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?

THE LAW. THE LEGENDS. THE UNTAMED WEST.

From the storied streets of Fort Smith to the farthest reaches of the frontier, the October issue of Saddlebag Dispatches explores the lawmen, outlaws, legends, and larger-than-life characters who shaped the American West.

Go behind the badge with New York Times bestselling author and retired Deputy U.S. Marshal Marc Cameron in an exclusive interview about his years in federal law enforcement and the real-world experiences behind his acclaimed Arliss Cutter novels. Discover the remarkable stories of legendary lawman Bass Reeves, Cherokee Lighthorse captains, and the frontier figures whose exploits helped define an era. Explore the life of Bill Tilghman through the eyes of his wife, Zoe, revisit the legacy of True Grit creator Charles Portis, and uncover the history, landmarks, and turbulent justice of Fort Smith.

Then ride into the action with original Western fiction filled with deadly manhunts, hard choices, haunted pasts, and justice served at a price. Add evocative Western poetry, a fresh look at the cowboy life, Hollywood’s take on the notorious Belle Starr, and a final installment of Sherry Monahan’s beloved Lively Libations column, and you have an issue steeped in the grit, character, and contradictions of the Old West.

Featuring contributions from acclaimed authors and historians, including New York Times bestsellers Chris Enss, Reavis Z. Wortham, and Will Rogers Medallion Award winners Anthony Wood and Ben Henry Bailey, this issue also celebrates the enduring power of Western storytelling with the announcement of the sixth annual Mustang Award for Western Flash Fiction.

History worth remembering. Stories worth riding for. The West, in all its hard-earned glory. Discover the October issue of Saddlebag Dispatches—where the frontier lives on.

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