For veteran actor Josh Holloway (Lost, Colony, Yellowstone, Duster), the road to Flint began more than two decades ago, when the Georgia native first read Louis L’Amour’s tale of a dying gunfighter drawn into one last battle. Over the years, Holloway pursued the project through starts, stops, and near-misses—until director and screenwriter Ryan Whitaker (Surprised by Oxford) entered the picture with the right script, the right connections, and the right timing. In this conversation for Writing the West podcast, Holloway and Whitaker talk about the unlikely series of events that finally brought Flint into production, the creative choices that shaped their adaptation, and why they believe now is the perfect time for western stories to thrive again.

For decades, journalist John Glionna roamed the American West chasing stories that others overlooked: small towns, strange landmarks, and unforgettable characters. But it was in McDermitt, Nevada that Glionna found the heart of his first nonfiction book, No Friday Night Lights: Reservation Football on the Edge of America. What began as a tale about a struggling eight-man football team turned into something far richer: a chronicle of identity, belonging, and survival in a place most Americans will never visit. In this wide-ranging conversation, Glionna reflects on building trust in tight-knit communities, navigating controversy, and why these stories matter more than ever.

In this episode of Writing the West podcast, we sit down with journalist and historian Bryan Burrough, author of the riveting new book The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild. Known for his bestsellers Barbarians at the Gate and Public Enemies, Burrough brings his sharp investigative lens to the gunfighter era, tracing its roots in Texas honor culture, post–Civil War violence, and the rise of Western mythology. From Wild Bill Hickok to Wyatt Earp and lesser-known legends like Pink Higgins and Luke Short, Burrough explores how these men became the American archetype of rugged individualism—and how their stories continue to shape pop culture today.

We sat down with Beau L’Amour — writer, producer, and the literary steward of his legendary father, Louis L’Amour. From audio dramas and graphic novels to film adaptations and hopes for future productions, Beau offers a candid look at the joys and challenges of carrying forward a legacy as vast as the American frontier. We talk about why his father’s stories are so difficult to adapt, how Taylor Sheridan has reinvigorated the western on screen, and why the genre’s future may lie in overlooked eras like the Mexican War or Cold War. Whether you’re a lifelong Louis L’Amour fan or a newcomer to the West, this conversation reminds us that the trail ahead is still full of promise.

In this episode of Writing the West, we sit down with one of the most prolific voices in modern Western literature: Johnny D. Boggs. From his early days in South Carolina dreaming of wide-open spaces to becoming a full-time author in New Mexico, Boggs shares how TV Westerns, journalism, and real-life history shaped his storytelling. We talk about everything from cattle drives and morally complex characters to the future of the genre, writing strong female leads, and why every good Western starts with the land. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just saddle-breaking into the genre, this conversation offers deep insight — and a few good stories along the way.

Billy the Kid is quite possibly the most popular outlaw of the Old West. From his time as a regulator fighting against the corrupt Santa Fe Ring to his daring (and murderous) escape from the Lincoln County, NM, jail to his eventual death at the age of 21, Billy the Kid’s life and legend has remained a steadfast topic for academics and Hollywood alike. Years of research by scholar George Matthews culminated in the book, Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend, which presents the first full-picture view of who Billy the Kid was before and during his life on the run. Matthews discussed his book on the latest episode of “Writing the West” podcast.

In this episode of Writing the West, we sit down with bestselling author Craig Johnson, the mind behind the beloved Walt Longmire series, to discuss his upcoming novel Return to Sender. From his Wyoming ranch, Johnson reflects on the enduring relevance of the Western genre, the real-life stories that inspire his plots, and why voice, empathy, and lived experience matter in good storytelling. With warmth and wit, he opens up about his writing journey, the evolution of Walt Longmire, and what it takes to keep readers—and himself—hooked after 21 books.

Seasoned journalist and writing professor Laurie L. Dove's debut novel, Mask of the Deer Woman, is the culmination of a lifetime of craft and advocacy. Tackling the real-world issue of missing Indigenous women, Dove's novel also explores the ethereal bond between mothers and daughters, as well as the innate symbolism of Native American cultures. In this exclusive interview with Cowboys & Indians, Dove discusses how her journalism influenced her writing, what it was like to find a publisher, and how her network of editors and fans alike helped her cross the publishing finish line.