Let me introduce you to author Matthew Kerns. He is a historian and digital archivist from Chattanooga. He manages the popular Western podcast Dime Library and the Texas Jack Facebook page. I would also like to add he received Employee of the Month from Media Play #8171 in May 1998 and August 2001. Read on to learn more about Kerns, his writing process, current projects and tips for new authors.
Request: Tell us about your writing process and the way you brainstorm story ideas.
Kerns: As a primarily nonfiction writer, research is at the heart of my process. My role is to dive deeply into history, gathering as much information, context and nuance as possible, and then weave it all into a narrative that’s engaging and dynamic rather than academic. I believe that the past isn’t just fascinating — it’s also prescient, a prologue to our present.
Balancing my writing with a day job means I don’t always have long, uninterrupted hours to write, so I focus on conceptualizing the broad outlines of my projects internally. I spend a lot of time “writing in my head,” figuring out structure, key points and narrative flow, so when I do have time to sit down and write I’m ready to capture those ideas in words.
Writing a book for me is a slower process, often involving extensive rewriting. Sometimes, I don’t fully grasp what a book is truly about until I’ve written most of it. With my Texas Jack biography, I initially approached it as the life story of a famous American scout. But as I wrote, I recognized that Texas Jack was the very first famous cowboy, a foundational figure in the mythical cowboy image we see today. Realizing this shifted the book’s entire focus, and I went back to reframe the story around this idea, bringing out his role in shaping the cowboy archetype that has become such a powerful part of our cultural landscape.
Question: What is your inspiration for writing?
Kerns: My inspiration for writing stems from a deep curiosity about why things are the way they are — how certain stories or figures come to dominate our cultural imagination while others fade. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time camping and hiking in the American West, and we often visited small, regional history museums in remote towns across Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. I was captivated by the names and stories I found there.
Figures like Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and Jesse James stood out to me, and I began to wonder why these particular names endured while equally compelling stories were overlooked. For me, delving into these forgotten narratives isn’t just rewarding — it’s essential. It not only uncovers hidden truths but also challenges the lasting impact of our preconceived ideas about the past, reshaping our understanding of history in a more complex and inclusive way.
Q: Do you believe in writer’s block?
Kerns: Absolutely, I believe in writer’s block. For me, it often comes as a form of self-doubt or Imposter Syndrome, wondering if another — perhaps better — writer might tell this story in a way I can’t. That thought can make it tough to sit down and push through. However, I’ve found that deadlines can be powerful motivators, often helping me push past that block.
It’s a scenario where “the better is the enemy of the good.” I remind myself that aiming for an ideal, “better” version of a book shouldn’t stop me from writing the good book I’m capable of creating right now. More often than not, when I look back, I find that the writing is better than I initially thought, especially after I’ve had time to polish and refine it. Writing is an iterative process, and sometimes, that good work ends up being what I was hoping for all along.
Q: How did you celebrate the publishing of your first book?
Kerns: For my first book release, I hosted a small gathering at my house with friends I hadn’t seen in too long. Announcing it on social media was also a meaningful moment, allowing me to share the achievement with a wider circle. One of the most memorable parts, though, was sending a copy to my favorite high school English teacher, Mrs. Betty Woomer. She put up with my procrastination and sophomoric attempts at humor, always encouraging me to keep writing and believe in my potential if I would just commit to the work. Being able to thank her in print and send her a copy felt like a real accomplishment.
Q: What other authors are you friends with, how do they help you become a better writer?
Kerns: I’ve had the privilege of being part of a writers group that started at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. The authors in the group — Julia Bricklin, Robert Aquinas McNally, Susan Devan Harness, Steve Friesen, Katya Cengel and a few others — have been incredibly supportive. We encourage each other, ask the tough questions, and share valuable insights. One of the great perks is getting an early look at their work, which is always inspiring. Seeing such talented authors deal with the same challenges and frustrations reminds me that I’m not alone in this process, which is hugely encouraging. It’s a community that pushes me to improve, and reminds me why I love this work.
Q: If you were given the opportunity to form a book club with your favorite authors of all time, which legends or contemporary writers would you want to become a part of the club?
Kerns: Wow, that’s a tough one! If I could choose anyone, I’d start with Edward Abbey, whose irascibility and love for the wilderness have always inspired me. Then, Kurt Vonnegut — he had a way of saying things that no one else could match, capturing complex truths with both wit and heart. I’d invite Erik Larson, who has a talent for weaving nonfiction into page-turning stories, and Bill Bryson, who makes learning an absolute joy, often bringing laughter with every chapter. Finally, I’d include Christopher Moore, one of my favorite modern novelists, who never fails to entertain and keep me smiling. It would be a fascinating mix of humor, depth and insight!
Q: How do you think the concepts such as Kindle and ebooks have changed the present or future of reading?
Kerns: Ebooks are amazing in many ways. The convenience of being able to pick up on your phone where you left off the night before — whether in a waiting room or on your commute — has made reading more accessible. However, there’s a lingering concern that you don’t actually “own” these books in a permanent way. If a platform like Amazon decides to remove a book for any reason, it could vanish from your library without warning.
Additionally, while it’s now easier for authors to publish their work, this also means there’s an influx of content that hasn’t always been thoroughly vetted or sourced. While this democratizes publishing, it can also lead to a flood of information that readers must sift through more critically. Ebooks have certainly broadened access and changed the landscape of reading, but they come with new complexities that we’re still navigating.
Q: What marketing strategies do you find most helpful?
Kerns: I think that in today’s world, a writer has to be as good at marketing as they are at writing if they want to succeed. For me, it’s all about finding and cultivating an audience. I knew there were people interested in the truths behind the fiction of American history — I just had to find out where they were. Initially, I tried several platforms but found that Facebook was most effective for reaching the specific demographic of people who shared an interest in Wild West history. I suspect that if I had been writing modern sci-fi or epic fantasy, other platforms would have been better suited to reach my target audience. By the time my Texas Jack book was released, I had over 10,000 followers, most of whom were engaged and receptive to the book. Since then, my audience has continued to grow as I branch out into new subjects, making each new project easier to share with an engaged readership.
Q: Can you tell us about your current projects?
Kerns: Certainly! Over the past year, I’ve written several historical articles for smaller publications, including pieces for the Texas Jack Association Scout. I also completed four six-part series for the Legends of the Old West podcast. The first series focused on Texas Jack, followed by ones on Buffalo Bill Cody, Orrin Porter Rockwell and three legendary Mountain Men — Jedediah Smith, Hugh Glass and Jeremiah Johnson. My most recent project was a podcast series on the Dakota War of 1862, which is set to be released early next year. Each project has given me the chance to dig into fascinating historical narratives and share them in a way that contains new insights and hopefully resonates with listeners and readers.
Q: Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?
Kerns: It’s cliche to say “Just write,” but that’s the crux of it. Even “bad writing” on the page is better than the perfect book that exists only in your head. That rough paragraph or awkward story can eventually be hammered and refined into something worthwhile, whereas the idealized version in your mind can’t be worked on at all. If I write a thousand words and only keep a hundred, that’s still a hundred more good words than if I’d written nothing. So get it all down and then go back to save the good stuff — because it’s definitely there, waiting to be uncovered.
• You can find Kerns’ books in our local author section. Drop by the library and check them out. We are open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Brandy Wyatt is the administrator of the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library.