I Thought I Was Writing for Men. My Readers Had Other Ideas.
By R.J. Sloane
I’ll be honest with you. When I sat down to write The Rustler Hunter, I figured I knew exactly who would pick it up.
Men. Specifically, men who grew up on Louis L’Amour and still reread Hondo every few years. Guys who like their westerns lean and mean with action-packed gunfights, manhunts, wide-open Arizona Territory, and not a lot of fussing about feelings.
So, imagine my surprise when the emails started coming in, and most of them were from women.
Not just a few. Most of my reader mail comes from women. Women who write things like, “I don’t usually read westerns, but I couldn’t put this down.” Women who tell me the Harper brothers remind them of the honorable men in their own families. Quiet protectors who show up when it’s important. Men who don’t make a speech about it. Women who say the family oath in the series—Proverbs 21:15 CSB, when justice is executed, it is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers—impacted them profoundly.
I had to think hard about why my writing resonates so strongly with women.
This is what I think: women have always understood what justice costs. They’ve watched the men they love carry the weight of protecting others. They’ve been the ones keeping families intact while that work got done. They know, maybe better than anyone, what it means to hold a code when the world makes it inconvenient. I finally realized that’s not a masculine theme. That’s a human one.
The Harper siblings, children of a violent outlaw, aren’t compelling because they’re tough. They’re compelling because they chose to be something better than the man who raised them. And that kind of story resonates with anyone who’s ever had to rebuild their life or overcome a tough past.
Hayley Harper, the Pinkerton agent at the center of The Rustler Hunter, is probably part of the answer too. I write women who are competent, stubborn, and fiercely loyal. Women who carry the same moral code as the men beside them but fight their battles with their strengths. Women who don’t need rescuing but aren’t too proud to accept backup. I believe readers appreciate that kind of woman.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she spends most of the book striking sparks off a certain legendary manhunter who didn’t see her coming either. J.J. Westin met his match in Hayley Harper, and I think readers enjoy watching two people who are equally stubborn and equally principled figure that out—one dusty Arizona canyon at a time.
What is it about action-driven western fiction that keeps you coming back or brought you to it in the first place?
I have a feeling you’ll teach me something, partner.
Giveaway
I’m delighted to offer a signed copy of The Rustler Hunter to one lucky winner. Just tell me in the comments below, what is it about action-driven western fiction that keeps you coming back or brought you to it in the first place?
The Rustler Hunter: Harper’s Justice Book 1
When forty-one successful manhunts make you a legend, there’s only one way left to go—down.
J.J. Westin, the infamous Rustler Hunter, goes undercover at Arizona Territory’s largest cattle ranch to expose the rustlers bleeding it dry. The thieves aren’t just stealing cattle. They’re trusted cowboys operating from inside the bunkhouse.
What he doesn’t expect is Hayley Harper, the tough-as-nails cook with secrets of her own. She’s a Pinkerton agent working the same case and the daughter of notorious outlaw Galen Harper.
When their covers are blown, they uncover something far deadlier than rustling. A corruption network spanning three territories. With enemies closing in and bullets flying, the legendary manhunter and the outlaw’s daughter must survive the badlands of 1898 Arizona, where trust is deadly and justice comes at gunpoint.
R.J. Sloane writes gritty Western adventures where justice rides hard across the untamed Southwest. Inspired by Longmire, Yellowstone, and a childhood of classic westerns watched with his dad, R.J. brings authentic frontier spirit to every page. His Harper’s Justice series follows territorial lawmen where doing right often means defying the law.
When he’s not writing fiction, R.J. releases original dark country music—outlaw Americana cut from the same cloth as his stories.
Find R.J. on his site: https://rjsloanewesterns.com and at all major retailers
Years ago my first fascination with western fiction was Elmer Kelton’s novels about Christian men who were Texas Rangers. Before that I watched lots of Westerns on TV ‘cuz my dad liked them (Wagon Train, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Bonanza, The Rifleman…).
I think it was partly the strangeness (I grew up right outside Washington, D.C. in the suburbs of MD) of riding horses, herding cattle, living mainly outdoors and it was also the rightness, being grounded in Judeo Christian principles and living by them (i.e. the bad guys wore black hats and almost always came in last) that drew me to reading Westerns once I discovered them.
Mary, The Lone Ranger was my favorite growing up. Sounds like we share similar memories about our dads.
I just love to read about cowboys!!
I also like reading about cowboys.
Good morning and welcome RJ! I grew up also reading Louis LaMour and watching westerns on tv. After reading about The Sacketts,lo and behold, here comes the series on tv! And with a wonderful cast of tough rugged (and handsome of course) men to play the characters! Plus I grew up with two younger brothers and if I wanted to play with them it wasn’t with dolls! Much to my mother’s dismay! It was playing cowboys and Indians! And I was always Clint Eastwood! LOL Who else, right? Heh.
I’m not sure what drew me to the westerns, but if it is all you know, watch and read, you become attached to it! I like the rugged loners as men. I like independent women who give it right back. And yes, the sparks flying between them and a little humor with it! Those are the best to me. Although your name sounds familiar, I’m not sure I have read any of your books, but I have read quite a few of the male western writers out there. I’m sure I would love your books also.
Welcome again RJ! I hope you will drop by again soon! I enjoyed your views from the male side of the spectrum! Many blessings to you, partner!
By the way, my brother’s names are Billy Joe and Rick Jay. Yeah, about as southern as you can get! Yes, I said RJ and BJ a good bit. Heh.
Glad to find a kindred spirit. Nothing as good as a western adventure. Sounds like you’re as spunky as Hayley. And a brother named RJ?!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story.
As a child, my Dd ed to me and they were usually stories amour the West.
I have read all of Louie L Amour books and really enjoyed them.
I live in Arizona where a lot of the stories take place. Zane Grey wrote most of his novels when he lived near Payson, AZ (I have visited his cabin before a fire in the forest there destroyed it.)
Joye, I never got to visit Zane Grey’s original cabin, but they built a replica and I had the pleasure of visiting it a few years ago. It was very inspiring to see the rustic vibe of where he penned those novels.
I loved Louis L’Amour books. I do still read some over. I liked Kilkenny. I think I enjoyed the excitement from a time that I can visit only in books.
I love westerns and need the constant twists and turns to keep my attention.
I enjoy the action in westerns and I like cowboys. My husband and I still sometimes watch old western reruns on television- rifleman, rawhide, the Virginian among others.
I like the way cowboys function. They always seem to do the right thing. Of course there are exceptions…the bad guys who usually don’t win. I grew up watching old Western movies where the cowboys wore white and the bad guys wore black. Different now.
I am all about westerns. I like the roughness. The way of life. I watch Grit station. I cannot wait to read this book.
Y’all are my people. Action. Grit. Rugged practicality. And fond family memories. Don’t get more cowboy or western than that.
Westerns are and have always been if great interest to me. When I was young we used to watch the many Westerns on after school. I was transported to another place, and era. Out of my busy, noisy and large city to a scene with unique geography which was fascinating.
I loved Westerns and cowboys. Their life required strength of character, principles, values and I admired their ability to possess the grit for their difficult trials and tribulations. Real men whose lives reflect integrity and high morals.
Years ago we were at the beach and met a man reading a Louis L’Amour book. When he finished it he offered it to us to read. From then on we were hooked. Both my husband and myself have read every Louis L’Amour book we can find and now we read every Western we can find. Can’t wait to read The Rustler Hunter.
I’ve read romances with cowboys and fantasy adventures but I’m not sure about action-adventure westerns. I enjoy reading many genres (mood reader) so I’d try almost anything at least once.
I like intelligently written stories of (nearly) every ilk. Having grown up with the TV cowboys, and known a few real ones, I find the westward expansion era rife with possibilities, delightful to write and wonderful to read. A good story is a great read…whom am I misquoting here? So of course you attract readers of every gender! Put together a riveting tale for the win!
Best of luck with your cross-gender promo!
Have always loved the quiet hero cowboys.
This quiet cowboy hero has a way with words and J.J.’s read on Hayley pretty much sums her up:
“I wasn’t sure if Hayley was as soft as a desert hare or ready to chew my flesh to the bone like a coyote. The woman could flip from one to the other faster than a rattler striking in the dark.”
Smart man, figuring that out early.
I Love westerns and cowboys and I have always Loved reading about them and their stories! This book sounds amazing Thank you for the chance to win this book!
My dad was a cowboy, and I grew up with horses and cattle. He loved to read and introduced me to Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey at an early age. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 75, and reading Westerns now is a way for me to still connect with his memory.
Kim, that’s a wonderful memory and a great way to stay connected with your dad.
I grew up reading Old Western books because my father loved it. I got his copies of the Lone Ranger and I love watching the reruns.
Many years ago when I was growing up I started reading novels by Western authors. The stories were filled with hardship and required a great deal of tenacity. I admired these men who would eventually triumph over these insurmountable problems. Westerns were very popular at that time and I now had something to enjoy. They opened my horizons to a different world.
I think women better than most understand their vulnerability and the harshness and danger that is out in the world. The West was place of wide open lands and a wide open lack of laws in too many places. Not only did women keep the home fires burning, the children taken care of, and the farm/ranch running while their man was gone, but she often had to do her own protecting of all those things as well as herself. She had to be realistic and tough. She appreciated a man that recognized what she had to offer and accepted it. She couldn’t afford to wait to be rescued, but didn’t mind a partner’s help when it was there.
I appreciate an author who presents the realities of that life, even if it is in a fictionalized and romantic way.
Patricia, I couldn’t agree more. Tough women who could hold their own but be flexible and great partners. You captured the essence of western women well.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, cowboys are a way of life. Cowgirls have to be grittier and strong just to survive. Love watching the old westerns on Tv with my dad and uncle.
I too think the quiet cowboy speaks to me. I hav always loved watching old westerns tv shows and reading western stories. I think part of the reason is because this was something that my Dad and I could do together. He loved Louis L’amour books and we would pass them back and forth between us. We would also enjoy watching Gunsmoke for hours. Your book the Rustler Hunter sounds great:)
Several years ago, we started going to the state of Wyoming camping and atving and I fell in love with the western lifestyle. I am also a huge lover of horses. We met several Cowboys throughout our time going west and it spurred me onto reading historical western romances. Then, I met several authors who have become friends and I have read numerous series. I’m so glad to get acquainted with you today. Thank you for coming.
I don’t really know. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
I love me some cowboys but to be honest I grew up on westerns. My father was always into western and everything on TV he watched was westerns. He was also a big reader of Louis L’Amour books so I guess it just rolled over to me with the westerns.
Great to meet so many Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey fans. And to hear about all the different states folks associate with cowboys. For me, it’s Arizona, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana. I sometimes forget the Pacific Northwest has a lot of cowboys too.
The cowboys and cowgirls and of course the animals!
cowboys
I’ve always liked westerns. And cowboy romances, the idea of adventures and heroic cowboys who fall in love I find to be very appealing.
I like the fact that westerns have a moral code. You know who the bad guys are, and who the good guys are. I like having a heroic character I can admire.
I like to read and write gritty Westerns with romance. I’ve never heard of your book before, but after reading your post, I definitely want read it:)
It was my grandfather who introduced my sister and I to Zane Grey books. He was an avid reader and read a lot of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour books. We each received a Zane Grey book for Christmas one year. Of course we also watched the tv westerns with our siblings and parents. Now I live in the PNW with lots of cowboy culture.