Writer of 'Longmire' Book Series That Lead to Popular TV Series Opens Up About His Western Life Style

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

His name may be known in literary circles, but to casual readers author Craig Johnson might not ring a bell. However, for fans of the hugely successful TV series 'Longmire', the show wouldn't exist without Johnson's creative pen. Set in modern day fictional Absaroka County in Wyoming, the show follows the crime solving adventures of Walt Longmire, a long-time sheriff who adheres to a more old school western cowboy approach to justice. 

'Longmire' began its six season run in 2012 on the A&E Network, with the streaming service Netflix airing its final three seasons (2015-17). Due to Netflix's large audience, 'Longmire' has become one the most watched series in recent years, essentially providing viewers access to all six seasons on their format, where it gained a huge following.

An avid storyteller, Johnson began the first installment of his Longmire series back in 2004 with 'The Cold Dish'. Since its debut Johnson has written a total of 21 novels, several novellas, and short stories surrounding the character. His latest novel in the series 'Return To Sender' was released in May of 2025.

Perhaps Johnson 64, writes what he knows. Born and raised in West Virginia, graduating from Marshall University followed by postgraduate work at Temple University, Johnson found his way out west, settling in Ucross Wyoming (pop. 26 give or take).

It's from his ranch in this small town that Johnson writes what has become his formal calling card. "I bounced around the country a little bit before settling in Ucross. If you're going to be a writer you have to experience the human element and human nature."

Johnson recalls adhering to advice from another well known author. "Tony Hillerman said if you're going to be a writer and develop characters you need to sit in all the chairs. To me, that means you need to leave yourself open to experience a lot of things." Hillerman was best known for his detective books, as well for his series of mystery novels featuring Navajo Nation Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.

But just how did he discover Ucross as his base. "That's an interesting question. Often I'm asked me 'why Wyoming'. No doubt it's under the radar. I've had people say 'where exactly is Wyoming'. It's a quiet life for sure. However, my wife and I love it."

Now a seasoned writer, did Johnson read at an early age. "Oh yeah. I was raised up in a household that had stacks of books. I knew early on I wanted to be a storyteller. I grew up with storytellers, and frankly I was the worst of the lot back then."

Although Johnson admits to finding his place in Wyoming in the early 1990's, it was over decade before his first book was released. "I live in a sparsely populated area of Wyoming. I did a lot of odd jobs before my writing paid the bills. I ranched. I poured concrete. I drove trucks. I worked in construction." He adds, "A lot of those jobs helped pay for the land I bought and provided me the skills to build my ranch house."

During the leaner years Johnson was still putting pen to paper. But according to him, his early attempts were less than worthwhile . "The stuff I was writing just wasn't good enough. Certainly not good enough to show to anybody. When you first start out, basically you're trying to develop your skills."

Johnson jokingly adds, "Being a writer is a lot like being an astronaut. You don't tell anyone. You just let it happen." He did prepare somewhat. "I studied and read a lot about how to become a writer. But I found out the only way to be a writer is to actually write."

He hit pay dirt in 2004 with 'The Cold Dish', the first of 21 novels based on Sheriff Walt Longmire. Narrowing it down to a specific set of characters and genre was Johnson's first obstacle. "When I finally decided to sit down and write a book I had to find something to write about. There were a lot of crime fictions stories, dark crime noirs set in big cities." 

Johnson wasn't interested in following suit. "I said to myself, maybe it's time for something different. Maybe base a character in the least populated county, in the least populated state and see what happens to him."

Of course his circle of family and friends reacted differently. "They all just said, 'you wrote a book!'. I can see where they were coming from. It's challenging. But that old adage applies. If you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life."

So, 21 years ago the literary world was introduced to Sheriff Walt Longmire, a modern day lawman who prescribes to a more western cowboy type of justice. Longmire's jurisdiction abuts an Indian reservation, with Longmire's best friends including Henry Standing Bear (a Cheyenne who owns a local tavern), and Victoria "Vic" Moretti, a former Philadelphia homicide detective, (now Longmire's fiancée in the book series). 

Living in rural Wyoming, just how much of the character reflects Johnson. "There's a lot of myself in Walt. We share a lot of common values. On the other side of the spectrum our world view is hugely different. I've been fortunate to travel the world due to the success of the series of my books." Adding, "There's a little of me in Henry and Vic as well."

'The Cold Dish' was met with almost overnight success. "The editor at Penguin Publishing said we love these characters. I hope you have a lot more than one book. I have to admit I was pleasantly caught off guard. I was just hoping to sell enough books to make a living. For 15 or more years I've been on the New York Times bestseller lists."

Not fully thinking his first book would evolve into 21 novels based on specific individuals, Johnson admits he's had to maintain a consistent flow when it came to the characters. "For sure. I'm always concerned about the cadence and rhythm in the storylines. There's got to be continuity with each character."

If not, followers of the series will reach out. "I'll get emails from fans and they might say something like 'that's not a line Henry would say' or 'that's not what Longmire would do in that situation. They'll even tell me to go easy on Walt, because he was beat up to much in the last book. One thing I've learned, readers really get invested in the characters. And now with the popularity of the TV series, they believe the characters to be real."

Johnson was seven books deep into Walt Longmire & friends when Warner Bros. and A&E TV came to him to develop a TV series based on his books. Too say he was caught off guard is an understatement. "Oh god yes! I was stunned. In all my thinking I never imagined what I was writing would be turned into a TV series."

Although flattered Johnson admits he had doubts. "I didn't know if anyone would be interested in a TV show based on a sheriff in the least populated county in the least populated state in the country. Furthermore I asked Warner Bros. if they thought they could even cast the right people. They assured me they could."

Much like the books, the 'Longmire' TV show was an instant hit. "A&E said it was one of the highest rated shows ever to debut on their network. After the third season they wanted to buy it, but Warner Bros. wouldn't let it go. Other networks were interested, but streaming services were becoming the next big thing, so Netflix picked up the final three seasons. After that run Netflix wanted to buy it as well, but again Warner Bros. said no."

Johnson recalls being on set during filming. "I would go at the beginning of every season and sometimes in the middle. I welcomed being on the set, but there was always something to attend to back home." The show's producers offered him on spot in the writer's room, but he declined. "I write books. Writing for a TV series takes a special kind of talent."

The show stars Australian actor Robert Taylor as Walt Longmire. Henry was portrayed by veteran Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips. "Lou was definitely the biggest name in the cast. The show was filmed in New Mexico in February. I remember they would have the streets blocked off. There would be mothers and daughters out there with copies of 'La Bamba'. Lou was so nice, he'd walk over and sign them, take photos. He was definitely the main draw for a lot of the locals during filming."

Has Johnson ever appeared in the series? "I kind of got bushwhacked into appearing on the show. It was the sixth episode of the sixth season. Thankfully I didn't have a speaking part. I played a mortician." He recalls Robert (Taylor) telling him the role was only fitting, since I had the final say in the life and death of Longmire."

Following in the shows footsteps, Buffalo, Wyoming a historic frontier town nestled in the Bighorn Mountains foothills hosts 'Longmire Days', billed as 'A Celebration of the Beloved Mystery Novels and TV Series'. Less than 30 miles away, Buffalo boasts a population less than five thousand with Longmire Days' quadrupling that over three or four days. "It began slow. Just me signing copies of my books. But it's grown into a big event."

The town had no idea how popular the annual salute would become. "Now the annual event draws roughly 15 thousand people out. And that's mostly because a lot of the actors come out. They are the main draw." Johnson adds, "I remember when it really began to take off. The local restaurants and markets ran out of food, because they weren't expecting such a big turnout."

'Longmire' the TV series has been out of production for over eight years. All six seasons are currently available on Paramount+. Is there any chance of the series making a return to TV. "There was always a lot of hub-bub and click bait about going into a seventh season. I think it would be stupid of Warner Bros. not to re-visit the idea of bringing it back." Perhaps a 'Longmire' full length motion picture. "Clever, but I feel it's be best served as a TV series." 

There is a lot of cowboy in Craig Johnson. "For sure. I recall being over in Paris. My books are translated into I think 14 different languages. So, I'm in Paris with Oliver my publisher. We come across this elderly woman who appeared to be right out of central casting. She was somewhat startled by me. I guess because I wear a cowboy hat and boots. So I did what I normally do. I tipped my hat."

Johnson goes on to say. "She immediately burst into tears. I thought oh god, did I just commit a faux pas, maybe not knowing the French customs. So Oliver and her start talking and laughing in French, and of course I'm not understanding the conversation. Turns out she remembers after the war (WWII) her country being flooded with American western movies, and in all her life it was the first time she'd ever met a real life cowboy." 

Fans of the books and or the TV series can enjoy an evening with Craig Johnson when comes to Charleston as part of the Charleston Porch Talks series on Tuesday September 30th. The event begins at 6:30pm. No doubt Johnson will be talking about his current release 'Return To Sender'.

For more info and tickets visit https://cofc.evenue.net/events/PCCJ  For those interested in all of Craig Johnson's books in the Longmire series visit his website atat https://www.craigallenjohnson.com/novels.htm 

For anyone who wants to experience  'Longmire Days' consider taking part in the yearly salute at https://www.longmiredays.com/