Las Cruces author Michael Potts out with new book

Las Cruces author Michael S. Potts has published his latest novel "Red Horse Saloon.”

Potts, a Las Cruces native, served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years and then worked for the United States Forest Service in Washington, D.C. 

Potts: After my first book, "Highgrove," which was a volume of Westerns short stories, I wanted to write a full novel, and my older first cousins, Carolyn Poe, gave me the idea of writing another book based solely on Sheriff McCloud of Highgrove Arizona.  One of the main characters is Annie Poe, based on my cousin.  

Bulletin: Please describe the main characters, and who are they based on (if anyone)?

Potts: In addition to the character based on my cousin, she has, as a guardian, a Yaquai Indian named Avertano Molina, who has a debt to repay to her deceased husband. There also are Pecos McCloud and his deputy, Dusty Stevens, and a couple of other characters first presented in "Highgrove."

Bulletin: Where is the novel set? 

Potts: The novel is set in the small town of Highgrove in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Arizona and Ft. Huachuca. Year, around 1881.

Bulletin: Your next novel has an odd title. Why did you choose it and what does it signify? 

Potts: "Strights of Thistlekirk" has as its main character and protagonist Robert Stright. The Strights are part of my family ancestry, as are the names of a lot of the characters in the book, including Dodd, Sarchet, Scott, Cranston and Pratt. Thistlekirk is the name of my son’s small farm in Lovettsville, Virginia. It takes place around 1783 after the Revolution and centers around Baltimore and Paris and the impending Revolution in France. 

Bulletin: How long does it take you to write a book, from concept to completion? 

Potts: "Red Horse Saloon" has been a work of four years and was started soon after my first book was completed. "Strights of Thistlekirk" will have taken three years to complete, if I finish it as planned next June.

Bulletin: What is your writing process like? 

Potts: I try and start writing in the mornings and work for about four hours. That includes research reading and making sure of time period facts and people are as authentic as possible. Maps are consulted and Google Earth is used to look at topography and general landscape. If I mention a canyon or arroyo or mountain or road, it actually exists or existed in that time or place.

Bulletin: What else should our readers know about you or your new novel? 

Potts: "Red Horse Saloon" honors my cousin Carolyn, as she encouraged me to write another book. "Strights of Thistlekirk" will be about my love of history and that time in the creation of our new nation. I’ve been an avid reader since the age of ficve when I got my first library card at Branigan Library back in 1956.  I finally figured that after that much reading I could possibly tell a story on my own.  I write to write knowing I will probably never get rich in what I publish, but if even one person enjoys my book, I will have been successful as an author.

"Red Horse Saloon” is available at Moonbow, 225 E. Idaho #32, and Amazon.com. Potts is reaching out to COAS about carrying the book, as well.