Taylor Sheridan, the creator behind Yellowstone and Landman, has expanded his storytelling into nonfiction with his first book, How to Not Die in Prison: A Survival Guide. Co-written with longtime friend Tom Nelson, the project blends Sheridan's curiosity with Nelson's firsthand knowledge of life inside correctional facilities.
Nelson spent years in medium- and maximum-security prisons before rebuilding his life, becoming a father, and opening a gym. When that business was hit during the pandemic, Sheridan proposed a book that would organize prison life like a travel guide, using Nelson's experience to explain the language, routines, and unwritten rules of incarceration.
A friendship shaped by training and reinvention
The two met at the same gym in West Hollywood and built a friendship through training sessions and shared discipline. Sheridan wrote the introduction and helped shape the structure, while Nelson spent long hours developing the book's core material. Their collaboration became both a creative partnership and a fresh start for Nelson.
The book uses an accessible format, with sections on terminology, daily life, food, housing, and survival strategies. Sheridan says the idea was to make the subject understandable while also encouraging readers to avoid prison altogether. He also said the project gave him a chance to create something with a direct, positive effect on Nelson's life and his daughter's future.
During the conversation, Sheridan pointed to recidivism as the most striking issue he encountered while researching the topic, noting how important support and practical tools are for people trying to rebuild after incarceration. Nelson, meanwhile, said the project brought back memories but also reflected how far he has come.
Sheridan also shared that writing for Landman continues in parallel, with the third season just beginning to take shape. The book adds another dimension to his creative range, linking entertainment, lived experience, and social awareness in a single project. It may open the door to more cross-genre storytelling that connects culture with real-world insight.
