E. Joe Brown

As I mentioned back at Thanksgiving, I hope that when we look back on 2025, we do so with a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for all that the year brought our way. No year is perfect, but there’s always plenty to be thankful for if we take the time to pause and notice it. As we turn the page and step into 2026, I find myself both grateful for the past year and genuinely excited about what lies ahead. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and was able to spend meaningful time with family and friends. Linda and I certainly did, and it was time well spent. Those quieter moments—good conversations, shared meals, and simply being together—are the real gifts of the season.

I’m still waiting on one gift to myself: the Pimentel guitar I mentioned earlier. I told Rick there was no rush, but he was hoping to have it finished by Christmas. As it turns out, it’ll be about another month, which is just fine by me. Good craftsmanship takes time. I’m including a few photos so you can see how it’s shaping up. Rick says there’s still plenty to do, but even at this stage, it’s already a beautiful instrument. Watching something like this come together reminds me why patience is often rewarded. 

Looking ahead to 2026, I have some exciting plans on the horizon. I’m aiming to launch book four in the Kelly Can Saga series, a project that’s been taking shape steadily and one I’m eager to share with readers. Alongside that, I plan to devote as much time as possible to working on my memoirs—something I’ve been meaning to focus on more intentionally.

The new year will also get off to a strong start with travel. My first trip will take me to Arizona, where I’ll be participating in the Tombstone Festival of Western Books and the always-impressive Tucson Festival of Books. Both are outstanding events, and I’m looking forward to connecting with readers, fellow writers, and lovers of Western literature. There will likely be additional book tours later in the year, and I’ll be sure to share details as plans come together.

If you enjoy Western stories, music, and the kind of characters who try to do the right thing even when it’s hard, I hope you’ll stay connected. Follow along here, pick up a book if you haven’t already, and say hello if you find yourself at one of the festivals or signings this year. Your support and conversations along the way mean more than you know.

As always, thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me. Here’s to a healthy, creative, and rewarding 2026—for all of us.