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Burnin’ Daylight

Writing the Quintessential Western Series with Casey Nash

·1 hr 9 min·5 clips
Casey Nash has written 92 books in his Jubal Stone Western series, a feat that rivals Louis L'Amour.
Matt McKinley hosts author Casey Nash on Burnin' Daylight to discuss his Western novel series. Nash introduces himself as an Alabama native who began writing in 2013, inspired by his background with livestock and horse training. He wrote his first book in secret, fearing criticism, but his wife's positive reaction encouraged him. Nash has since authored 92 books in the Jubal Stone series, with most written in the last three years, and another series called Uticus Bly. He explains his writing process involves observing people in places like airports for character ideas and drawing from experiences on a friend's Wyoming ranch, where he works cattle. Nash emphasizes keeping stories fresh by developing new characters and plots, avoiding rehashing. He discusses co-writing with other authors, such as Lane Wierenski, and the transition from hobby to professional writing, working six to eleven hours daily. Nash shares insights on reader feedback, including handling negative reviews and the importance of staying true to his clean, family-friendly style without profanity. He reveals publisher data showing 55% of Western readers are women and 98% of sales are on Kindle. The conversation touches on the appeal of Westerns as simple, satisfying narratives with clear beginnings and endings, contrasting with modern life's complexities. Nash plugs his books on Amazon and openness to speaking engagements, concluding with plans for future collaborations.

As heard by us

Casey Nash connects livestock experience, co-writing, and long writing days to the making of a western series.

Burning Daylight frames western adventure fiction as a craft shaped by proximity to the life it depicts. Casey Nash's background with livestock, horse training, and showing horses gives the discussion a grounded feel, while his move from magazine writing into novels helps…

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Why you'd press play

You want a western author's trail-worn view of turning livestock-and-horse roots into a professional writing life.

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