Si hay unos premios reconocidos y respetados en el mundo de la literatura, ésos son los Spur Awards, concedidos anualmente para distinguir las mejores obras literarias sobre el Oeste Americano. Además son los más antiguos y prestigiosos, se conceden desde 1953, cuando fueron establecidos por Western Writers of America, Inc (WWA); por aquel entonces la ficción western era un elemento básico de la industria editorial norteamericana y los Spur Awards (Premios Espuela) premiaban a la mejor novela western, la mejor novela histórica, la mejor novela juvenil y el mejor relato corto.
Desde entonces los premios han sido extendidos a otros géneros, siempre en la literatura western. Actualmente, los Spur Awards se conceden a la mejor novela corta western, mejor novela western larga, mejor novela original en edición rústica, mejor relato corto, mejor obra corta de no ficción, mejor no ficción contemporánea, mejor biografía, mejor historia, mejor ficción juvenil y no ficción, mejor film de TV, mejor película dramática, mejor película documental de TV y mejor primera novela (premio que se denomina The Medicine Pipe Bearer’s Award).

Todo ello conforman los Spur Awards, que mantienen vigentes y reconocidas multitud de obras de la mejor literatura western e histórica. Premios como los Spur contribuyen a la fortaleza de lo mejor de la cultura estadounidense y el impulso de una literatura que cuenta con verdaderas joyas literarias e historias que merecen leerse.
Algunos de los ganadores de los Spur Awards en años precedentes incluyen nombres tan laureados como los de Larry McMurtry por Lonesome Dove (Paloma Solitaria), Michael Blake por Dances with wolves (Bailando con lobos), Glendon Swarthout por The Shootiost (El Pistolero) y Tony Hillerman por Skinwalker,
Si en su país no dispone de buenas traducciones de estas obras, entonces ya sabe que los editores no están realizando un buen trabajo y le restringen el acceso a libros de calidad, siguiendo otros intereses.

Los Spur Awards están abiertos tanto para miembros como no miembros de WWA, que también concede cada año el prestigioso Owen Wister Award por las contribuciones de toda una vida en el campo de la literatura western. Algunos de los recientes ganadores incluyen a John Jakes, Douglas C. Jones, David Lavender y Max Evans.
A continuación, les dejo una lista con diversos premios de la WWA y otras efemérides, con algunos detalles característicos:
 
The Lariat Award
 
This special honor, created in 2006, is designed to recognize the company or individual who has shown exceptional support for WWA and for the literature of the West.
 
2006 — The first Lariat Award was presented to the Caxton Publishing, one of the oldest Western publishers and a long-time champion of WWA.
 
2007 — The first Lariat Award to an individual was presented to Tom Doherty of Tor-Forge Publishing.  His firm has produced three WWA anthologies and generated fourteen Spur Awards through 2006.
 
2008 — True West magazine, Western history magazine founded in 1953, revamped and reimagined by historian/artist Bob Boze Bell when he took it over in the late 1990s.
 
2009 — University of Oklahoma Press, distinguished publisher of Western fiction and nonfiction and recipient of 19 Spur Awards, and the first university press established in the Southwest.
 
 

The Branding Iron Award
 
This special honor, also created in 2006, is presented to the WWA member who has provided exceptional support to the organization and its goals.
 
2006 — Natlee Kenoyer, past WWA president and long-time active member
 
2007 — Jim Crutchfield, long-time active member, past Secretary-Treasurer and first Executive Director
 
2008 — Candy Moulton, longtime editor of Roundup magazine
 
2009 — Rita Cleary, past president of WWA who helped get the Homestead Foundation up and running

Western Writers of America, Inc., fue fundado en 1953 para promover la literatura del Oeste Americano y los Spur Awards para distinguir a lo mejor de la literatura western. Los fundadores fueron en gran parte autores que escribieron ficción de western tradicional, pero la organización expandió los premios para incluir también a autores históricos y de no ficción, escritores jóvenes y de novela romántica, así como escritores interesados en la historia local.
Actualmente, hay más de 600 miembros que escriben de todo, desde la ficción mayoritaria a historia. La convención anual tiene lugar durante la última semana de junio en una ciudad del Oeste y concluye con un banquete en el que se conceden los Spur Awards. Es una ocasión en la que se encuentran los escritores, editores, anfitriones, miembros de la WWA, etc, para renovar amistades, hacer negocios, y asistir a seminarios o conferencias, entre otros actos.
WWA ayuda activamente a sus miembros a promocionar sus libros y artículos, y promueve activamente la literatura western, que está considerada como la gran contribución del país al mundo de la literatura.
El western es historia, aventura, misterio, romance y mucho más. Es ayer, hoy y mañana. Una frase define el género: es el alma de la literatura de América.

Literature of the West for the World describes the collective product of WWA members.  Western literature ranges far and wide across Western America.  From traditional western fiction to penetrating historical analysis, from yesterday to today, from mysteries to biographies, from romance to short stories, from screen writing to documentary writing, from poems to songs.
Western literature is of the spirit, our spirit, the spirit of America. It is unique, ever developing and ever changing, as we uncover new facts, deal with new issues, seek more understanding, and offer more and more for readers to enjoy. 
The “western” – as a term — is, in and of itself, misleading to some.  Western literature is today as well as yesterday.  Western literature is the motivation of people to succeed in lands greater than themselves.  The “western” is full of souls filled with concern, fear, joy and desire.
The “western” is history, adventure, mystery, romance and more.  It is yesterday, today and tomorrow.  In a phrase, it is the literature of America’s soul.  In fact, the “western” is America’s only unique brand of literature, now enjoyed throughout the world.
Readers enjoy stories set in the West, whether they are about the challenges of today or the confrontations of yesteryear.  They like the great tests brought by the land itself, vital and grand.  They like memorable characters dealing with real life brought by some of America’s finest storytellers. They like the absorption into intrigue and adventure, into learning and love, into twists of plot and personality. 
 

Award Categories
· Spur Award for Best Western Novel (Short Novel)
· Spur Award for Best Novel of the West (Long Novel)
· Spur Award for Best Original Paperback Novel
· Spur Award for Best Short Fiction
· Spur Award for Best Short Nonfiction
· Spur Award for Best Nonfiction Contemporary
· Spur Award for Best Nonfiction Biography
· Spur Award for Best Nonfiction Historical
· Spur Award for Best Juvenile Fiction
· Spur Award for Best Juvenile Nonfiction
· Spur Award for Best Drama Script
· Spur Award for Best Documentary
· Spur Award for Best Poetry
· Spur Award for Best First Novel (aka The Medicine Pipe Bearer’s Award)
· Storyteller Award (illustrated children’s book)
· Owen Wister Award for lifetime achievement in Western literature

Lista cronológica de ganadores de los Spur Awards. Libros que no debe dejar de leer si quiere leer la mejor literatura del mundo:

2010
Western Novel [Long] Robert Flynn Echoes of Glory
Western Novel [Short] Robert Olmstead Far Bright Star
Paperback Original John D. Nesbitt Stranger in Thunder Basic
2009
Western Novel [Long] Thomas Cobb Shavetail
Western Novel [Short] Craig Johnson Another Man’s Moccasins
Paperback Original John D. Nesbitt Trouble at the Redstone
2008
Western Novel [Long] Aryn Kyle The God of Animals
Western Novel [Short] Sandra Dallas Tallgrass
Paperback Original Max McCoy Hellfire Canyon
2007
Western Novel [Long] Elizabeth Crook The Night Journal
Western Novel [Short] Tony Hillerman The Shape Shifter
Paperback Original Dusty Richards The Horse Creek Incident
2006
Western Novel [tie] Johnny D. Boggs Camp Ford
Western Novel [tie] Loren D. Estleman The Undertaker’s Wife
Novel of the West Willard Wyman High Country
Paperback Original Matt Braun Dakota
2005
Western Novel Rick Steber Buy the Chief a Cadillac
Novel of the West Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear People of the Raven
Paperback Original Richard S. Wheeler Vengeance Valley

2004
Western Novel Brian Hall I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company
Novel of the West Win Blevins So Wild a Dream
Paperback Original Barbara Wright Plain Language
2003
Western Novel Sandra Dallas The Chili Queen
Novel of the West Debra Magpie Earling Perma Red
Paperback Original David Marion Wilkinson Oblivion’s Altar: A Novel of Courage
2002
Western Novel Elmer Kelton The Way of the Coyote
Novel of the West Brady Udall The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint
Paperback Original Richard S. Wheeler Drum’s Ring
2001
Western Novel Mike Blakely Summer of Pearls
Novel of the West Stephen Harrigan The Gates of the Alamo
Paperback Original Troy D. Smith Bound for the Promise-Land
2000
Western Novel Richard S. Wheeler Masterson
Novel of the West Ellen Recknor Prophet Annie
Paperback Original Jim Davidson Mine Work
1999
Western Novel Loren D. Estleman Journey of the Dead
Novel of the West Jane Smiley The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton
Paperback Original Hiram King Dark Trail
1998
Western Novel Cynthia Haselhoff The Kiowa Verdict
Novel of the West Larry McMurtry Comanche Moon
Paperback Original Ellen Recknor Leaving Missouri
1996
Western Novel Preston Lewis
writing as Will Camp The Blood of Texas
Novel of the West Richard S. Wheeler Sierra
Paperback Original Frank Roderus Potter’s Fields
1995
Western Novel Robert J. Conley The Dark Island
Novel of the West Win Blevins Stone Song: A Novel of the Life of Crazy Horse
Paperback Original Jim R. Woolard Thunder in the Valley

1994
Western Novel Tom Eidson St. Agnes’ Stand
Novel of the West Elmer Kelton The Far Canyon
Paperback Original K.C. McKenna Survival
1993
Western Novel Charles Hackenberry Friends
Novel of the West Jeff Long Empire of Bones
Paperback Original Gary McCarthy The Gila River
1992
Western Novel Robert J. Conley Nickajack
Novel of the West Elmer Kelton Slaughter
Paperback Original T.V. Olsen The Golden Chance
1991
Western Novel Richard Matheson Journal of the Gun Years
Novel of the West Jory Sherman The Medicine Horn
Paperback Original Norman Zollinger Rage in Chupadera
1990
Western Novel Gary Svee Sanctuary
Novel of the West Jeanne Williams Home Mountain
Paperback Original Don Coldsmith The Changing Wind
1989
Western Novel Richard Wheeler Fool’s Coach
Novel of the West James Alexander Thom Panther in the Sky
Paperback Original C. Clifton Wisler Among the Eagles
1988
Western Novel Judy Alter Mattie
Novel of the West Glendon Swarthout The Homesman
1987
Western Novel Tony Hillerman Skinwalkers
Historical Novel Robert Flynn Wanderer Springs
1986
Western Novel Ralph Robert Beer The Blind Corral
Historical Novel Douglas C. Jones Roman
1985
Western Novel Larry McMurtry Lonesome Dove
Historical Novel John Byrne Cook The Snowblind Moon
1984
Historical Novel Douglas C. Jones Gone the Dreams and Dancing
1983
Novel Frank Roderus Leaving Kansas
Historical Novel Bryan Woolley Sam Bass
1982
Novel Fred Grove Match Race
Historical Novel Lucia St. Clair Robson Ride the Wind
1981
Novel Elmer Kelton Eyes of the Hawk [tie]
  Lee Head Horizon [tie]
Historical Novel Loren D. Estleman Aces and Eights

1980
Novel Jeanne Williams The Valiant Women
1979
Novel William Decker The Holdouts
1978
Novel Norman Zollinger Riders to Cibola
1977
Novel Fred Grove The Great Horse Race
Historical Novel Terrance Kilpatrick Swimming Man Burning
1976
Novel Lou Cameron The Spirit Horses [tie]
  Douglas C. Jones The Courtmartial of George Armstrong Custer [tie]
Historical Novel Matt Braun The Kincaids
1975
Novel Glendon Swarthout The Shootist
1974
Novel Stephen Overholser A Hanging in Sweetwater
1973
Novel Elmer Kelton The Time it Never Rained
1972
Novel Lewis B. Pattern A Killing in Kiowa
Historical Novel Will Henry Chiricahua
1971
Novel Elmer Kelton The Day the Cowboys Quit
1970
Novel Clifton Adams The Last Days of Wolf Garnett

1969
Novel Clifton Adams Tragg’s Choice
Historical Novel Benjamin Capps The White Man’s Road
1968
Novel Louis L’Amour Down the Long Hills
Historical Novel Lewis Patten The Red Sabbath
1967
Novel Lee Hoffman The Valdez Horses
Historical Novel Chad Oliver The Wolf is My Brother
1966
Novel Herbert R. Purdom My Brother John
Historical Novel Garland Roark/Charles Thomas Hellfire Jackson
1965
Novel Benjamin Capps Sam Chance
Historical Novel Todhunter Ballard Gold in California
  Vardis Fisher Mountain Man
1964
Novel Benjamin Capps The Trail to Ogallala
Historical Novel F.F. Halloran Indian Fighter
1963
Novel Leigh Brackett Follow the Free Wind
Historical Novel Will Henry Gates of the Mountains
1962
Novel Fred Grove Comanche Captives
Historical Novel Don Berry Moon Trap
1961
Novel Giles Lutz The Honyocker
Historical Novel William Wister Haines The Winter War
1960
Novel Will C. Brown The Nameless Breed
Historical Novel Will Henry From Where the Sun Now Stands
1959
Novel Nelson Nye Long Run
Historical Novel John Prebble The Buffalo Soldiers
1958
Novel Noel Loomis Shortcut to Red River
Historical Novel Amelia Bean The Fancher Train
1957
Novel Elmer Kelton Buffalo Wagons (library owns as a Book-on-CD)
Historical Novel Dan Cushman Silver Mountain
1956
Novel Leslie Ernenwein High Gun
Historical Novel John Clinton Hunt Generations of Men
1955
Novel L.P. Holmes Somewhere They Die
1954
Novel Wayne D. Overholser The Violent Land
Historical Novel John Prescott Journey By the River
1953
Novel Lee Leighton Law Man
Historical Novel Lucia Moore The Wheel and the Hearth

Los Spur Awards de 2011 se concederán en la convención anual de WWA este próximo 25 de junio en la ciudad de Bismarck, en North Dakota, en 17 categorías distintas. Entre los ganadores de este 2011 está el remake de «True Grit» y el novelista Richard Wheeler, que ha ganado su sexto Spur en novela corta con «Snowbound» basada en la historia biográfica de John Fremont, un prominente explorador de la fontera. Sólo le supera en número de premios Elmer Kelton («The Time it Never Rained«), que acumula siete Spurs.

Otros ganadores de los Spur Awards de 2011:

Long Novel: Lucia Robson, «Last Train From Cuernavaca»
Original Mass Paperback: Max McCord, «Damnation Road»
First Novel: Nic Pizolatto, «Galveston»
Biography: James Haley, «Wolf: The Lives of Jack London»
Historical Nonfiction: Thomas Powers, «The Killing of Crazy Horse»
Juvenile Fiction: Clare Vanderpool, «Moon Over Manifest»
Juvenile Nonfiction: Ronald A. Reis, «Buffalo Bill Cody»
Storyteller (picture book): Aaron Frisch, author, and Chris Sheban, illustrator, «A Night on the Range
Audiobook: Kirby Jonas, «Secret of Two Hawks»
Documentary: Rob Rapley, «American Experience: Wyatt Earp»
Poem: Red Shuttleworth, «Roadside Attraction»
Song: Tom Russell and Paul Zarzyski, «Heart of a Bucking Horse»
Short Fiction: K.L. Cook, «Bonnie and Clyde in the Backyard»
Short Nonfiction: Lee Niedringhaus, «The N Bar N Ranch: A Legend of the Open-Range Cattle Industry, 1885-99»
Contemporary Nonfiction: Lawrence Culver, «The Frontier of Leisure: Southern California and the Shaping of Modern America»