God's Thunderbolt:  The Vigilantes of Montana won the 2009 Spur Award for Best First Novel from the Western Writers of America. Hold onto your Stetsons, though, because this is a self-published novel. Unlike many (most?) books in that category, God's Thunderbolt has already passed the author's break-even point and is well into the territory of financial success.

"I've waited three decades for someone to write a great novel about Montana's Vigilante era (1863-1864), and here it is," said noted Westerns author, Richard S. Wheeler, winner of the Owen Wister Award for lifetime achievement in the literature of the West.

With that sort of accolade, it is no surprise that Montana fans (not the Hannah Montana variety), lovers of Western lore, and readers who like the gold rush and Civil War era will enjoy this historic novel. Buchanan meticulously researched the story of Montana's Vigilantes and turned the nuggets she mined into the tale of Alder Gulch. While residents wrestle with Western settlement issues, the far-off Civil War also makes an impact on their lives. Throughout the novel of suspense and intrigue, a love story emerges that builds to a dramatic conclusion.

What was surprising was that a self-published book would win a prestigious national award. Past Spur winners include  Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove, Michael Blake for Dances With Wolves, Glendon Swarthout for The Shootist, and Tony Hillerman for Skinwalker. Spur Awards are not restricted to association members only. The honors have been awarded annually since 1953 for distinguished writing about the American West. According to the association's website:
 
At the time awards were given to the best western novel, best historical novel, best juvenile, and best short story. Since then the awards have been broadened to include other types of writing about the West. Today, Spurs are offered for the best western novel (short novel), best novel of the west (long novel), best original paperback novel, best short story, best short nonfiction. Also, best contemporary nonfiction, best biography, best history, best juvenile fiction and nonfiction, best TV or motion picture drama, best TV or motion picture documentary, and best first novel (called The Medicine Pipe Bearer's Award).

Article Author: Georganna Hancock

San Diego freelance editor and writer also ghostwrites and consults on publishing. She blogs almost daily in "A Writer's Edge" at http://www.Writers-Edge.info/Blog.html. You can find her on Amazon, LinkedIn and Twitter. Products reviewed may have been gifts from producers. …

Visit Georganna Hancock's author page — Georganna Hancock's Blog