The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Western fiction:

Western fiction is a genre of literature set in the American Old West frontier and typically set from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century. Well-known writers of Western fiction include Zane Grey from the early 20th century and Louis L'Amour from the mid-20th century. The genre peaked around the early 1960s, largely due to the popularity of televised Westerns such as Bonanza. Readership began to drop off in the mid- to late 1970s and reached a new low in the 2000s. Most bookstores, outside a few west American states, only carry a small number of Western fiction books.

What type of thing is Western fiction?

Western fiction is an example of the following:

• Fiction – form of narrative which deals, in part or in whole, with events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary and invented by its author(s). Although fiction often describes a major branch of literary work, it is also applied to theatrical, cinematic, and musical work.
  • Genre fiction – fictional works (novels, short stories) written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre. Also known as popular fiction.
  • Speculative fiction
• Genre – Western fiction is a genre of fiction.

Types of Western fiction

History of Western fiction

History of Western fiction

General Western fiction concepts

Western fiction organizations

Western fiction publications

Persons influential in Western fiction

See also

References

External links

• The Western Writers of America website