podcast
Bringing you original writings from the Rocky Mountains and beyond
The Words Out West literary podcast, launched in February 2021, was created by Cole Grant and Jay Kettering, in partnership with Montana Public Radio (MTPR).
Spotlighting both established and emerging writers from Montana and the western U.S., Words Out West offers listeners a wide range of literary forms, genres, and styles. In each episode, our talented writers present poems, fiction, nonfiction, radio plays, songs, and other modes of verbal expression.
Logo illustration by Steve Fanelli
Our goal is to bring to our listeners distinctive stories and fresh perspectives as we celebrate the tradition of writing in the West.
Words Out West is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Funding for Words Out West comes from the Prop Foundation, along with episode sponsors and from our generous listeners.
Please subscribe to our website at: wordsoutwest.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
Words Out West
Season 2
Started with our May, 16, 2022
episode release featuring Missoula novelist Richard Fifield
(being recorded by Cole Grant below)
listen now at
wordsoutwest.org
Cole Grant adjusts the mic
for poet Chris La Tray
Season 2: Episode 2
drops May 23, 2022
Singer/songwriter/poet
Caroline Keys and Nate Biehl
Season 2: Episode 3
drops May 30, 2022
Novelist Caroline Patterson
Season 2: Episode 4
drops June 6, 2022
Craig Menteer (on drums) with
Jasmine Sherman recording a short audio play by
Jay Kettering
Season 2: Episode 5
drops June, 13, 2022
And just some of the many other talented voices you'll hear from on Words Out West:
Montana's Poet Laureate (2011-2013) Sheryl Noethe reading from
Grey Dog Big Sky
Montana Public Radio:
Cole Grant records singer, songwriter, poet, Chris Sand
Montana Poet Laureate (2021 - 2023)
Mark Gibbons
Words Out West
Season 2 Launch Party
West Side Theater
Missoula, Montana
Sunday, May 15, 2022
More details at
wordsoutwest.org
David Mills-Low (left)
and Greg Owens
MC Teresa Waldorf
Separate Circles: Cole Grant (left) and Spencer Kellum
Gwen McKenna (left) and
Renata Birkenbuel
David Allan Cates
The WOW Audio Showcase
Our fundraiser at the Zootown Community Center
November 12, 2021
Montana's Rappin' Cowboy Chris Sand,
our host for the evening.
WOW, it was a magical night at the ZACC!
Thanks again to everyone who came out to support the wonderful authors and performers and for helping to raise money for the non-profit literary podcast Words Out West!
Another big WOW thanks to our host for the evening Chris Sand, and to the readers and performers: Joan Melcher, Freya Jones, Caroline Patterson, Shaun Gant, Cole Grant, Jasmine Sherman, Paul Allen, Nathan Adkins, Craig Menteer, Chris La Tray, and Spencer Kellum!
And to Mara and Bryn at Fact & Fiction and our book signers (not on stage): Sarah Aronson, David Allan Cates, Beth Judy and David E. Thomas!
Special thanks to Mikyla, Chris and Noel at the ZACC and to our WOW volunteers Renata Birkenbuel, Paula Goldberg and Leah Joki!
Words Out West
of course has much gratitude for
its production partner, Montana Public Radio;
its event partner, Zootown Arts Community Center;
its episode sponsors, Mountain Press Publishing Co., Murphy-Jubb Fine Arts, and Bell Pipe & Tobacco;
its event sponsors, Rockin' Rudy's, Fact & Fiction Books, Gallery 709 (Montana Art and Framing),
Shakespeare & Company, Montana Book Company, and Bernice's Bakery; and many individual contributors.
Shaun Gant reads poems, backed by Cole Grant on keyboards.
Chris La Tray reading
some of his recent poems.
Writers David Allan Cates and David E. Thomas sign books during intermission.
Paul Allen (on violin) with Jasmine Sherman, Nathan Adkins and Craig Menteer (obstructed view, on drums) perform a reading of Cacophony,
a radio play by Jay Kettering.
Book signing in the lobby of the
Zootown Arts Community Center.