Barry Brierley

When I was in Florence, Colorado, this past summer, I was walking down the row of shops and rather bored.
My sister was going crazy buying stuff for her shops in Minnesota while I was just standing around.
Finally, I just went out onto the street to see if there was a bench I could sit on.

There was a man leaning on a store front looking bored.
So, I stopped and asked if he was shopped out as well.
He said no, that he was a writer just watching people.
So, we got to talking.

Turns out he wrote Westerns, 16 of them!
Won a bunch of awards and now sells them out of his daughter's shop in Florence.
Well, we had to check this out!

Then I find out he is also an artist.
So since I was interested, he showed me his paintings for each of the book covers!
We really burned up an afternoon!

In the end, I bought one of the hardcover editions of his first book, Wasichu.
He happily signed it.
Admittedly, I have only skimmed through it.
But, it looks interesting.

I am a Western snob.
As a rule I discount all Westerns after 1964.
Because Leone's Western movies completely corrupted the entire genre.
Of course Ray Hogan's books were already doing this at the time!
Like I said, I am a snob.
I much prefer real life situations to John Wayne wanna-bes!

Having said that, one of my most favorite books is, Haunted Mesa.
Don't ask me, Western plus time travel - gaaaack!
But it is entertaining and makes for interesting dreams.

I also am reading back through all of the Thurlo Western novels.
Though Tony Hillerman ranks as my all time favorite writer.
His daughter, Anne, has attempted to continue his work, with a few good books well.
Gonna be a great fall for reading!

Eight of Barry's are available through:
Spirit Riders Western Emporium
111 W Main St
Florence, Colorado
81226

Barry can be reached at:
brierleybarry@yahoo.com
719-784-2231