Juvenile Humor Vs. The Best True West Cover Ever?

 October 6, 2026

   One of my biggest problems as an adult has been my penchant for still being a bit juvenile. When given half a chance, that's where I go. Take this morning's Whip Out for example. I scanned it, and needed to name it and this immediately came into my head.

Daily Whip Out: "Cleavage Rider"

   Not proud of it. Just being honest.

Bunkhouse Pooch

(well, at least Uno is laughing)

   Old songs from my past are like a diary. When I hear them out of the blue, they take me right back to a feeling and a very specific moment in my life. This is a perfect example of that phenom:

A Classic That Takes Me Back

Question of The Day

   In your opinion what do you think has been the best True West cover, ever? I asked our staff and Sheri Jensen said she loves this cover more than any we have ever done.

   If you go to our online True West Archives you can see all the covers we have done:

True West Archives

   Let me know, which cover you think is the best. This is for our upcoming Best of The West issue.

   And, speaking of which, here is the Best Letter to The Editor by A Co-Owner of True West Magazine.

Why My Books Have Not Taken Off

   I went half way when I came up with the premise of The Illustrated Life & Times books, BUT I got derailed by a comment from a historian I respected who told me that history should not be humorous so I pruned back my sarcastic nature (see juvenile confession above). And, to boot, I did not use the literary tropes of fiction storytelling which make people want to read more. Damn. So simple and I missed it. Or, perhaps more accurately, I didn't know it until I was looking at a great poster book on the history of cinema and it was riddled with sidebars and I didn't want to read them and I finally asked myself why, and the answer was, they didn't propel the story, they are SIDEBARS! And that, is what is missing from my graphic novels: the simple rules of storytelling. Duh! 

Daily Whip Out: "Last Liar Wins 2"

   Perhaps there is hope for me yet. I do feel more confident about what I want to accomplish with my narrative grids.

"Narrative Grid 10-4"

"Every stronger version of yourself is standing on the grave of who you used to be."

—Old Vaquero Saying