reported by Brian Scott, FictionFanatic.com

More than 100 writers and editors of Western literature will stampede this month into the town founded by legendary frontiersman and showman William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody.

Founded in 1953 to promote and recognize Western literature, Western Writers of America (www.westernwriters.org) holds an annual conference each June in a different city. This year's event is scheduled June 13-17 with events all over town.

"Cody, Wyoming, is steeped in the reality of the American West, and we will be sharing the stories of Buffalo Bill, American Indians and mountain men, plus how we have woven into our writing the issues of land and water development and tourism," said convention chair Candy Moulton of Encampment, a Spur Award winner this year for her biography CHIEF JOSEPH: GUARDIAN OF THE PEOPLE. This blending of Old West and New West is a representation of today's Western writers."

Events open to the public include a Community Social, 4:30-6:30 p.m. June 14 on the boardwalk in front of the Buffalo Bill Village Sarsaparilla Saloon. Music will be provided by several WWA singer-songwriters, including Mike Blakely, Bobby Bridger, Jon Chandler and W.C. Jameson.

The annual auction to benefit WWA's nonprofit The Homestead Foundation begins at 7 p.m. June 15 at the Holiday Inn. Up for grabs are lodging at various resort getaways, antiques, artwork, fashion ware and several other items. Proceeds will be used for award-giving and educational functions.

And approximately 80 writers are scheduled to take part in a book-signing from 2:30-5 p.m. June 16 at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center's Cody Firearms Museum Breezeway. In addition to Moulton, authors include 2006 Spur Award winners Lori Van Pelt of Saratoga (PECKER'S REVENGE), Matt Braun (DAKOTA), Johnny D. Boggs (CAMP FORD), Loren D. Estleman (THE UNDERTAKER'S WIFE), Louis S. Warren (BUFFALO BILL'S AMERICA: WILLIAM CODY AND THE WILD WEST SHOW), Diane Lee Wilson (BLACK STORM COMIN') and Willard Wyman (HIGH COUNTRY), plus seven-time Spur winner Elmer Kelton of San Angelo, Texas, and Western/mystery novelist C.J. Box of Cheyenne.

Books will also be on display and for sale at the museum during the entire convention.

The 2007 convention is scheduled for Springfield, Mo.

Recommended Resources:

1) ELMER KELTON TELLS THE TRUTH : Six talks on The Old West, Cowboys & Writing the Western Novel

2) The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West by Candy Moulton

3) Beyond the Stony Mountains : Nature in the American West from Lewis and Clark to Today by Daniel B. Botkin