Dennis Doty, publisher and editor of Saddlebag Dispatches, a literary journal dedicated to preserving and expanding the storytelling tradition of the American West Saddlebag Dispatches – The Award-Winning Home of All Things Western.
Over the past year, Saddlebag Dispatches has published five standalone anthologies featuring a range of voices from across the Western genre. Most recently, She Rode West—our newest anthology focused on women’s stories of the frontier—has been met with strong support and enthusiasm from readers and contributors alike.
Now, they are seeking to create something that has been long overdue: an anthology of Western short fiction by Native American writers. This collection will center Native voices and perspectives in the storytelling of the American West—a landscape that has too often been defined without them. Our goal is to bring together a diverse chorus of stories from as many Native Nations as possible.
Saddlebag Dispatches are currently accepting submissions of original short fiction and, Native perspectives on historical events, and retellings of tribal legends that reflect Native experiences—past, present, or imagined—within the context of the American West. Stories may range from 2,500 to 7,500 words. Authors whose work is selected will be paid and given a platform to promote their writing, not only through the publication itself but also through promotional outreach and event opportunities.
While we have had the honor of publishing two members of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, we recognize that Native perspectives remain vastly underrepresented in our pages and the genre as a whole. We want to change that—not just through one anthology, but by opening doors for ongoing representation.
Over the past year, we’ve reached out to tribal councils, Native colleges, and cultural organizations to connect with Native authors, but have received little response. We understand this may be due to a lack of familiarity with our work or concern about how Native stories will be handled. Please be assured that this project is being developed with care, humility, and a sincere desire to create a space where Native writers can thrive.
Deadline for submissions is November 15, 2025. Please include Native Voices and Tribal Affiliation in the subject line of submissions and submit to submissions@saddlebagdispatches.com.
