Brought to you by Roan & Weatherford Publishing, West of the Page is where authors, ideas, and indie publishing intersect — taking you beyond the margins and behind the books. Because the story doesn’t end at “The End.”
From Physics to the Wild West: An Interview with W. Michael Farmer
What happens when a physicist turns his lifelong fascination with history into stories of revenge, redemption, and the American West?
In this interview, author W. Michael Farmer talks about his short story “The Longshot,” featured in the anthology Hard Country, and the research behind its unforgettable characters and long-range shooting history.
We also talk about Farmer’s journey from earning a PhD in physics to writing more than 20 novels, his fascination with Apache history, and the real historical events that continue to inspire his fiction.
And he gives us a glimpse into his upcoming book, An Apache Iliad, which reexamines a pivotal chapter in Geronimo’s story through a series of compelling historical vignettes.
Watch the full conversation for the stories, history, and research behind the writing.
30 Sept 2026
Baron R. Birtcher: 1970s Mysteries, Psychic Spies & “The Bullet Song”
What happens when you combine a 1970s government operative, a remote-viewing psychic ability, an abandoned Oregon gold mine, and a mystery that refuses to stay buried?In this episode, we sit down with LA Times bestselling author Baron R. Birtcher to talk about his story “The Bullet Song,” featured in Hard Country from Roan Weatherford Publishing. We dig into the real-world history and political mistrust that inspired the story, the eerie appeal of writing without modern technology, and the creation of Rex Blackwood—a character whose story spans decades.
Birtcher also gives us a glimpse at what’s next for the Ty Dawson series, including the upcoming Telegraph Road.
And at the heart of it all is Hard Country and its important mission: supporting the United States Marshals Service Survivors Benefit Fund.
23 Sept 2026
Rik Yonder Goodell on Cowboy Poetry, Western Writing & “Die First, Then Quit” | West of the Page
What does it take to write an authentic Western story—and to live a life worth writing about?On this episode of West of the Page, Lindsay and Staci sit down with award-winning cowboy poet and author Rik Yonder Goodell to talk about his writing, his remarkable collection of life experiences, and the stories that have come from them.Rik’s cowboy poem “Die First, Then Quit,” featured in the Rough Country anthology from Roan & Weatherford Publishing, is built around a simple but powerful idea: don’t put off living. Live fully, keep pushing, and do what matters while you still can.
A four-time Will Rogers Medallion Award winner—including three gold medals for poetry—Rik travels throughout the West performing his work at cowboy poetry gatherings, often from memory. He also brings a lifetime of experience to his writing, from ranch work and law enforcement to military service, Hollywood, carpentry, and teaching scuba diving.
In our conversation, Rik shares what all those experiences have taught him about storytelling, including why authentic dialogue matters, how historical accuracy brings a Western world to life, and why discipline and “industry” are essential to a writer’s craft.
We also talk about the Rough Country anthology and its mission to benefit the survivors of U.S. Marshals.
From cowboy poetry to Western fiction, Rik Yonder Goodell reminds us that the best stories are often built from a life fully lived.
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