Author Archives: Brian Bixby

Unknown's avatar

About Brian Bixby

I enjoy history because it helps me understand people. I'm writing fiction for much the same reason.

Review: Russell Kirk, Ancestral Shadows

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Brian Bixby

There are devils that lead to your downfall, and there are devils that make you extend yourself. My reader Judy of Janthina Images is of the latter kind. Knowing that my personal politics are a bit left, she sent me … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Chapter 13 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Emily Fisher may have a clue that points to Alex Bancroft, the Prophesied One, as the killer of High Councilor Stephen Nash. So she’s less that thrilled to run into Alex before she’s had a chance to investigate further. It turns … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fictional religious communities

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Brian Bixby

There have been a lot of fictional religious communities. The Children of the New Revelation in my running serial Prophecies and Penalties are hardly the first. So I thought I’d take a look at four examples, two from the 19th century, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Reading fiction, Reviews, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Chapter 12 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Brian Bixby

On one hand, Emily Fisher should be congratulating herself. Quasopon’s police chief, her old friend Bonnie Knowles, told her the only way to solve High Council member Stephen Nash’s murder was to get involved in the affairs of the Children … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bad movie night, cinematic history, and “Salem”

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Brian Bixby

We have a tradition in my household of holding “bad movie nights.” These are evening when we bring together a number of friends of humorous (or at least sarcastic) disposition. Once together, and properly provided with food and alcohol, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Chapter 11 of Prophecies and Penalties, and a musical interlude

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Not everything among the Children of the New Revelation is benign, and even benign things can sting, as Emily Fisher finds out in “Hazards,” chapter 11 of Prophecies and Penalties, my weekly serial about a murder investigation set in a Vermont … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

A birthday, a discovery: Elaine May

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Elaine May (born April 21, 1932) is one of those people I’d heard about, but didn’t really know about. Which is not surprising, because her career was at its peak when I was very young. By the time I grew … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Chapter 10 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Brian Bixby

You ever have one of those days when you don’t seem to be making any progress, and nothing comes out right? Well, that’s been Emily Fisher’s day so far. She’s encountered a half-sister she’s not sure she wants to have, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Brian Bixby

There seems to be a rule that “popular” writers are disdained by critics, if not in their lifetime then shortly after they die. After a few decades, if they’re lucky, some influential critics says, in effect, “Although I’m not supposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Chapter Nine of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Stephen Nash is dead, and the Prophesied One, Alex Bancroft, is the main suspect. How does one question a religious leader named in an age-old prophecy? Especially when he denies being the Prophesied One? Emily Fisher would like to know, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment