Barbara “Barney” Nelson

For thirteen wonderful years, I lived and rode on the o6 Ranch where the photograph above was taken. Then I became a professor at Sul Ross State University, teaching courses like Environmental Literature, Cowboy Poetry, and World Literature. I taught writing classes from freshman remedial to graduate student memoir, research writing, nature writing, and nonfiction creative prose. As a professional photographer, I specialized in the American West, the cowboy, ranching, rural women, cattle, horses, and wildlife. I also taught college courses in photography. Today I’m retired, write a weekly column for a tiny West Texas newspaper and have now written five scripts for romantic/drama cowboy movies. Those scripts eventually morphed into a “novel in dialog” called One Hundred Horses: Drama as Novel, Memoir as Drama. An interview about the book with Eclectic Horseman magazine is available.

Another recent book, Making Circles: the Memoir of a Cowboy Journalist was named 2022 “Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction Finalist” by the Western Writers of America (WWA). The selection means it placed in the top three in that category. An interview about the book with Eclectic Horseman magazine is available.

A somewhat out-of-date and self-produced slide show showcases more of my photography and quirky philosophy.

Books by Barney Nelson

One Hundred Horses

Barbara J. Barney Nelson, 2024, 318PP, ISBN: 979-8-218-45287-2

In One Hundred Horses this award-winning author has interwoven stage and screen plays to create a novel in dialog. A brief memoir and photograph album of inspiration introduce each of the six chapters. These family-friendly, realistic, dramatic cowboy romances include details about ranch, reservation, and border life; immigration, healthy food, horseshoeing, and a Shakespearian version of horse training. The author lived the life she writes about and provides authentic glimpses into traditional cowboy etiquette, universal rural values, and the rewards of hard work. Chapter tension tackles the pros and cons of patriarchy, feminism, pride, horse training, jealousy, trust, patience, respect, misrepresentation, reconnaissance, and injury. Characters include a chuckwagon cook, Mexican illegal, Hispanic school teacher, female horseshoer, casino boss, California farmer, Las Vegas rodeo stock contractor, Marine veterans, Native American ranchers, law officers, and cowgirls. Of course the cast also includes hundreds of horses who patiently and silently assist, challenge, and improve the humans in countless ways.

Making Circles

University of Oklahoma Press, 2021, 304pp, ISBN: ‎978-0806168456

A memoir combining Barney Nelson’s authentic cowboy life with her 30-year career writing and photographing for horse and cattle magazines throughout the West. Along the way she introduces us to her friends, mentors, idols, horses, and cowboy philosophy.

“It belongs in all collections of books about Western culture; it particularly belongs in all university libraries featuring the studies of the West. It is a treasure trove of insight.” – Tom Bailey on Amazon 11 May 2021

Voices & visions of the American West

Texas Monthly Press, 1986, ISBN: 0877190496

Voices and Visions of the American West this coffee-table photography book features 100 of Nelson’s best insider images of cowboy life from across the West. The text is created using interview quotes from fifteen years as a cowboy/livestock freelance photographer/writer. The technique lets cowboys almost tell their own story without a filter.

“Beyond Wonderful: Barney Nelson is THE writer and THE photographer of the contemporary American West. Her VOICES and VISIONS OF THE AMERICAN WEST is a work of genius. All of her books are great.” –Blackbull on Amazon 28 January 2013

The wild and the domestic

University of Nevada, Reno Press, 2000, 200pp, ISBN: 0874173477

a scholarly analysis that juxtaposes animal stereotypes with personal essays from Nelson’s personal experiences with wild and domestic animals. Hunting, fishing, raising orphaned wild animals to pets (including a pronghorn) and handling wild cattle contrast with romantic and demonized views of reality.

“Her informed and loving voice for our responsible use of land, our responsibility for other species, and responsible living provides a vital and seldom articulated perspective on ranching and the rancher’s stewardship.” – Mary Clearman Blew

“Barney Nelson has written a stunning book . . . it is ‘time someone stuck up for the cows,’ as she says, and no one has done it better than Barney Nelson, who deserves to be ranked with the best writers of the century.” –Linda Hasselstrom

Barney Nelson