Genre Writing
Westerns
Westerns examine frontier life, justice, independence, and survival. This certificate program explores setting authenticity, moral codes, landscape as character, and the enduring appeal of the American frontier.
Courses
The Western Hero in Modern Thrillers
The classic Western hero continues to influence today’s thrillers. In this session, authors define this character type and explore how its traits shape modern protagonists, adding grit, independence, and moral complexity to the genre.
Why Westerns Never Die
Why does the western continue to captivate readers generation after generation? Jim Nesbitt and Terrence McCauley talk about making the creative leap from crime fiction to westerns, and what keeps the genre alive. They explore moral codes, stark landscapes, and high-stakes conflict, along with the enduring themes of justice, grit, and redemption that give westerns their timeless power.