Paul Jariabek
Why does Anna Karenina begin with "Happy families are all alike"?
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
What the Oblonskys' House Quote Reveals in Anna Karenina
"Everything was in confusion in the Oblonskys' house."
What does "The world is a bigger place than the stews" mean in The Blade of Milan?
"The world is a bigger place than the stews. It would be a shame to die here."
Sic Parvis Magna Draft 3 Update
A quick update of Draft 3 of Sic Parvis Magna—the origin story of the future Sir Francis Drake, and Book 1 in my Adventures of Francis Drake historical fiction series. Read below for more information about the book and for the link for more information.
My October 2025 Newsletter is available
I am pleased to restart the publication of my historical fiction newsletters.
Thank you for re-confirming your subscription!
Thank you for re-confirming your subscription!
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey: The Last Knight of a Dead Age
My upcoming historical fiction short story, A Fool's Errand, is set in the summer of 1544. As the English cannons thundered against the walls of Montreuil-sur-Mer, the drama and death of the external conflict masked the head-on collision of two visions of duty and honor---between the romantic chivalry and the harsh realities of a Tudor war. The principal tragic antagonist of the story is the brilliant and volatile Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, whose virtues, twisted by pride and circumstance, nearly destroyed him and catalyzed another man's awakening.
Sic Parvis Magna Update and Tudor War Story News (Sept 2025)
The September 2025 edition of the Historical Fiction Newsletter shares updates on my Tudor-era projects, including progress on the Adventures of Francis Drake novel Sic Parvis Magna and the launch of a new short story, A Fool's Errand, set during the Siege of Montreuil. You'll also find a historical fiction book recommendation about the epic Siege of Malta.
Historical Fiction Newsletters
Read the latest historical fiction newsletters from Paul Jariabek, including writing updates, Tudor-era research notes, new story announcements, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes news from the world of Sic Parvis Magna.
Links
A Tudor Character Sketch: Gregory Trelawney
Gregory Trelawney, a fictional younger son of a Tudor gentry family, takes center stage in an historical fiction short story set during the 1544 Siege of Montreuil. The story explores themes of honor, mortality, and loyalty in the brutal reality of Henry VIII's last campaign. Alongside historical figures like the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Surrey, Trelawney confronts both the folly of command and the cost of survival. His journey becomes not just a tale of battle, but of how war strips away illusion and forces a reckoning with purpose.
Historical Fiction Guest Post Submission Guidelines
These historical fictoin guest post guidelines outline the vision, submission process, and standards for contributing historical fiction content to jariabek.com. They detail accepted content types, rights and licensing terms, editorial requirements, and responsibilities. The page explains how to query, what happens after acceptance, and contributor responsibilities post-publication.