Normally, I focus on timeless topics, which marketers call “evergreen” content. For example, my episode about Brandon Sanderson’s writing method to restfully write multiple books every year should be as relevant in ten years as it was two weeks ago.   But occasionally, I delve into current events and their impact on authors. In these days of wars, rumors of wars, spy balloons, and pandemics, what will be the impact on publishing? I used to host a drive-time news radio show where I analyzed and discussed the news. I also spend an embarrassing amount of time studying history, and sometimes, I just need to share what I see.  The Four Horsemen  Historically, the four horsemen of the apocalypse have ridden together. War, famine, plague, and death tend to have a causal effect on one another. For example, war causes famine and plague, both of which lead to death. By the same token, plague could cause death, leading to famine and then war as people fight over what little food remains.  In the past several years, we’ve heard the hoofbeats of the four more modern horsemen.  “Pandemic” is the modern term for “plague,” and the Covid pandemic has led to Covid deaths.  War has visited Europe, and there are indications it may visit Asia next.  Famine has visited Africa. “Supply chain issue” is a modern term for what the ancients would have called “famine.” For example, an “egg famine” and “egg supply chain issues” mean fewer and more expensive eggs. Most people survive famines because food is still technically available but becomes very expensive. Another modern word for famine is “inflation.” Modern Translations of The Four Horsemen * Famine -> Inflation * Plague -> Pandemic * Death -> Population Decline * War -> War Never Changes This translation guide allows us to learn from our ancestors who lived through the same kind of hardships we experience today.  Whenever a politician or media personality says “unprecedented,” I roll my eyes. Current events are only unprecedented if you don’t know your history. There is nothing new under the sun.  Typically, hardships caused by the four horsemen are less intense than you think, but they last longer than expected. For example, everyone thinks the troops will be home by Christmas, and they are disappointed every December. We want to believe the next harvest will restore food supplies, but for some reason, the prices remain high. Good Books Help Readers Plow Through Tough Times Authors continue to write books, even during tough times. Famously, Tuchman.pdf">Florence Villani kept writing during the Black Death and died mid-sentence. He kept writing to the end.  More often, times of suffering give birth to enduring works of literature. C.S. Lewis’s most famous works were written during and shortly after WWII. In fact, one of his books was read over the air during the Blitz as bombs fell...