Writer tells stories unearthed in Old West graveyards By Carol Dexter Many Old West graveyards have nothing more than faded pieces of wood to show for the lives of the deceased who are buried there. Gone and forgotten many may be, but Chris Enss brings back to life some of the more interesting characters’ stories read more…

My appreciation for teachers continues to grow. I’m writing about schoolmarms of the Old West and am amazed at all they had to do to bring formal education to the frontier. Some of the teachers used McGuffey Readers to teach their class how to read and spell. Others only had a Bible or a Sears, read more…

I was given the opportunity to be a guest on KNCO Radio’s afternoon program yesterday and it is always a treat to be a part of the broadcast. I appreciate KNCO’s staff and talent. They eagerly welcome authors and are genuinely pleased to talk with you about your work. KAHI Radio in Auburn, California is read more…

I got a nice email from a friend from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona where I graduated. He had some nice comments about the books I sent him. And I quote, “I finished “The Lady Was a Gambler” on Saturday. What a fun read! The way you write, I could smell the leather, read more…

Sorting out the best way to market a book is probably the most challenging part of the writing process. I invested in a number of marketing campaigns this year for the books Ive had released and am unsatisfied with the slow sales. The ads that Ive placed in True West Magazine, American Cowboy Magazine, and read more…

I’m in San Jose today doing research on a schoolmarm who started the first school in the area. Her name was Mary Graves and she was the heroine of the Donner Party. Her story is tragic and inspired. It will be a great addition to the book. No matter how hard I try I cannot read more…

I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Wyatt Earpy, Bill Tilghman, Charlie Bassett, and Bat Masterson to ride the plains of Kansas looking for Dora Hand’s killer. Just as they picked up on the murderer’s trail a freezing rain washed away any trace of his horse’s hoofprints. They kept at it though read more…

I’ve been writing about Bat Masterson again today. I am working on chapter five of the new book. I like Bat a lot. He was tough, but fair and always looked out for his brothers and sisters. He was particularly close to his brother Ed and after Ed was shot he blamed himself for not read more…

I’ll send a free copy of The Lady Was a Gambler to the next five people who sign the guest book and include their email. The new book would make a great gift for history lovers.

I have spent so much time researching and writing about the four men that participated in the hunt for Dora Hand’s killer that it’s hard for me to decide who I like best. I’ve been focusing on Bat Masterson over the last few days and I like him as much as I do Bill Tilghman. read more…