WRMA NEWS RELEASE

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2025 WRMA Top Honors Announced

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We are pleased to recognize author Preston Lewis and the INSP Network as outstanding examples of the Will Rogers Legacy. 

— Chris Enss, Executive Director of the Will Rogers Medallion Award

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GRASS VALLEY, CA, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Versatile, award-winning western author Preston Lewis and the top-ten cable television network INSP, have been named 2025 recipients of the Will Rogers Medallion Award’s Lifetime Achievement and Golden Lariat awards to be presented Nov. 1 at Tulsa’s Hard Rock Hotel.

Named in honor of Oklahoma native and American humorist, social commentator and performer Will Rogers (1879–1935), the WRMA annually recognizes outstanding creative works and authors devoted to chronicling the legacy of the American West and its peoples. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors the exemplary careers of creators whose works embody the western spirit. The Golden Lariat is given to individuals or organizations for support of WRMA and its goals of furthering the legacy of the American West in the public consciousness.

Lewis is the author or co-author of 57 novels and nonfiction works, primarily on the American West. He has received six gold, two silver, and two bronze Will Rogers Medallions for traditional westerns, short stories, written western humor, and nonfiction articles. During his long career he’s also earned two Spur Awards from Western Writers of America (WWA) and three Elmer Kelton Awards from the West Texas Historical Association (WTHA) for best creative work on West Texas.
 

In 2010, INSP rebranded to an ad-supported entertainment television network. Soon after, they made the decision to populate their lineup with classic Westerns. That decision resulted in extraordinary viewership growth, proving that audiences continue to embrace the culture, characters and stories that shaped the American frontier. INSP enjoyed 172 consecutive weeks as a top ten cable network, as confirmed by Nielsen data. Headquartered in Indian Land, SC (Charlotte, NC DMA) the network continues its journey under the leadership of President and CEO, David Cerullo.

WRMA Executive Director Chris Enss said, “We are pleased to recognize author Preston Lewis and the INSP Network as outstanding examples of the Will Rogers Legacy. Both do an exceptional job of promoting the Western genre and the impact of their contributions are undeniable.”

Each year WRMA gold, silver and bronze medallions are presented to authors, poets, songwriters, filmmakers and other creators in 20-plus categories in recognition of outstanding works portraying the American West and its peoples.

A Texas native who now lives in San Angelo, Lewis in 2021 was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters for his literary accomplishments. He published his first Western novel in 1981 and since then has written a mix of traditional and comic westerns as well as historical novels and nonfiction works on the Old West. He is a past president of both WWA and WTHA, which named him a fellow in 2016. His books have been released by both New York and Texas publishers. In 2021 he and his wife, Harriet Kocher Lewis, established the award-winning Bariso Press, which has published books on the American West, West Texas history, World War II and artificial intelligence.

INSP’s programming features Western films featuring John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Audey Murphey, Jimmy Stewart, etc., as well as classic television series such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The High Chaparral, Rawhide, The Virginian, Tales of Wells Fargo, and The Rifleman. As the network grew, it began production of original Westerns such as ELKHORN, a period drama depicting the life and times of a young Theodore Roosevelt and his experience in the Dakota Badlands. Recently, INSP incorporated a cowboy hat in its new logo to emphasize the network’s focus on all things western.

In May 2022, INSP launched a F.A.S.T. channel, (free ad-supported streaming television) Cowboy Way Channel. In 2024 it was rebranded to WESTERN BOUND. INSP’s overall focus on family friendly and Western-focused programming is responsible not only for the network’s success but also for introducing contemporary Americans to the rich values and the enduring legacy of the American West.

Through its awards program, WRMA seeks to encourage, enhance and expand creative works devoted to the deep legacy of the American West. Additional information on WRMA and its award programs is available from Executive Director Enss at gvcenss@aol.com.
 

Chris Enss
Will Rogers Medallion Award

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​​FORT WORTH, TX, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Gold medallion recipients of the 2024 Will Rogers Medallion Awards (WRMA) were announced during the organization’s annual awards banquet in Fort Worth’s fabled Stockyard District this past weekend. The honorees were selected from entries in 23 categories from 35 states. A complete list of all award recipients is available at the Will Rogers Medallion Award website at https://www.willrogersmedallionaward.net/2024wrmawinners.

Entries for the 2025 WRMA competition will be accepted starting Nov. 1. Details are available at https://www.willrogersmedallionaward.net/contest-info.

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Top 2024 WRMA Recipients and publishers are:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jane Kirkpatrick
Golden Lariat: Bob Boze Bell, publisher, True West magazine, for outstanding service and dedication to the art of storytelling about the American West
Illustrator of the Year: Joni Franks
Western Fiction—Modern (Post-1900): The Ways of Water, Teresa H. Janssen, She Writes Press
Western Fiction—Traditional (Pre-1900): Changing Woman: A Novel of the Camp Grant Massacre, Venetia Hobson Lewis, Bison Books
Western Humor—Written: Never Dull!, Heather Sharp, Heather Sharp Publishing

Western Romance: Tastefully Texas, K.S. Jones, Wolfpack Publishing
Western Mystery: The Longmire Defense, By Craig Johnson, Viking
Inspirational Western Fiction: Fair Haven, Laura Conner Kestner, Sycamore House Publishing
Western Short Story: “A Death of Crows,” Michael Norman, Saddlebag Dispatches
Western Nonfiction (TIE): The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance, Rebecca Clarren, Viking; and Montana: A Paper Trail, Thomas Minckler, Montana Historical Society Press
Western Short Nonfiction: “The Klondike,” Mike Coppock, Wild West magazine
Western Biography & Memoir: Red Cloud and the Indian Trader: The Remarkable Friendship of the Sioux Chief and J.W. Dear in the Last Days of the Frontier, Marilyn Dear Nelson and Chris Nelson, Globe Pequot
Western Maverick: The Last Man: A Novel of the 1927 Santa Claus Bank Robbery, Thomas Goodman,

Mainsail Media
Young Readers—Western Fiction: A Sky Full of Song, Susan Lynn Meyer, Union Square Kids
Young Readers—Western Fiction/Illustrated: The Healing Lodge, Barbara L. Clouse, illustrated by Gabby Correia, Young Dragons
Young Readers—Western Nonfiction: Bass Reeves: Legendary Lawman of the Wild West, Billie Holladay Skelley, Crossing Time Press
Young Readers—Western Nonfiction/Illustrated: Will Rogers and His Great Presidential Pals, Bart Taylor, illustrated by Greg White, Yorkshire Publishing
Western Photographic Essay: Edward S. Curtis: Unpublished Plains, Edward Curtis, Coleen Graybill and John Edward Graybill, Curtis Legacy Foundation
Western Cookbook: The 7 Up Ranch Cookbook, Kathy McCraine, Burro Creek Publishing
Western Film—Drama: Teller’s Camp, Jared Zabel (writer/director/producer) and Bryce Zabel (executive producer), Wayward Son Production
Western Film—Documentary: The Real Wild West: “Boom and Bust,” Episode 3, Sarah Burns (director/executive producer/writer), Alex Sherratt (writer/executive producer), Steve Burns (executive producer), and Jorge Franzini (executive producer), Roller Coaster Road Productions
Western Poetry-Recorded: The Corps of Discovery, L.J. Martin, Buttonwillow Books

Western Poetry-Written: Bootjack, John S. Nelson, Pasque Press
Cowboy Written Poetry: Real: A Rodear of Poetry, Betty Lynne McCarthy, Dan Hartman, Jim Crotts, Robert Dennis, Natalie G'Schwind, Karen Stockett, Hoss Balsam and Chantz Hubing, Sunlit Silver Bit Publishing
Cowboy Recorded Poetry: Provin’ Up Wise, Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Yonderin’ Tales

Chris Enss
Will Rogers Medallion Award
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS, USA, September 10, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Will Rogers Medallion Awards weekend Oct. 18-19 will feature book signings for 16 authors, a marketing panel for current and aspiring writers, and an awards banquet presenting gold, silver and bronze medallions in 22 creative categories to writers, producers and photographers from 35 of the United States.

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Named in honor of American humorist, social commentator and performer Will Rogers (1879–1935), the awards celebrate excellence in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, film and photography of the American West. Activities will culminate with the 2024 awards banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que at 301 Stockyards Blvd. in the Fort Worth Stockyards. A 5 p.m. reception will precede the banquet.

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In addition to the medallions, the organization at the banquet will honor New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award and western author, artist and editor Bob Boze Bell of True West magazine with the Golden Lariat award for service and support to WRMA.

 

WRMA activities will begin Friday, Oct. 18, with a Meet-and-Greet Reception at Fort Worth’s Aloft Hotel, 334 W. Third St. Golden Lariat Award recipient Bell will speak at the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s activities will start with an author book signing from 10 a.m. until noon at Monkey and Dog Books, 3608 W. Seventh St. Participating authors are all recipients of 2024 WRMA Medallions. They are Sequoyah Branham, Joni Franks, Steve Friesen, Kathleen Gear, W. Michael Gear, Tom Goodman, Coleen Graybill, Paul Hutton, Teresa Janssen, Karen Jones, Phil Mills, Sherry Monahan, Chris Mullen, Chris Nelson, Marilyn Dear Nelson, and Reavis Wortham.

 

At 1 p.m. Saturday WRMA will host a panel on Book Sales and Promotions. Eight publishers and vendors serving the book industry will participate in the question-and-answer session. All events are open free to the public, space permitting, except for the awards banquet, which costs $70 per ticket.

For additional information, contact WRMA Executive Director Chris Enss at (916) 216-0995

The 2024 Will Rogers Medallion Award program is sponsored by the following fine businesses. TwoDot Books, RANGE Magazine, Single Action Shooting Society, Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates, Wolfpack Publishing, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Lone Star Literary Life, Visit Claremore, Montana: The Magazine of Western History, Yorkshire Publishing, Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Claremore Conference Center, Oklahoma Today Magazine, River Spirit Casino Resort/Tulsa.

 

WRMA NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

 

CONTACT:  Chris Enss (e-mail: gvcenss@aol.com)

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GRASS VALLEY, CA, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick and western author, artist and editor Bob Boze Bell of True West magazine will be honored this fall by the Will Rogers Medallion Award (WRMA) with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement and Golden Lariat awards, respectively.

Named in honor of Oklahoma native and American humorist, social commentator and performer Will Rogers (1879–1935), the WRMA annually recognizes outstanding creative works and authors devoted to chronicling the legacy of the American West and its peoples. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors the exemplary careers of creators whose works embody the western spirit. The Golden Lariat is given to individuals for support of WRMA and its goals.

Kirkpatrick’s 40-plus books have sold more than two million copies and have earned prestigious national writing awards, including the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the WILLA Literary Award from Women Writing the West, the Carol Award from American Christian Fiction Writers and five Will Rogers Medallion Awards, the majority for inspirational fiction. Her fact-based historical novels address such timeless western themes as hardiness, faith, commitment, hope, and love.

Bell developed a fascination with the American west as a child growing up in Arizona and reading True West magazine, which he later acquired in 1999 and still publishes today. In 1992 he wrote, illustrated and published The Illustrated Life & Times of Billy the Kid, the first of his 10 books, all based on western historical themes. He has been an active supporter and promoter of WRMA and its programs.

WRMA Executive Director Chris Enss said, “The Will Rogers Medallion Award program is proud to recognize Kirkpatrick and Bell’s generous contribution to the Western genre. Their work is inspired and worthy of celebration.”

The Lifetime Achievement and Golden Lariat awards will be presented October 19 in the Fort Worth Stockyards district when WRMA holds its annual awards banquet. Each year WRMA gold, silver and bronze medallions are presented to authors, poets, songwriters and filmmakers in 20-plus categories in recognition of outstanding works portraying the American West and its peoples.

A Wisconsin native who now lives in Oregon, Kirkpatrick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in communications and public address and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in clinical social work. Prior to her writing career, she worked with Native American families on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon as a mental health and early childhood specialist.

Kirkpatrick’s additional writing honors include a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times, the Caldera Achievement Award from the Nature of Words, and the Distinguished Northwest Writer recognition from the Willamette Writers Association.

Born in Iowa, Bob Boze Bell moved to Arizona before he was a year old and grew up along Route 66. After graduating from high school in Kingman, he majored in art at the University of Arizona in Tucson, enhancing his youthful talent in illustrating. In addition to his work for True West, Bell’s art and writing have appeared in Arizona Highways, New Times, Playboy, Wild West, and National Lampoon.

Additionally, Bell has illustrated numerous book and CD covers and has appeared as a western authority on western-themed programs on the History Channel, Discovery Channel and the Westerns Channel. He is known as a proponent of all things western both in his professional and personal life.

Through its awards program, WRMA seeks to encourage, enhance and expand creative works devoted to the deep legacy of the American West. Additional information on WRMA and its award programs is available from Executive Director Enss at gvcenss@aol.com.

 

 

Will Rogers Gold Medallions Announced

 

FORT WORTH—Gold medallion recipients of the 2023 Will Rogers Medallion Awards (WRMA) were announced during the organization’s annual awards banquet in Fort Worth’s fabled Stockyard District this past weekend. 

 

The honorees were selected from entries from 21 states and four countries.  A complete list of all award recipients is available at the Will Rogers Medallion Award website at https://www.willrogersmedallionaward.net/2023-wrma-winners.

 

Entries are now being accepted for the 2024 WRMA competition with entry forms and instructions at https://www.willrogersmedallionaward.net/entry-form.

 

Top 2023 WRMA Recipients, their hometowns and publishers are:

 

Lifetime Achievement Award:  Larry J. Martin, Montana.

Golden Lariat:  Craig Johnson, Ucross, Wyoming, for outstanding service and dedication to the art of storytelling about the American West.

Illustrator of the Year:  Bob Adams, El Paso, Texas.

 

Western Fiction—Modern (Post-1900):  The Texas Job, Reavis Z. Wortham, Prosper, Texas, Poisoned Pen Press.

Western Fiction—Traditional (Pre-1900):  Rio Hondo, Preston Lewis, San Angelo, Texas, Five Star.

Western Humor—Written:  Outlaw West of the Pecos, Preston Lewis, San Angelo, Texas, Wolfpack Publishing

Western Romance:  In Honor’s Defense, Karen Witemeyer, Abilene, Texas, Bethany House/Baker Books.

Western Mystery:  The Secret in the Wall, Ann Parker, Livermore, Calif., Sourcebooks.

Inspirational Western Fiction:  Texas Faith, Andrew Roth, Bakersfield, Calif., Elk Lake Publishing.

Western Short Story:  “Irish Kelly and the Heartbreak Kid” from Rebel Hearts Anthology, Sharon Sala, Wolfpack Publishing.

Western Nonfiction (TIE): Billy the Kid:  El Bandido Simpático, James B. Mills, Australia, University of North Texas Press, and From Sand Creek to Summit Springs:  Colorado’s Indian Wars, Linda Wommack, Littleton, Colo., Caxton Press.

Western Short Nonfiction:  “The Kid’s Mom,” Melody Groves, Albuquerque, N.M., Wild West Magazine.

Western Biography & Memoir:  Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody:  Plainsmen of the Legendary West, Bill Markley, Pierre, S.D., TwoDot.

Western Maverick:  Blood West, Thomas D. Clagett, Santa Fe, N.M., Five Star. 

Young Readers—Western Fiction:  Tenmile, Sandra Dallas, Denver, Colo., Sleeping Bear Press.

Young Readers—Western Fiction/Illustrated:  The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show, Casey Rislov and Illustrator: Zachary Pullen, Casper, Wyo., Mountain Stars Press.

Young Readers—Western Nonfiction:  Woopaa!, Joy K. Gallegos, Anthony, N.M., Lil’ Bit of Heaven Books.

Young Readers—Western Nonfiction/Illustrated:  The River That Wolves Moved: A True Tale From Yellowstone, Mary Kay Carson, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Illustrator: David Hohn, Portland, Ore., Sleeping Bear Press.

Western Photographic Essay:  Face to Face with the American West, Editor: CJ Hadley, Carson City, Nev., Writer/Editor: Carolyn Dufurrena; Designer: John Bardwell; RANGE Magazine and Range Conservation Foundation.

Western Cookbook:  The Tombstone Cookbook:  Recipes and Lore from the Town Too Tough to Die, Sherry Monahan Fuquay Varina, N.C., TwoDot.

Western Film—Drama:  Dead For a Dollar, Writer:  Walter Hill; Producers:  Carolyn McMaster, Neil Dunn, Jeremy Wall, Calgary, Alberta; Production Co:  CHAOS & Polaris Pictures.

Western Film—Documentary:  The Battle of Red Buttes, Writers:  Candy Moulton and Bob Noll; Producer:  Candy Moulton, Encampment, Wyo.; Boston Productions (BPI).

Cowboy Poetry-Recorded:  Wisdom in the Wind, Sherl Cederburg, Hot Springs, S.D.; Producer: Butch Hause.

Cowboy Poetry-Written:  A Bard in Boots, Darrell Arnold, Colorado City, Ariz., Arizona Cowboy Connection.

 

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Will Rogers Medallion Award Festivities

Oct. 20-21, Fort Worth

 

FORT WORTH—Ten editors and publishers will discuss trends in Western fiction and nonfiction during a panel open to the public as part of the Will Rogers Medallion Award (WRMA) festivities here Oct. 20-21. 

 

The panel is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Aloft Hotel, 334 W. Third St.  The presentation is free to the public, though seats are limited. 

 

Scheduled panel participants are:  Mike Bray, CEO, Wolfpack Publishing; Ronald Chrisman, director, University of North Texas Press; Casey Cowan of Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates; Ben Gibson of The History Press; Kristine Hall, publisher, Lone Star Literary Life; Dana Joseph of Cowboys and Indians Magazine; David Lauterborn, editor, Wild West Magazine; Thomas Lemmons, editor-in-chief, Texas A&M University Press; Jessica Sharpe of Bethany House Publishing; and Nick Wale, chief publicist, Dusty Saddle Publishing. 

 

The panel will discuss the publishing industry as a whole and the popularity of the Western genre specifically, including trends and needs.  Additionally, the participants will cover what they look for in submissions and in successfully promoting a book once it is published.  The panel will be moderated by award-winning western author Preston Lewis and his award-winning editor wife Harriet, both WRMA board members.

 

The WRMA weekend will culminate at 6 p.m. Saturday evening with the banquet and award ceremony recognizing outstanding work in 22 literary and film categories in the banquet room of Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, 301 Stockyards Blvd.  More than 50 authors, including a dozen from Texas, will be recognized during the ceremony.

 

In addition to the medallions, the WRMA board will present celebrated authors and westerners Larry J. Martin with its Lifetime Achievement Award and Craig Johnson with its Golden Lariat Award for support of WRMA in its mission to preserve the spirit of the American West through literature.

 

Named in honor of American humorist, social commentator and performer Will Rogers (1879–1935), the WRMA gold, silver, bronze and copper medallions annually recognize excellence in creative works on the American West in line with the American values displayed by the awards’ namesake. 

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