J.R. Sanders

BIOGRAPHY

J.R. Sanders is a native of Newton, Kansas - one of the original "wild and woolly" cowtowns. His deep interest in Old West history dates back to childhood visits with his family to sites such as the Dalton Gang hideout, Abilene, and Dodge City. His interest in crime stems from his days as a private investigator and police officer in Southern California.

J.R. regularly contributes nonfiction articles to a variety of periodicals, among them Law & Order and Wild West magazine. A former living historian, he has portrayed 19th-century soldiers, cowboys, lawmen, and Gold Rush prospectors in presentations to schools, colleges, and historical societies all over Southern California, as well as for institutions including the Autry Museum of the American West and the Huntington Library. He has also written public service spots for local cable television broadcast and has worked both on-camera and behind the scenes on A&E/History Channel’s documentary series Dangerous Missions. His books have been used in educational programs by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center.

J.R. lives in Southern California with his wife, Rose, and their rescue dogs, Ruby and Marlowe.
 



MEMBERSHIPS

Western Writers of America
Western Fictioneers
International Thriller Writers
Private Eye Writers of America
American Crime Writers League
Short Mystery Fiction Society

 


Recent Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: January 20, 2024
8:00am - 3:00pm
Venue: The Porky Show Address: Taylor Hall - 1775 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
Notes: Will be signing copies of SOME GAVE ALL and the Nate Ross novels at California's longest-running patch & badge police collectibles swap meet. $5.00 admission required.
Date: September 30, 2023
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Venue: Timeless Pages - The Book Place Address: 12126A California St.
Yucaipa, CA
Notes: Signing books with author Wayne Purcell during AutumnFest event.
Date: September 2, 2023
9:30am - 5:30pm
Venue: Bouchercon 2023 Address: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina - 333 West Harbor Driv
San Diego, CA
Notes: Paid registration required.
Date: September 1, 2023
9:30am - 5:30pm
Venue: Bouchercon 2023 Address: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina - 333 West Harbor Driv
San Diego, CA
Notes: Paid registration required.
Date: August 31, 2023
9:30am - 5:30pm
Venue: Bouchercon 2023 Address: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina - 333 West Harbor Driv
San Diego, CA
Notes: Will be signing copies of the Bouchercon anthology "Killin' Time in San Diego" at the scheduled Anthology Celebration between 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Paid registration required.
Date: August 12, 2023
10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Community Book Festival - Janet Goeske Foundation Address: 5257 Sierra St.
Riverside, CA
Notes: Free event with local authors, games, contests, prizes, and more.
Date: August 6, 2023
10:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Los Rios Rancho Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen, CA 92399
Notes: Paid event with Old West encampment and vendors, Victorian tea tent, frontier demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Signing books on Saturday and Sunday only
Date: August 5, 2023
10:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Los Rios Rancho Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen, CA 92399
Notes: Paid event with Old West encampment and vendors, Victorian tea tent, frontier demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Signing books on Saturday and Sunday only
Date: July 20, 2023
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Venue: Rendezvous with a Writer on L.A. Talk Radio Address:
Notes: Online radio interview with hosts Bobbi Jean Bell and Jim Bell.
Date: May 14, 2023
Open - Open
Venue: Interview: SuitUp Podcast Address: Online
Notes: "Today we’re joined on the show by JR. Sanders, author of the Nate Ross novels and the non-fiction book Some Gave All: Forgotten Old West Lawmen Who Died With Their Boots On. His latest book Bring The Night: A Nate Ross Novel was just released. Together we discuss old west lawmen, the elevolution of the cowboy to private eye, and the Nate Ross series."
Date: May 6, 2023
10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Legacy Commons Park - Palmdale, CA Address: 930 East Avenue Q-9
Palmdale, CA 93550
Notes: Signing books at Inkwell Book & Art Festival. Free event.
Date: May 6, 2023
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Garden Works for Kids Address: 10966 Bryant St.
Yucaipa, CA
Notes: Ticket required.
Date: April 23, 2023
1:00pm - 1:40pm
Venue: Old Town Newhall Library Address: 24500 Main Street
Newhall, CA
Notes: Free event. PANEL: New Westerns and Their Future What lies ahead for the Western genre – on paper and on screen? Why is the Western still relevant…or is it? What challenges do Western writers, screenwriters, and filmmakers face today? MODERATOR: C. Courtney Joyner PANELISTS: J.R. Sanders, Bruce Scivally, Bill Wilbur
Date: April 23, 2023
10:00am - 6:00pm
Venue: Buckaroo Book Shop - Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Address: Main Street - Old Town
Newhall, CA
Notes: Free event.
Date: April 22, 2023
10:00am - 6:00pm
Venue: Buckaroo Book Shop - Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Address: Main Street - Old Town
Newhall, CA
Notes: Free event.