I’ve been studying how to market my books, which has required some soul-searching. A major key is narrowing down who my audience is. Although I don’t mind somebody picking up one of my books, reading it, and saying, “That’s not for me,” what I want is for readers to read my book and say, “That’s what I’m looking for.” Realistically, that ain’t everybody.

What kind of writer am I?

I write historical fiction with an American frontier setting and Western books. The plots of traditional Westerns are driven by certain tropes: the lone hero, showdowns, justice on the frontier, etc. My books include these, but they do not always drive the plot. My books are character-driven. They are a study of the thoughts and emotions behind the actions of the characters. My books may or may not include enough gunfights or fistfights to suit different readers, but they always provide the reader with a unique perspective and experience.

In the MacLean Brothers series, Noah MacLean rode with Mosby’s Raiders during the war before becoming a Pinkerton Detective. His struggle is with walking the fine line between doing his job and doing what feels right in his gut.

Daniel MacLean rode with Hood during the war. When his wife is killed by a stray bullet, he pins on the star of a Texas Ranger, and his main objective is revenge.

Zeke MacLean chose to ride for the Union; he ends up being appointed to Fort Whipple under General Crook. He’s discovered that someone is raiding ranches in Prescott and making it look like it’s being done by the local tribes.

David MacLean joins a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Arriving in Montana, his sense of right and wrong put him in a position to defend a young woman and her ranch, leading to his appointment as a marshal.

Solomon MacLean is a troublemaker and a gambler who walks the thin line between right and wrong. Because of his speed with a gun, he begins to become a target and is forced into living the lonely life of a drifter.

Men and women migrated to the West for a variety of reasons, discovering who they are and where they fit in along the way. My books explore those journeys.

Give them a try.

Will Colt Westerns

Exploring the grit of those who tamed the West.