Way Out West™ is an independent publication documenting the American West through historical writing, essays, conversations, and long-form reflection. Some pieces are reported. Some are observed. Others are personal. But all are rooted in lived experience and respect for the culture they describe.
Around here, you’ll find real stories told straight, no fluff, offered with a handshake and a promise: to keep the spirit of the West alive, in print and in conversation.
In the Field & In Print
Way Out West has been referenced and featured in broader conversations around Western culture:
- Wyoming Public Radio — On the resurgence of community dance halls
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation — On what cowboys really ate on cattle drives
- Mashable — Referenced in coverage of Western culture
The Mission
Way Out West exists to document the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of the American West through essays, historical writing, and conversations with people who still live close to the land. This publication aims to preserve the living voice of the West before it fades into just a memory.
My Story
The West has always been passed down through story. Around kitchen tables, on pickup tailgates, when horseback, and in quiet moments alone. This is where I tell the stories that reflect that tradition.
I founded Way Out West under an earlier name, originally publishing as The Cowboy Accountant. The goal then, and now, is simple: document the stories, people, and values that still define life in the American West by reference to the cowboy way of life.
And just so you know, there’s no team behind the curtain. It’s just me, a microphone, a laptop, and a good horse, paying attention and telling these stories.
What’s a Cowboy?
When I write about cowboys, I’m talking about both the legends of the Old West and the cowboys and cowgirls of today. Across the West, “cowboy” is a state of mind; one of authenticity, grit, and compassion. In a world that could use more of these qualities, I use the term as the highest compliment for the men and women I’m fortunate to encounter and learn from.
Around here, we believe the West isn’t just history. It’s a story still being written.
Let’s Connect
Want to share your own story or just say hello?
Drop me a line or find me on social media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Chip Schweiger
Founder & Editor-in-Boots
