Five by Five: Children’s book gets the big screen treatment

By Max Bowen 

When debut author, director and screenwriter B.R. Duray first wrote “The Mood Swing,” the idea was for it to be an animated film, but instead it came to be a children’s illustrated book. Now, the tale has made the move to animation and honored at the San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival.

In this Five by Five, B.R. Talks about the jump to the big screen, which he did himself, and the different form the story it took in the process. He talks about the illustrator for the book, how it honors his late father, and the message he hopes to impart.

Let’s begin with the news about the book’s film premiere. How did this come about?
“The Mood Swing” actually began as a short animated film idea before it became a book. I’ve worked as a screenwriter and director for years, so adapting it back to film felt like a full-circle moment—seven years in the making. The picture book became the emotional heart of a live-action/animated hybrid film, which recently won the Jury Prize at the San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival and will premiere in Los Angeles this summer at LA Shorts Fest.*

How does it feel to see your book adapted into a film?
It’s been surreal—in the best way. I wrote the book under the pen name B.R. Duray, as a tribute to my dad, who passed away when I was 10. Then I adapted and directed the film as Matthew Thompson. In a way, it allowed me to step into both parts of myself: the child who needed this story, and the adult creator helping bring it to life. It’s rare to be able to honor something so personal through both literature and film, and this project let me do exactly that.

I love the cover! Who did the work?
Momo Enokida—aka Momes! She’s an incredible illustrator who created every image in the book by hand on her iPad using ProCreate and Photoshop. Her art is filled with emotion and subtle detail, and she brought the heart of the story to life visually. Every page feels like its own portal. Kids are smart—they can feel when something was made with intention, and I think they’ll feel the love she poured into each drawing.

How would you say this book can help people?
“The Mood Swing” is a love letter to families, especially those experiencing loss. It helps kids see that grief comes in waves—but balance does return. The story centers on a mother and son navigating big emotions together, reminding us that we’re not alone, even when someone we love is no longer here. I hope the book brings comfort, connection, and maybe even a little magic to those going through something heavy. If it helps one child feel seen or supported, then I’ve done my job.

I read that the book was inspired by the passing of your father. How did this shape the story?
My dad was a decorated Special Forces veteran—Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts—and he used the pen name B.R. Duray when he began writing about his life, though he never got the chance to publish. I adopted that name as a way to carry his spirit forward. He died when I was 10, and I remember the sadness, the fear, the anxiety that came in waves. I wrote “The Mood Swing” as the story I wish I’d had back then—a gentle guide through grief, and a reminder that love can take new forms, even after loss.

Oni Press Declares “FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS” with Exclusive GENDER QUEER Merchandise from Creator Maia Kobabe

In advance of this summer’s American Library Association(ALA) Conference in Philadelphia, PA, Oni Press is proud to unveil its next Pre-Order Exclusive Merch Collection celebrating the best-selling graphic novel GENDER QUEER and the work of cartoonist Maia Kobabe as part of the publisher’s ongoing FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS initiative. 

With a portion of all proceeds benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) and the Florida Freedom to Read Project (FFTRP), Oni’s new collection of more than 15 items features multiple all-new, never-before-seen pieces, including a brand-new GENDER QUEER t-shirt design by Kobabe, available in three distinct colorways curated by the artist (available in sizes in XS – XXXL) – each hand silkscreened in the United States on super-soft Comfort Colors shirts. The FIGHT CENSORSHIP, READ COMICS Pre-Order Exclusive Merch Collection also features GENDER QUEER patches, enamel pins, and keychains, alongside limited-edition signed and numbered editions of the GENDER QUEER: DELUXE EDITION hardcover bearing signatures by Kobabe and high-quality, 18x24” giclee prints featuring the artist’s powerful “Fight Censorship, Read Comics” artwork (available in both signed and unsigned editions).

Available exclusively online at OniPress.com, ardent fans and readers can place pre-orders beginning today through Friday, August 20th with fulfillment to begin in September. Oni will also be making select, advance editions for some items available for early sale at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

“The freedom to read, the freedom to access information, and the freedom to learn are some of the most vital rights in this country,” said Maia Kobabe. “Removing books from schools and public libraries cuts off people's access to knowledge about the wider world and about their own lives within it. This is especially true when the books being removed are about minority identities, or topics less commonly portrayed in popular culture. A book that might seem pointless to one reader might be life-saving to another. Removing a book because its themes offend one reader is censorship, and must be combated at every turn. Please stand up for the freedom to read and the freedom to write!”

"For nearly a century, comics as an art form have played a critical role in championing the all-American ideals of free speech, equality, and anti-authoritarianism," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. "Although Maia's work is one of the first and prominent examples of impactful and important work to be singled out by pro-censorship forces, we can guarantee that it will not be the last. It is the responsibility of creative institutions like Oni Press and our fellow publishers to protect the free expression of cartoonists and our medium as a whole, and we are proud to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Florida Freedom to Read Project with our ongoing 'Fight Censorship, Read Comics' initiatives."

Since its original publication in 2019, Maia Kobabe’s GENDER QUEER – the cartoonist’s earnest, heartfelt, and intensely cathartic graphic memoir chronicling eir personal journey of self-identity – has been widely heralded as one of the most important and influential graphic novels of the 21st Century, earning near-universal critical acclaim as a seminal work of LGBTQIA+ non-fiction and ALA Alex and Stonewall Book Awards in the process. Simultaneously, Kobabe’s memoir has also been caught in the conflagration of unprecedented legal challenges to graphic novels and other forms of comic art across more than a dozen states. Kobabe’s work has repeatedly placed at the epicenter of many of these challenges at the state and local level and was previously the subject of a Virginia obscenity lawsuit, which was successfully defended by the CBLDF and ruled to be unconstitutional in 2022. Since that time, the Los Angeles Times has dubbed GENDER QUEER “the most banned book in American schools,” and in 2025, it was named by the American Library Association as the #2 most challenged title in library systems nationwide. 

Kobabe and Oni Press are both proud to reciprocate the CBLDF and FFTRP’s support at this critical time in the history of free speech for the comics medium. Later this month, Kobabe will be appearing as a Special Guest of Oni Press at the annual American Library Association (ALA) Conference in Philadelphia, PA from June 26–30, 2025, alongside half a dozen fellow writers and illustrators from Oni’s stable of award-winning creators.

For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram,

Five by Five: Sharing the life of Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor

By Max Bowen

The story of Marshall “Major” Taylor is well-known in cycling circles, but what else can be told? As it turns out, quire a bit, in John Kennedy Howard and Rene Maurer’s biography, “The Black Cyclone, Major Taylor: A Hero the World Forgot.”

“Fifty years before Jackie Robinson, a decade before the ascendance of heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, there was one young man who was the highest paid athlete in the world. His name was Marshall Taylor and he was a worldwide bicycle racing superstar, a sensation in America, Europe and Australia, setting world record after record. He was also Black…and now long lost to history.”

In this Five by Five, John shares his own knowledge of Major and what inspired him to write thisbook. He shares the research, which included interviews with Major’s daughter and friends, what he learned a lot from other biographies, and the new facts gleaned in the writing process.


How did you become aware of Marshall’s story and why did you want to make them the subject of your book?
Major Taylor was my boyhood hero, it was not hard to find him. But, I knew I had to finish what I started writing soon after I read his original autobiography. Ironically, I also had a stellar career in cycling and it happened that we were both inducted into the USA Cycling Hall of Fame in `89. I had met his daughter, Sydney Taylor Brown, in about 1986 when she was in her mid-80’s, still a quick-witted women with a very good memory. We became friends and I interviewed her in her Pittsburgh home several times to better understand her memories and her relationship with her father.

What did you know about Marshal and how much research was needed for the book?
Cycling history is well documented and mainstream in the day. Today, cycling could best be described as almost subculture compared to the ball sports. My research was ongoing and lasted an embarrassingly long time, 40 years when I do the math!

Because of my patience, I had the benefit of reading all five of the excellent Major Taylor biographies, all of which revealed new information about the man, his family and his associates. I traveled to Europe and mined the microfiche labs in libraries from Paris to Sydney, Australia. The information was vast and allowed me to get a better view of Taylor, both his well-documented strengths and also his never discussed vulnerabilities.

Any particularly interesting facts uncovered through the research?
The facts of Major’s life are well written about, most—cycling enthusiasts-- who know of him can recite his life story fairly well, but it was the information gleaned from Sydney and a few of his contemporaries, some of who I caught in the closing months of life that revealed to me how complicated and conflicted this man was, and that is the lifeblood of my story.

The depth of my research gives substance to the choice of a different genre—biographical novel—whereby we give Major and his contemporaries voices. My book tells the story from the perspective of his childhood friend, Josh, who became a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and actually traveled with Taylor to quite a few of his races. They grew up together in Indy and received a tutored education, courtesy of the Southard family, a wealthy railroad executive.

How did you know when the book was “done”?
Unlike the speculation loosely described in the biographies, I wrote of his little-known failures after retirement, his difficult relationship with his wife and daughter and her memories of his disappointments, his heroics, his humor and then shifted the story back to Josh who describes his treatment of his former trainer and how that played out. Josh and Major had a disagreement about who should ultimately tell his story. Josh very much wanted to document Major’s life in his own biography which he called “Requiem For a Wheelman.” My coauthor and I gave the ending a twist, so ultimately it was Major’s slightly ponderous “world of I” version that you can read today.

What’s your takeaway from Taylor’s story?
In spite of the intense racism that defined his life, he believed in humanity and held no grudges. The man was a staunch Christian and while that cost him dearly after retirement when revenue was shirking during the Depression years, his work as a civil rights advocate — before the term existed — his exemplary.

His relationships with Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois and heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson are all discussed and elaborated. Although he ultimately ended up in a pauper’s grave with no family at his internment, he was later recognized by Frank Schwinn, who had his body placed in a prominent location in a Chicago cemetery. Today his legacy lives on with hundreds of clubs and a social network of perhaps millions of followers.

Five by Five—Author’s work in firefighting inspires mystery debut

Wendy Gee

By Max Bowen

As an admin volunteer at the Charleston Fire Department, Wendy Gee had a front row seat to the hustle and the intrigue common in firefighters’ line of work and has turned her stories from the station into her debut novel, the first in the Carolina Crossfire series.

In “Fleet Landing” (June 10, 2025), ATF Special Agent Cooper “Coop” Bellamy is forced to work with tenacious TV reporter Sydney Quinn as fires ravage the city. Quinn, whose pursuit of justice puts her on a collision course with a sinister figure known only as the Falcon, uncovers a decades-old conspiracy.

In this interview, Gee talks about how her work in firefighting inspired the story, and the blend of reality and fiction that comprises it. She talks about being a debut author and gives us a peek at her future books.


What inspired you to turn what you saw at your volunteer job into a book?
Simply put, the people. Professional firefighters with all of their specialties: fighting fires, driving the big rigs, investigating fires, safety and planning, educating the public, smoke alarm installation, EMTs, responding to traffic accidents, and so forth. Their job is exciting, dangerous, and an unequivocal public service. I wanted to honor them.

How much does the book reflect your work and how much is fiction?
“Fleet Landing” is largely based on several real-world events which provide a foundation for the fictionalized amalgam. Sort of a “What If” storyline that has enough realism to meet the reader’s expectations. Yet a tangle of truths to protect privacy and legal considerations.

What went into creating the mystery in this story?
I wanted to write from the heads and hearts of my three co-protagonists, and my personal/education/work background was void of any of that knowledge (firefighting, TV journalism, and police operations and investigations). I love researching and had a blast learning from many professionals who were willing to teach me in those key areas. I continue to workshop with the pros so my work remains relevant.

This is your debut novel. How does it feel to have this book out there?
Over the moon! (Yes, an exclamation point, to my editor’s chagrin). I’m bursting with gratitude and excitement.

Will there be another book?
Yes (please). The pandemic put a big hurt on my (then) publisher. They couldn’t move forward with my debut, but recommend my current publisher. In that interim, I crafted four more manuscripts which are in various stages of editing for future publication in the Carolina Crossfire mystery series. Book 2 (Side Hustle) features Sydney on a hunt for a prolific cybercriminal. Book 3 (The Pineapple) features Dino with a look back at his first felony arrest and how that influenced his law enforcement career. Books 4 and 5 (Smell Test and Yard Dog) are nearing final drafts. 

Five by Five—The perils of artistic ambition

By Max Bowen

What begins with a well-meant deception spirals out of control in Diane Wald’s new book, “The Bayrose Files” (Regal House, May 27). The story follows ambitious journalist Violet Maris, who is determined to write a captivating exposé on a prestigious writers’ colony in 1980s Provincetown. She even fakes her application using her friend’s short stories. Violet's promising start at the colony takes a dark turn when her friend, the true author of the stories, dies while she’s in the middle of her residency.

In this interview, Diane talks about the inspiration behind the story, developing Violet’s character and how writing this novella compares to her work in poetry.

What went into crafting this story?
“The Bayrose Files” is the result of many years of pondering how I could write about my years in Provincetown (two in an artists’ colony, and one as a motel manager) without making it autobiographical or judgmental or quaint or hackneyed. After all, the place often evokes automatic reactions from people, especially if they’ve never been there. One day it finally came to me that a completely fictional story filled with interesting characters and a touch of suspense (will the main character be able to pull off her “terrible thing?”) was the way to go. Then the fun began!

The character of Violet Maris is really interesting. How did she come to be?
Oh, Violet, how I love her, that crazy girl! I’ve always been intrigued by people who have a hard time with life challenges that other easily manage. At 26, Violet somehow hadn’t yet learned how to imagine what her actions might mean in the future for herself and others. She was focused and energized, but not contemplative. Violet possesses the unusual ability to sense when something important is about to happen through the temperature of objects she touches, but she struggles to realize what those events might be. The lessons she learns are hard.

How does the loss of Violet’s friend affect her, especially as she’s using their stories to get into this writer’s colony?
Violet and Spencer shared a very deep friendship, and his well-meaning suggestion that she pass off his stories as her own allows her to rush forward without thinking things through. His death shocks her so profoundly that she instantly spills the secret she’s kept so diligently through several months of her fellowship. The loss of her dear confidant is crushing and, in a single instant, her world of illusion disintegrates, forcing her to face several significant situations that she’d rushed recklessly into before.

What inspired the story?
In addition to what I described in my first answer regarding Provincetown, I’ve always wanted to write about the conundrum of artistic ambition. Are there any “pure” artists, really, and, if so, what makes them that way? I also wanted to explore the idea of forgiveness. Who, if anyone, will forgive Violet’s deception, and will she forgive herself?

Do you find any parallels between poetry and novel-writing?
Absolutely. First of all, you have to be true to yourself and your own style. For me, that means putting things down plainly on the page, the way they naturally come out of me. I like Emily Dickinson and Henry James, but it would be folly for me to copy their styles. What brings any kind of writing alive for me is the marriage of imagery and emotion. And I try to bring the same appreciation for language into my fiction that I do with my poetry. A beautiful sentence can be poetic and still be easy to digest.

Five by Five—New book offers a deep dive into the story of Mary Magdalene

By Max Bowen 

Just how much is known about the story behind Mary Magdalene?

It’s a question that inspired Ursula Werner to find out for herself, which led to her new book, “Magda Revealed” (She Writes Press).

In this book, “Magda leads readers through tales of miracles and murder, jealousy and acceptance, misogyny, and female empowerment. She uncovers her relationship with Jesus, clarifying centuries of speculation about whether or not they were in love.” In this interview, Werner talks about the research done and what was available, how it sheds new light on the story of Mary Magdalene and ‘sets the record straight.’

What research was done for your book and did this change the direction of the story?
I started my research by reading everything I could find – which was woefully little – on the historical Mary Magdalene. I was surprised at how sparse the historical record was, though maybe I shouldn’t have been, given that she was a woman from the first century. By contrast, there were many books written on Mary Magdalene as an icon or mythological figure, but I wanted, as much as possible, to stick to history, not myth.

I was much more successful in finding books about the historical Jesus, by which I mean Jesus of Nazareth, the man who lived on Earth from about 4-6 B.C. to 31-33 A.D. (The exact dates of his birth and death are not known.) Interestingly, all my biographies of Jesus sit on a bookshelf in my living room, right above the shelf that contains my biographies of Hitler (because my first novel was a World War II saga that featured a Führer-like character).

I also did research, mostly in academic publications, to get a better understanding of life in first century Judea. Topics included everything from Jewish marriage law to women in the synagogues to common vegetation around the Sea of Galilee.

The biggest change in direction of the story came not from my research, but from an insight I had while running in Rock Creek Park one day. (I like to mull my writing issues around in my brain while I’m running.) Out of the blue, I had the idea that provides a plot twist at the end of the novel. That plot twist definitely changed the focus of the story.

How did this change your perception of Magda?
I wouldn’t say that my perception of Magda changed much due to my research, because I knew she wasn’t a prostitute – a slander invented and perpetuated by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century. What did come across from my research was that Mary Magdalene must have been a strong woman, to leave her home and family in order to follow a penniless itinerant preacher, with a group of unknown men and women. I channeled that strength and conviction into my Magda character, and also gave her a spiritual dimension that I’m sure the real Mary Magdalene had.

My Magda’s skill in anointment came from a book I read by Professor Bruce Chilton, who wrote one of the few biographies of Mary Magdalene that exist. Professor Chilton pointed out that anointment was a common female skill in the first century, practiced by the women of every household on a daily basis. It wasn’t just a rite practiced by priests during the coronation of kings and princes. That particular insight helped me direct the focus of the story from Jesus’s healing skills to Magda’s own spiritual gifts.

What light does this shed on the story of Mary Magdalene?
My research on Mary Magdalene and Jesus made clear to me how much more important Mary Magdalene was to Jesus’s ministry than the Catholic Church has acknowledged. Not only was she not a prostitute, she was perhaps the closest disciple to Jesus among his followers. And because of that intimacy, according to the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and the Gospel of Philip, he gave her special knowledge that he did not give his other disciples. Thus, she truly was the “disciple of the disciples,” as the Catholic Church has recently, albeit very belatedly, acknowledged.

What I also found, in comparing the history of Jesus’s life with that of the Roman empire, was a fascinating possible connection between what happened in Rome in October of AD 31 and the Passover holiday in Jerusalem five months later (most likely the occasion of Jesus’ crucifixion). This nexus is fleshed out fully in the novel, but it centers on Lucius Aelius Sejanus, head of the palace guard for the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In October of 31 AD, Sejanus was executed for sedition in Rome. Enraged at Sejanus’ betrayal, Tiberius killed everyone who was perceived to be the traitor’s friend or ally. Because Sejanus had appointed Pontius Pilate to his position in Judea years earlier, it’s unlikely that Pilate, upon hearing the news five months later, would have done anything to antagonize the Emperor. (Tiberius had a standing decree that religions in occupied provinces should be given the greatest deference.) This history made me believe that Pilate would not willingly have ordered the execution of Jesus, a beloved and popular rabbi, during the most holy week in the Jewish calendar.

How does this story “set the record straight” on Magda?
First and foremost, I hope the story convinces people that Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. That remains a wide-held misconception to this day, and it makes me angry on her behalf whenever there’s any reference to the falsehood. I’m constantly tempted to write letters to the editor of offending journals or newspapers saying, “You know, of course, that Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute.”

I tried to make my character Magda breathe some life into a figure that has become largely mythological in our culture. I don’t think you have to turn Mary Magdalene into a whore, as Pope Gregory I did, to make her accessible as a human being with real flaws and real strengths. To the degree my characterization of her does bring Mary Magdalene to life, I hope that people might relate to her spiritual journey and her calling – the establishment of true connection with another human being.

What do you hope readers take from the book?
At best, the book will plant a seed in readers’ minds, a seed of hope and connection for the human race. We are now living in such a divisive time, I would love the message of the book to challenge our discord and help us see our similarities instead of our differences. Jesus’s message in the first century – that everyone is equal, that no one should consider themselves above anyone else – is as compelling and necessary today as it was back then. I believe that message and our understanding of it to be critical to our survival as a species, both in terms of our interactions with each other, and our interactions with the planet that holds us.

‘Violet is Blue’ continues the journey into the town of Poulson

By Max Bowen

Our latest Five by Five continues the The Women of Paradise County Series with “Violet is Blue,” (June 2025, Speaking Volumes) by Anne Shaw Heinrich.

Small town life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be for the women of Paradise County. Heinrich, shares how the small town can make a huge impact in her dark yet hopeful companion to her first book, which dives into the world of “have” and “have-nots” where Violet befriends Jules, a boy from the other side of town and learns about the indignities and injustices given to the less fortunate side of the tracks.

In this interview, Anne explores how the new book continues the story of “God Bless the Child” and talks about the relationship between Violet and Jules. We learn some of the lessons shared through the book and get a few details on the next title in the series.


How does this expand on “God Bless the Child?”
My second novel, “Violet is Blue,” unfolds in the same town as “God Bless the Child,” the first novel in The Women of Paradise County Series. Poulson is a fictional midwestern small town where everyone knows your business and you have an assigned seat. A few of the characters from the first novel are also featured in the second book, namely the Rev. James Pullman. He has messes from his younger, less reverent days, in need of tending. His younger cousin, Violet Sellers and her newfound friend, Jules Marks, know all about his deeds. As the truth unravels, there are tremendous changes in store for them both, as well as the whole new cast of characters who called Poulson their home.

What is the relationship between Violet and Jules?
Classmates Violet and Jules have little in common. Violet has never done without, and Jules lives with his five little sisters in Shakey’s Half, a dusty cluster of shacks on the outskirts of town. It’s a place most people in Poulson try not to think about too much. Vi and Jules have more history than they realize, but as their unlikely friendship grows, they discover a shared penchant for harming themselves. Violet one-ups tough Jules with a sinister tattoo designed to protect her from her cousin, James Pullman. Jules takes one look and knows the artist. What he does next leads to an unraveling that changes the lives of everyone within their sphere.

How does the fact they’re from different sides of town influence their relationship?
In the beginning, their differences are stark. Violet is protected by her privilege. She wants for nothing. Jules wants for everything and then some. Both want to be seen, comforted and safe. Their trust grows and they come to need one another in ways neither of them imagine. As their friendship deepens, what divides them is still there, but not as noticeable or powerful as what connects them.

What are some of the lessons shared through the story?
“Violet is Blue” delves deeply into what happens when people living together in small spaces must reckon with how they are different, yet connected, whether they like it or not. Some have everything. Some have nothing. But most live in that space between everything and nothing. The story also allows readers to explore the capricious nature of circumstance, a universal desire to be loved and protected, and the lasting impacts of action and inaction. The characters in the book are forced to reckon with their own notions of generosity and grace. What motivates us to give, and where does that fine line between enough and too much land? How closely do our wants dance next to our needs?

Will there be more stories that continue this?
Yes. There is one more novel in The Women of Paradise County Series, “House of Teeth.” I’m knee-deep in the writing of it and really enjoying the process of “putting a bow” on the story arch. There is some unfinished business for nearly all of the characters in the series that must be tended to in a way that will satisfy readers, but also lean into the reality that we face, even outside the fictional world: the decisions we make or let others make for us, have lasting consequences that are difficult to quantify, but nonetheless powerful.

Ink and Riffs: Deep sea horrors and fantastic worlds

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

“Into the Drowning Deep” (Audiobook)
The audiobook version of this deep-sea horror, written by Mira Grant, had me hooked (no pun intended), right from the beginning as we’re introduced to a found-footage style recording of an attack by mermaids. Yep, that’s what’s happening here.

The story follows Tory Stewart, a sonar specialist who becomes obsessed with mermaids after her sister's disappearance. Tory's sister Anne worked as a reporter for Imagine Entertainment. While filming a mockumentary about mermaids, the crew of Imagine's ship Atargatis vanished. Tory vows to discover the truth about what happened to her sister, and when a second scientific expedition is commissioned to discover what happened, she joins up without hesitation.

Needless to say, things will not go as planned.

The delivery of the story by Christine Lakin is absolutely perfect. Lakin does the different voices effortlessly and really captures the feelings of the story, whether that’s love, sorrow, or bone-cutting fear—especially that last one. I’ve been turned off by lackluster narrations in the past, and this one had the opposite effect. A solid listen to a truly terrifying tale.

“The Hunger and the Dusk” (comic)
I’ve been a fan of fantasy for years, so when I saw the cover of this IDW title, I had to read it. So before I get into G. Willow Wilson’s awesome story, let’s talk about the amazing artwork by Chris Wildgoose.

The art is so damn good, with every color on the palette, laid out to create beautiful, detailed scenes that always capture the attention. I especially liked the diverse character designs, from the clothes to the creatures to the weapons. You can tell Chris is a fantasy aficionado.

Now, onto the story. In a dying world, only humans and orcs remain—mortal enemies battling for territory and political advantage. But when a group of ancient humanoids known as the Vangol arrive from across the sea, the two struggling civilizations are forced into a fragile alliance to protect what they have built.

The tension is high in this series, as humans and orcs fight not only the Vangol, but each other, as they strive to maintain the uneasy peace. This is shown in the relationship between Callum Battlechild, who leads The Last Men Standing, and orcish healer Tara, who both have to speak for their respective races and make this alliance work—because the fate of all rests in the balance.

I recently finished the first volume of the series, and cannot wait to see what happens next.

“Ben Huchenson” (music)
After hearing singer-songwriter Ben Hucheson’s new single “Almost There,” I decided to check out his self-titled 2022 album. Trust me, this one is worth listening to.

Ben’s got an amazing voice, and delivers a lot of stories over the 12 tracks, from a treasured relationship in “Thinking About You” to “Poison,” an upbeat, high-energy tune that warns of someone to watch out for. “Faith” is a really powerful song and my favorite off the album.

The music is really catchy, an easy-listening folk sound that puts one at ease in some tracks and gets the feet tapping in others. I can easily see Ben on a stage, the audience singing along with each song.

Ben’s been singing for some years now, and described as “wise beyond his years” by Julianne Regan (All About Eve). I think that sums it up perfectly. Ben sings with the voice of a seasoned traveler, but with the energy of someone in the early stages of their journey. The stories in the songs are instantly relatable and delivered in a way that you can’t ignore—and you really shouldn’t, because this is one musician to keep an eye on.

Line Spike Frontenac 2025 announces location for Canada Day weekend lineup

FRONTENAC COUNTY, ONTARIO – This June 28 and 29, 2025, Line Spike Frontenac 2025 will make history as one of the largest pre-Canada Day music events in the nation — a bold and brilliant "Power of Positivity Musical Harvest" set in the breathtaking hills of Frontenac County now officially announced at 3587 Harrowsmith Rd, Harrowsmith, ON. Bringing together musical icons and rising stars, the two-day festival promises an unforgettable celebration of community, inspiration, and unapologetic Canadian pride with legendary artists Burton Cummings, Walk Off The Earth, Chantal Kreviazuk, Alan Frew, Kelsi Mayne, Madison Galloway and just-announced KASADOR, Luscious, and Tom Green.

Created by Get2ThePoint Productions Inc. and producer/promoter Jeremy Campbell who was inspired by a moment of personal reflection on a remote lake in 2020 and the legacy of Expo ’67’s Peter Aykroyd. Line Spike Frontenac is a tribute to Canadian resilience and unity in uncertain times. After overcoming personal health battles and drawing wisdom from past experiences — including working under Michael Lang at Woodstock '99 — Campbell vowed to create an event that uplifts people and economies alike.

Frontenac County, just north of Kingston — Canada’s first capital — is a hidden gem brimming with cottage country charm, granite ridges, pristine lakes, and soul-soothing trails. A perfect weekend escape, it offers a scenic and serene backdrop for music lovers looking to turn this festival into a staycation. Picture this: morning swims in crystal-clear lakes, afternoons exploring quaint artisan shops, and nights under the stars, singing along with Canadian legends.


THE LINEUP: ICONIC, ECLECTIC, AND 100% HOMEGROWN

BURTON CUMMINGS
One of Canada’s most treasured rock icons, Burton Cummings brings his timeless voice and towering legacy to the Line Spike stage. As the lead singer of The Guess Who, Cummings has delivered classics like American Woman, These Eyes, and Share the Land. His solo career boasts chart-toppers such as Stand Tall and My Own Way to Rock, with album sales exceeding 10 million worldwide. Expect a hit-filled, soul-stirring set from a true national treasure.

WALK OFF THE EARTH
The genre-defying pop innovators known for their viral covers and platinum-selling originals (Red Hands, Rule the World) are set to bring their kaleidoscope of sound and spectacle to Frontenac. With over 1 billion YouTube views and JUNO Awards under their belt, WOTE is known for their wild instruments, contagious energy, and a live show that will have festivalgoers dancing from the first chord to the last confetti cannon.

CHANTAL KREVIAZUK
A multi-platinum singer-songwriter and humanitarian, Chantal Kreviazuk is beloved for emotionally rich hits like Surrounded, Before You, and In This Life. Her work as a songwriter spans artists from Drake to Gwen Stefani, and her voice has become a defining sound in Canadian pop. She’ll bring both heartfelt intimacy and powerhouse vocals to the Line Spike main stage.

ALAN FREW (of GLASS TIGER)
Frontman of the iconic 80s band Glass Tiger, Alan Frew is known for Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) and Someday, both of which dominated global charts and helped sell 5 million records worldwide. With a career spanning decades and a voice that continues to shine, Frew’s set will be a singalong masterclass in Canadian rock history.

TOM GREEN
Comedian Tom Green has released a new country album alongside his Amazon Prime show Tom Green Country. The album includes the show’s theme song, “Home to the Country.” Originally from Ottawa, Green rose to fame with The Tom Green Show on MTV in 1999.

KELSI MAYNE
Country-pop firecracker Kelsi Mayne is a rising force in Canadian music. From her anthem Takin’ U Home to charting in the Top 10 on SiriusXM with As I Go, Mayne is proving she’s more than a triple-threat — she’s a powerhouse. A former medical student and track athlete, her fierce work ethic and genre-blending edge make her one of the most compelling new voices in the country scene.

MADISON GALLOWAY
At just 24, Madison Galloway has already made waves with her blues-infused roots-rock sound. Her EP Open Your Eyes and performances alongside The Glorious Sons and 54-40 have cemented her status as a future headliner. Drawing on folk, rock, and southern twang, she’s an earthy, magnetic presence who brings depth and authenticity to the Line Spike experience.

KASADOR
Kasador’s back with a vengeance. Their gritty new single “Golden” confronts fame, greed, and numbness with their heaviest sound yet. A new double EP drops in 2025. If you want real rock and roll, stay tuned.

LUSCIOUS
Over the years Luscious has established themselves as a staple in the Kingston music scene. Their music is best described as a modern interpretation of Classic Rock. Luscious has a simple mission statement; to keep Rock n' Roll alive in a constantly changing musical landscape.​

But the music is only part of the magic.

Maple Leaf Vendor Village will spotlight Canadian-made goods, with artisans and manufacturers showcasing everything from gourmet maple treats to locally crafted outdoor gear. It’s a nod to Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit and an economic boost for the region.

Set against a backdrop of towering pines, serene lakes, and community warmth, Line Spike Frontenac 2025 invites you to rediscover what it means to be Canadian — proud, passionate, and unified through music.

Early bird tickets now onsale via www.LineSpike.ca. Don't miss your chance to be part of a moment that will be talked about for decades.

Five by Five: Charting your own path to happiness

By Max Bowen 

Deb Miller’s book, “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness” seeks to challenge the age-old notion that marriage is the surest path to the good life, and hopes that readers will strike out on their own journey.

In this interview, Deb talks about her own life experiences that helped make the book, the theme of fulfillment, and finding real happiness.

How did the theme of fulfillment coming from a marriage come to be part of your book?
That message was everywhere when I was growing up—from my mom, from society and from every pop culture role model I saw. “Leave it to Beaver.” “The Brady Bunch.” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s epic “Cinderella.” I thought all men wanted to be providers like Charles Ingalls or Ward Cleaver. Marriage, I was taught, was the ultimate destination. My memoir exposes how misleading that narrative is—and what it takes to rewrite it.

What parts of your life were included in this book?
Experiences that mattered to the theme made it in. From early childhood memories and first love to career highs, heartbreaks and finding peace in 2020. If it shaped my understanding of love, purpose, or happiness, it’s in the book—sometimes raw, sometimes funny, always real.

What is the ‘traditional princess narrative’ and how does your book address it?
It’s the belief that happiness comes when Prince Charming shows up. That if you're pretty and patient, a man will “rescue” you with marriage, and your life will be complete – you’ll reach the happily ever after. My book challenges that myth head-on. I spent years trying to live that fairy tale. Then, I realized the heroine I was waiting for was me.

How did you find your own real-life happiness?
Did you know that 50% of your happiness is genetically determined, only 10% is affected by life circumstances and situation and the remaining 40% of happiness is within your self-control?* Despite the title of my book, happiness, isn’t found—it’s chosen.

I stopped chasing what society told me I should want and started doing what brings me joy. At first, it was guiding my kids. I’m happy to report that they are all set now, so I can sip tea and work on my book in the morning instead of taking a long commute and working 12-hour days. I love being outdoors with my dog, hiking and landscaping, and hanging out with people I enjoy—especially my grandkids. We have the most interesting conversations.

What do you hope readers take from this book?
The title says it all: “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness.” I want readers to feel empowered to chart their own path—not the one prescribed by others. When you stop chasing someone else’s version of happiness and start following your own, that’s when the real happy ending begins.

I hope readers realize they don’t need a glass slipper, a castle, or anyone’s approval to build a beautiful life. Ditch the script. Write your own ending. The journey isn’t about finding a prince—it’s about finding ourselves.

*According to research by Harvard graduate and Stanford university PhD, Sonja Lyubomirsky.

Five by Five: Author explores the story of Jo van Gogh

By Max Bowen 

Joan Fernandez’s historical novel, “Saving Vincent” (She Writes Press, April 15) which tells the untold story of the woman who saved Vincent van Gogh’s art after his death, marketing his works and turning his once-failed career into one of art history’s biggest successes.

In this Five by Five, Joan shares how she learned the story of Jo van Gogh, and what inspired her to pen a novel about her, a mixture of fiction and history, and the lengthy research done and what was learned in the process.

Who is Jo van Gogh and how did you discover her?
Jo van Gogh is the famous artist Vincent’s sister-in-law, for she was married to Vincent’s younger brother, Theo, who was an art dealer in Paris. When Jo became Theo’s wife, she knew the brothers’ relationship ran deep, for Theo had nurtured Vincent’s talent for a decade (though he hadn’t been able to sell Vincent’s unconventional paintings). When Vincent died by suicide, Theo was devastated and passed away six months later, leaving Jo and their infant son an inheritance of hundreds of Vincent’s paintings. Motivated to prove the legacy had value, Jo took on advocating for the paintings herself and gradually developed an international market for his art.

I discovered that Jo deserved credit for saving Vincent’s legacy on a visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2016. At the time, it stunned me that she was not better known. Her story caught my imagination like a fishhook and wouldn’t let go. Eighteen months later I retired from my professional corporate career to become a full-time author to write her story.

Is any portion of the story fictional?
The Van Gogh and Bonger family members, artists and art dealers, exhibitions, names of specific Van Gogh paintings, day-to-day life in a boarding house are grounded in research. I did adjust the timeline slightly to create tension and imagined the dialogue and characters’ motivations. Happily, some of this could be informed by the diary entries and letters I read. If I couldn’t find photos of real people, I drew from imagination to describe physical features.

The one significant fictional element is Jo’s nemesis, a Parisian art dealer named Georges Raulf, who personifies the negative headwind she faced from the art establishment at that time. I have Raulf embody both the political values of an emerging French nationalism as well as the patriarchal bias Jo felt by entering the male-dominated profession of art dealing. In real life, Jo did not have a singular enemy, but I felt it would provide higher drama for her to be opposed by a powerful enemy.

What did the research portion entail?
To get a feel for Jo and Theo’s relationship I read a wonderful cache of 101 letters the two exchanged when they were fiancés. Jo was in her parents’ home in Amsterdam while Theo was working in Paris. In addition to daily life and family news, they share ideas and questions about Vincent, other contemporary artists like Monet and Pissarro, and philosophize about art. Vulnerably, they share hopes and dreams for their future life together too. I have pages of notes!

I took a similar tack to get inside Vincent van Gogh’s thoughts by reading the collection of letters he wrote to Theo and a few others. My husband gave me the six-volume collection of 902 letters as a Christmas gift. Reading 10 letters a day, it took me months. But at the end I learned about Vincent as Jo had—for she “found” him in his letters too—since she only met him three times in person.

Next I turned to secondary research in search of information about Jo’s life. A wonderful source was a biography published by the Van Gogh Museum about Jo. Great, right? Except that this was 2019 and the biography was only available in Dutch—and I don’t know this language. When the pandemic arrived, the museum’s work on the English translation slowed with no estimated time for when it would be finished. In response, I tried gradually Google translating the Dutch biography, but the output was incoherent.

As I was looking for an answer, an author friend recalled that she knew a teacher in the Netherlands who was furloughed. This Dutch teacher agreed to translate pages of the biography into English. As the pages arrived in my inbox each week, I filled in a spreadsheet of names, locations, dates and more until a picture of Jo’s life emerged. A few years later, when the English-language biography was published, I was able to check the facts I’d gleaned.

What initially drew you to Vincent van Gogh?

Curiosity. Vincent has a legendary mystique as a misunderstood genius ignored by an indifferent world. I believe rooting for an underdog like Vincent is universal because I think we believe deep down that we’re misfits too! And for Vincent it’s even more tragic that he died by suicide because he’s so globally beloved today.

I believe I first heard art criticism about his paintings in a Fine Arts 101 class in college In that class I found out that he’d departed from Impressionism, striking out on his own to experiment but also to tackle expressing something “beyond the paint.” He once testily wrote to Theo “when people say [my painting is] done too quickly you can reply they look at them too quickly.” He was a real maverick. When I traveled to Amsterdam in 2016, it was a foregone conclusion that we visit the Van Gogh Museum.

How does Jo handle marketing and promotion in this time period?
She had an intuitive sense of advocacy. Among the first things she did was to give away paintings to influential people. Frederick van Eeden, Theo’s doctor, received a gift on the condition that he loan it back to her if she wanted to include it in an exhibition. When the painting was hung with a note that it came from the “Private Collection of Dr Frederik van Eeden,” it created a little FOMO.

A similar tactic was to print the names of paintings “not for sale” in exhibition catalogues to demonstrate the volume of Vincent’s work. The inaccessibility created a sense of scarcity.

Jo moved from Paris to a small town in Holland and opened up a boarding house, taking Vincent’s artwork with her to store in the attic. From there she wrote letters to art dealers across Holland, persuading them to include Van Gogh’s in their shows. By concentrating on Vincent’s home country, she established a familiar fan base who would be more open to a fellow countryman’s work then the Parisians with its epicenter of thousands of aspiring artists. Once a footprint had been established in Holland, Jo was able to expand to other geographies,

Finally, one of my favorite marketing strategies is how she shared excerpts of Vincent’s letters to the public, along with his sketches in a series that ran in the Parisian art journal, “Le Mercure de France.” Vincent’s letters can be witty, angry, heartbroken, resilient—all demonstrating a vulnerability and desperate yearning to express himself better through art. Jo revealed the person behind the unconventional paintings. The strategy captivated the public’s curiosity.

Play It Loud! Receives 2025 Golden Sheaf Award nomination

The Yorkton Film Festival has announced the first round of nominees for the 2025 Golden Sheaf Awards, with Ultramagnetic Productions’ new documentary Play it Loud! How Toronto Got Soul earning a nomination for Best Arts/Culture Film.

The TVO Original doc reveals the vibrant but largely ignored Toronto Jamaican music scene from the 1960’s to the ‘90’s, through the life and music of the legendary Jay Douglas. The teenaged Douglas moved to Toronto to join his mother in 1963 and was quickly initiated into a thriving, underground Black music scene. As the lead singer of The Cougars, a group that included local legends Jackie Richardson, Jo Jo Bennett and Everton “Pablo” Paul, Douglas broke into the competitive Yonge Street music scene as one of only two bands to play at the storied Le Coq d’Or. The other group was Ronnie Hawkins’ Hawks, precursor to The Band.

Directed by Graeme Mathieson, produced by Andrew Munger with Clement Virgo as EP, Play it Loud! has been enjoying a surprisingly successful theatrical run with sold out screenings in Toronto (re-opening the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Theatre), Vancouver, Hamilton, Waterloo and Whitehorse.

Producer Andrew Munger attributes the success in engaging audiences, especially in the dead of the coldest winter in decades, to the strategy of making every screening an “event” featuring lively post screening conversations with the filmmakers and cast, often concluding with a Bob Marley singalong led by the film’s star Jay Douglas.

To promote the film, Munger used his learnings from producing the music docs Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band and Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry it On. A music documentary, especially one celebrating a great artist or culture, presents many opportunities for cross promotion. He partnered with Exclaim Magazine and Austin’s Light in the Attic Records for record and ticket giveaways, created an in-store event featuring Jay Douglas live at Sonic Boom Records (Toronto’s leading independent record store), and presented Jay live in performance at the Drake Hotel with Lula World Promotions and Jeff Rogers’ Handsome Boy Records. The producers also worked with Jamaican Canadian personality and influencer Danae Peart (CBC Commotion and Vibe105 FM) to engage with Jamaican and Caribbean communities. Play it Loud!’s theatrical release was supported by Ontario Creates and Telefilm Canada’s Marketing and Distribution funds, in concert with domestic distributer White Pine Pictures.

Play it Loud! was developed in collaboration with TVO Docs and further supported by the CMF, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, Rogers Documentary Fund, Slaight Hot Docs Music Fund and federal and provincial tax credits. Play It Loud! is currently streaming on TVO (TVO Docs YouTube channel, TVO.org and Smart TV app) and Knowledge Network.

Five by Five: Debut author kicks off four-book fantasy series

By Max Bowen

Take a walk through the Wythic Woods with Tilly, Jess, and Zach as they journey to find Tilly’s missing cousin, Michael, who disappeared in the woods a year ago. In Vanishings: The Wythic Wood Mystery Series (Sparkpress, May 20), debut author Catharina Steel encourages young readers to step off their phones and step out into the world.

In this interview, Catharina talks about the creation of this new series and what we can expect in future books, as well as how her own life helped inform the story. We also learn about her main characters and the process of bringing them to life.


This book is the beginning of a new series. What can we expect in subsequent books?
There are four books in The Wythic Wood Mysteries Series as follows:

Book Two Working Title: Weredog Curse. Tilly wants to reverse the curse the Witch of Wythic Wood has placed on the weredogs in her territory, so they search for the cure.

Book Three Working Title: Ancient Magic. They search for the elves Clayton eventually tells them about, and the truth about the Witch’s goal is revealed.

Book Four Working Title: Elven Battle. Tilly and friends team up with a group of good elves to battle the Wythic Wood elves at the fortress within this forest.

I read that your own battles with anxiety are incorporated in this book. How so?
Like myself, Jess was being bullied at school, but I allowed her personality to show me how she would be impacted by this. I love being outside because I enjoy exploring, but it felt truer to Jess’s personality that she initially struggles with anxiety in the outdoors.

I draw from my experience with anxiety symptoms, and how spending time outdoors allowed my body and mind to relax. You can see the impact on Jess, while at Opa’s property, with how she becomes enthusiastic about her surroundings as the anxiousness dissipates—at least until they head into Wythic Wood.

How did you develop your main characters?
I allowed Tilly, Jess, and Zach to develop as I wrote the story. Early on, I decided to create a profile of each of them, which I added to during the initial stages of writing and editing. This gave me a snapshot that I could refer to if I felt unsure about their reaction as I edited the story and enabled me to draw out their personalities more each time.

The more time I spent on the story the better I knew them. My experience with this is similar to meeting someone and getting to know them better.

What is the Wythic Wood?
The Wythic Wood is a forest situated on the south side of Opa’s property. It’s a wild place which used to be inhabited by many ancient mythical creatures—before the evil witch made it her home. An elf of old named it by mixing the two words wild and mythical together to create the name Wythic for this ancient homeland of their people.

In this forest lives the witch, weredogs, black bears, ravens, green snakes and a group of elves ruled by Timitus. There are abandoned fairy tree cities, smokestacks, underground tunnels, a spelled cave and the witch’s castle.

How did you create the “Gobight” martial art?
I needed a character skilled in martial arts to train the children, so Mort, a good goblin, became their teacher. But how could children go up against goblins who have greater reach with their long arms and weapons at the ready with their sharp fingernails and toenails? These attributes made it necessary to modify fight stances, strikes, and blocks.

It made sense to come up with a name to describe this new style of martial arts. I replaced the “f” in fight with “gob” from goblin to get the name gobight—a goblin style of martial arts.