S.D. McPhail's Blog, page 4
November 2, 2016
Ancient Libraries
Not long after ancient people discovered writing, they also discovered the need to store all those handy written records. Whatever form the writing took—clay tablets, papyrus scrolls, parchment books—if it was thought to be important, they were collected and kept … Continue reading →
October 26, 2016
NerdCon 2016
This past weekend, October 22-23, was filled with all kinds of nerdy awesomeness! Two days of NerdCon at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library brought out some lovely, creative, and smart people of all ages and fans of all things … Continue reading →
October 19, 2016
Ancient Underground Cities
The Cappadocia region of central Anatolia in Turkey earned a World Heritage site designation some time ago for its underground cities. They’ve been there for millennia, but most were forgotten when they were no longer needed for protection from invaders. … Continue reading →
October 12, 2016
Ancient Persians Invented Pizza
How do you define “pizza”? Today’s modern version is basically a flat, baked bread crust covered with tomato sauce and cheese and a range of toppings from meats to vegetables to fruits. Is it still pizza if you take away … Continue reading →
October 5, 2016
When Did Cats Become Pets?
When did cats become pets? Continue reading →
September 28, 2016
The Origin Key: Read a FREE Excerpt
Read a free excerpt of my sword-and-science fantasy adventure, Treasures of Dodrazeb: The Origin Key Continue reading →
September 21, 2016
Amazing Ancient Architects
For most, the word “pyramid” conjures images of ancient Egypt and the Pyramids of Giza. But other ancient cultures also boasted magnificent architecture. The Mayans of the Yucatan Peninsula left behind a vast urban complex at Chichen Itza that includes … Continue reading →
September 14, 2016
Authors Expo and a Geek Gab Podcast
Saturday, September 10 was a busy day for me. Representing Silver Empire Publishing, my friend Russell Newquist and I participated in the Huntsville Madison County Library’s Southern Authors Expo. It was a full day of meeting and chatting with readers … Continue reading →
September 7, 2016
Ancient Urkesh: The Real Thing
I write historical fantasy adventure, but the archaeologists working to study and preserve ancient sites are the true heroes. Unique and priceless sites like Urkesh are in danger of being destroyed because of war and political turmoil before we can … Continue reading →
August 31, 2016
Oooh! (BOOM!) Ahhh! The History of Fireworks
It’s common knowledge that fireworks originated in China, but like many marvelous inventions, it was an accidental discovery. History tells us that alchemists attempting to develop an elixir for immortality tried a recipe of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate … Continue reading →
