Delivering a well-honed
psychological edge to western history
* Memorable characters
* Unexpected plot twists
* Historical accuracy
* Captivating adventure
Each of Cotton Smith's novels brings
an exciting picture of the human spirit making its way through
life-changing trials, driving through physical and emotional barriers,
and resurrecting itself from defeat. His stories of the West are praised
for historical accuracy, unexpected plot twists and memorable
characters. They are also enjoyed for their insightful descriptions of
life of that era -- and for their rousing adventure.
In
Dark Trail To Dodge,
the ex-Ranger John Checker seeks a reunion with his long-separated
sister, bridging a terrible childhood, and Tyrel Bannon, a Texas farm
boy, undergoes a trying initiation into manhood. In
Pray For Texas,
Confederate cavalryman and pistol-fighter, Rule Cordell, struggles to
overcome, not only losing the War, but the anguish of a tyrannical
minister father. In
Behold a Red Horse, we
see the three Kerry brothers deal with the strongest one blinded. In
Brothers of the Gun,
John Checker must face knowing his half-brother is an evil man bent on
destroying him by kidnapping their sister's children and taking them
into the Indian Nations. And in Spirit Rider
we see a young white man challenged by white society after growing up
with an Oglala stepfather holy man who talks with sacred stones.
"A well-honed psychological edge
that helps Cotton Smith secure his place as a promising new voice of
the American frontier."
His love of the West came quite
naturally and quite early in life as did his gift for writing.
"I rode with them all, you
know," Cotton likes to say. "Roy, Gene, Hoppy, I was right there with
them. Roy Rogers and Wild Bill Elliott were my favorites. Yeah, I can
hold my own on western movie trivia with anyone." From the earliest he
can remember, he was wearing chaps, boots, spurs, and strapping on a set
of cap guns. "Like the song says, my heroes have always been cowboys."
That love affair turned into a
lifelong study of the American West. "Silver screen fascination grew
into an appreciation I will never grow tired of. I believe the
excitement is in what really happened during this special time in our
nation's
history. I believe it lives on in each of us, if we simply stop long
enough to let it surface. In this time of special trial, that
victorious linkage will serve us well. America will win."
Cotton Smith was born in Kansas
City, Missouri; some would say a century later than he should have. He
grew up enjoying both adjoining states, Kansas and Missouri, living
mostly in Kansas. His ancestors fought in the Civil War, mostly for the
South, as regulars and guerillas. As a young man, he learned to ride
horses from a grizzled wrangler he remembers fondly. He also learned how
to roll a cigarette then, too! "Looking back on it, he taught me the
right ways around a horse -- and he taught me some other things too.
Like swinging into the saddle with the horse loping. And springing up
from the rear, like the movie stars did. Never occurred to me then that
I could get hurt. Guess no young person ever does."
Early in life, he was also
exposed to the ways of the Plains Indian, to their sacred ceremonies,
customs and traditions. His appreciation for their spiritual connection
to the land and all that occupied it was heightened by involvement with
Indian friends and backed by extensive research. Both touched him deeply
and can be readily seen in his caring -- and accurate--portrayal of
Indians in his 
novels.
Throughout his stories, one finds intriguing glimpses of this insight,
giving readers a sense of what really was and why.
His novels certainly carry that
love and much more. The reader becomes a part of what it was really
like. How it felt to drive wild cattle toward an endless horizon with
only one's wits for protection -- and the only source of supplies
carried in a wagon. What it was like after the Civil War ended and
everything a Southerner knew was gone, both black or white. What it was
like to grow up in an Indian tribe and then try to live in a world where
nothing sacred to you was understood. What it was like to know your life
depended on the stamina and sureness of the galloping horse between your
legs -- and your ability to accurately fire a Winchester. What it was
like to love the land as a part of you and watch it change with first,
barbed wire, and then the advent of automobiles, electricity and
telephones.
"Cotton Smith is a writer who
understands the best of the Western. He adds interesting and
unexpected plot twists, marvelous characters, and great descriptions."
Cotton tells it this way: "There
is much we can learn from our ancestors. Perhaps today more than ever.
The men and women who built this country were exceptionally strong
people who overcame enormous odds to establish good families, create
towns where only wilderness existed, establish businesses and leave us
with much to build upon. They loved the land and that love was returned
manyfold."
He often suggests a simple test
for his audiences to get a glimpse of what the past was like. "The next
time, you open your refrigerator and ponder what's there, simple things
like bacon, eggs, butter, jelly. Or how about ice cubes. Forget
electricity -- or the wondrous things it brings us. What must it have
been like to face the world without a computer."
ReadWest Online Magazine
(www.readwest.com) calls him "... one of the best new authors out
there." Roundup magazine calls him "... A promising new voice of the
American frontier." Western Writers of America President, and Spur
Award winner, Loren D. Estleman said, "Cotton Smith's is a significant
voice in the development of the American Western."
"Cotton Smith's is a significant
voice in the development of the American Western."
A gifted writer and thorough
researcher, his extensive communications skills were widely evident
early in life, as was his interest in the West. His writing abilities
turned professionally to the creation of advertising. His ad agency's
work generated international CLIO creative excellence awards; the
"Oscars" of the advertising world, as well as more than a hundred
other honors for creative excellence regionally and nationally. He
wrote Market
Navigation: Set Sail With the Wind,
a study of marketing strategy principles and why they work. He is the
creator of the
Positioning Map and
the Strategy Compass,
marketing planning aids.
"Cotton Smith is one of the best
new authors out there."
He is also the author of
Trail to Eagle,
a history of Boy Scouting in Kansas City,
and
Tribesmen
Arise!,
a history of the first 75 years of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, the honor
camping society of the Heart of America Council, BSA. He was also
co-creator of an original
musical, First Light,
written and produced to provide the first televised presentation of the
world-famous Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting Ceremony.
The First Light of Christmas,
also penned by
Smith, was one of six original songs crafted for the special TV event.
Fans are pleasantly surprised to learn he has written several plays,
poems and short stories. His literary focus includes contemporary
mysteries and historical accountings, as well as tales of the west. He
is also an accomplished artist; his western and Indian paintings are
sought by many. They also discover he is quite good with a revolver but
claims "the skill of roping's beyond me."
Often sought as a speaker,
Cotton Smith has given speeches, presentations and seminars to
associations, companies and book lovers throughout the country. He has
received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest council honor Boy Scouting
gives to adult Scouters. Currently, he serves on the Heart of America
Council Executive Board
and was
the Presiding Chieftain of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say,
an honor Scouting society. He is a horseman, past president of the
Saddle & Sirloin Club of Kansas City; past Captain of the Outriders,
trail-riding group; past Co-Chairman of the Kansas City Rodeo, a member
of the Desert Caballeros, and
Vice President of the
Western Writers of America.
He and his wife, Sonya, are
collectors of Hopi kachina dolls, as well as Plains Indian and
turn-of-the century western memorabilia. He is a graduate of the
University of Kansas. Prior to KU, he attended Bethany College in
Lindsborg, Kansas, where he played football and baseball, participated
in theater and wrote his first play.
