Author Archives: Brian C. Kaufman

Singer Billie Holiday was a known drug user. Harry Anslinger, commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, was a known racist. Anslinger believed that drugs caused black artists to “step out of line.” One song of Billie’s particularly offended him … Continue reading →

The story goes that Willie’s stepmother was sleeping around. Willie’s father caught her with another man and beat her. Seven-year-old Willie Johnson became collateral damage—his stepmother splashed Willie in the eyes with lye water, blinding him for life. Another story … Continue reading →

I used to haunt a little record store across from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Back in the day, I’d sift through stacks of vinyl, looking for something good. One afternoon, I found a four-song EP by bluesman … Continue reading →

Dread Tribunal of Last Resort (Five Star/Cengage) is now available for pre-order at both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Decker Brown is a proud young Virginian, educated in Boston, with plans to manufacture illuminations (fireworks) and raise a family. He … Continue reading →

Sins in Blue is available for pre-order at Amazon.com. A young man on a mission. An aging musician with a dream. Society perched over a racial divide. It’s the 1960s, and nothing reflects the cultural revolution more than music. When Kennedy … Continue reading →

For those of you who follow my writing, 2020 will be an interesting year. Two new books are coming from two different publishing houses. First up is Sins in Blue (May 2020, Black Rose Writing). Young Kennedy Barnes pins his … Continue reading →

I’m pleased to preview the cover for Sins in Blue, a historical novel about a Depression-era blues guitarist. The book will be available in both hardback and softback editions from Black Rose Writing. Here’s some back cover text to give you … Continue reading →

Tracing the roots of my love affair with books, I come back to my mother and father. Let me tell you about some of their tricks. Those of you with children have surely had this shopping experience: “Mom, will you … Continue reading →

Tracing the gateway drugs to my reading addiction, I give a nod to classic series chapter books written for young readers. I’m going to mention three series that I devoured. Two of them were mysteries (it’s a wonder I didn’t … Continue reading →

Albert Kanter was a traveling salesman, born in Russia, who emigrated to the United States in 1904. A lover of books, he had an interesting idea. He would abridge classic literature and print it in comic book form. His goal … Continue reading →