Welcome to Western Fictioneers
An organization of professional authors of western novels and short stories.
When I joined Western Fictioneers years ago, I never thought I’d have the chance to be president. Thank you all for your support. I’m excited for what’s ahead in the coming year with such a talented group of writers. It’s a true honor to help create new stories about our Western history. Write on!
Bob Vardeman
President Western Fictioneers 2025-26
THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT PEACEMAKER
Douglas Hirt
15th Annual Peacemaker Awards Winners and Finalists
(Published in 2024)
Western Fictioneers is proud to announce the winners of the 15th Annual Peacemaker Awards, presented for the finest in Western fiction published in 2024. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, and special thanks to the judges who make the Peacemaker Awards possible.
BEST WESTERN NOVEL
Winner: THE MEDICINE LINE, John Hansen (Summit Creek Press)
Finalists
PALO DURO MUSTANGS, Alice V. Brock (Pen-L Publishing)
THE BIG DRY, Patrick Dearen (TCU Press)
LEGEND OF LOST BASIN, Bruce Hartman (Swallow Tail Press)
HANGING MAN, Rod Miller (Thorndike Press)
BEST FIRST WESTERN NOVEL
Winner (Tie): THE MONTE BOYS, Robert M. Brunelle (Robert M. Brunelle)
LEGEND OF LOST BASIN, Bruce Hartman (Swallow Tail Press)
Finalists
RENEGADES, RUSTLERS AND ROGUES, Joanne M. Fralick (Joanne M. Fralick)
EMBERS IN THE WIND, Dawson Gallow (DWG Publishing)
AMERICAN COWBOYS, Aaron Rhodes (Rhiannye Aubree Publishing)
BEST SHORT FICTION
Winner: “Valiant-For-Truth”, Elisabeth Grace Foley (THROUGH WESTERN STORMS, Lohman Hills Creative LLC)
Finalists
“Fortunate Man”, Kimberly Burns (SADDLEBAG DISPATCHES)
“Rattlers”, Bruce Hartman (SADDLEBAG DISPATCHES ANTHOLOGY)
“Noah’s Lament”, Preston Lewis (THROUGH WESTERN STORMS, Lohman Hills Creative LLC)
“Hurricane at Hogg’s Holler”, Scott McCrea (THROUGH WESTERN STORMS, Lohman Hills Creative LLC)
“White City”, John D. Nesbitt (THROUGH WESTERN STORMS, Lohman Hills Creative LLC)
Western Fictioneers (WF) was formed in 2010 by Robert J. Randisi, James Reasoner, Frank Roderus, L.J. Washburn, and other professional Western writers, to preserve, honor, and promote traditional Western writing in the 21st century. Entries were accepted in both print and electronic forms. The Peacemaker Awards are given out annually. Submissions for the Peacemaker Awards for books published in 2023 are closed.
