Paul Jariabek's Historical Fiction Blog

A curated collection of historical fiction essays, explorations of characters, and reflections times past.

Welcome to my Historical Fiction Blog—a space to lose themselves in stories of the past.

Here you’ll find historical fiction essays and posts exploring periods in history, worlds that existed, characters that lived in them, and behind-the-scenes reflections.

Dig into the archives!

Explore the plot, characters, and settings of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna, and read the first chapter.

Learn More about the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Discover Sic Parvis Magna, an immersive historical fiction novel of Francis Drake's youth—great books to read with life-like characters and rich detail.

Step aboard the Tiger and embark on a gripping high-seas adventure that charts the formative years of England’s greatest naval legend. The year is 1548. Religious turmoil grips Tudor England as Protestant reformers clash with the old Catholic order. As England lurches between monarchs and …...

Who and What's real in the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Who and What's real in the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Explore the real historical figures behind Sic Parvis Magna. Discover what's fact, what's fiction, and how truth fuels great historical fiction.

I am a particular fan of reading history. While events that occurred so long ago, in an age where records were kept only of the most important matters, historical accuracy is challenging, some records still exist. Wherever possible, I tried to balance historical accuracy to provide an interesting, …...

Cover of historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna in an e-reader

The Opening Scenes of the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Read Chapter 1 of Sic Parvis Magna, a gripping historical fiction debut where young Francis Drake flees rebellion, betrayal, and fire on the path to legend.

Cover of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina

Experience Tolstoy's Anna Karenina—a tragic tale of forbidden love and social constraint in Imperial Russia, widely considered one of the greatest novels ever written.

Portrait of Lev (Leo) Tolstoy in 1848. Image credit: by Pavel Biryukov - https://archive.org/details/leotolstoyhislif00biriiala, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11656719

Tolstoy's War: The Chill of Napoleon's False Shadow

Discover why Leo Tolstoy remains essential reading for historical fiction fans—his epic vision, moral insight, and war stories still shape the genre today.

Cover of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace

Discover Tolstoy's War and Peace—an epic tale of love, war, and Russian society during the Napoleonic era that remains one of literature's greatest achievements.

Cover of the historical fiction novel Nova Albion Adventure by Paul Jariabek

Historical Fiction Novel Nova Albion Adventure By Paul Jariabek

Discover the secret voyage of Francis Drake—mutiny, Spanish spies, and a deadly hunt for the Northern Passage in a high‑stakes clash of empires.

Modified portrait of Sir Brian Tuke, originally painted by Holbein, with memento mori theme for Tudor England historical fiction post about Francis Drake and Sic Parvis Magna.

Memento Mori: Death, Fear, and Power in Tudor England and Francis Drake's Voyages

Death haunted Tudor England. Explore how memento mori, Francis Drake's dangerous voyages, and religious fear shape the conflict in my historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Cover of the historical fiction novel First Blood by Paul Jariabek

Historical Fiction Novel First Blood By Paul Jariabek

A thrilling historical fiction novel of Francis Drake's daring raids and the vengeful persosnal war against the Spanish crown.

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Escape from Tavistock

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Engraving of the Drakes at a family dinner, discussing the latest developments at Tavistock. Part of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Family Dinner

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Historical map of Plymouth in 1540, showing Tudor-era harbor defenses, ships, and church towers—an evocative glimpse into the setting of great historical fiction adventures.

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—First Impressions of Plymouth

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Francis Sees Hawkins's Affairs

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Imagined portrait of the young Francis Drake, protagonist of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Going On Delivery

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Good News

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—History of Hawkins

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Life at Plymouth

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—Sailing in Plymouth Sound

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

Imagined ingraving of a friend of the young Francis Drake,on a rural English farm, accusing Drake of being a heretic. Part of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Sic Parvis Magna Sample Chapter—The Heretic

Read the first chapter of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna for free

The Last Song - Historical Flash Fiction

The Last Song - Historical Flash Fiction

In this historical flash fiction piece, a low-born musician Mark Smeaton strums a treasonous melody in the court of Henry VIII...

A youthful Francis Drake before a darkening sea and English galleons—evoking his early adventures and the central theme of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Who Was Francis Drake? Exploring the Legend Behind the Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

Historical Fiction spotlight on Francis Drake: explore his daring voyages, privateering, and complex legacy that inspire the novel Sic Parvis Magna

Portrait of Historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna villain pirate captain Guichenot.

Historical Fiction Villain Sketch of Pirate Captain Guy Alfonse Guichenot

Uncover the untold story of Captain Guichenot, a ruthless 16th-century villain cut from the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.

Portrait of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna villain James Reynard, contemplating in his cabin.

Historical Fiction Villain Sketch of James Reynard

Historical Fiction fans: meet James Reynard, a bitter orphan turned killer in Tudor England. Discover his dark past before the novel Sic Parvis Magna

Historical illustration of Sir Francis Drake, Tudor privateer and explorer, with his coat of arms and the Sic Parvis Magna motto — a symbol of greatness from small beginnings — inspiring historical fiction about Francis Drake's naval adventures.

The Meaning of Sic Parvis Magna

Sic Parvis Magna means "greatness from small beginnings." Explore its origin, Francis Drake's rise, and how it inspires my historical fiction series.

An experiment in creating AI-generated illustrations and art for historical fiction. Pencil sketch image of galleons in a storm.

AI-Generated Illustrations for Historical Fiction: A Visual Experiment

Can AI create compelling images for historical fiction? A visual experiment using 16th-century prompts, pirates, and Francis Drake.

Cover of the historical fiction short story Retribution by Paul Jariabek

Historical Fiction Short Story Retribution By Paul Jariabek

In Retribution, young Francis Drake joins a cut-out raid in 1557, shaping his path to piracy. Read this vivid naval historical fiction tale.