Click the Image to Order!
Lucien Fewell shot James Clark after he apparently ran off with Lucien's 16-year-old sister. The murder trial that followed featured two Confederate generals and a former Virginia governor. What was the verdict? (also on Amazon.com)
Author Archives: arwenbicknell
Bread and Circuses
Well, actually just the latter. In early May of 1872, the circus came to Washington, D.C.—and not just the usual political circus. This one was P.T. Barnum’s, and it featured the “famous horse-riding goat ‘Alexis,’ the wonderful snake-charmer,” and “four wild … Continue reading
Posted in History
Leave a comment
Hot Lava
Everyone has heard of Pompeii, I think. (At least, you should have.) Wiped out by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, it’s one of the more famous natural-disaster tourist attractions. But did you know that Mount Vesuvius wasn’t content with that … Continue reading
Posted in History, Nonfiction
Leave a comment
It’s Official!
It only took a year or so, but I can officially say that my book will see the light of day! I am now the proud signer of a contract with Open Books, which produces a whole swath of interesting material. … Continue reading
Posted in Nonfiction, Perseverance, Publishing
Leave a comment
Today in 1872: Dry Milk Day
If you love Doritos, Kraft Mac and Cheese, or powdered cheese popcorn, you can thank Samuel Percy. On this date in 1872, Dr. Percy patented the process to create dried (or powdered) milk, which eventually gave rise to all that … Continue reading
A Murder of Crows, a Desire of Suitors…
What do you call a gathering of writers? A neurosis? A penury? An ego? This weekend, for me, it was called the Virginia Festival of the Book. We went last year when my husband talked about his book, and we … Continue reading
Posted in Promotion
Leave a comment
New Ideas
It is funny how things fall into my path and I think they’d be great ideas for books. (After so many completed projects turning out to be apparent nonstarters, I’m starting to question my judgment, but we’ll set that aside.) … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration
Leave a comment
History Stuff
I just finished listening to Astoria by Peter Stark, and this book is incredible. I’m tempted to try to make my 13-year-old read it; it’s that engaging and interesting. (And there’s a really great description of scalping and scalping victims in … Continue reading
Posted in History
Leave a comment
What’s Next?
While I’m sitting around waiting for someone to publish the book I’ve written, I vacillate between thinking I should start on the next project and thinking, “Why bother? Nobody’s taking this one, who’d take the next one? Wouldn’t my time be … Continue reading
Posted in History, Inspiration
Leave a comment
No News Is Good News
I’m still waiting to hear from two of the six publishers I queried last month. I am choosing to believe that they have not replied yet because an outright rejection would take less time. Meanwhile, I came up with a … Continue reading
I’m No Expert
I have spent three weeks trying to finish two beautifully written books, one by David Mamet and one by Simon Winchester. Such writing leaves me alternately inspired and despairing: Look what a person can do with words! I will never … Continue reading
Posted in Process
Leave a comment
Arwen Adams Bicknell 