Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an independent scholar/historian here in Lubbock, Texas, and I specialize in oil and agricultural/ranching history. I’ve published three books (in digital and paperback form) since moving back to Lubbock in June 2018. Much of the work I do is based on research conducted at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University here in Lubbock. I enjoy studying the interplay between oil and ranching, especially as the oil industry began to branch out into petrochemicals–stuff like plastics and natural gas that help store and heat our homes.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest one is titled Fueling Victory at Home. 2020 marks 75 years since the end of World War II. A forgotten aspect of how America won the war from the homefront involves the role of oil. The less onerous government regulations were in limiting oil production, the more robust economic growth was at the local, state, and federal level. In our modern lexicon, “Drill, baby, drill!” is a succinct way of stating this concept. But that phrase has, unfortunately, been taken; so, I can’t take credit for it.
This book originally started as a series of article drafts I submitted to academic journals at various times between 2017-9. This one, in particular, grew out of an article I started working on in April 2018. But, last February, i’m sitting at home after getting a rejection letter from the Journal of American History and thought, “I could continue pursuing this as an article for the next two or three years, or… I could pursue this as a book.” So, I put aside all of my article drafts and, after publishing my first two books, put this one together.
The timing for the book is really, really good. As mentioned, there’s the 75th anniversary of World War II. The Mallet Ranch, which is located southwest of Lubbock (so about halfway between Albuquerque and the D/FW Metroplex), has been in operation in some capacity for 125 years (as of 2020).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about unusual, but I’ll say this: You have to put in the time and the work when researching books like this. Once you sit down and write it, you find out that writing a book isn’t some out-of-body, mystical experience. Writing a book is a collection of a bunch of times where you might think, “OK, I’ve got 30 minutes,” or, “I’ve got 45 minutes, and I need to see what I can accomplish in this limited amount of time.” You might have 500-800 words at the end of that half-hour. String together a bunch of these 500-to-800-word increments, and you have a couple of chapters (or more) at the end of the month. I guess the best way to describe it is, chip away at the book and keep moving!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gary Libecap influences a lot of my thinking on the relationship between business and government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He’s an economic historian who’s published quite a few articles. In terms of oil history, I’d say Roger Olien and Diana Hinton, who have written quite a few works on Texas oil history. Agricultural history: I like David Wheelock. Again, another scholar who’s published works on how government intervention actually hurt banking.
What are you working on now?
I’m drafting a book on the railroads in West Texas after the 1920s. I won’t give away details at this time, but check for something about mid-2020. I can see, at this time, me publishing one more book late this or early next year as well as two more in 2021.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m still learning. I’ve been interviewed by a guy named Robert Pratt, who used to serve as the county GOP chairman here in Lubbock. That was back in the summer of 2019 when I published my first book, Frank Isett: and the Myth of the Wealthy Oilamn.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Put in the work in the archives. Chip away at the writing. Love what you do.
Be humble. I was interviewed by Pratt on a radio show broadcasting from Lubbock. I didn’t know I’d get to be interviewed until two days prior. And I thought I’d have no chance of being interviewed. So, new authors: Work hard. You’re not special. Opportunities are not frequent in most cases; no one has to promote your book. Don’t feel like you’re entitled to anything. When opportunities to promote your work come along, do a great job. Say “please” and “thank you.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust God and work hard.
What are you reading now?
I’ve really not read much of anything related to my research. In fact, I’ve put much of my energy (when not at my day job, unrelated to my writing) into drafting these books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Look for a new book, as I’ve said, later on this year and 1-2 more in 2021. I’d like to see about putting 10 in print by 2023.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d take the Bible, I’d take That Noble Dream by Peter Novick, and a to-be-determined oil history book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Day Website
Matthew Day Amazon Profile