WESTERN TRAIL BLAZER DAY

In the summer of 2010, I got one of the luckiest breaks in my writing career. My good friend Kit Prate informed several of us Western Fictioneers about a lead with a brand-new digital publisher: Western Trail Blazer. The outfit, headed up by Rebecca J. Vickery, was looking for western manuscripts –either original or previously published in print –to make available to the growing number of Western ebook fans. I contacted Rebecca, and wound up sending her several short stories that had appeared in magazines in the 1990s and collected dust ever since, featuring a family called the Blackwells. They were digitally published, followed by most of my western novel backlist (the last book on that backlist, THE TRAIL BROTHERS, will be released by WTB later this year.) And –due to Rebecca’s moxie, drive, and skill, and the extremely talented editors and artists who work for her –my western stuff has been far more successful than it was the first time around!

Western Trail Blazer is a patron member of Western Fictioneers (or, as we call it, a Deputy), and has promoted our organization both directly and by publishing the works of many of our members.

For those reasons, I’ve invited Rebecca Vickery to answer a few questions for us today.

1. Why did you choose to expand into publishing westerns?

Western author Kit Prate and I were bemoaning the fact that good western stories seemed to be dying out. We had discussed our common interest in TV westerns, particularly Lancer, Cheyenne, and The Virginian. We both have grandsons and were saddened that young people growing up now don't have cowboy heroes to look up to. It seemed an ordinary enough conversation, but a few weeks later Kit contacted me again, asking about how difficult it would be to create a new "brand" for Westerns and publish some quality books. Our Chief Designer Laura Shinn and I ran with the idea and Western Trail Blazer was the result. We were fortunate in that shortly after our first westerns were released there was a resurgence of interest from Hollywood and several Western movies hit the big screen.   

2. What have been your biggest challenges?

Our biggest challenges have been in keeping up with the number of submissions we receive and releasing new books and stories on a regular basis. When we started out, as a new breed of publisher -- an Independent Publisher allowing authors more input into their covers and pricing of their work and paying the lion's share of royalties to the author -- we weren't taken too seriously by reviewers or other publishers. As a small operation, which depends heavily on myself and Laura for the bulk of the work involved, my diagnosis of Lupus last year has definitely slowed us down a bit. Rather than continuing to grow and expand, we will now have to be content to remain small and produce quality stories as our contribution to seeing that the love of the American West never dies.         

 
3. What have been, in your opinion, some of your biggest accomplishments with WTB?

Our number one biggest accomplishment is putting a satisfied smile on the faces of our readers and our authors. Helping the "Dime Novels" or western short story make a comeback has been a terrific success and the most common complaint we receive is that the story wasn't long enough. We take this as a huge back-handed compliment to us and the author -- it just proves the reader is hungry for more. We are also very proud of our authors for having works nominated for multiple categories in the Peacemaker and Spur Western Award competitions and securing wins and places in the Preditor & Editor Readers Poll. I believe we have helped revive interest in Westerns, which was our original goal.  

4. What do you see for WTB in the future?

WTB intends to continue to publish quality novels, novellas, and Dime Novels for as long as the Great Trail Boss in the sky will allow. I don't see us growing as we once intended, but we do want to add more cowboy poetry, some non-fiction in the areas of Western biographies, and perhaps a Camp-out or grilling cookbook or two. We want to draw a variety of readers and to do that we must offer a variety of material.

  
5. Who are some writers who have influenced you?

As a "tomboy" who was horse and gun crazy growing up, I first read western novels by Will James, Ralph Moody, and Willa Cather (one of the earliest female western authors). Then I snuck my dad's Louis L'Amour (the Sacketts were my favorites), Max Brand, and Zane Grey books when I knew he was finished with them. In my personal writing for romance and suspense, I've been highly influenced by Phyllis Whitney, Kay Hooper, and Iris Johannsen. 

6. What is the most important thing you look for in a western story?
To me one of the most important things in a western is a unique "voice" by the author and good storytelling ability. I don't want each story to be a carbon copy of the last one. And each must be a delicate blend of dialog, action, and setting. An exciting opening (rather than lots of back story), in-depth characters with a definite hero and villain, no middle slump, and a satisfying ending which successfully completes the tale makes for an excellent read whether it's a full-length novel or a short story. 

 
7. What are some of WTB's new titles?

We just released a new book of Western poetry by John D. Nesbitt titled Thorns on the Rose. Cheryl Pierson's third novella in her Kane Trilogy, Kane's Destiny, is now available. Rodeo Man by Celia Yeary, for our Western Romance readers, is already a bestseller as is Madeline Baker's latest release, Seize the Lightning, part of her Lightning Time Travel series. For those who enjoy the unusual western we recently released The Fangslinger and the Preacher by Bret Lee Hart. We will soon publish a collection by Troy D. Smith containing several tales of his Blackwell family, a 3rd in the Bowen & Baile western detective stories from Frank Roderus, and two other poetry collections. It's going to be a busy year.       

Many thanks to Rebecca for those comments! And there are more comments to come… we’ve asked several WF members whose work appears under the WTB imprint to give us a few words about their experience with Rebecca and Western Trail Blazer…

Frank Roderus

This is a quality outfit, easy to get along with and offering print books in addition to their e-book distribution. Rebecca works with her authors about text and covers, consulting all the way. WTB does it well.

Cheryl Pierson

I've known Rebecca from "back in the day", before she was a publisher. We (along with several other authors) were victims of an unscrupulous publisher, but Rebecca is a master at taking lemons and making lemonade with them--and just look what she's done! Through much hard work, her conscientious diligence to detail, and her desire to try something new, she owns a very successful publishing company that has been built on all these things along with something you don't find often in the world of publishing: her willingness to help others.  Rebecca is one of the most honest, good-hearted, helpful people I have ever known. She is one in a million with all she does not only for her family but her friends, and even complete strangers who need information, guidance and direction. She has a special way about her that some would call "tact"--I call it sheer magic. It's one of the things I admire most about her--the ability to work with authors of all levels and genres and maintain her professionalism at all times, with diplomacy. They say there are no coincidences, and I believe that. I believe that we who know her have been introduced to her during our lives for a variety of reasons, and I'm proud to say that Rebecca is not only my publisher, she is my friend.

Les Williams

I can’t say enough about Western Trail Blazer(WTB) and in particular Rebecca for the outstanding job she has done on my three stories she has published through WTB. I have found Rebecca to be very easy to work with. Once a story has been submitted, she responded to my questions in a timely manner. I’ve been able to make a number of inquiries about publishing and Rebecca has always come through with an answer, suggestion, thoughts, or ideas. She does an outstanding job of keeping her authors informed on not only what is going on with WTB, but in the publishing industry as well. I would highly recommend any western writer interested in E publishing, be they a new author or one with many published works under their name, to seek out Rebecca and her WTB imprint. They will not be disappointed.

Wayne Dundee

Rebecca Vickery and her staff at WTB are a pure joy to work with. Totally professional yet at the same time capable of providing a personal touch that makes you feel --- and I know it's gonna sound corny, but I'll say it anyway --- like part of a big family. In short, Becca treats her writers the way every publisher ought to, but so few do.

Tom Rizzo

Rebecca ranks as a true partner in publishing. When I came aboard WTB, less than a year ago, I was a bit overwhelmed by a lot of the moving parts that make up the publishing business. But, her guidance has made all the difference. I'm a big fan of Rebecca's for three reasons: (1) her quick responses to questions or issues that need answered, (2) her diligence at keeping us all informed about changes - good or bad - of the publishing business, and (2) her ability to embrace we authors as family. Creating a "family feel" in a business enterprise today is a lost art, but Rebecca does it with style.

Madeline Baker

AKA Amanda Ashley

I love working with Rebecca. She's easy to get along with, open to suggestions, and always accessible. I'll always be thankful to Laura Shinn for putting me in touch with Becca, and grateful to Laura for her terrific covers. I've recommended Becca to several of my critique partners, and I'm happy to say she is publishing most of them!

Celia Yeary

It was my lucky day when Rebecca asked me to contribute to one or two or

the anthologies she was putting together. I had joined her Yahoo Group,

Romance and More Promotions, barely knew her, but really liked the group

and her easy, kind manner. Soon, I was writing the Dime Novels and that

was the real beginning of a wonderful working relationship. I feel very

fortunate, indeed, and look forward to more years with her.

Kit Prate

I was first introduced to Rebecca through my contact with Cheryl Pierson, and it has turned out to be a delightful and fruitful relationship. I found Rebecca to be a truly remarkable woman, determined to right the wrongs she had experienced with "traditional" publishers. She is totally dedicated to that task, and to the authors who are fortunate enough to work with her.

I've found her to be extremely compassionate and understanding regarding not only our efforts; but also willing to work around issues that occur when real life gets complicated and problems occur. Her patience and encouragement is remarkable.

I consider it a blessing that fate brought us together, and that the relationship has extended to include so many others who had become frustrated or discouraged with what was occurring elsewhere with the western genre. She continues to do an incredible job for all of us.

Charlie Whipple

AKA Chuck Tyrell

For a woman with Lupus, Rebecca is absolutely amazing. I just read a book published by another mini-publisher and was surprised at the number of typos and mistakes that a copyeditor would surely catch. Which tells me that publisher let the books go just as they came in, with no proofing whatsoever. Becca doesn't do that. Plus, she's got some of the best writers in the genre under her banner of Western Trail Blazer. She keeps us informed about what's going on in the industry, and makes it easy for us to promote our books (like getting coupons from Smashwords that allow us to give away books on promotion). I'm glad I've published with Western Trail Blazers. Rebecca is not my only publisher, but if I had to choose just one publisher, it could well be Western Trail Blazers. Kudos to Laura Shinn as well.

Our thanks to those commenters, and our hope that Western Trail Blazer helps Western Fictioneers keep the traditional western flame alive for many years to come!

P.S.: My apologies to anyone whose comments or books I missed!