The problem of power and personality is one that has fascinated people from the beginning of history. We are going to through our …
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Heroes from Slavic Mythology: Ivan the Idiot (or the Genius?!)
This week has been even more distressing than usual. And it’s been a pretty distressing year. Frequent terrorist attacks, a …
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How to Self Publish a Book: The Story of My Novel
The Story of My Novel Part I In a psychedelic cafe in Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, a Sirin came and sang to me. (well, …
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The strange tale of how Napoleon’s soldiers became Cossacks
You know that scene in Godfather II where young Vito is given the last name “Corleone” by the American border guard, only because …
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The Coronation of Nicholas II: Triumph and Tragedy
The problem of ideal government has bothered people for millennia. Perhaps until very recently, some people might have considered …
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One month left until I self publish my first book!
Tomorrow is a great day. Not only is it "Love a Tree Day," but also "National Sea Monkey Day." I don't know about you, but when I …
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“Moscow is the Third Rome”: a pivotal moment in Russian history?
My first novel The Song of the Sirin imagines a strange scenario: what if the early Russians were the chosen people of God? What …
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Nicholas II, the Armenian Genocide, and Donald Trump
Refugees have been on a lot of people's minds lately. First it was the waves upon waves of refugees escaping the horrors of …
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Radonitsa: How Russians Give Joy to Their Dead
As much as my stories are traditional historical fantasies set in a mythical early Rus, the events and characters are equally …
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Villains of Slavic Mythology: Koshchei the Deathless
This week we're continuing the theme of "the invisible world in Slavic mythology." After the hero has passed the trials of Baba …
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Slavic Mythology Spotlight: The Tale of St. Theodore the Tyro
Babies are the best storytellers. Uninhibited by any rules, they freely mash up everything they know into amazing works of …
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Adam’s Expulsion from Eden: Eternity Lost
Did you notice the change in the air? It smells different. Spring's coming for sure now, at least here in Belarus. I'm always …
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Maslenitsa: the meaning, history, and traditions of “Russian Mardi Gras”
Russians generally have a bad rap as being dour and grumpy. Some Russians will even agree with this characterization, making a …
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The Battle of the Ugra: How Rus Threw Off the Tatar Yoke
It was late autumn, 1480 AD. Russian warriors, under the command of Grand Prince Ivan III, stood on the banks of the River Ugra. …
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The Meeting of the Lord: Old Russia’s Groundhog Day
Did you know that Groundhog Day is also a Russian holiday? Ok, not exactly, but February 2 (which is celebrated today on the …
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The problem of Church and state: Russia in 1917
A major theme in my first novel, A Lamentation of Sirin, is the difficult relationship between Church and state. It seems clear to …
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How old Russian words hilariously change their meanings
One of the more fascinating articles I've read recently is one about "untranslatable emotions" in different languages. I was …
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Why do Russians insist on the name “Holy Russia”?
A reader of my first attempt at writing a novel noticed that I seemed to be obsessed with the idea of American …
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