Lectures
“The Importance of Secondary School Grammar.” Texas State Teacher’s Association, 1980.
“Arts in the Public School.” Arts Related Curriculum, Beaumont Independent School District, 1982.
“Drama and Fiction.” Education Region V Workshop, 1983.
“On Publishing a Novel.” Golden Triangle Writers’ Guild, 1986.
“Writing and Publishing a Novel.” Angelo State University, 1986.
“Creative Writing.” Education Region V Workshop, 1986.
“The Problems of Texas Literature.” Gulf Coast Historical Society, 1986.
“Texas Drama.” Angelo State University Faculty-Student Colloquy, 1986.
“The Difficulties of Writing Fictional Historical Biography.” Gulf Coast Geneological and Historical Association of Southeast Texas, 1987.
“The American Western Movement and Regional Writing.” Carlton College Faculty-Student Colloquy, 1987.
“The Politics of Publishing.” Trinity University Creative Writing Program, 1987.
“The Problems of Researching Historical Fiction.” Panhandle Penwomen, 1987.
“On Being a Texas Writer.” Center for Texas Studies’ Texas Writers Series, 1987.
“Texas Novels.” Southern Literature, Texas Writers’ Symposium, East Texas State University, 1987.
“Creative Writing.” Sam Houston State University, 1987.
“Pearl Hogerth Lecture.” Iowa State University, 1987.
“Creative Writing and Reading,” Trinity University, 1987.
“Creative Writing.” Ardmore Public Schools, Ardmore, OK, 1987.
“Pacing the Novel.” Golden Triangle Writer’s Guild Literary Festival, 1988.
“Writing the Novel.” Southwest Booksellers’ Association, 1988.
“Coming Home: Writing About A Small Town.” Thompson-Sawyer Public Library, Quanah, Texas, 1988.
“Cheatin’ Songs.” The Center For Texas Studies and Friends of the Emily Fowler Library, 1988.
“Cyrano and the Tradition of French Drama.” University Interscholastic League, University of North Texas, 1988.
“Cecil B. & Mary Beth Williams Lecture: A Small Town Writer.” Texas Christian University, 1989.
“Self-Promotion and Marketing of Fiction.” The Book People of Fort Worth, 1989.
“Why We Write (and Read) About Vietnam.” North Texas Interdisciplinary Forum, 1989.
“Sam Shepard’s Buried Child: A Preview.” Dallas Theatre Center, 1990.
“Drama: Theatre History and Approaches to Four Modern Plays.” Workshop in Literature, Language, and TASP/Essential Elements, University of North Texas, 1990.
“What is a Cowboy, Where is the West?” National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, 1991.
“Doubletrailing: The Dilemma of Growing Up Western.” Chisholm Trail Writer’s Workshop, 1991. Celebrity Authors Series: Friends of the Dallas Public Library, 1991.
“The Writer and the Spirit of Place.” Center for the Study of the Southwest, Southwest Texas State University, 1991.
“Writing in Texas.” University of Central Oklahoma Writer’s Club, 1992.
“Why Writing is an Art.” Literary Initiative (LIT) Task Force, Texas Commission on the Arts, 1992.
“The Mysteries of Publishing Fiction: The Facts.” Krum Municiple Library, 1992.
“Why Am I a Writer?” Trinity University, 1992.
“Writing What We Know.” Fort Worth Star Telegram Books & Authors Luncheon, 1992.
“The Prophets of Prose.” Southern Methodist University, 1992.
“Time and Snow and Writing What You Know.” Thompson-Sawyer Memorial Library, Quanah, Texas, 1992.
“Publishing Fiction in the Nineties.” SW Oklahoma Pen Women, 1993.
“The Truth of Memory.” Rice University Writers’ Conference, 1993.
“The Reviewing Process.” Texas Mystery Readers, Dallas, TX, 1993.
“The Role of the Writer: Using Lies to Tell the Truth.” Villanova University Visiting Lecturer Series, 1994.
“Texas West, Texas South: A Division in Texas Literature.” Tarrant County Junior College, 1994.
“Literary Grants, Fellowships, Awards & Prizes: What You Need to Know.” INPRINT, Houston, TX, 1994.
“Publishing as a Profession: The Writer’s Perspective.” Rice University PublishingProgram, 1995.
“From the Outside In: Writing and Personal Education.” University of South Dakota, 1995.
“The City as Classroom.” The North Texas Community and Junior College Consortium, 1996.
“Novel Hints: Writer on Stage.” The Friends of the Library, Garland, Texas, 1996.
“Let’s Call the Thang Rodeo: The Professional Western Sport.” University Lecture Series, Southwest Texas State University, 1996.
“Summing Up: The Ambition of Writing.” West Texas A&M University Writer’s Workshop, 1996.
“Of Sneakers, Boots, and Lube Jobs: The State of Publishing Today.” Austin Writers’ League, 1996.
“Drawing the West: Experience and Facts in Writing about Texas.” Texas Writers Symposium, 1997.
“The Personal Essay.” University of Texas at Dallas, 1997.
“The Prophets of Prose.” Center for the Study of the Southwest, Southwest Texas State University, 1997.
“The Question of Canon: What People Really Read and Why.” Richardson Friends of the Library, IN PERSON, 1998.
“Adapting a Novel for Film.” Angelo State University Elmer Kelton Symposium, 1999.
“Approaching the World of Fiction Publishing.” Texas Christian University, 1999.
“The Life of a Writer.” Richardson Friends of the Library, IN PERSON, 2000.
“If Not Fortune, Why Not Fame?” Emily Fowler Memorial Library Lecture, 2000.
“Approaching Professional Publishing.” Lamar University, 2000.
“The Writers’ Secret.” San Jacinto College, 2001.
“Whores & History: A Writer’s Apology.” Writers’ League of Texas, 2001.
“The Road to Creating a Series.” The Writers’ Roundup. Northeast Texas Community College, 2002.
“The Professor’s Corner: Writing Novels.” Texas Woman’s University and Denton Friends of the Library, 2003.
“Polycarp Kursh Lecture: A Cow Can Moo: The Irony of the Artistic Lie,” University of Texas at Dallas, 2004.
“The Writing Life: What to Expect, What to Dread.” Creative Writing Festival: North Central Texas College, 2004.
“The Geography of a Chronicle.” Literary Lubbock & Texas Tech University, 2004.
“The Rigors of Writing: Finding the Story.” Black Gold Writing Conference, Tarrant County Junior College, 2004.
“How Fiction Evolves.” Richland College Emeritus Program, 2004.
“From Fact and Fiction to Film.” Women Writing the West National Convention, 2005.
“Approaching the Publishers.” Careers in the Arts Conference, 2005.
“What College Prep Requires.” Lake Highlands High School and Richardson ISD Forum, 2006.
“Writing from the Adolescent Point of View.” Associated Writing Programs, 2006.
“The Perils of Self-Publishing.” Western Writers of America, 2006.
“Texas Writers and Their Literary Influence.” Friends of the Cleburne Public Library, 2006.
“When is Nonfiction Fiction?” Western Writers’ Association On-Line. 2006.
“Write What You Know.” Western Writers’ Association On-Line. 2007.
“Savage Kingdom, A Discussion of the History of Jamestown.” Texas Society, National Society of the Court of the Dames of the Court of Honor, 2007.
“The Fiction of Nonfiction.” Emeritus Program, Richland College, 2008.
“Knowing and Writing the West.” East Texas Book Fest, UT Tyler, 2009.
“The Decline of Language Ability in Higher Education.” Texas Community College Teachers Association, 2014.
“The Writing is Done: What Now?” Writers’ Guild of Texas, 2015.
Readings
“The Vigil: A Reading.” Lamar Spring Literary Festival, 1986.
“From The Vigil.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 1986.
“From The Vigil.” Conference of College Teachers of English, 1986.
“From Agatite.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers 1987.
“Skinny Dip.” Conference of College Teachers of English, 1987.
“A Better Class of People.” Western Literature Association, 1987.
“Artists on Display.” Beaumont Art Museum, 1987.
“Honkeytonk: A Reading.” South Central Modern Language Association, 1988.
“A Better Class of People.” Richland College Literary Festival, 1988.
“A Better Class of People.” Texas Literature Festival, Odessa College, 1989.
“Ted & Tody: Death Do Us Part.” Fort Concho Museum Press Literary Festival, 1989.
“Something Old, Something New: Readings and Excerpts.” University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 1990.
“Colfax’s Escape: An Excerpt from a Novel in Progress.” Conference of College Teachers of English, 1990.
“Aggie & Jack: Excerpt from a Novel in Progress.” UNT Centennial Literary Festival, University of North Texas, 1990.
“The Heckler.” Fort Concho Literary Festival, 1990.
“Excerpts from Work in Progress.” The Day the Stars Came Out: University of North Texas Library, 1990.
“Love and a Bright Morning.” Brandeis University Women’s National Council Books & Authors Luncheon, 1990.
“Excerpts from Several Novels and Commentary.” Fall Creative Writing Series, Texas A&M University, 1990.
“Etta’s Pond: A Reading.” Western Literature Association, 1990.
“Franklin’s Crossing: An Excerpt.” South Central Modern Language Association, 1990.
“Goodnight, Sweetheart.” Canterbury Evening, Ministries Center, University of North Texas, 1991.
“John H. Knox Distinguished Writer’s Series: ‘Etta’s Pond. ‘“McMurry University, 1991.
“Mexico.” Martha Emmons Memorial Literary Day. East Texas State University, 1991.
“Texas Voices: The Arkansas Episode.” College English Association, 1991.
“Mexico: A Reading from a Work in Progress.” Fort Concho Museum Press Literary Festival, 1991.
“Graham’s Dilemma.” Oklahoma State University Summer Writer’s Series, 1992.
“The Breakout: An Excerpt.” Fort Concho Museum Press Literary Festival, 1992.
“Gertie’s Song.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 1992.
“A Reading from Franklin’s Crossing.” University of Texas at San Antonio, 1992.
“A Homecoming Reading.” Lamar University, 1992.
“Short Story to Go: A Reading.” Southwest Texas State University Reader’s Series, 1993.
“From “The Poet”: A Reading.” Borders Books and Music, Dallas, TX, 1993.
“The Best Friends I Ever Had.” Fort Concho Museum Press Literary Festival, 1993.
“Imma’s First Night.” Writers Harvest, 1993.
“Aggie’s First Killing: A Reading.” Borders Books and Music, Fort Worth, TX, 1993.
“Mexico.” Angelo State University, 1993.
“A Selection from New Growth.” Borders Books, Bryn Mawr, PA, 1994.
“The Way It Was Told to Me.” Tarrant County Junior College, 1994.
“The First Tour.” Austin Writer’s League, 1995.
“Elvis and Us.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 1996.
“Clark Gable Comes to Dallas.” Barnes and Noble Texas University Press Writers’ Celebration, 1996.
“Condon: Not ‘Texas Enough.’ D Magazine. 23.9 (1996): 14.
“Today Speaks in Yesterday’s Voices: A Demonstration of Cowboy Poetry and Prose.” Texas State Historical Association, 1997.
“Players.” The Writers’ Garrett, Dallas, 1997.
“Baseball Stories.” Guadalupe International Book Fair and Literary Festival, 1998.
“Border Tale.” Sul Ross State University, 1998.
“Early Innings.” Angelo State University Elmer Kelton Symposium, 1999.
From “The Redneck Chronicles.” West Texas A&M University Summer Workshop, 1999.
“A Christmas Story.” WordSpace, 1999.
“Sex on the Beach.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2000.
“Hugh and Linda in the Drug Store.” Gulf Coast Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2000.
“Monuments: A Reading.” Lamar University, 2000.
“The Value of Workshops.” West Texas A&M University Writer’s Workshop, 2001
“From Monuments.” West Texas Books & Authors Festival, 2001.
“The Death of Craggy Phillips, U.S. Marshal.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2001.
*“From The Vigil and “A Better Class of People” & “From Monuments.” Writer’s Feast 2002, North Lakes College, 2002.
“The First Reading.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2002.
“Readings from New Works.” The Writer’s Garret at the MAC, 2003.
Featured Author Presentation. West Texas Books & Authors Festival, 2003.
“A Reading and a Conversation About Writing.” University of Texas at Dallas’ McDermott Library Speakers Series, 2003.
“New and Old Favorites: A Selection of Readings.” Montgomery College, 2005.
“Warning: This Essay May Be Harmful to Your Health.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2006.
“Voices of the Southwest: ‘Mexico’.” Southwest Writer and Artists Festival, Texas A&M University, 2006.
“People and Wolves.” Writers in Performance, Montgomery College, 2007.
“Trout Fishing in Texas and Other Harmful Opinions.” Lamar University, 2007.
“Coffee and Warnings About Other Trimmed Opinions.” Scissortail Creative Writing Festival. East Central University, 2007.
“Snakes and Sex.” Arkansas Tech University, 2007.
“West Texas Voices.” Book Club of Plano, 2008.
“At the Convenience Store.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2008.
“Texas Voices.” North Texas History Center, 2008.
“Three Views of the Common Folk,” WordSpace, 2008.
“Convenience Store.” Callaloo Festival on Texas Writing. Texas A&M University, 2009.
“From ‘Hoi Polloi.’” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2011.
“A Cup of Coffee.” Plano ISD Retired Teachers Association, 2011.
“Texas Sound Tracks.” American Studies Association of Texas, 2011.
“Essays for Life.” Richland College Literary Festival, 2012.
“Writing from Musical Inspiration: ‘The Deacon’s Horse.’” Western Literature Association, 2012.
“Doris’s Dance.” Fresh Ink: Arts & Letters Live, Dallas Museum of Art, 2014.
“Writing Crime Fiction in the West: Two Readings.” Writing the Rockies. Western State Colorado University, 2015.
“A Writer’s Life and Ruminations.” Highland Park Thursday Night Book Club, 2015.Colorado University, 2015.
“A Writer’s Life and Ruminations.” Highland Park Thursday Night Book Club, 2015.
“Punkin Center.” Writing the Rockies. Western State Colorado University, 2016.
“Doris’s Dance.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2016.
“Railroad Man.” Elmer Kelton Literary Festival. Angelo State University. 2017.
“My Best Face.” Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, 2017.
“Railroad Man.” American Book Review Distinguished Reading Series, University of Houston, Victoria, 2017.
“Doris’s Dance.” American Book Review Distinguished Reading Series, University of Houston, Victoria, 2017.