Prolific Wyoming Authors Michael and Kathleen Gear Reach 88 Published Books

Wyoming’s natural beauty and culture serve as the lifeblood of New York Times best-selling authors Michael and Kathleen Gear, who have recently completed their 88th book, Cowboy State Daily reports.

From prehistoric tales to science fiction, their works carry a unique Wyoming influence. Now, the couple is exploring new literary territory with short stories, adding yet another dimension to their celebrated careers.

With decades of experience, the Gears are no strangers to the grind of writing.

“For most of our lives, we wrote about 12 hours a day, seven days a week,” Kathleen said.

Though they’ve scaled back to about eight hours daily, the couple remains prolific, balancing deadlines with two hours of daily social media engagement.

Social media has become an essential tool for connecting with fans and experts. Michael noted how much the writer’s life has evolved over four decades, saying:

“Social media is a requirement for survival in the modern age.”

The Gears’ writing is deeply tied to their Wyoming roots. Whether describing wildlife, the moonlit sky, or sunlit landscapes, their books reflect their experiences in the Cowboy State.

“Wyoming influences everything we write,” Kathleen said.

Early in their careers, the Gears faced skepticism from those who believed successful authors needed to live in New York City. They pushed back, crediting Wyoming for their creativity and unique perspective.

“Look around you,” Michael said. “Look at the magic that is our state.”

Both Michael and Kathleen’s paths to becoming writers were sparked by their distinct backgrounds. Kathleen grew up inspired by her father’s short stories, her mother’s journalism, and her fascination with Native American heritage.

For Michael, his start in writing came from a desire to correct inaccuracies in a Western novel he had read. He began writing during a blizzard, producing his first, albeit flawed, novel in just over two weeks.

“It was terrible,” Kathleen quipped, a sentiment Michael echoed.

Despite initial challenges, Michael’s persistence paid off after writing several more manuscripts, eventually finding his voice. Today, the couple collaborates seamlessly on projects, blending their individual strengths into cohesive narratives.

Though known for their novels, the Gears recently ventured into short fiction with Switching Gears, their first anthology. Their journey into the genre began when Kathleen was asked to contribute to an anthology, a challenge she accepted with trepidation.

Her effort won multiple awards, including the Spur Award and the Will Rogers Medallion. Inspired by her success, Michael followed suit, also earning accolades for his short story.

The couple’s experience revealed the distinct nature of short fiction compared to novels.

“In a novel, you are essentially following the emotional journey of one character to the end,” Kathleen explained. “It is just so different with a short story, but we’ve had a lot of fun doing it.”

After nearly 50 years in Wyoming, the Gears remain deeply connected to the land and its people. Their love for the state shines through in every story they write.

“It’s that feeling of being absolutely connected to the land and the animals and the people,” Kathleen said. “The incredible people in this state are an inspiration for every single character that we write. We really love Wyoming.”