Brad Buchanan
@bradthechimera.bsky.social
Poet, writer of nonfiction and fiction, chess fan, cancer survivor and graft versus host disease patient. Author of SPY’S MATE: A NOVEL Order your copy now through bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Spy%E2%80%99s+mate+Brad+Buchanan
Pinned
I have a new book of poems coming out in 2026, and it is now available for preordering. Its title is The Birds of Poverty Ridge, and the cover art (see below) is by my daughter Nora. It would be wonderful if people ordered their copies now. Thank you l!
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
I had the honor of talking to Marco Ciapelli about SPY'S MATE, soccer, writing, and other fun topics on his Audio Signals Podcast. youtu.be/ib36bVcYbmw
Chess, Spies & Cold War: Bradley W. Buchanan on His Debut Novel Spy's Mate | On Audio Signals
YouTube video by ITSPmagazine
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I had the honor of talking to Marco Ciapelli about SPY'S MATE, soccer, writing, and other fun topics on his Audio Signals Podcast. youtu.be/ib36bVcYbmw
Chess, Spies & Cold War: Bradley W. Buchanan on His Debut Novel Spy's Mate | On Audio Signals
YouTube video by ITSPmagazine
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I had the honor of talking to Marco Ciapelli about SPY'S MATE, soccer, writing, and other fun topics on his Audio Signals Podcast. youtu.be/ib36bVcYbmw
I will be reading from SPY'S MATE, my "chesspionage" novel this evening (Saturday Nov. 29) at Beers Books, 712 R Street in Sacramento at 7:00PM. There will be fun merch to give away, and a Q&A with attendees! Be there or be 64 squares...
November 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I will be reading from SPY'S MATE, my "chesspionage" novel this evening (Saturday Nov. 29) at Beers Books, 712 R Street in Sacramento at 7:00PM. There will be fun merch to give away, and a Q&A with attendees! Be there or be 64 squares...
Nine years ago I came to New York City for a last-ditch clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering to cure my post-transplant lymphoma. I was blind and still very sick. This year I’m in NYC to see the sights, play chess, and promote my new novel. How many blessings can one person count?
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Nine years ago I came to New York City for a last-ditch clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering to cure my post-transplant lymphoma. I was blind and still very sick. This year I’m in NYC to see the sights, play chess, and promote my new novel. How many blessings can one person count?
Very excited to be doing an event for SPY’S MATE at Chess Forum in NYC!
November 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Very excited to be doing an event for SPY’S MATE at Chess Forum in NYC!
I have a new book of poems coming out in 2026, and it is now available for preordering. Its title is The Birds of Poverty Ridge, and the cover art (see below) is by my daughter Nora. It would be wonderful if people ordered their copies now. Thank you l!
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
November 23, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I have a new book of poems coming out in 2026, and it is now available for preordering. Its title is The Birds of Poverty Ridge, and the cover art (see below) is by my daughter Nora. It would be wonderful if people ordered their copies now. Thank you l!
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-...
I'll be doing a virtual book launch for SPY'S MATE through El Gigante (hosted by Danny Romero) on the 14th of November 2025, 7:00 to 8:30pm Pacific Time (open mic to follow). The door opens at 6:55pm. Link is here:
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.
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November 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I'll be doing a virtual book launch for SPY'S MATE through El Gigante (hosted by Danny Romero) on the 14th of November 2025, 7:00 to 8:30pm Pacific Time (open mic to follow). The door opens at 6:55pm. Link is here:
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.
cccconfer.zoom.us
November 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I'll be doing a virtual book launch for SPY'S MATE through El Gigante (hosted by Danny Romero) on the 14th of November 2025, 7:00 to 8:30pm Pacific Time (open mic to follow). The door opens at 6:55pm. Link is here:
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.
cccconfer.zoom.us
November 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I'll be doing a virtual book launch for SPY'S MATE through El Gigante (hosted by Danny Romero) on the 14th of November 2025, 7:00 to 8:30pm Pacific Time (open mic to follow). The door opens at 6:55pm. Link is here:
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
cccconfer.zoom.us/j/9348057923...
Can’t wait to visit this chess Mecca for my SPY’S MATE event tonight at 5:30! It’s the closest I’ve ever been to chess greatness, so far…
November 13, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Can’t wait to visit this chess Mecca for my SPY’S MATE event tonight at 5:30! It’s the closest I’ve ever been to chess greatness, so far…
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, followed by a Q&A with the audience, at the Mechanics Institute Library (57 Post Street in San Francisco) on Thursday November 13 at 5:30 PM! Afterwards there will be a rapid chess tournament
I hope to see folks there!
I hope to see folks there!
November 13, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, followed by a Q&A with the audience, at the Mechanics Institute Library (57 Post Street in San Francisco) on Thursday November 13 at 5:30 PM! Afterwards there will be a rapid chess tournament
I hope to see folks there!
I hope to see folks there!
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, at Clio's Books (353 Grand Ave. in Oakland) on Sunday November 9 at 11:00AM. There will also be chess games, merchandise giveaways, and a Q & A. Here's the link for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/brad-bucha...
Chesspionage: SPY'S MATE
Author Bradley Buchanan and National Chess Master Daniel Vanheirzeele at Clio's for rapid chess & a conversation about Spy's Mate.
www.eventbrite.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, at Clio's Books (353 Grand Ave. in Oakland) on Sunday November 9 at 11:00AM. There will also be chess games, merchandise giveaways, and a Q & A. Here's the link for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/brad-bucha...
Chesspionage: SPY'S MATE
Author Bradley Buchanan and National Chess Master Daniel Vanheirzeele at Clio's for rapid chess & a conversation about Spy's Mate.
www.eventbrite.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, at Clio's Books (353 Grand Ave. in Oakland) on Sunday November 9 at 11:00AM. There will also be chess games, merchandise giveaways, and a Q & A. Here's the link for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/brad-bucha...
Chesspionage: SPY'S MATE
Author Bradley Buchanan and National Chess Master Daniel Vanheirzeele at Clio's for rapid chess & a conversation about Spy's Mate.
www.eventbrite.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I'll be reading from SPY'S MATE, my “chesspionage” novel, at Clio's Books (353 Grand Ave. in Oakland) on Sunday November 9 at 11:00AM. There will also be chess games, merchandise giveaways, and a Q & A. Here's the link for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/brad-bucha...
A very fun video interview about SPY’S MATE with Arash Farzaneh for his podcast and YouTube channel “Arash’s World”! #chess #Spy’sMate #novel #chesspionage
youtu.be/n4SHspEIKpI?...
youtu.be/n4SHspEIKpI?...
#ArashsWorld Interview with #BradBuchanan on Cold War, Chess History and KGB Espionage in Spy’s Mate
YouTube video by Arash's World Podcast
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 12:17 AM
A very fun video interview about SPY’S MATE with Arash Farzaneh for his podcast and YouTube channel “Arash’s World”! #chess #Spy’sMate #novel #chesspionage
youtu.be/n4SHspEIKpI?...
youtu.be/n4SHspEIKpI?...
This piece on SPY’S MATE does a great job of covering the connection between my life and the chess story unfolding in the novel.
fox40.com/sports/forme...
fox40.com/sports/forme...
fox40.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:28 PM
This piece on SPY’S MATE does a great job of covering the connection between my life and the chess story unfolding in the novel.
fox40.com/sports/forme...
fox40.com/sports/forme...
Please allow me to recommend this book about the history and science behind bone marrow/stem cell transplants. By far the best book I have ever read on this topic, not including my own of course ;) #stemcelltransplants @theebmt.bsky.social @nbmtl.bsky.social @nmdp-org.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Please allow me to recommend this book about the history and science behind bone marrow/stem cell transplants. By far the best book I have ever read on this topic, not including my own of course ;) #stemcelltransplants @theebmt.bsky.social @nbmtl.bsky.social @nmdp-org.bsky.social
It’s SPY’S MATE publication day! Order your copy now from Amazon.com or Bookshop.org and let’s see if we can make it the #1 book in the “chesspionage” genre! (Spoiler alert: it’s the only one.)
October 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
It’s SPY’S MATE publication day! Order your copy now from Amazon.com or Bookshop.org and let’s see if we can make it the #1 book in the “chesspionage” genre! (Spoiler alert: it’s the only one.)
I’m looking forward to talking to the multi-talented Dr. Andy Jones on KDVS radio today (Wednesday) at 5:30 pm pacific time!
kdvs.org/about/faq
kdvs.org/about/faq
FAQ | KDVS
Frequently Asked Questions about KDVS
kdvs.org
August 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I’m looking forward to talking to the multi-talented Dr. Andy Jones on KDVS radio today (Wednesday) at 5:30 pm pacific time!
kdvs.org/about/faq
kdvs.org/about/faq
Holy smokes! GM Daniel Fernandez accepts first prize in the 2025 Ghent Masters Chess Tournament wearing a SPY’S MATE T-shirt!!!
July 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Holy smokes! GM Daniel Fernandez accepts first prize in the 2025 Ghent Masters Chess Tournament wearing a SPY’S MATE T-shirt!!!
Just heard from my publisher that pre-orders for SPY’S MATE have now surpassed 1,000 copies! This news, by the way, comes before our official publicity campaign actually gets going later this summer! Word is getting around…
Pre-order now through bookshop.org: bookshop.org/beta-search?...
Pre-order now through bookshop.org: bookshop.org/beta-search?...
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
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bookshop.org
July 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Just heard from my publisher that pre-orders for SPY’S MATE have now surpassed 1,000 copies! This news, by the way, comes before our official publicity campaign actually gets going later this summer! Word is getting around…
Pre-order now through bookshop.org: bookshop.org/beta-search?...
Pre-order now through bookshop.org: bookshop.org/beta-search?...
To draw a line and bracket the past
as necessary and complete
And to make the future clean and white
as if innocent of the new deaths we have bought
By the wordless actions and nameless statements
Of weapons-grade hypocrisy
and paranoid willful ignorance
as necessary and complete
And to make the future clean and white
as if innocent of the new deaths we have bought
By the wordless actions and nameless statements
Of weapons-grade hypocrisy
and paranoid willful ignorance
June 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
To draw a line and bracket the past
as necessary and complete
And to make the future clean and white
as if innocent of the new deaths we have bought
By the wordless actions and nameless statements
Of weapons-grade hypocrisy
and paranoid willful ignorance
as necessary and complete
And to make the future clean and white
as if innocent of the new deaths we have bought
By the wordless actions and nameless statements
Of weapons-grade hypocrisy
and paranoid willful ignorance
Or who brought the hottest hell raining down
On a land of unwilling human shields?
To ask the question is to know
The answer is already implied
Like the plume of smoke in the curving mark
That rises above the place on the map
Where we tried to write a period
To frame our aggression
On a land of unwilling human shields?
To ask the question is to know
The answer is already implied
Like the plume of smoke in the curving mark
That rises above the place on the map
Where we tried to write a period
To frame our aggression
June 23, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Or who brought the hottest hell raining down
On a land of unwilling human shields?
To ask the question is to know
The answer is already implied
Like the plume of smoke in the curving mark
That rises above the place on the map
Where we tried to write a period
To frame our aggression
On a land of unwilling human shields?
To ask the question is to know
The answer is already implied
Like the plume of smoke in the curving mark
That rises above the place on the map
Where we tried to write a period
To frame our aggression
Can we turn the invasion back on a dime
If we jostle the war machine
just right? Can we get our dollar bills back
from the generals to feed the poor
Who always suffer the longest in war?
Can we forget who struck the first blow
If we jostle the war machine
just right? Can we get our dollar bills back
from the generals to feed the poor
Who always suffer the longest in war?
Can we forget who struck the first blow
June 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Can we turn the invasion back on a dime
If we jostle the war machine
just right? Can we get our dollar bills back
from the generals to feed the poor
Who always suffer the longest in war?
Can we forget who struck the first blow
If we jostle the war machine
just right? Can we get our dollar bills back
from the generals to feed the poor
Who always suffer the longest in war?
Can we forget who struck the first blow
Is it time for deconfliction?
Can we put toothpaste back in
The wrinkled, dried, and rolled-up tube?
Can we argue against the momentum
Of mutually assured destruction?
Can we head off a nuclear submarine
deep under a mile of silent ocean?
Can we put toothpaste back in
The wrinkled, dried, and rolled-up tube?
Can we argue against the momentum
Of mutually assured destruction?
Can we head off a nuclear submarine
deep under a mile of silent ocean?
June 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Is it time for deconfliction?
Can we put toothpaste back in
The wrinkled, dried, and rolled-up tube?
Can we argue against the momentum
Of mutually assured destruction?
Can we head off a nuclear submarine
deep under a mile of silent ocean?
Can we put toothpaste back in
The wrinkled, dried, and rolled-up tube?
Can we argue against the momentum
Of mutually assured destruction?
Can we head off a nuclear submarine
deep under a mile of silent ocean?