Talking travel, robots, and Moscow marriages at the Rhode Island Author Expo

This December saw the return of the Rhode Island Author Expo, run by the Association of Rhode Island Authors. Along with emceeing the event, Citywide Blackout co-host Max Bowen sat down with some of the many talented writers to talk about their new releases, story inspirations, character development, and what we can expect down the road.

McLaughlin shares details of upcoming books
Heidi McLaughlin, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, joins me to talk about her two upcoming novels, “Sail Away With Me” (Dec. 31) and “The Art of Starting Over” (Feb. 1). Both are romance stories, and we go into the details of the potential couples, her character development process and how these fit into her over 60 previous works.

Getting married in 1979 Moscow
Joann and Jim Mead have an interesting story about how they met—in Moscow 1979. In their new book, “Married in Moscow: A Red-hot Memoir during Cold War Times,” the couple talk about what brought them to Moscow in the first place and their memorable moments there. Joann and Jim share their first impressions of each other and how they went from two strangers to a marriage that lasted the years.

From travel blogging to crime thriller
To say that C.B. Giesinger has had a wide-ranging writing career would be putting it mildly. From her travel blogging, where she shows readers some of the best places to check out across the globe, she’s also tried her hand at all sorts of genres of books. Most recently, she released “Where the Salt Water Ends” a thriller in which the mother of a missing child begins an investigation when other kids are taken, and the truth is not something she wants to learn.

C.B. and I talk about her different types of writing, portraying strong female characters, and future works.

YA author is back with second “Courage Kids” book
In 2023, I got to meet debut author Nishita Roy-Pope to talk about her first book. “Courage Kids: The Secret Soccer Ball.” Now, Nishita has continued the series with “Courage Kids-Robots, Sharks and the Missing Glow” and with a name like this, you just know it’s going to be a great story. Nishita talks about what inspired this book and how it continues the first one. We also go into this new role for Nishita and how she plans to grow it in the future.

Kelly Swan Taylor shares the newest story in teen mystery series
Kelly Swan Taylor is now in the fourth volume of her Wright Detective series, this time set amidst a new love for her protagonist, Tessa Wright. We explore the different ways that the series has progressed and how Tessa has changed since the first book. Kelly also shares the role that Tessa’s love interest Mason plays in the new book as well as the potential for new titles.

Five by Five: “Sleeping in the Sun” offers a blend of perspectives on a tale set in India

By Max Bowen

In Joanne Howard’s family-inspired book, “Sleeping in the Sun,” (Oct. 22, She Writes Press) readers are introduced to Gene Hinton and his Indian servant, Arthur, in British-ruled India. The book takes on two very different perspectives—one of privilege and one without. In this Five by Five interview, Howard shares the family stories that helped create the book, introduces us to George and Arthur, and talks about the historical changes she made in writing the book.

How did your family’s missionary work inspire the story?
This novel started one Thanksgiving dinner where my family passed around photo albums and diaries. I had always known that my grandfather was born and raised in India, and he would often cook these elaborate Indian dinners and even made me toys with Bengali inscriptions painted on them. But that Thanksgiving was the first time I can remember delving into the family archives and seeing photographs of the life they had there. It just struck me as such a different life than my own; there were diary entries of eating dinner outside a fragrant blooming Kamini tree in the moonlight or shaking out the bedding every night to make sure no critters had climbed in. And when I realized I had never come across a novel about Americans in British India, I just thought, there must be a story here.

Their life as missionaries was somewhat unique for westerners in India in that not only did they immerse themselves in India’s lowest social classes, those that needed the help, but they also were quite poor themselves. I thought this was pretty different from all the novels I had read about the English in India, which often had characters of high society or power and lived very proper lives.

What kind of research was done to prepare for writing?
Of course I started with my family’s well-curated trove of firsthand accounts, from multiple family members’ autobiographies to school diaries to vintage photographs. While that helped me imagine this time period and these characters, I was conscious of not wanting to stick too closely to the facts; this was still, after all, my story to tell, so I didn’t want to tie myself down to the historical accuracy. As for Arthur’s character, who is an Indian man and therefore outside my own lived experience or personal connection, I just tried to absorb as many works of Indian literature that matched his background and the time period, and two books especially inspired his character: “The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian” by Nirad C. Chaudhuri and “Pather Panchali” by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay.

In 2018, I also took a trip to India and visited a few locations that appear in the novel, such as the neighborhood where my family lived, their mission’s church that is still there, and some places in Calcutta like Howrah Station and the Maidan.

This book actually began as my thesis during my MFA in Creative Writing at Pacific University, Oregon, so there was a high expectation for research not only from a historical perspective but also from a literary perspective; I read as many books as I could set during the British Raj.

Tell me about the time period this book takes place in and what is happening?
The book is set in the 1930s, just a decade before India gains independence in 1947. In 1911, the Raj moved its capital from Calcutta to New Delhi amidst a rising nationalist movement in Calcutta. So the story takes place in between these big historical events. Bengal was historically a more progressive part of India; for example, the Bengal Renaissance was an arts and culture movement that saw a rise in themes of individualism and independence. So the stage is set for the fall of colonial rule, even if it is still a few years off.

What historical changes does your book make and why?
The family’s Indian servant, Arthur, is urged by his friend, Neer, to try courting Neer’s cousin and to see if married life is right for Arthur. The concept of courting or dating is very western compared to India, where arranged matches are more common. However, I was inspired by “A Suitable Boy,” a novel that is set just 20 years later about a young Indian woman who dates in search of a husband. And again, Bengal is a very progressive part of India, and with Arthur’s unique personal situation of having no parents or extended family to help arrange a marriage, I wanted to explore what a marriage plot could look like for him. It’s highly unusual, but the plot reveals why this is such a special case.

Who are Gene and Arthur, and how would you describe their relationship?
Gene is the youngest of four rowdy American brothers, and Arthur is the family’s lone Indian servant. They can both relate to each other as being at the bottom of the hierarchy in their lives, albeit in different ways. They are also both outcasts on some level; the Hintons are American and don’t quite fit in with British society, and Arthur has spent almost his whole life serving this missionary family, which typically didn’t mesh well with native Indians. They are also the only two people who are skeptical when Uncle Ellis arrives; they question why this high-ranking British judge is deigning to visit this humble American missionary family.

Crossing time zones and genres with Michael Botte

Michael Botte

Over his lengthy musical career, Michael Botte has seen it all and played it all, and in this interview, he shares it all—how it started, how it changed and how he feels to be a recent International Singer Songwriter Association award-winner for Male Emerging Artist of the Year.

Michael goes into his recent single release, “Dance With Your Shadow” and the upbeat reggae style that he got to incorporate. We talk about the genre-jumping he’s done and how he views his own sound. We learn how he met Bob Beals of Sound Foundation Studios and the great working relationship they’ve enjoyed over the years.

Michael’s merch bears the word, “#musicismytherapy” and he shares how this part of his life has helped him with his mental health and the impact he hopes to make through his music.

Closing out the episode is Michael’s single, “Dance With Your Shadow.”

New book showcases the beauty of San Miguel and the growth of the main character

Ann Marie Jackson

By Max Bowen

In Ann Marie Jackson’s book, “The Broken Hummingbird,” (She Writes Press), we follow the main character Jane as she embarks on the journey of a lifetime. In the midst of a marital crisis, Jane hatches an unusual plan to avoid a custody battle. She convinces husband Kevin to walk away from the pressures of New York—in particular, her demanding job and an affair she almost had—in the hope that moving to their favorite city abroad will fix their family.

In this interview, we dive into Jane’s journey to a new country and how she grows from the experience of being amidst a new culture. We talk about the two girls she helps and how this impacts her life.


Let’s begin with Jane’s journey in a new country. How does she handle this change in her life?
Because their marriage is on the rocks, Jane and her husband, Kevin, move to their favorite city abroad, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in the misguided hope that doing so will fix their family. But wherever you go, there you are. They bring their problems with them, and Kevin grows more resentful. She drags him to marriage counseling, but it doesn’t work, and there seems to be more going on with him. Jane has always been a successful, driven person, but now she fears that she’s failing at everything: she has stepped away from her career, her marriage is still failing, and because of that, worst of all, she fears she is failing her children.


Who are the two girls that Jane helps, and how does it impact her own life?
In San Miguel de Allende, out of a desire for distraction from her own problems, as well as a sincere urge to help and to assuage some expat white privilege guilt, Jane starts working with an NGO that helps families living in poverty. That’s how she meets the two little girls. She gets overly wrapped up in their family’s life and comes to suspect that her bumbling efforts are doing more harm than good. I believe that we should be out there in the world helping, trying to make a difference, but sometimes, like Jane, we may need to learn to help better.


How does Jane grow from this experience?
Being an expat is having a foot in two worlds. It is a stimulating way to live, but it does mean finding yourself off-balance on a regular basis, wondering what is it about this situation that I may not be interpreting correctly?

In “The Broken Hummingbird,” the characters’ openness to learning the ways of a second culture reflects their aptitude for growth. Jane and her kids avidly explore San Miguel and are enchanted by their new home. Kevin, focused on the past and what could have been, seems uninterested in embracing the family’s new world. This difference heightens the narrative conflict between the spouses. Becoming more bilingual, learning about Mexican culture, and forming cross-cultural friendships opens Jane up to making different choices for her future.

Does this reflect any experiences in your own life?
My own immigrant experience provides a deep well of inspiration. I am an American lucky to have lived in Hirakata, Japan; Shanghai, China; Suva, Fiji; Oxford, England; and now in gorgeous San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Each move entailed a challenging but rewarding effort to absorb a new set of unwritten societal rules. I believe that a great way to grow is to immerse myself in the unknown and have things I took for granted about how the world works suddenly come into question.

I would also like to point out that despite the difficult themes, much of the book is joyful. Jane, her children, and her new friends have a lot of fun along the way. Part of the enjoyment for me in writing this story was indulging in a chance to glory in the vibrant beauty of San Miguel, the city’s incredibly rich culture, and the pleasures of everyday life here.


What research did you do into San Miguel de Allende, Mexico?
I have been lucky to live full-time in San Miguel de Allende for the last 11 years, and I am raising my two sons here. They were 4 and 6 when we arrived, and now they’re in high school.

I am intensely involved in the San Miguel de Allende community, where I work with nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of women and children, and with advocates who protest violence against women and bring critical attention to las desaparecidas, the murdered and missing women of Mexico.

With friends, I started my own nonprofit called Mano Amiga. Our mission is to empower women, financially and personally, through microlending. We provide financial training, mentoring, and interest-free loans, giving women the means to build successful small businesses. I also served as vice president of Casita Linda, and I remain on the organization’s advisory board. We build approximately 10 houses per year, at a cost of $17,000 per house, for families living in extreme poverty.

Despite this wealth of personal experience, I still needed to research certain traditions and historical information to ensure that I accurately portrayed the details. Throughout my travels, I have become a student of the little differences that truly matter. I hope the resulting attention to detail comes through in my writing.

From debut albums to music production—Sarah Krohn shares her journey

After hearing “A Part of Me” by Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Sarah Krohn, I knew this was an artist to have on the show. So, here we go! Sarah and I talk about how she's grown as a musician from her debut album “81” at age 14 to her most recent single, “Sanguine in Blue,” released last December.

“A Part of Me” shares the theme of growing up and leaving home, which ties into her recent move to college in Ohio. We also talk about her recent work with friend and fellow musician Dani Jimenez and her band, Almost Tuesday.

Going to the School of Rock has offered Sarah a lot of opportunities beyond the classroom—including performing at Lollpalooza and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and she tells all about these experiences. She also goes into what she learned at School of Rock and how she's continued her musical education since.

Afterward, enjoy two of Sarah's songs—“A Part of Me” and “Stardust,” which is from her debut album.

Hanna Barakat shares stories about the music scenes in Boston and Austin

My first episode of 2021 features Austin-based rocker Hanna Barakat talking about her debut album “Siren,” which encompasses 10 years worth of music. We talk about the production process and the different sounds that the album showcases.

Hanna is originally from Texas but spent some time in my old stomping grounds of Boston as a student of Berklee College of Music. She shares the story of how this came to be and some of the unique lessons she learned while in the city. Ironically, much of her band also went to Berklee, though they wouldn't meet until after that time.

Like many other artists, Hanna has seen her career suffer during the pandemic, and talks about some of her plans for 2021, which will include some new music.

Following this, I've got two tracks from the album, “In the Night,” followed by “Siren.”

Chashe speaks on Boston/London music scenes, being a full-time musician, and the different twists of life

London-based songwriter Chashe has certainly had an interesting life story. Born in Zimbabwe, educated at the University of Cape Town and Berklee College of Music in Boston, she has a lot of stories to share. We talk all about her time in Boston and the different bands she got the chance to see, with plenty of my own stories from living there.

Chashe's mom has been a central figure in her music career, whether it was encouraging her to pursue her dreams at a young age, to being the ultimate 'band mom' today. She also talks about working with her partner in the studio and how they complement each other as a team.

“Lucid” is Chashe's newest album, and it's an eclectic mix of styles and sounds. We look at the different stories she shares, from there being no rules when it comes to love, or moving ahead without looking back. She's also got new music in the works, and potentially some events to look forward to.

Following this, kick back and enjoy “Lucid,” followed by “9:45,” both from the new album and two of my favorites.

Mykaela Jay shares stories of singing her way from Melbourne to Ecuador and home again

In this episode, Mykaela Jay talks about what led to her moving from Australia at the age of 19 and living and playing in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. This includes busking with a circus performer, and would eventually lead to her heading back home. She also talks about the many charities she has worked with, as well as the activist causes she has taken on, both through volunteer work and in her music.

Mykaela has released two singles so far, “A Dog’s Way Home” and “Purple Flowers” and her debut album “Mother Dearest” will be released early next year. We discuss the many people she's worked with and some of the impromptu additions that have been made to the songs. She's also returned to the stage and we talk about how it feels to be back before a live audience.

Following this, enjoy her single “Purple Flowers.” It's got a jazzy, soulful style that I really loved.

Traveling Spain with Ernest Hemingway's ghost

Like the title? It's basically the subject of author Ken Dortzbach’s debut novel “Finding Hemingway,” available on July 7. This story sends its protagonist Callie McGraw on a life-changing adventure after she receives a mysterious phone call from Ernest Hemingway. She begins packing her bags for the sun-kissed streets that night. Starting in Barcelona, Callie embarks on a six-month escapade of a lifetime, a whirlwind of Spanish food, wine, art and dancing, with a revolving cast of friends and lovers keeping her company in each new locale.

Ken and I talk about his own time in Spain and his many adventures there, as well as how a career in law prepared him (kinda) for writing a novel.