The dark [and kinda funny] future of New England

Author/musician Jim Infantino joins me to talk about his experience at the recent Boskone book expo. It was his first time there and we talk panels, Jim's fellow writers, and how the event compares to others.

We take a long look at Jim's first book, “ The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide to New New England & Beyond.” The book shows a climate-changed future seen from two starkly different cultural perspectives.

Following this, check out two songs from Jim's band, Jim's Big Ego—“In My Cult,” followed by “The Ballad of Barry Allen.”

Boskone Part 2

Rob Greene

Here it is, the second episode of my coverage of the 2020 Boskone book expo. Thanks go out to the folks behind this great event for having me back this year.

Up first it's Anabel Graetz, who led workshops on vocal training. Along with her years spent as a singing teacher, she has an acting resume a mile long! We talk about the movies she's been in and the Who's Who of talent she's worked with.

E.C Ambrose recently released “Bone Guard Two: The Nazi Skull,” and “The Singer's Crown: The Author's Cut.” The latter is a re-release which has 35,000 more words and she talks about how this changed the story and the research part of the Bone Guard series.

Rob Greene and I chatted about his debut book, “The Light Years,” which deals with an arranged marriage and the discovery of long-held secrets. Rob talks about the world-building process and how it feels to have his first novel out for the world to enjoy.

The final interview is with Sarah Smith for her upcoming book, “Crimes and Survivors,” available April 15. This Titanic-based story is a mystery about not only icebergs, wrecks, and murder, but crimes against the human spirit and how to survive them. Sarah and I dive into the time period and what it meant then when the main character learns that she may have a relative of African descent.

Boskone Part 1

Author Vincent O'Neil 

Feb. 14 marked the 2020 Boskone book expo and I had a great time, as usual. I got the chance to speak to a lot of great writers, and the interviews are collected in the first of two episodes.

In the first, Michael McAfee of the Post Meridian Radio Players talks about the show they did at Boskone “The Silver Shade: Help From The Shadows.” Michael tells me about the casting process and how they plan for the worst to happen.

Author Tabitha Lord and I haven't spoken in years and there is a lot to recap! She's completed her sci-fi “Horizon” series and tells me about the urban fantasy story she's working on now, which includes a lot of research.

Last in this episode is Vincent O'Neil, who has been hard at work shopping around the script for his “Handler Hank” short story. He goes into the transition from short story to script and what other of his works he'd like to see on the screen.

April 21, 2019: Divertir Publishing/Heroes and Treasure/Kate Kaufmann

Ken Tupper of Divertir Publishing opens the show with a look back at the company's 10 years in business, if Ken ever thought he'd reach this milestone. He walks us through the process of book selection and how much time he gives to the hundreds of submissions he receives each year. 

Next up, a gem from our Boskone visit, Matt Zappa and I talk to Jason Davis, creator of the family-friendly board game Heroes and Treasure. Jason talks about how he came up with the idea, the game's mechanics, and the process of getting it out to the world.

Kate Kaufmann

Last up is Kate Kaufmann for her book “Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No.” The book was released earlier this month and compiles the stories of women who, for a number of reasons, did not have children. Kate talks about the stories she collected and the stigma sometimes experienced by those childless women.

And for music this week, I've got Stone the Druggist with “Burn Slow” after Ken's interview, and Amrit Ghatore's “Chess Game” after the Heroes and Treasure interview.

March 20, 2019: Boskone Podcast 2 with Brenda Clough and Morgan Duran

In the second episode of my Boskone podcast series, author Brenda Clough and I chat about time travel and how it works in her science fiction series. She also talks about the inherent challenges that come with writing a novel and the methods she uses to ensure she's able to complete a book once it's started.

Morgan Duran has both music and books to talk about, and we open with “The Chilling Zone,” a sci-fi tale with political intrigue and dark secrets. She shares her work in music, the styles that influence her, and how one connects with the other.

And for new music, I've got “The Cowboy Way,” another tune from Americana artist Mike Allen. He's on during the first break and after the second interview it's “Tread Softly” by Emily Jean Flack, a singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in folk and Celtic.

March 12, 2019: Boskone Part 1 with S.L. Huang/Eugene Doucette

Welcome to the first in my series of Boskone interviews. Boskone is an annual science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place in Boston. I've covered it for the past few years, and it's always been a great time. 

First up, author S.L. Huang and I talk about the times she's been set on fire (seriously) while working as a stunt person and how this and martial arts training come into play in her work. We chat about villains and how they sometimes imitates life, particularly in this current political climate. This is her first Boskone, and she shares some of her favorite parts and how she became involved in the first place.

Eugene Doucette is a hybrid author, and he talks about what that means and how it's benefited him as a writer. We talk reviews, both good and bad, and how even the bad ones can offer a lesson. We chat about marketing one's work and some of the biggest challenges that he's faced.

And for new music, I bring you “Last Call” from Maida a singer-songwriter based in Germany. Her style has been compared to that of Melissa Etheridge. Her song is up after the first interview, and to close the show, I give you “I Drink Alone,” from “Wildman” Pebo Wilson, who grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and began singing at age 16.

Boskone Preview Part 2: Fond Lee/Christopher Golden

Fonda Lee

In this episode of Citywide Blackout, we continue our pre-Boskone coverage. Boskone is an annual fantasy and science fiction book festival that I've attended for years and always have a blast at. It's happening this weekend, Feb. 15-17, and you can learn more at boskone.org.



First up, I talk to Portland, Oregon-based writer Fonda Lee about audiobooks and how to get the voices just right, her joy at writing fight scenes, and how to best prep for a convention like Boskone.






Next up, it's author Christopher Golden, known for his work not only with books, but also comics and television. He shares some behind-the-scenes info on what it means for a book to be optioned for film or television and talks about scenes that have been intense, even for him.

Plus, it's more new music! Michael Egleton, a Blues, Soul and Jazz artist from Akron, Ohio. He describes himself as a soulful sound with innovative techniques and style, and I can't argue with that. I'm playing “Behind These Walls” and “Situations” at both breaks.

Be sure to follow the show on Facebook under Citywide Blacout and Twitter and Instagram under Citywidemax. As always, keep those ears open.

Boskone Preview Part 1: Clea Simon/Gerald Coleman

Welcome to our podcast preview of the annual Boskone book festival. First up is author Clea Simon—a newcomer to the Boskone family. She and I talk about the Boston music scene, which is the setting for her book “World Enough,” our favorite clubs, and how the it's changed over the years. She shares the story behind her new mystery novels, most of which have animals as the main characters.

Fellow writer Gerald Coleman's resume is far too long to list, but we cover a lot of ground in this interview, talking about how theology and science fiction come together, his work with the Affrilachian Poets and the diversity we see (and don't see) in comics and science fiction.

In addition, I've got some new music for you, with singles from Marco Bonvicini and Klgor.

Blackout Bootleg: Boskone 2018, Part 2

In Part 2 of our interviews at the Boskone festival, I speak to Jeanne Cavelos about the research that goes into her sci-fi novels, how the publishing industry has changed, her writing workshops, and how technomages are the coolest thing ever.

Next up, it's Kenneth Rogers Jr., a great writer who I met at my first Boskone. He's back for a second year, and we look at the diversity in the writing world and what still needs to be done to create better opportunities for all writers. He's also got a new book out, "Heroes, Villains, and Healing" and you can bet we'll be sharing that story.

Blackout Bootleg: Boskone Podcast 2018, Part 1

In this first episode of the 2018 Boskone podcast, I talk to authors William Hayashi and Auston Habershaw. 

Hayashi is the author of the Darkside Trilogy and host of the Genesis Science Fiction Radio Show. We talk about the increasing diversity in sci-fi and fantasy authors and the reaction to his trilogy.

Habershaw is an old friend of the show, having been on before for his he Saga of the Redeemed series (now in its fourth volume) and the many conventions he's been to.

Feb. 1, 2018: Back Seat Redemption/Boskone/Steven Hobbs

Back Seat Redemption

The band Back Seat Redemption joins Max in the studio to share songs from their forthcoming EP, recorded at New Alliance Studios. Conrad, Cozzy, and Clark talk about the number of shows this band has under its belt and more that are plannd this coming year to celebrate the EP's release.

JoAnn Cox and Erin Underwood are among the organizers of the annual Boskone book festival, which features some of the best and newest names in science fiction and fantasy. But it's far more than a book expoâBoskone has dozens of panels and presentations giving important lessons for those who want to break into the publishing industry, and insight into the minds of their favorite writers.

And speaking of writers, we end this show with Steven Hobbs, who has a new book about regeneration and new life in his book, "Retreads." How does a person born in the early 1800s adapt when they find themselves reborn in the here and now? You'll need to turn the pages of Hobbs' newest stories, a story which centers on Margaret Dearborn and her quest to find her lost love.

Blackout Bootleg: Boskone Podcast, Volume 3

In our last interview as part of the Boskone podcast series, Matt and Max sit down with author B.J. Williams, a Boston-based writer and member of Dragonwell Publishing, Kenneth Rogers, Jr. to talk about his award-winning title "Sequence," and Brandon Sanderson, whose many works have earned him a number of awards, and several being optioned as movies.

Blackout Bootleg: Boskone Podcast, Volume 2

In our next installment of the Boskone podcast series, Max and Matt talk to artist Chris Mindle, Trisha Wooldridge and Roxanne Bland of Broad Universe, and Lindsay Moore, co-founder of Hellcat Press.

Boskone Podcast, Part 1-Julian Mills/Copperfrog Games/Jeremy Flagg

In February, Matt Zappa and Max Bowen attended the Boskone book convention, a showcase of more than 150 sci-fi and fantasy authors, plus many artists and some game designers. In our first volume of the Boskone podcast series, Matt and Max talk to authors Juliana Mills, Jeremy Flagg, and games designer Michael Epstein.

Feb. 16, 2017: Anna Madsen/Northeast Comic-Con, Or So The Story Goes/Jim Kelly and Boskone

Max with Anna Madsen

Anna Madsen makes her return to Citywide to talk about her new album, "Whisper," In addition to some brand new material, this album features re-imaginings of tracks from her last album, "Efflorescence." We play a few of these songs and discuss Anna's upcoming European tour as well as her experience working with producer Brian Coombes.

Gary Sohmers is best known as the King of Pop Culture, and if that's true, then the Northeast Comic-Con is definitely his kingdom. He's been running this event for years, and it returns in just two weeks with some amazing guests, a unique cosplay contest, and a slew of great local artists of all kinds.

Writer/Director Theresa Labreglio and cast members Diann Gogerty and Bryan Civitarese call in to talk about the web series, "Or So The Story Goes," which they've been a part of since it launched four years ago. The series, now in its third season, gives a unique perspective on classic children's tales. Beginning as a teen outreach program to teach filmmaking, the series has earned awards and become a popular young adult series.

Author Jim Kelly is joining his fellow scribes at the Boskone book festival, happening this weekend in Boston. The even will showcase nearly 200 writers and feature panels and gaming demonstrations. In addition, Jim talks about his sixth book and the life of a full-time writer.