Around The Campfire

Welcome to Saddlebag Dispatches, the Award-Winning Home of All Things Western.

If you like stories of the West, you’ve come to the right place. But we don’t just tell stories of the Old West. If a tale takes place west of the Mississippi and has the spirit of the Old West in it—even if it involves pickups and highways instead of horses and dusty trails—this is where it belongs. In addition to fiction, we publish the best nonfiction about the West as well as poetry, interviews, and…well, pretty much anything to do with the West. Are you getting the idea we like things western?

Saddle up for a riveting ride through the untamed landscapes of Cochise County, Arizona, in the latest issue of Saddlebag Dispatches! Embark on a historical adventure as Doug Hocking explores the depths of Karchner Caverns, unveiling the secrets and history hidden within. JD Arnold unravels the enigmatic tales of lawman Jonas V. Brighton, alias Rawhide Jake, setting the record straight in a masterful treatise.

Join NYT bestseller Chris Enss and JoAnn Chartier as they weave the captivating story of Cathy Williams, a female Buffalo Soldier. Experience the flavor of old Tombstone with Sherry Monahan’s delightful exploration of dining choices in her article, “Bon Ton and Toney,” while Manuela Schneider guides you through the haunted corridors of “The Birdcage Theatre.”

Delve into the best of Western fiction with W. Michael Farmer’s emotionally charged story of a modern vigilante, Gary Rodgers’ tale of a town marshal caught in a feud amid Apache hostility, and Scott M. Brents’ modern Western entwined with gangland intrigue. Benjamin Henry Bailey offers a unique perspective on the famed O.K. Corral fight, and James A. Tweedie’s stagecoach driver’s account of a botched robbery in vivid detail. 

Saddlebag Dispatches: Where the spirit of the Wild West comes alive!