described. 44 , The Gun Trail, and Under the Burning Sun. Favorited 7 times, disliked 0 times, added to 16 watchlists. My leisure time was spent either gallivanting a’horseback through the Rocky Mountains surrounding my home, or buried in a Best Western Children’s Picture Book Winner: Grandma’s Tipi: A Present-Day Lakota Story, by S. Winners and finalists were announced Saturday, March 9, at the Tucson Festival of Books. A list from the San Francisco Chronicle from 1999. " All the Pretty Horses (The Border Trilogy, #1) Cormac McCarthy | 4. Sep 13, 2018 · “Western Writers: Top Song Picks. His books include . The Longmire Defense (Viking), Johnson’s 19th installment of his Walt Longmire mystery series, won for Best Apr 22, 2023 · 🤠 Saddle up for adventure with the best Western book authors! Explore rugged frontiers, daring heroes, and epic tales that transport you to the Wild West. The Chronicle Western 100 in fiction the best books of the 20th century written in or about, or by an author from, the Western United States. In the Dick Fischer Collection, you will find items on this list of the 25 best Western novels ever written. Best Western Children’s Picture Book Winner: Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot, by author Laura Beth Dean and illustrator Jeanne Bowman and published by South Dakota Historical Society Press Finalists: The Horse Who Wanted to Fly, by author Pamela Kleibrink Thompson and illustrator Melissa Bailey and published by Firefly Books Mar 26, 2024 · Explore the 25 best Western novels of all time with our ultimate guide. Each one of the 600-plus members was asked to choose their 10 favorite pictures, and the votes […] Dec 14, 2024 · Dive into the wild west and explore the best western books of all time, featuring classic novels, pioneering authors, and award-winning stories that will leave you wanting more. Zane Grey (1872–1939) Dec 17, 2020 · WESTERN FICTION If 2020 proved anything in Western novel publishing, it was that fans of the Western genre will continue to buy their favorite authors—new, used, digital or audio. Oct 15, 2013 · H. Chosen as one of the twenty-five greatest Western novels by the Western Writers of America, and the basis for a classic film starring Paul Newman, Hombre (1961) is a stagecoach drama whose hero, a man raised by Apaches, is treated with contempt by the white settlers who will ultimately depend on him for their survival. Jul 9, 2015 · Lasso up these classic best Western books for your reading rodeo! We've rounded up the all the best and most famous western novel authors to make the ultimate list of westerns. Our members write about every aspect of the American West. "Western Writers of America, a nonprofit organization of more than 600 professional writers, founded in the 1950s to promote and honor the best literature about the American West -- including screenwriting -- announced the 100 Greatest Western Movies of All Apr 25, 2023 · Saddle up for the best classic western books. The original Novel award was renamed Western Novel in 1985, while Historical Novel We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This best-selling novel of the nineteenth century was extremely influential in fueling antislavery sentiment during the decade preceding the Civil War. [1] Many versions of the song have been recorded, the most popular of which was by Mitch Miller, whose version reached No. Discover tales of courage, adventure, and the spirit of the Old West. The Spur Award for Best Novel of the West is a category formerly used by the Western Writers of America (WWA) as part of the annual Spur Awards. An author need not be a member of the WWA to receive a Spur Award. This week, DJ Nancy will play her selections from the lower half of the “100” list and then next week, she’ll pull the best of the best from the top half. Best Western Biography Winner: Nighthawk Rising: A Biography of Accused Cattle Rustler Queen Ann Bassett of Brown’s Park, by Diana Allen Kouris and published by High Plains Press Finalists: Washington Territory’s Grand Lady: The Story of Matilda (Glover) Koontz Jackson, by Julie McDonald Zander and published by Chapters of Life Memory Books. The organization was founded in 1953 to promote the literature of the American West. Its worldwide membership includes best-selling, award-winning authors of Western fiction, as well as the brightest up-and-coming new stars in the Western field. . Spur Awards are literary prizes given annually by the Western Writers of America (WWA). Jan 28, 2020 · The 20th novel by three-time Western Writers of America Spur Award-winner Mike Blakely is an instant classic and the best novelization of the oft-overlooked conflict since Jeff Shaara’s Gone for Soldiers (Ballantine, 2000). Breaking News, data & opinions in business, sports, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, plus much more.