The final stop of the Women Who Refuse to Behave book tour has brought me to beautiful Deadwood, South Dakota, and Deadwood never disappoints. It is always a pleasure to work with the generous and welcoming people at Deadwood History, Inc., who do so much to preserve and share the remarkable stories of the American West.

Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight at the Deadwood Library for a presentation about the women physicians of the American West – courageous women who broke rules, challenged conventions, and entered a profession many believed should remain closed to them. In 1851, men at Harvard famously declared medicine was no place for women. Thankfully, many determined women refused to listen.

Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center about the book The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn, followed on Friday by presentations on Wicked Women and An Open Secret, both exploring the lives of soiled doves in the American West.

It seems especially fitting to discuss those stories here in Deadwood, as May 21 marks the anniversary of the city’s brothels being officially shut down. History always has a way of lingering in Deadwood’s streets, buildings, and stories.

As always, it’s a good time in Deadwood.

The final day in Oklahoma planning the October events for the Will Rogers Medallion Award program has been filled with inspiration, laughter, and gratitude. One of the greatest joys of this journey is meeting so many kind and warm people including authors, publishers, museum professionals, historians, and storytellers who are dedicated to preserving and celebrating the stories of the American West. Their passion for the written word and Western heritage is truly remarkable.

The guest list for the WRMA events in October continues to grow, and each new addition brings even more excitement for what promises to be a memorable celebration of Western literature, history, and storytelling. There’s something very special about seeing so many creative minds come together to honor the enduring spirit of the West and the legacy of Will Rogers.

It was also a treat to see my book displayed alongside titles written by and about Will Rogers at the gift shop at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Moments like that never lose their magic.

Tomorrow, it’s off to Deadwood to spend time with Rose Spiers, Jim Williams, and the other wonderful historians in the famous Western town. I’ll be giving presentations about the accomplishments of the brave women who helped settle the West and shape frontier history. More to come soon from the Black Hills.

The Oklahoma tour continues – sharing the stories of the remarkable Women of the American West while also working through the exciting details of the October Will Rogers Medallion Award program with the brilliant Laurie Cockerell. WRMA would be lost without her.

This week has been filled with unforgettable conversations and meaningful meetings. I had the privilege of spending time with Linda Clark, granddaughter of one of the legendary cowgirls featured in the book Along Came A Cowgirl, hearing firsthand stories that remind us why preserving Western history matters.

At the University of Tulsa, Professors Bob Pickering and Jill Kreftt joined discussions surrounding the proposed Endowment Chair for education in Will Rogers Western American Literature studies – an inspiring step toward ensuring these stories and traditions continue for generations to come.

We also finalized coverage plans for the “Evening with Will” event scheduled for Friday, October 30, alongside the wonderful teams at KVOO and News On 6.

Today I’m headed to the Pioneer Woman Museum to talk about Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women.

More stories, more history, and more adventures to come.

Over the past two days in Claremore, Oklahoma, I’ve had the privilege of speaking about the stories, history, and literary traditions of the American West. I spoke to the local Rotary Club about the Will Rogers Medallion Award program and its mission to honor excellence in Western literature.

I also had the pleasure of speaking at the Claremore Chamber of Commerce Leading Ladies Luncheon at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where I shared stories from my books about women of the American West, including Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women.

Judging from the event photos, standing next to average-sized women apparently turns me into Hagrid from Harry Potter. I’m pretty sure people are looking at the pictures and thinking, “That woman could hunt geese with a rake.”

Tomorrow it’s on to Oklahoma City for presentations at the Oklahoma Historical Society, along with meetings with the brilliant Professor Bob Pickering and Professor Jill Kreftt at the University of Tulsa as we continue solidifying graduate degrees for the first-ever Will Rogers Western Literature Studies program.

So many places still to visit, so many stories waiting to be uncovered, and so many remarkable women of the West whose lives deserve to be remembered and celebrated.

The Women Who Refuse to Behave Tour is officially rolling across the West — and what a ride it’s been already!

First stop: the incredible U.S. Marshals Museum where I signed copies of Tilghman: The Legendary Lawman and the Woman Who Inspired Him and Sam Sixkiller: Cherokee Frontier Lawman. I also had the pleasure of spending time with some truly amazing Western authors during the fundraising event benefiting the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund — a meaningful evening supporting the families of America’s law officers.

Then it was on to the fascinating Gangsters of America Museum in Hot Springs where I talked with a local news station about Ma Barker: America’s Most Wanted Mother. Because apparently one perfectly reasonable way to spend Mother’s Day weekend is discussing the mother who helped her boys land spots on the Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list.

Of course, no trip through Hot Springs would be complete without a stay at the legendary Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa — once a favorite getaway spot of Al Capone himself.

Now it’s onward to Oklahoma with the amazing Laurie Cockerell for more book presentations, more stories of daring women and legendary lawmen, and planning for this year’s Will Rogers Medallion Awards.

The road trip continues — fueled by history, storytelling, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting.