Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: February 14th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Standing Up to Power: Lyn Bixby on The Pacifist
On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I sit down with Vermont author and Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Lyn Bixby, whose debut novel The Pacifist takes readers back to the fall of 1968—the deadliest year of the Vietnam War for Americans.
The book centers on Lisa Thompson, a back-to-the-land Vermonter cutting firewood on her family farm when a stranger named Johnny Dollar shows up to warn her that the FBI may be investigating her brother Chris, a Boston anti-war activist who’s just been drafted. Chris refuses induction at an Army base and is soon taken away in an ambulance. The Army calls it an accident. Lisa doesn’t believe them. Her search for the truth pulls her into a labyrinth of lies, corruption, and violence as she confronts both the Army and the FBI.
Bixby draws on his own history—drafted after graduating from Colby College, service in the Army, and a long career as an investigative reporter—to build a historical thriller about resisting government power gone bad and the personal cost of speaking out.
You can learn more about Lyn and sign up for updates at LynBixby.com, and pick up The Pacifist wherever you buy books
Pancakes, Strings, and Story: Melissa Perley’s The Violin Family
On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I chat with Vermont author, professional cellist, and farmer Melissa Perley, whose debut picture book The Violin Family turns the string section into a warm, musical household. Readers meet Basil the Bass, Celia the Violoncello, “Bizzy” the Viola, and Val and Violet the Violins, who love to make music together and then gather around the table for pancake breakfast with local maple syrup.
When Violet has an accident during a performance and needs to visit the luthier, kids get a gentle, accessible look at how instruments are cared for and repaired—and what it feels like when one member of the “family” is out of commission. The book pairs playful personalities with real information about the anatomy and roles of each stringed instrument, making it a natural fit for families, school libraries, and music classrooms.
In our conversation, Melissa talks about life at Paul Perley Cellos, her work as a teaching and performing cellist, and how her sequel The Violin Family Plays New Music brings in Clarence the Clarinet to explore inclusion, friendship, and the joy of new sounds.
Project Update: Slow, but Still Moving Forward
Things are still slow going with Appliance, but there’s definitely forward momentum. I haven’t been able to dedicate long stretches of time to it, yet I’m continuing to chip away—revisiting sections, making small edits, and refining ideas as they come up.
Even these incremental steps help keep the project alive and moving. It may not be fast progress, but it’s steady, and that consistency feels important right now. Little by little, Appliance continues to take shape, and I’m comfortable letting it move at the pace the season allows.
Book Review: The Violin Family Plays New Music – A Story of Music, Friendship, and Harmony
The Violin Family Plays New Music by Melissa Perley is a warm, joyful picture book that gently introduces young readers to the power of music and friendship through a charming story set on a cold, snowy day. The book continues the delightful world of the violin family and adds a meaningful lesson about openness and inclusion.
In this story, Celia Violoncello meets her neighbor Clarence Clarinet, a woodwind who looks and sounds different from anyone in her string family. At first, Celia’s family doesn’t understand Clarence—he’s a different shape, a different color, and doesn’t even have strings! But when they hear the beautiful new music the two make together, their hearts open. The violin family welcomes Clarence, and they celebrate with pancakes and hot cocoa, showing that differences can bring harmony rather than division.
The book’s message is simple but powerful: connection and creativity can help us bridge divides and form new friendships. The story has been described by readers as “cute” and touching on the idea that even if someone seems different, that doesn’t mean they don’t belong.
Illustrations throughout give life and personality to the instruments, making the experience both engaging and relatable for children. And with its setting unfolding on a wintry day, it conveys a cozy, communal feeling that fits perfectly with the theme of music bringing people together.
The Violin Family Plays New Music is a lovely book for introducing young readers to music, friendship, and the joys of working with others—even when they’re different from you. It’s heartfelt, educational, and full of harmony.
Personal Update: Cold Nights, Full Schedules, and Looking Ahead
It was another miserably cold week, the kind where winter really digs in and doesn’t let up. On top of that, we had four basketball games to broadcast, with three more coming up this next week. Basketball season always brings energy, but it also brings a lot of late nights—and this stretch has definitely been heavy on those.
I’ve also been spending time working on getting the internet station up and running for the year. It’s one of those projects that quietly takes a lot of attention behind the scenes, but it’s important as we keep building out what the station can be. Alongside that, we’re starting to think more intentionally about how to get younger folks engaged with the paper. Radio has been a little easier on that front, while newspapers take more thoughtful effort to reach new generations.
The late nights from the games have made it tougher to be home with the kids as much as I’d like, and that’s been weighing on me a bit. It’s part of the season, but it’s also a reminder of how much juggling is going on right now.
Cold weather, long days, and big plans ahead—still moving forward, even if a bit tired doing it.
Cold Mornings mean sitting on top of the floor vent to enjoy the heat!
Jordan showing off her homemade bedroom for her homemade stuffy! Winter crafting keeps her busy!
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
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