New Releases by John R. Erickson

More than fifty years ago, John R. Erickson took a vow of discipline. Every day, he would retreat to some quiet place and write for four hours. For nearly as many years, readers have eagerly awaited the fruits of those labors, whether they be in the form of Hank the Cowdog installments or other books on ranching and the writing life in Texas. Small Town Author documents the journey of a young man eager to escape his Panhandle childhood to the adult who returned to write books for the rural readers he had previously scorned. The hurricane years of the '60s swept young Erickson to Denver, Austin, Cambridge, New York, and back. From big city to small town, from social activist to flunky bartender, from church work to ranch work, from literary aspirations to self-publishing, this winding path gave contemporary literature one of its singular voices. Erickson's journey as an artist also intersected with much of the Texas literati. He documents his memories of J. Evetts Haley, Larry McMurtry, Al Dewlen, Elmer Kelton, and many others. While a story about literature and writers, Small Town Author also considers universal questions of how we come of age, how leaving home changes us, and how returning can make us whole.

On a blustery day in late fall, Hank sneaks into the back of Slim's pickup and finds himself at a neighboring rancher's fall branding...the very neighbor, in fact, who owns the gorgeous Miss Scamper the Beagle! Unfortunately, Miss Scamper has always been a little hard to figure out, and he can't decide if she's crazy about him...or just plain crazy. And, as the day unfolds, it even begins to look like she's angling to land him in a heap of trouble with her pit bull boyfriend, Steel!

Previously published: Houston, Tex.: Maverick Books, 1989.

Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, pursues an elusive chicken murderer.

Previously published: [Houston, Tex.?]: Maverick Books, 1991.

Original publication and copyright date: 2011.

In his book, Story Craft, John R. Erickson says that one of the biggest challenges he faced as a young author was figuring out, "What is a story, and what is it supposed to do?"Those were simple questions, he says, but they didn't have simple answers. We could say that he found his answers when he wrote and self-published the first Hank the Cowdog book in 1983. The series now stands at 54 books with over 7.5 million copies sold.For 26 years, Erickson was content to leave it there.But after receiving hundreds of letters from teachers and parents, he began to realize that his actual business was not books, but "spiritual nourishment." Good stories nourish the human spirit, and it doesn't happen by accident.Part 1 of the book describes Erickson's experiences as an apprentice writer and publisher. In Part 2, he attempts to defiine what a story should be and how it relates to culture and religious faith. And in Part 3, he gives helpful, practical advice to aspiring writers.

When Hank hears a rumor that the sky is going to fall, he is naturally a bit skeptical. But then a report from Pete the Barncat and a strange dream seem to support the theory, and he realizes he¿d better take the threat seriously. Includes black-and-white illustrations, table of contents, activities and author and illustrator profiles. Chapter Book: 12 chapters.

What does it take to raise cattle in the 21st century? Ask John Erickson. For any aspiring cowboy, this is an essential guide.

Here under one cover are the collected writings of John R. Erickson about characters who have entered his life on the High Plains country of the Texas Panhandle. Erickson writes with authority about ranching and cowboying in the modern era, always with an eye for the humor of everyday incidents. Some of his friends are widely known, such as artist Ace Reid and noted fiddle player Frankie McWhorter. Others are cowboys who work the big ranches between the Canadian and Beaver Rivers. They share the stage with some of Erickson's four-legged friends: the Phantom Cow, Texie, the Incredible Burping Dog, an Arabian horse called Dandy, Callie the cat, and Eddy the raccoon.

Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, and assistant deputy Drover engage in an epic battle with the coyotes, Rip and Snort, as they all seek some meaty treats. Simultaneous.

Pete the barncat swindles the intrepid cowdog out of his job as Head of Ranch Security.

Hank becomes trapped in a runaway pickup truck and later discovers a nest of stray cats in a haystack.

Hank the Cowdog gets into more and more trouble before he is able to find a happy solution to his problems.

Hank the Cowdog quits his job as head of ranch security and travels in search of adventure and romance.

Hank the Cowdog recounts some of his ranch adventures that involve Eddy the Rac, a raccoon described by Hank as "a pretty interesting guy."

Book is a collection of anecdotes by a very funny guy from Texas who also has spent time as a cowboy.

Hank the Cowdog almost loses his job as Head of Ranch Security when he develops a case of Eye-Crosserosis.

Accompanying Slim and Little Alfred into town on a Christmas shopping trip, Hank and Drover run into a wounded buzzard and a gang of toughs so mean and heartless, it's a wonder they ever make it back to the ranch.

Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes.

Hank the Cowdog almost loses his job as Head of Ranch Security when he develops a case of Eye-Crosserosis.

Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes.

Hank the Cowdog and his sidekick Drover find themselves confronting a huge storm in the middle of the night.

It's early springtime on the ranch, and Hank is going through the usual motions of making sure that a warm spring arrives safely: singing songs about it, barking faithfully each morning, and helping the cowboys with their work around the ranch. However, in the midst of a particularly hard day's nap, he receives a report that his little birdy friend, Madame Moonshine, is in danger of being eaten by Pete the Barncat! Naturally, Hank springs into action to save her, but a misstep brings the wrath of Sally May down on his head, and Hank must flee the scene of the rescue and travel west on the Oregon Trail with Little Alfred. Later, when a freak storm causes the creek to rise, stranding Little Alfred far from the house, Hank must rely on his instincts and clever witsand perhaps a little help from Madame Mooshineto keep them both safe and get Alfred back to his mother!