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Behind the Chutes—April 2025
Welcome to the inaugural April issue of Saddlebag Dispatches Magazine! We’re proud to bring you a fresh new edition packed with stories and articles from all over the West—true tales and imagined ones that dig deep into the grit, history, and enduring spirit of the frontier.
This issue also marks an exciting milestone for us: Saddlebag Dispatches is expanding to three issues per year. Reader demand has never been stronger, and we’re rising to meet it—fulfilling the charge given to us by our late co-founder and legendary Western author Dusty Richards, to keep the Western alive and thriving in the 21st century.
We’re also thrilled to kick of the 3rd Annual Longhorn Award for Western Short Stories. Submissions are open to original, unpublished short stories between 1,500 and 5,000 words on any Western topic. Entries should be emailed to submissions@saddlebagdispatches.com with a subject line of “Longhorn Entry” and attached as a Word document along with your cover letter. Be sure to include a 150-200 word third-person bio in the second paragraph of your letter, and format your entry to standard Shunn manuscript guidelines with full contact information in the upper left corner of the frst page. The deadline for submission is midnight CT on August 1, 2025. Congratulations again to Bob Armstrong, last year’s winner, with “Clay Allison’s Girl.”
In this issue, you’ll fnd a range of unforgettable features. Regina McLemore explores the life story of Quanah Parker, while Sherry Monahan adds her signature sparkle in Lively Libations with a favorful cowboy cocktail. Terry Alexander examines the life and legacy of country music legend Kris Kristofferson—singer, songwriter, actor, and true American original. Among our historical features, Kenyon Bennett introduces us to Panhandle pioneer Belle Gray, and J. B. Hogan chronicles the life of John Rollin Ridge, the first Native American to publish a novel. Ridge’s The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta was not only California’s frst novel, but also the frst American novel to feature a Hispanic protagonist. And Michael Norman returns with the incredible story of Jason Betzinez, the last living member of Geronimo’s band.
The issue’s short fction section showcases five outstanding storytellers: Lynn Downey, Marika Psalidas, Ryan Michael Hines, Don Money, and Michael Norman. These tales are full of tension, wit, and soul—the very stuff the West is made of.
And don’t miss “Third Anniversary,” the climax of our time-travel Western serial from New York Times bestselling author Reavis Z. Wortham—a story full of twists, grit, and echoes of the past.
At Saddlebag Dispatches, we believe the Western isn’t just a genre—it’s a legacy. It’s a living, breathing tradition passed down through story, song, and spirit. Every campfre tale, every dusty trail, and every unsung hero deserves a voice. We strive to give those voices a platform, whether they come from seasoned authors or frst-time storytellers inspired by the lore and land of the American frontier.
But we’re more than just a magazine—we’re a community. A camp circle where writers, historians, artists, and readers gather to preserve and reimagine the West. None of this would be possible without you, our readers. Your passion for frontier storytelling, your curiosity about the past, and your hunger for well-told tales are what keep the fame of the Western burning strong. Whether you’re a longtime reader or holding your very first issue, you’re part of a growing circle that believes the West still has something to say— and we’re honored to have you riding with us.
So pull up a log, pour yourself a hot cup from the camp pot, and settle in. The West is alive and well in these pages—and it’s waiting for you.
