Picture a Nebraska cowboy turned storyteller, spinning tales of gritty frontiers and cunning criminals—meet Richard Prosch! With a pen as sharp as a spurs’ jingle, this award-winning author crafts western crime fiction that captures the wild heart of the American landscape. From dusty trails to modern mysteries, Prosch’s stories hum with authenticity and intrigue.
Born and raised on the windswept Nebraska range, Prosch’s life is as colorful as his novels. His unique blend of rural roots and creative flair has earned him a Spur Award and a loyal following among fans of western and crime fiction. Ready to ride into his world? Let’s explore the man behind the stories.
The Making of Richard Prosch
Richard Prosch grew up planting corn, tending cattle, and cruising the Nebraska plains in a beat-up pickup and a ’74 Camaro. This rural upbringing, steeped in the stark beauty of the Midwest, shaped his vivid storytelling. Before picking up a pen, Prosch wore many hats—artist, teacher, and web developer—while amassing collections of comic books, vinyl records, and vintage paperbacks. Alongside his wife, Gina, he created the comic strip 'Comics and Emma Davenport,' which ran in Comics Buyers Guide and spawned ten issues. These early creative ventures laid the groundwork for his leap into fiction, where he found his true calling in capturing the fleeting history of the American West.
Richard Prosch’s Unforgettable Stories
Prosch’s bibliography is a treasure trove of western and crime tales, each pulsing with lonely landscapes and complex characters. His Dan Spalding series, starting with Answer Death (2017), follows a former state cop running a record store in Ozark City, tackling gritty mysteries laced with betrayal and vengeance. The series’ third installment, Back Mask (2018), dives into decades-old secrets, showcasing Prosch’s knack for weaving past and present.
For historical fans, the Peregrine series, including Devil You Know (2015), tracks John Coburn, a wandering cowboy in the 1870s, navigating treacherous ranches and moral dilemmas. Prosch’s Hellbenders trilogy, like Seven Devils Road (2021), delivers high-stakes adventures with Texas Rangers facing stolen loot and deadly ambushes. His short fiction, featured in anthologies like Through Western Storms (2024), earned him a Spur Award and a Will Rogers Medallion, proving his mastery in concise, powerful storytelling.
Prosch’s style is a heady mix of stark realism and lyrical prose, where windburned plains and shadowy motives set the stage. His characters—whether modern sleuths or frontier drifters—grapple with trust and survival, reflecting his Nebraska-bred perspective on resilience and human nature.
Why Richard Prosch Matters
Richard Prosch’s impact lies in his ability to bridge the old West with modern crime, breathing life into forgotten corners of American history. His stories resonate with readers who crave authentic, place-driven narratives, from Nebraska’s prairies to Missouri’s Ozarks. By editing anthologies like Under Western Stars (2020) and co-hosting the Six-Gun Justice podcast, Prosch champions the western genre, earning a 2023 WWA Lariat Award for his contributions. His work inspires writers and readers to explore the untamed spirit of the frontier, proving that the West still captivates.
- Born: Nebraska, USA
- Key Works: Answer Death, Devil You Know, Seven Devils Road
- Awards: Spur Award, Will Rogers Medallion, WWA Lariat Award
Ready to saddle up with a thrilling read? Snag Answer Death or Seven Devils Road and dive into Richard Prosch’s gripping western crime world!