Around The Campfire

Welcome to Saddlebag Dispatches, the Award-Winning Home of All Things Western.

If you like stories of the West, you’ve come to the right place. But we don’t just tell stories of the Old West. If a tale takes place west of the Mississippi and has the spirit of the Old West in it—even if it involves pickups and highways instead of horses and dusty trails—this is where it belongs. In addition to fiction, we publish the best nonfiction about the West as well as poetry, interviews, and… well, pretty much anything to do with the West. Are you getting the idea we like things western?

Saddle up for adventure with the latest issue of Saddlebag Dispatches! This April, we’re riding deep into the heart of the American West with unforgettable stories, timeless legends, and bold new voices that bring the frontier to life like never before.

Our cover feature showcases the extraordinary talent of Western artist C. Michael Dudash, whose evocative paintings capture the rugged beauty, quiet heroism, and raw emotion of the Old West. Step into his world and discover how canvas and color keep the spirit of the frontier alive.

Explore the legacy of Comanche chief Quanah Parker, the daring life of Panhandle pioneer Belle Gray, and the fascinating journey of Jason Betzinez, the last surviving member of Geronimo’s band. J.B. Hogan revisits the life and impact of John Rollin Ridge, the first Native American novelist, while music legend Kris Kristofferson takes center stage in a moving tribute by Terry Alexander.

And speaking of fiction, don’t miss new short stories from Lynn Downey, Marika Psalidas, Ryan Michael Hines, Don Money, and Michael Norman, along with Third Anniversary, the final installment in New York Times bestseller Reavis Z. Wortham’s time-traveling Western serial that’s as sharp as a Bowie knife and twice as thrilling.

So pour a fresh cup from the camp pot, kick back under the open sky, and discover why Saddlebag Dispatches is the place where the West rides on—past, present, and future.

Saddlebag Dispatches: Where the spirit of the Wild West comes alive!