Picture a Texas cowboy spinning yarns about a scrappy, self-proclaimed Head of Ranch Security—meet John R. Erickson, the mastermind behind the Hank the Cowdog series! Born in 1943, Erickson turned his rugged ranch life into a beloved children’s saga that’s sold over nine million copies, blending humor, heart, and dusty Panhandle charm to captivate readers worldwide.
From his roots in the Texas Panhandle to self-publishing his first book out of a garage, Erickson’s journey is as gritty as the trails his canine hero treads. His stories, rooted in real ranch experiences, have made him a hero for reluctant readers and a staple in school libraries across America.
The Making of John R. Erickson
Born in Midland, Texas, on October 20, 1943, John Richard Erickson grew up in Perryton, a small town in the northern Texas Panhandle. A self-described lazy student, he found his spark at the University of Texas, graduating in 1966, and later studied at Harvard Divinity School, leaving just shy of a master’s degree. The call of the open range proved stronger, and Erickson returned to work as a cowboy and ranch manager in Texas and Oklahoma, where he met the real-life Hank and Drover, dogs who inspired his iconic series. By 1967, he was publishing short stories, but rejections from big publishers fueled his determination to carve his own path.
John R. Erickson’s Unforgettable Stories
Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog series, launched in 1982, follows Hank, a boastful Australian Shepherd who fancies himself the guardian of an unnamed Texas ranch. With his timid sidekick Drover, Hank tackles mysteries, coyotes, and his own inflated ego in tales brimming with slapstick humor and vivid ranch-life details. The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog (1983) sets the tone, with Hank investigating a chicken murder only to become a suspect himself. The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog (1983) sees him battling a “Silver Monster Bird” and a quirky disease called Eye-Crosserosis. Other gems like The Case of the Monster Fire (2018) weave real events, like the 2017 Panhandle wildfires, into Hank’s escapades.
Beyond Hank, Erickson’s penned young adult novels like Moonshiner’s Gold (2001), which won the 2003-2004 Lamplighter Award, and nonfiction works like Prairie Gothic (2005), a heartfelt history of his West Texas family. His style—rooted in oral storytelling traditions—shines through in audiobooks where he voices every character and composes original songs, making each tale a rollicking performance.
Why John R. Erickson Matters
Erickson’s impact on children’s literature is profound, with Hank the Cowdog earning a 1993 Audie Award and a Book-of-the-Month Club selection. His books, translated into Spanish, Persian, and Chinese, resonate globally, but their true magic lies in engaging reluctant readers. Teachers and librarians praise Hank’s lively characters for sparking a love of reading, while Erickson’s commitment to wholesome storytelling has built trust with families. In 2019, he was inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a voice of the American West.
Despite losing his home to a 2017 wildfire, Erickson’s resilience mirrors Hank’s tenacity, and he continues to write from his Perryton ranch, where he lives with his wife, Kristine. His work preserves the spirit of ranch life, blending humor with hard-earned wisdom.
- Born: October 20, 1943, in Midland, Texas
- Key Works: Hank the Cowdog series, Moonshiner’s Gold, Prairie Gothic
- Awards: 1993 Audie Award, 2003-2004 Lamplighter Award, Texas Literary Hall of Fame (2019)
- Fun Fact: Erickson performs all voices and songs in Hank audiobooks!
About John R. Erickson
Snag The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog and dive into John R. Erickson’s hilarious, heartwarming world of Texas ranch life!