Bill Markley

Bill Markley, a member of Western Writers of America, is a staff writer for WWA’s Roundup magazine. He has written for True West, Wild West, and South Dakota magazines. He is writing a series of books comparing Old West characters. First in the series is Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson: Lawmen of the Legendary West released May 2019, followed by Billy the Kid and Jesse James: Outlaws of the Legendary West to be released October 2019. His book, Old West Showdown, written with coauthor Kellen Cutsforth, explores ten controversial Old West characters and events. Bill has written three nonfiction books: Dakota Epic, Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves; Up the Missouri River With Lewis and Clark, and American Pilgrim. His historical novel, Deadwood Dead Men, was selected by Western Fictioneers as a finalist for its 2014 Peacemaker Award in the category Best First Western Novel. Bill wrote the “Military Establishment” Chapter and 30 entries for the Encyclopedia of Western Expansion. He participated in the films: Dances With Wolves, Son of the Morning Star, Far and Away, Gettysburg and Crazy Horse.