Spotlight: Thomas Goodman

Hi all! I’m pleased to be a contributor to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog. I post tidbits I find in my research on Texas life and culture from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The research helps me as I write my monthly author newsletter and my novels.

I write early in the mornings before the office opens at the church where I serve as a pastor. I am a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary in Texas, and I hold a doctorate from New Orleans Seminary. I have served as a pastor in Louisiana, north Texas, and overseas in Grand Cayman before becoming the pastor of Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas (www.hillcrest.church). I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Diane, for 45 years and counting. We have two sons. I enjoy scuba diving, fly fishing, hiking, and puttering around my wood-working shop.

My debut novel is closely based on a Texas true crime. I first heard about it in the 1990s, when I served as a pastor in the county where it all took place in the 1920s.

It’s called The Last Man: A Novel of the 1927 Santa Claus Bank Robbery.

 

I was thrilled that the book received a 2024 Spur Award from the Western Writers of America and a 2024 Will Rogers Medallion Award.

 

Here’s a photo of me with Craig Johnson, who also received a 2024 Spur Award for his latest book in the Longmire series:

Here’s a photo of me with Jane Kirkpatrick, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Many of you probably know Jane for her Christian westerns.

At my website (click here), you can listen to the first chapter of the audiobook and find out where to get the book in all formats.

 

I have a free book on my website called Ten Texas Tales It’s filled with images of the real characters and places that my novel is based on. Click here to find out more.

 

I have several nonfiction books out as a part of my work as a pastor. My most recent project is a series called Bible Portals. The digital format of the first book of that series is permanently 99 cents, so check it out!

 

 You can find all my nonfiction books at my Amazon author page (click here), including a fun Christmas devotional about the four “Christmas carols” of Luke’s Gospel.

 

I write a weekly devotional newsletter on Substack called “Winning Ways.” If you want a quick shot of encouragement from the Word each Thursday, check it out here.

 

I look forward to sharing with you interesting glimpses into Texas life and culture from the late 1800s to the early 1900s!