John C. Bruening
@jcbruening.bsky.social
At any given moment: Dad. Husband. Writer. Reader. Editor. Publisher. Marketer. Entrepreneur. Creator.
Pinned
Flinch Books, the small press I co-founded with Jim Beard (@writerjimbeard.bsky.social) in 2015 is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year! If you’re not a Flinch fan already, check us out at www.flinchbooks.com and see what we’re all about!
Scottish novelist and poet Robert Louis Stevenson, born 175 years ago today on November 13, 1850. Author of TREASURE ISLAND (1883), KIDNAPPED (1886), THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1886) and other stories of adventure.
#RobertLouisStevenson #TreasureIsland #DrJekyllAndMrHyde
#RobertLouisStevenson #TreasureIsland #DrJekyllAndMrHyde
November 14, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Scottish novelist and poet Robert Louis Stevenson, born 175 years ago today on November 13, 1850. Author of TREASURE ISLAND (1883), KIDNAPPED (1886), THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1886) and other stories of adventure.
#RobertLouisStevenson #TreasureIsland #DrJekyllAndMrHyde
#RobertLouisStevenson #TreasureIsland #DrJekyllAndMrHyde
One of my favorite swashbuckler films from Hollywood’s golden age, released 85 years ago today (November 8, 1940).
jcbruening.com/z-marks-the-...
#TheMarkOfZorro #TyronePower #classicfilm
jcbruening.com/z-marks-the-...
#TheMarkOfZorro #TyronePower #classicfilm
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
One of my favorite swashbuckler films from Hollywood’s golden age, released 85 years ago today (November 8, 1940).
jcbruening.com/z-marks-the-...
#TheMarkOfZorro #TyronePower #classicfilm
jcbruening.com/z-marks-the-...
#TheMarkOfZorro #TyronePower #classicfilm
Nine years after the fact, my first Midnight Guardian novel (HOUR OF DARKNESS) still gets high marks on Amazon.
#MidnightGuardian #amwriting #FlinchBooks #smallpresspublishing
#MidnightGuardian #amwriting #FlinchBooks #smallpresspublishing
November 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Nine years after the fact, my first Midnight Guardian novel (HOUR OF DARKNESS) still gets high marks on Amazon.
#MidnightGuardian #amwriting #FlinchBooks #smallpresspublishing
#MidnightGuardian #amwriting #FlinchBooks #smallpresspublishing
Spent some time this past week with the editors at RetroFan Magazine (published by TwoMorrows.bsky.social), discussing photography for my upcoming article about a popular toy from my childhood during the late ‘60s. The piece is scheduled to run next summer (Issue #45, July 2026).
#RetroFan
#RetroFan
November 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Spent some time this past week with the editors at RetroFan Magazine (published by TwoMorrows.bsky.social), discussing photography for my upcoming article about a popular toy from my childhood during the late ‘60s. The piece is scheduled to run next summer (Issue #45, July 2026).
#RetroFan
#RetroFan
Jack DeJohnette
1942-2025
In addition to a successful career as a bandleader, this jazz drummer/pianist/composer was a sideman for so many over the course of 60+ years: Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and more.
#JackDeJohnette #jazzdrums
1942-2025
In addition to a successful career as a bandleader, this jazz drummer/pianist/composer was a sideman for so many over the course of 60+ years: Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and more.
#JackDeJohnette #jazzdrums
October 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Jack DeJohnette
1942-2025
In addition to a successful career as a bandleader, this jazz drummer/pianist/composer was a sideman for so many over the course of 60+ years: Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and more.
#JackDeJohnette #jazzdrums
1942-2025
In addition to a successful career as a bandleader, this jazz drummer/pianist/composer was a sideman for so many over the course of 60+ years: Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and more.
#JackDeJohnette #jazzdrums
Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, has been adapted to various media more than 120 times over the decades. My take on the 1941 film version starring Spencer Tracy.
#DrJekyllAndMrHyde #RobertLouisStevenson #SpencerTracy
jcbruening.com/a-tale-of-th...
#DrJekyllAndMrHyde #RobertLouisStevenson #SpencerTracy
jcbruening.com/a-tale-of-th...
October 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, has been adapted to various media more than 120 times over the decades. My take on the 1941 film version starring Spencer Tracy.
#DrJekyllAndMrHyde #RobertLouisStevenson #SpencerTracy
jcbruening.com/a-tale-of-th...
#DrJekyllAndMrHyde #RobertLouisStevenson #SpencerTracy
jcbruening.com/a-tale-of-th...
Lester Dent, born 121 years ago today on October 12, 1904. Author of nearly 160 Doc Savage pulp novels between 1933 and 1949. To say he invented the concept of the superhero would be an overstatement, but he certainly helped define the parameters.
#LesterDent #DocSavage #pulpwriter
#LesterDent #DocSavage #pulpwriter
October 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Lester Dent, born 121 years ago today on October 12, 1904. Author of nearly 160 Doc Savage pulp novels between 1933 and 1949. To say he invented the concept of the superhero would be an overstatement, but he certainly helped define the parameters.
#LesterDent #DocSavage #pulpwriter
#LesterDent #DocSavage #pulpwriter
Diane Keaton
1946-2025
When I think of iconic actresses from the 1970s, this woman is usually the first one who comes to mind.
#DianeKeaton
1946-2025
When I think of iconic actresses from the 1970s, this woman is usually the first one who comes to mind.
#DianeKeaton
October 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Diane Keaton
1946-2025
When I think of iconic actresses from the 1970s, this woman is usually the first one who comes to mind.
#DianeKeaton
1946-2025
When I think of iconic actresses from the 1970s, this woman is usually the first one who comes to mind.
#DianeKeaton
Elmore Leonard, born 100 years ago on October 11, 1925. Before the crime fiction, he spent several years writing westerns. Regardless of genre, he was an excellent storyteller.
jcbruening.com/going-west-w...
#ElmoreLeonard #crimefiction #westernfiction
jcbruening.com/going-west-w...
#ElmoreLeonard #crimefiction #westernfiction
October 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Elmore Leonard, born 100 years ago on October 11, 1925. Before the crime fiction, he spent several years writing westerns. Regardless of genre, he was an excellent storyteller.
jcbruening.com/going-west-w...
#ElmoreLeonard #crimefiction #westernfiction
jcbruening.com/going-west-w...
#ElmoreLeonard #crimefiction #westernfiction
Submitted the final draft of my 2K-word article to RetroFan Magazine (twomorrows.bsky.social) this week. It’ll be a few months before it sees the light of day, but I have plenty to work on between now and then.
#RetroFanMagazine #TwoMorrowsPublishing #amwriting
#RetroFanMagazine #TwoMorrowsPublishing #amwriting
October 4, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Submitted the final draft of my 2K-word article to RetroFan Magazine (twomorrows.bsky.social) this week. It’ll be a few months before it sees the light of day, but I have plenty to work on between now and then.
#RetroFanMagazine #TwoMorrowsPublishing #amwriting
#RetroFanMagazine #TwoMorrowsPublishing #amwriting
Seventy years ago this morning (October 3, 1955), this guy beamed into American living rooms for the very first time.
#CaptainKangaroo #childrenstelevision
jcbruening.com/o-captain-my...
#CaptainKangaroo #childrenstelevision
jcbruening.com/o-captain-my...
October 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Seventy years ago this morning (October 3, 1955), this guy beamed into American living rooms for the very first time.
#CaptainKangaroo #childrenstelevision
jcbruening.com/o-captain-my...
#CaptainKangaroo #childrenstelevision
jcbruening.com/o-captain-my...
Finished reading Ron Goulart’s comprehensive history of pulp-era detective fiction (roughly 1920 to 1950). I never know which I find more fascinating — the fictional characters or the writers who created them.
#detectivepulps #detectivefiction #crimefiction #RonGoulart
jcbruening.com/hardboiled-h...
#detectivepulps #detectivefiction #crimefiction #RonGoulart
jcbruening.com/hardboiled-h...
October 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Finished reading Ron Goulart’s comprehensive history of pulp-era detective fiction (roughly 1920 to 1950). I never know which I find more fascinating — the fictional characters or the writers who created them.
#detectivepulps #detectivefiction #crimefiction #RonGoulart
jcbruening.com/hardboiled-h...
#detectivepulps #detectivefiction #crimefiction #RonGoulart
jcbruening.com/hardboiled-h...
October 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM
September 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Writers: What do we have in the pipeline this weekend?
Me: One magazine article, one blog post, one novel, no cigarette.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
Me: One magazine article, one blog post, one novel, no cigarette.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
September 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Writers: What do we have in the pipeline this weekend?
Me: One magazine article, one blog post, one novel, no cigarette.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
Me: One magazine article, one blog post, one novel, no cigarette.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
Thomas Perry
1947-2025
Edgar Award winning author of mysteries and crime thrillers, including ten novels in the acclaimed Jane Whitfield series.
“I don’t think the problem is that people don’t read enough mystery books, but that people don’t read.”
#ThomasPerry #crimefiction #JaneWhiitefield
1947-2025
Edgar Award winning author of mysteries and crime thrillers, including ten novels in the acclaimed Jane Whitfield series.
“I don’t think the problem is that people don’t read enough mystery books, but that people don’t read.”
#ThomasPerry #crimefiction #JaneWhiitefield
September 16, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Thomas Perry
1947-2025
Edgar Award winning author of mysteries and crime thrillers, including ten novels in the acclaimed Jane Whitfield series.
“I don’t think the problem is that people don’t read enough mystery books, but that people don’t read.”
#ThomasPerry #crimefiction #JaneWhiitefield
1947-2025
Edgar Award winning author of mysteries and crime thrillers, including ten novels in the acclaimed Jane Whitfield series.
“I don’t think the problem is that people don’t read enough mystery books, but that people don’t read.”
#ThomasPerry #crimefiction #JaneWhiitefield
Blues titan B.B. King, born 100 years ago today on September 16, 1925. Rolling Stone ranked him at number 8 on its 2023 list of “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Check out the link for a few memories from my 1995 interview with B.B.
#BBKing #blues #guitarblues
jcbruening.com/a-call-from-...
#BBKing #blues #guitarblues
jcbruening.com/a-call-from-...
September 16, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Blues titan B.B. King, born 100 years ago today on September 16, 1925. Rolling Stone ranked him at number 8 on its 2023 list of “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Check out the link for a few memories from my 1995 interview with B.B.
#BBKing #blues #guitarblues
jcbruening.com/a-call-from-...
#BBKing #blues #guitarblues
jcbruening.com/a-call-from-...
This family went into space on September 15, 1965. Sixty years later, they’re still lost. Some thoughts about what went off course during their 3-year adventure (it wasn’t just their ship), and why fans keep following them so many years later.
#LostInSpace #classicTV
jcbruening.com/sixty-years-...
#LostInSpace #classicTV
jcbruening.com/sixty-years-...
September 15, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This family went into space on September 15, 1965. Sixty years later, they’re still lost. Some thoughts about what went off course during their 3-year adventure (it wasn’t just their ship), and why fans keep following them so many years later.
#LostInSpace #classicTV
jcbruening.com/sixty-years-...
#LostInSpace #classicTV
jcbruening.com/sixty-years-...
Writers: I haven’t tossed this question out in a while, but what are we working on this weekend?
Me: A first draft of a novel, a magazine article, and a couple blog posts that’ll go live later this month.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
Me: A first draft of a novel, a magazine article, and a couple blog posts that’ll go live later this month.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
September 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Writers: I haven’t tossed this question out in a while, but what are we working on this weekend?
Me: A first draft of a novel, a magazine article, and a couple blog posts that’ll go live later this month.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
Me: A first draft of a novel, a magazine article, and a couple blog posts that’ll go live later this month.
You: ???
#writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writinglife
New from @writerjimbeard.bsky.social and #BeckyBooks. Scary season is right around the corner. And it’s a dark corner, with low-hanging trees and creepy things lurking in the shadows. So beware. #horror #pulp #Halloween
FEEL THE FEAR AND BUY IT ANYWAY!
SHUDDER STORIES: CORPUS VILE is now alive in print and eBook on Amazon! It’s alive! ALIVE! #horror #pulp #amselfpublishing #BeckyBooks #Halloween
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ31C3GP
SHUDDER STORIES: CORPUS VILE is now alive in print and eBook on Amazon! It’s alive! ALIVE! #horror #pulp #amselfpublishing #BeckyBooks #Halloween
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ31C3GP
September 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
New from @writerjimbeard.bsky.social and #BeckyBooks. Scary season is right around the corner. And it’s a dark corner, with low-hanging trees and creepy things lurking in the shadows. So beware. #horror #pulp #Halloween
September 6 is National Read a Book Day. I’ve been slowly working my way through this overview of the hardboiled detectives of the pulp era (roughly 1920 to 1950) and the writers who brought them to life every month.
What are you reading?
#NationalReadABookDay #detectivefiction #crimefiction
What are you reading?
#NationalReadABookDay #detectivefiction #crimefiction
September 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
September 6 is National Read a Book Day. I’ve been slowly working my way through this overview of the hardboiled detectives of the pulp era (roughly 1920 to 1950) and the writers who brought them to life every month.
What are you reading?
#NationalReadABookDay #detectivefiction #crimefiction
What are you reading?
#NationalReadABookDay #detectivefiction #crimefiction
Edgar Rice Burroughs, born 150 years ago today on September 1, 1875. Burroughs created characters and worlds that have endured for more than 100 years. An inspiration not just because of what he wrote, but because of how he recogized the importance of doing the work.
jcbruening.com/erb-at-150-s...
jcbruening.com/erb-at-150-s...
September 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Edgar Rice Burroughs, born 150 years ago today on September 1, 1875. Burroughs created characters and worlds that have endured for more than 100 years. An inspiration not just because of what he wrote, but because of how he recogized the importance of doing the work.
jcbruening.com/erb-at-150-s...
jcbruening.com/erb-at-150-s...
STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR (1940), considered by some historians to be the first true film noir, was released 85 years ago this week. Peter Lorre’s bulging eyes are two of the movie’s biggest stars.
#StrangerOnTheThirdFloor #PeterLorre #filmnoir #classicfilm
#StrangerOnTheThirdFloor #PeterLorre #filmnoir #classicfilm
Third-Floor Noir | John C. Bruening
jcbruening.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR (1940), considered by some historians to be the first true film noir, was released 85 years ago this week. Peter Lorre’s bulging eyes are two of the movie’s biggest stars.
#StrangerOnTheThirdFloor #PeterLorre #filmnoir #classicfilm
#StrangerOnTheThirdFloor #PeterLorre #filmnoir #classicfilm
VJ Day! Eighty years ago today — August 15, 1945 — Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies marked the end of World War II. For the remainder of the 20th century and beyond, the world was forever changed.
#VJDay #WorldWarII
#VJDay #WorldWarII
War Is Over | John C. Bruening
jcbruening.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM
VJ Day! Eighty years ago today — August 15, 1945 — Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies marked the end of World War II. For the remainder of the 20th century and beyond, the world was forever changed.
#VJDay #WorldWarII
#VJDay #WorldWarII