Write Now with Scrivener Episode 59: Brad Bigelow, Biographer
Feb 4, 2026
Brad Bigelow, biographer and advocate for neglected books, wrote Virginia Faulkner: A Life in Two Acts and runs recovery projects for out-of-print works. He talks about uncovering Faulkner’s letters, research pivots during COVID, using Scrivener to assemble archival material, choosing a readable fragmented chapter structure, and efforts to republish and promote overlooked writers.
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Episode notes
Discovery Of Virginia Faulkner
- Brad Bigelow discovered Virginia Faulkner and knew most people had never heard of her.
- He emphasizes her lack of relation to William Faulkner and her Lincoln, Nebraska roots.
Military And NATO Background
- Brad recounts his Air Force upbringing and later NATO work at SHAPE doing IT and special access programs.
- He frames the roles as impressive but not mysterious, joking that NATO has no great secrets.
Use Benefits To Reach New Education Goals
- Use educational benefits and international programs creatively when returning to school.
- Brad explains how he used GI Bill rights to attend a one-year biography master's at the University of East Anglia.
