You might think we're living in an age remarkable for its low level of culture and thought. People on all sides of every …
Continue Reading about Two Ways of Writing “Christian Fantasy”
Monsters from Slavic Mythology: Mermaids, Water Spirits, Vilas
Have you ever heard writers say something strange like, "My characters have minds of their own"? They go on to complain that …
Continue Reading about Monsters from Slavic Mythology: Mermaids, Water Spirits, Vilas
Finding Baba Yaga by Jane Yolen: a Review by Me.
Ok, so Russian fairy tales. My favorites, obviously. And not merely because I grew up with them or because I have to love them due …
Continue Reading about Finding Baba Yaga by Jane Yolen: a Review by Me.
Is Patriotism the Same as Nationalism?
Recently, in a lamentable [unspecified amount] of time lost while scrolling my Facebook feed, I ran across a post from a person …
Continue Reading about Is Patriotism the Same as Nationalism?
Renaissance Man: Seven Inventions of the Russian Leonardo da Vinci
When you think about the great inventors of history, a few names come up: Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Thomas Edison. …
Continue Reading about Renaissance Man: Seven Inventions of the Russian Leonardo da Vinci
Water in Slavic Mythology (Part 2)
Have you ever seen photos of Russians getting in long lines in the middle of winter only to jump into a cut-out in the ice? Have …
Protected: files for audiobook (Book 1)
This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: …
Continue Reading about Protected: files for audiobook (Book 1)
A Russian Cinderella Story: How the Tsar Chose His Bride
Sometimes, truth really is stranger than fiction. Take the story of Cinderella, the quintessential rags to riches story, the …
Continue Reading about A Russian Cinderella Story: How the Tsar Chose His Bride
When evil seems unbeatable…
Have you noticed a strange thing about modern culture? People everywhere are complaining that the world is becoming a more evil …
Water in Slavic Mythology: the Giver of Life and Death, Part 1
Perhaps the most mythologized element in Slavic mythology is water. In my own first novel, The Song of the Sirin, the Water of …
Continue Reading about Water in Slavic Mythology: the Giver of Life and Death, Part 1
Olga, the Viking Queen of the Rus
It seems that Vikings, and everything Viking-related, is internationally popular right now. Take the multi-season History Channel …
5 Fantasy Books to Read at the Beach This Summer
It's that time again. Somehow, despite four nor'easters in the space of a month, the world didn't end. The sun came out again. Our …
Continue Reading about 5 Fantasy Books to Read at the Beach This Summer
A Hero for Our Time: Prince Dimitry Pozharsky
Does the news cycle depress you? Have you lost any hope in the emergence of a hero for our time who might direct our political …
Continue Reading about A Hero for Our Time: Prince Dimitry Pozharsky
Heroes from Slavic Mythology: Russian Warrior Princesses
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I’ve been slowly hammering away at a screenplay based on the life of St. Olga of Kiev. …
Continue Reading about Heroes from Slavic Mythology: Russian Warrior Princesses
I asked you what you thought of my books and blog. Here’s what you said.
Well, it looks like winter's finally done. After a snowstorm on April 30, we've finally made it over the hump. It's been 80 …
Continue Reading about I asked you what you thought of my books and blog. Here’s what you said.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
How often do you see a book cover that doesn't just catch your eye, but makes you go, "Wow!" For me, not so often. But when I …
Continue Reading about The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Anna Dostoyevskaya: the Heart and Soul of Russia’s Greatest Author, Part 3
This week, we conclude the amazing story of Anna Dostoyevskaya, the woman without whom Dostoyevsky would never have written his …
Continue Reading about Anna Dostoyevskaya: the Heart and Soul of Russia’s Greatest Author, Part 3
Anna Dostoyevsky: the Heart of Soul of Russia’s Greatest Author, Part 2
Last week, you were introduced to one of the most fascinating and fruitful romances of literary history. Feodor and Anna …
Continue Reading about Anna Dostoyevsky: the Heart of Soul of Russia’s Greatest Author, Part 2