Storm Clouds And 100 Years of Kickin' It! Plus, How Many Times Has Wyatt Earp Been On The Cover of True West?

 February 13, 2026

   Looked like it might storm this morning.

   But these dramatic clouds petered out and we got nothing. Welcome to Arizona.

   Otherwise, lots going on, including this little event.

   Full Disclosure: the Dolan Ellis quote was a smart-assed placeholder. He never said those words, but it is kind of funny. On the other hand, Kathy Radina did, in fact, say her quote with some emphasis. Keep in mind, she has to live with me doing these books (15 so far!) on a day to day basis and it can be, how can I say this diplomatically, not fun!

   Oh, yes, and it's Friday The Thirteenth! But you already knew that.

   I have been asked to review my friend's book, Ride The Devil's Herd by John Boessenecker. It was a fun exercise and it made me realize a couple things: I have been chasing the Wyatt Earp story for six decades. And this led me to wonder how many times have we featured the part-time lawman on the cover of True West?

   Okay, I just counted. And we have featured this guy 17 times on the cover since I took the reins (and Doc Holliday 9 times!). Ouch! That is more than enough of that!

   Speaking of which, I can't leave well enough alone. . .

Daily Revised Whip Out: "Into The Blue II"

“There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth. Because the truth is never just one thing is it? Life is layered, contradictory, always in flux. To try and pin it down is like trying to catch wind in your hands. But through story, through emotion, we get close to something that feels real.”

—Doris Lessing, “The Golden Notebook”