Otterford Press is an imprint of Roan & Weatherford and publishes outstanding historical non-fiction.
We’re looking for outstanding and well-researched works on virtually any point in history. We want stories that convince us that the author was actually there, whether they were or not. Some examples of the type of story we’d like to see are William Manchester’s The Glory and the Dream, I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, or Stephen Woodworth’s Nothing But Victory.
Publisher
Casey Cowan
Casey has worked in the journalism and literary fields for nearly thirty years as a graphic designer, reporter, and publisher. In 2013, he co-founded Oghma Communications, which, through its subsidiary, Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates, has become an award-winning mid-sized independent publisher of genre fiction and nonfiction. The following year, in partnership with late Western writing legend Dusty Richards, he also co-founded Saddlebag Dispatches, an award-winning magazine featuring original fiction, poetry, history, interviews, and articles dedicated to the American West. When he’s not working, Casey enjoys reading, writing, travel, music, catching up with his six adult children, indulging his five young grandchildren, and sharing his crazy life with his always-supportive wife, Amy.
Wishlist
From my childhood as an Air Force brat to my education in military history, I’ve always resonated with stories of war and espionage, be it fact or fiction, past, present, or future. But simple conflict is not enough for me. History is, at it’s essence, a story about ordinary—and even sometimes not-so-ordinary—people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. I’m looking for stories with deep and fully-realized characters drowning in the flood of their own emotions, fears, flaws, and petty jealousies as they face such intense moments. More than that, I want real stakes and uncertainty in my stories, as well. Nobody wins all the time, and no plan survives first contact with the enemy. The prospect of failure, defeat, loss, and death must be included. Examples of the kinds of novels I would like to acquire include Michael Shaar’s The Killer Angels, Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, Anton Myrer’s Once and Eagle, and early works by the likes of such authors as Tom Clancy, Stephen Coonts, and P.T. Deutermann. For nonfiction, historical works by such luminaries as James D. Hornfischer, Ian W. Toll, Stephen Ambrose, and Dan Jones top my list.
Publisher
Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood is the Senior Vice President and Deputy Publisher of Roan & Weatherford and Senior Vice President and Assistant Publisher of their Hat Creek and Otterford imprints. He joined the company in 2021 and has enjoyed the relationships established and his growing responsibilities with the company.
A native Mississippian, Anthony has lived and worked from Florida to Alaska, and has traveled extensively. He served as an inner city ministry at street level and administratively for three decades before retiring to devote his time to becoming an author.
Anthony craves Historical Fiction and Western stories that allow him to enter the head and heart of characters that are genuine and flawed, but also testy and just. Anthony and his wife, Lisa, live in Central Arkansas, where he enjoys the outdoors, research and writing, and being with family.
Wishlist
I want characters who entice me to live their stories with them. I want to be drawn into their heart, minds, and souls so deeply that I become them. I want authentic, believable characters that drive the story. I like to see a character grow in whatever direction the story takes them in historically accurate settings. Sanitized characters do not portray the real world. I want characters to change so that by the end of the book, in some way, I’m changed as well. I don’t want to just read a book. I want to have a conversation with the author. I want to travel to new worlds and make new friends and enemies. I want to learn something new, experience an emotion I’ve yet to feel, and be driven to become better. I want to read a book that leaves me satisfied, but wanting more, that makes me ponder the possibilities but also leaves me with a conclusion. I want to finish a book and say, like Louis L’Amour, ‘Some part of it is always with you.’ Authors I enjoy are James L. Haley, Mark Twain, Velda Brotherton, David Gibbins, Winston Groom, David McCullough, Brian Kilmeade, and Alexandre Dumas.
Executive Editor: True Crime
Rachel Patterson
Rachel is a native to the beautiful Ozark region of Arkansas where she resides with her husband and 4 children. She is a Logistics professional and loves her “day” job. In her spare time she enjoys being outside hiking, swimming, kayaking, and just enjoying all nature has to offer. Also an avid reader, she enjoys all genres with a passion for fantasy and true crime…and maybe a spicy romantacy thrown into the mix. Wishlist
As the Executive Editor for Otterford Gumshoe, she would love to see more True Crime with a focus on serial killers. Especially if the story dives into the psychology and explores what makes them tick.
Executive Editor: True Crime
Cody Patterson
Cody Patterson has extensive experience managing teams in both the military and private sectors. After over a decade working in management, he sought a more hands-on role and transitioned into the automotive body repair field. Leveraging his organizational skills and experience, he now applies his talents as an Associate Publisher for Young Adult fiction. He enjoys gaming in his spare time and is an avid reader of all genres of books.
Executive Editor: Cookbooks
Sherry Monahan
Sherry Monahan began her writing career when she combined her passion for food, travel, and history. She penned her first book, Taste of Tombstone, in 1998. That same passion landed her a monthly magazine column in 2009 when she began writing her food column in True West entitled, Frontier Fare. Sherry is a culinary historian who enjoys researching the genealogy of food and spirits. While there’s still plenty to explore about frontier food, she’s expanding her culinary repertoire to include places and foods from all over America and beyond. She holds memberships in the James Beard Foundation, the Author’s Guild, Single Action Shooting Society, and the Wild West History Association.
Executive Editor: Iron Woman
Chris Enss
Chris Enss is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing about women of the Old West for more than thirty years. She has penned more than fifty published books on the subject. Her work has been honored with nine Will Rogers Medallion Awards, two Elmer Kelton Book Awards, an Oklahoma Center for the Book Award, three Foreword Reviews Magazine Book Awards, the Laura Downing Journalism Award, and a Willa Cather Award from Women Writing the West for scholarly nonfiction. Enss’s most recent works are The Doctor Was A Woman: Stories of the First Female Physicians on the Frontier,An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos, and Along Came a Cowgirl: Daring and Iconic Cowgirls of Rodeos and Wild West Shows.
Wishlist
We’re seeking compelling nonfiction historical works and biographies that explore the lives of resilient women on the American Frontier. We want stories that delve into the unique challenges these women faced, their contributions to the settlement of the West, and the lasting impact of their courage and determination on American history. Manuscripts or proposals should bring these often-overlooked voices to life, offering fresh perspectives on the trials, triumphs, and legacies of frontier women.
Editorial Consultant
Dennis Doty
Dennis Doty is Publisher of Saddlebag Dispatches Magazine and an Executive Editor for Roan & Weatherford. He joined the company in 2017 as a junior editor and has been blessed/cursed with frequent promotions.
Born and raised in Southern California, Dennis has been a carny, U.S., Marine, rodeo cowboy, Personnel Manager, and Retail General Manager before retiring and finding his true calling as an author, editor, and publisher. Since 2002, he has made his home on the edge of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Southeastern Kentucky. He is looking for truly outstanding stories in the Western and Historical genres.
Wishlist
I love a character-driven story set in a vivid background. I need to see a definable character arc as well as a logical, but often surprising, story progression. I want a story that pulls me in and makes me care about the characters. Love them or hate them doesn’t matter as much as the need to feel something about them. Whether western or historical, I insist on historical accuracy within the bounds of the genre. That being said, I enjoy a believable cross genre story as well. If you want to set your western in the future or on an alien world, make me believe it. I read multiple genres and can get lost in a well-crafted fantasy world just as easily as a traditional western. Some of my favorite authors include, Elmer Kelton, Dusty Richards, Louis L’Amour, Bernard Cornwell, Jack London, John Steinbeck, Jeff Shaara, Jean Auel and W.E.B. Griffin.
