Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast, 289. Melody Groves, President Western

United Public Radio

Melody Groves has written 12 Western novels and 5 non-fiction books of the Old West. I read a very light-hearted Western tale “She Was Sheriff” in preparation for this interview. The story tagline "All She Wanted Was a Gold Band—What She Got Was a Tin Star." We discuss the current growth of the Western genre and comparisons between it and the SF genre. The Western Horse Opera preceded Science Fiction Space Opera. She is the President of Western Writers of America and Homestead Foundation. Gold Winner, 2023 Will Rogers Medallion Award, "Billy's Mom" Spur Winner, 2023, WWA, "Before Billy the Kid" 6X Winner, 2021 NM/AZ Book Awards Winner, 2018 National Press Women Award Winner, 2018 New Mexico Press Women Awards