Cortez author Denny Bertrand’s stories on cowboy life continue to be recognized as part of a growing trend to bring back the dime novel.
“A lot of Western writing is from the early 1900s. My stories are different because they focus on contemporary times based on my life experience working on a ranch,” he said.
“Somewhere Outwest: On a Ranch” is Bertrand’s second in a trilogy about Petey and Cecil, two hard-working, accident-prone cowboys working 4,000 head of cattle.
In October, the book won the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award presented during the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas. Bertrand traveled to Las Vegas to appear on Ride TV, and be interviewed by the CB Cowgirls about the book, published by Red Dashboard.
“It was fun going to Vegas and traveling to promote the books,” he said. “I think this second novella reads smoother, I’m improving with each book.”
A former rancher and semiretired livestock auctioneer, Bertrand is at home in the West. His observational style is comforting and honest, and his agriculture expertise comes through in his storytelling.
“I lived the life, so I don’t have to research what it was like,” he said. “We rode tough country, riding broncy horses. We covered so many miles, you’d run out of gas on a four-wheeler.”
Stories of doctoring cattle on the range are very realistic, and highlight the range of skills ranchers have. Fishing-line pranks, getting dragged through a bog and other misadventures also keep readers entertained in the latest book.
Bertrand relies on people he knows to form his stories, but he doesn’t use real names or identify the town or county.
“I’m hitting my intended target because I’ve heard from folks in different parts of the country who say, ‘Hey, I think that Cecil and Petey live up the road from me.’”
Bertrand’s third book in the trilogy, “Somewhere Outwest: In the Middle of Nowhere” was released last year. He is also working on a book for kids with stories about Pete and Cecil growing up in grade school.
“I’ve got plenty of stories still to tell,” he said.
Bertrand’s stories avoid violence or cursing and are appropriate for any age. They can be purchased on Amazon, at Notah Dineh in Cortez, and at Maria’s Book Store and Bar D Chuckwagon in Durango. His 2010 book, “Western Poetry with Cowboy Flair” was also a Will Rogers Silver Medal winner in 2013 for cowboy humor.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com