Ever been to a dinner and you just know it’s going to go badly? Well, you may have a new perspective after reading Amanda Blake’s extreme horror story, “Question Not My Salt,” available through Crystal Lake Entertainment. Here’s a little taste of what’s in store: “Sierra's first American Thanksgiving promises to be unforgettable when her college roommate, Zoe, invites her to the Samuels family feast. But as the ten-hour banquet unfolds, it becomes clear this is no ordinary holiday gathering. With everyone bound by a chilling rule—eat and drink exactly as served, and enjoy it, or face dire consequences—the traditional celebration quickly takes a dark and macabre turn.” Amanda joins us to talk about how this book came to be and some inspiration received from greats like “Hannibal” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” This began as a short story and we go into how it grew into the 150-page book it is now, as well as how Amanda likes to pace the more intense scenes.   As they say, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but the art for “Question Not My Salt” gets a lot of talk as we dive into this macabre design. Amanda talks about how the characters of Zoe, Sierra and Mother all fit in and how Sierra handles this rather unexpected family dinner.

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Oh, what’s that? It’s a real crime? And we need to solve it? And we could be killed? Yeah, that’ll be fine. In the Oni Press four-part series, “Jill and the Killers,” teenager Jill Estrada is dealing with the unsolved disappearance of her mother, a police detective, and trying to get back to a normal life. . . . even as her friends become obsessed with Box Killers, a true-crime subscription game where each month’s “unsolved case” is custom-tailored to the life of its player. There’s only one catch: Jill’s game seems to be all too real—and when her clues begin to connect the dots to a very real series of disappearances in her hometown, Jill and her friends must conquer their fears and own personal struggles to solve the case. Series writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs joins us to talk about its origins, as well as why she chose to use a subscription box as the vehicle for the story. Olivia worked with artist Roberta Ingranata on “Jill and the Killers” and we talk about how the two met and the collaboration process. Olivia’s worked on murder mysteries before and goes into how the past experience informed this new project.  We’ve gotten the chance to read the final issue (out on April 17), and while we won’t be giving out any spoilers, Olivia does share how she devised the end of the series and hints at a possible continuation.

In the latest live episode of Citywide Bytes, Max talked with author Joseph Macolino for his recently-finished (or is it?) “Evorath Trilogy.” He released the third book, “The Battle for Erathal,” and we go into how this wraps up the story, as well as what he has planned next. This series is years in the making, and Joseph talks about the lengthy world-building he did, which included a lot of education to expand his knowledge and create a more varied Evorath. He also shares the character creation process, how he’s seen them grow, and the challenge of deciding when certain ones need to meet a grisly end.

Our next guest is a familiar name, having been featured as part of our artist Q&A series. We had such a great time, we knew we had to have him back to talk about his third book. Author Tim Facciola joins us to talk about his soon-to-be-released “The Age of the End,” out on April 16. Here’s a quick synopsis of the overall story. In a world where blood is a short resolution for rebellion, Zephryus only knows two things: he is prophesied to bring peace and balance to the world, and he doesn’t remember anything before his life as an enslaved gladiator. With the fragmented shards of his memory, he is bought by the prince to fight in the gladiator ring, and spy on the queen’s bloody rebellion against the king. Fighting as a gladiator means fighting for his life, and as he faces the prince’s foes and thwarts the queen’s plans, he also discovers that there is more injustice in this world than he imagined. Will Zephyrus be able to stay alive long enough to enact his revenge? Or will the vengeful plot within this royal family keep him from fulfilling his destiny?   Tim shares the inspiration for this book as well as the 10 years he spent developing the world and its characters. He explains how Zephyrus’ amnesia shapes the story, as well as the extensive psychological research he did during the writing process. Tim talks about the story’s conclusion (with no spoilers!) and the possibility for spinoff or prequel down the road. We go into the many reviews he’s gotten, if he reads them, and how such feedback affects him as a writer.

Over the years, brothers Brandon Brodzinski and Johnathan Rockwood with Donny Hoover III have made a lot of memories while playing in Escape The Paradigm, and they hop on the show to give us all the details.   From touring with All That Remains to playing some kickass full houses, there’s a lot to go over, along with how this three-member band came together and what’s kept Escape The Paradigm going for more than a decade. Escape The Paradigm came to our attention through Curtain Call Records and we go into how the band came to work with them and how that’s gone. We also talk live shows, recording their two albums, “Mistaken” and “All Fall Down,” and what is planned for later this year. Opening the episode is a brief excerpt from the Escape The Paradigm’s “Villain,” and closing things out is the complete “Fixated.”

The lesson here is to make the call…the worse thing they’ll say is no. Years ago, Andrew Yampolskyi took that chance when he reached out to Sunset Alliance of California, and in 2021, his band Homeless Radio released their debut EP, “The Truth.” In our March 30 Citywide Bytes show, Andrew joins Max to talk about how this Ukranian rock band formed in 2016, making a name for themselves locally and growing over the years. The band faced adversity in 2022 during the Russian invasion, dispersing its members across Ukraine and Andrew shares how they continued to make music, releasing two singles, “About You” and “Submarine,” the latter of which was a tribute to a novel of the same name. Closing out this episode is the band’s recent release, “Submarine.”

I’m not gonna lie—I’ve been looking forward to this all week.   In this episode, YouTuber The RealGMat joins us to talk about his many years on the platform and how it all got started. With over 30,000 subscribers, GMat goes into the community that he’s built and the interactions he has via his videos and Twitch streams. He talks about some of the different videos he’s done and his first videos.   Along with his own channel, he’s worked with companies like Gameology and Watch Mojo and shares the various memories made along the way.    Last December, seeking a new creative outlet, GMat released the EP “Little Fish” under the name Brotherband. He goes into the creative process, including the stories behind the songs, the contributions of Charlie McCosh and Jesse Kluytmans, and how it felt sharing it with the world.  Closing out the episode, we’ve got “Half Star Bay,” from the “Little Fish” EP.

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but in the case of Nick Roberts’ new release, “Mean Spirited,” it’s that wonderfully terrifying art that captures the feel of this new horror story. The book is released through Crystal Lake Entertainment. Released just a day before this recording, the story centers on how an alcoholic teacher and father’s world spirals out of control when a former student is killed and he is left with her dog and the dark presence that follows it. Nick and Max talk about the creation of Matt Matheny and why Nick went this type of character, as well as how he handles the challenges that await. His ex-wife, Lucy, also plays a role and we look at how the two work together to unravel what is going on. We discuss the dog, Conehead, and get a glimpse into the darkness that follows him. Nick also talks about the amazing cover art and the different aspects of the book that it captures.

Ezekiel Kincaid, known as “The Pastor of Horror” and “The Paranormal Pastor” returns to the show to talk about his new book. “The Tetromet Tapes,” a part of his ongoing Tetromet Universe. Set in 1990 in a small town in Louisiana, the book adapts the found footage movie style as a literary device. Five 12-year-old boys find some VHS tapes in the trash can of their neighbor, Edgar Craddock. The sickening footage leads the five friends down a rabbit hole of shadows and darkness, seeking to discover the truth around an ancient cult, a haunted road, and Edgar Craddock. Ezekiel and Max dive into just what is on the tapes and where the footage leads the boys. He talks about Edgar Craddock, a character which plays a wider role in the Tetromet Universe. We also learn about the five boys, who reflect Ezekiel’s childhood friends, and how their different personas drive the story. The book is currently out on Amazon and Godless, an e-book publisher launched three years ago and Ezekiel shares how he came to work with them. And of course, no horror conversation is complete without talking about the book’s epic cover.

The Sea Gods have gotten off to a great start with their debut singles, “Are You Here Now” and “Tell Me,” and they’ve got a lot more in the works. In this recording of our March 9 Citywide Bytes episode, band founder Jack Flint tells us how he, Marty Taylor and Carl Donoghue met and what led to the band’s founding. Each band member brings a lot of experience with other projects, and we go into how the past work may influence the current. Jack and I talk about the stories behind the two singles. “Are You Here Now” has a message of living in the moment, not regretting the past or fretting the future. “Tell Me” came from a very challenging part of Jack’s life and we talk about how the hard times inspire the best music. Closing out this episode is “Are You Here Now.”

Author Maria Guglielmo was last on the show some years back for her debut book, “Summoned,” and since then, she’s been up to quite a bit, including debuting her new “Riftworld” series with “Witch City Rift” and “Rifted Hearts,” which drops on March 19. Curtis and I talk with Maria about this new series and what went into building the world behind it. We do a deep dive into her main character, Remi Gatti, a con man who seems to find himself in over his head in both stories. We look at his power to manipulate sexual desire and the role this plays in the story, as well as the mystical realm that extends into Boston and Salem. There’s a mysterious figure called The Matchmaker in both books and we talk about just who this person is and how they’re influencing the tale. 

For our newest Citywide Bytes, Max is talking with Chris Lengyel, as he puts it “a dude who does magic tricks.” And he’s been doing them for almost 20 years, for the likes of Las Vegas duo Penn and Teller, TruTV's "Impractical Jokers" and the cast of NBC's "The Voice.” Now, Chris is hitting the road, embarking on his Illusions Plus Alcohol (I.P.A.) tour. On this live interview, we talk about where he’s going and what people can expect at his shows. He shares some backstory on how he got into magic in the first place, and growing what began as a hobby into his career. Chris talks about meeting Penn and Teller and the impromptu performance he did, and we discuss his favorite tricks and some that even he steers clear of.

Well, if the world has to end, at least it looks amazing. Comics great Scott Snyder has teamed up with his son Jack to pen the ComiXology series “By A Thread,” now three issues in, with issue four to be released on March 26. Set amidst a desolated Earth, The Shroud has consumed nearly the entire surface of the planet, with just a handful of outposts remaining. Jo and his friends live on five “Needles,” spikes of diamonds, the only substance that The Shroud cannot devour. It’s a hard life, but the appearance of a strange traveller gives hope to a legend of an untouched island where life can thrive once more. Scott, Jack and I talk about how this series grew from a writing exercise to published comic. This was Jack’s first foray into comics, and we go into how he viewed the experience and the lessons learned, both for he and his father. The series was drawn by Valeria Favoccia (Beatrix Rose), colored by Whitney Cogar (Giant Days), and lettered by Tom Napolitono (letters), and we talk about how this team collaborated and produced some of the best art I’ve ever seen. Jack helped create the diverse cast, and we look at each person’s role and how the characters were created—both the heroes and villains. Though the story is nearing its end, more is planned for “By A Thread,” and Scott shares a few details on what we can expect.

Our next guest was among the first on Citywide Blackout, and so it’s fitting that she joins us for our post-hiatus interview. Singer-songwriter Sarah Blacker is back with a new EP, “Horizon Line” “Horizon Line,” Sarah Blacker’s new studio EP is described as a “raw, stripped down and vulnerable, just the way she wanted it to be.” Recorded (mostly) live and mixed at Boston Music Award-winning producer, Sean McLaughlin’s 37’ Productions studios, it was performed and co-produced by Blacker and her husband, Aaron Z. Katz (Percy Hill, the Dejas). In this interview, Curtis and Max talk about what went into this new production and her longstanding collaboration with McLaughlin, another mainstay in the Boston-area music scene. She goes into her recent release shows, including Club Passim, where she has played for years. There’s some retro talk this time as we dive into promoting albums in 2024 and how Sarah has changed her strategy since releasing “The Only Way Out is Through” in 2009. Those of us born in the 80s will likely find a lot to relate to. We’re opening the interview with an excerpt from the title track and closing things out with “Walk On.” 

This episode kicks off a brand-new segment called Citywide Bytes, where I do live interviews on the Citywide Blackout Instagram page. This is the recording of that interview, so be sure to check out the live segment, every Saturday at 10 a.m. EST.   Opening this new segment is poptimistic-rock artist Nadia Vaeh. She’s released two amazing singles, “Sorry I Was Not OK” and “When U Think About Love,” on Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, respectively, and we go into the inspiration for these singles and some new musical styles she’s tried out. We also talk about how music has helped in the past to get through the difficult times.   Nadia shares the creative process behind the amazing music videos made for both singles, which were directed by film producer Jessica Farmer. Both videos are unique, with a different storytelling method, and Nadia shares the creative process of working with Jessica.   Closing this episode is one of Nadia’s new singles, “Sorry I Was Not OK.”

If you’ve been in the Boston music scene, the name Valerie Forgione is likely a familiar one. She made her name as the lead singer of the band Mistle Thrush, and now she’s back with a new solo project, Lovina Falls—trust me, this is one to check out.   In this episode (the first recorded in 2024), Valerie and Max talk about the origins of Lovina Falls, the name of which is family-inspired. While all the music was written, arranged and produced by Valerie, she had some help in the recording portion—from none other than her former bandmates in Mistle Thrush. We talk about the sound of the debut album, “Calculating the Angle of Our Descent,” how it’s defined, and what we can expect from this great solo project. Valerie had been out of the music scene for a little while, and shares how it feels to be back on stage. Opening this episode is a brief excerpt from the song “Vaulted,” and closing it is the complete “Hologram,” both of which you can find on the Lovina Falls debut album.

Over the course of several years, author and artist Glenda Goodrich discovered herself through a series if wilderness quests. Traveling into the remote wilds of Oregon, Washington and California, she learned about life, death and what it means to be happy—and chronicled those experiences in her new book, “Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions.” In this episode, Glenda talks about the inspiration for her journeys and what she experienced while on them. We talk about the things she learned and how it’s influenced the person she is now. She also talks about the decision to write the book and the editing process—both with an editor and a writing group—that shaped the final product.

Currently residing in Nashville, singer-songwriter Kaitlyn Croker has made a name for herself with her debut singles, “Dead Man Walking” and “You’re the Hero.” In this interview, Max and Curtis talk about these two songs and their varied styles. Kaitlyn talks about how she’s been exploring music and some potential new paths she’d like to walk. “You’re the Hero” has a very personal connection, as it’s a reflection on military families. Kaitlyn’s father was a fighter pilot for 26 years and now works for the Pentagon and she talks about her experiences being in a military family. Raised in Maryland, Kaitlyn recently made the trek to Nashville and she shares some of her experiences there. She also talks about the influence of the city and how she’s changed as an artist. Opening this episode is an excerpt from “Dead Man Walking” and closing this out is “You’re the Hero.”

In this episode, we’re talking to four of the horrific minds behind two recent releases by Crystal Lake Publishing: “Never Wake: An Anthology of Dream Horror” and “Dark Tide 10: The Dead Shall Rise.” In the first interview, Max talks with Kenneth Cain and Tim Meyer, the editors of this collection of short stories with a dream horror theme. We talk about what dream horror is and how the different authors express it in their stories. Kenneth and Tim go into the editing process and how they worked with the different authors to improve their work while at the same time preserving their original voice. We talk about the book’s cover art, which has a wonderfully trippy cover. Following this, Max and Curtis are chatting with Armand Rosamilia and Erin Louis, two of the three writers who contributed to ‘The Dead Shall Rise,” a collection of zombie stories. Jay Wilburn, who wrote “Prepare Because Death is Coming” passed away in 2022. Armand and Erin talk about Jay’s story and their experience with him as a writer and friend. We also go into their stories—Armand’s has a family on vacation when the zombie apocalypse breaks out and Erin’s main character Tiffney leading a group of survivors at a strip club assaulted by the living dead. Both talk about their interest in zombies and the new directions that this book took them in.

In her Depression-era thriller “The Human Trial,” author Audrey Gale shares the story of Dr. Randall Archer, who changed medicine forever with his groundbreaking microscope. Overnight, he’s catapulted from the steel mills to the upper echelon of Bostonian society. But many challenges await, from the devastation of the Great Depression to the battle to maintain his place.  In this episode, Curtis and Max talk with Audrey about what inspired this book and the creation of Archer. We look at her own experience with medicine and how this shaped the novel, as well as the research done. Audrey talks about Archer’s ascension and how this impacts him, as well as how he has to fight to keep what he’s earned.

For my next guest, between all she does on set, behind the camera and behind the mic, I’m glad she found the time to talk with me. This episode features Las Vegas-based actress, podcaster and writer Tonya Todd.  Tonya and I dive into her various projects, starting with her work on the series “Dark Ops,” which is on Knight TV+. Dark Ops follows the inner workings of the FBI's Behavior Analysis Unit 2 whose mission is to hunt down and dismantle ransomware crime syndicates global and we take a close look at Tonya’s character Senator Anne. This is a part she had little time to prepare for, and we talk about how she got into character, as well as the ways that she made Senator Anne her own. Tonya is also working on the short film “Mourning Sacrifice,” wherein a detective helps a woman find her missing husband. This film is Tonya’s directorial debut, and it’s also based on a short story she wrote. She shares the casting process, how the characters changed the story, as well as being in the big chair for the first time.

The weekend of Dec. 2 saw the return of the annual Rhode Island Author Expo. Citywide host Max Bowen was there to not only emcee the event, but interview some of the great writers who were there. Kicking off this episode is Nishita Roy-Pope to talk about her new book, “Courage Kids: The Magic Soccer Ball.” It’s her debut book and we talk about how her background in business and as a diversity leader helped prepare her for this new role. Nishita talks about the different characters, how her kids helped with the ideas and what she hopes people take away from the story. Up next, Ann Watt channels her 30 years as a critical care nurse into a memoir, “When Being a Nurse was Fun.” She shares a few stories from her time as a nurse and what inspired the book. We go into what nursing was like pre-COVID and how the pandemic changed everything. Keith Carreiro is no stranger to the show, having been on before to talk about his nine-book series, “The Immortality Wars.” This blend of science fiction and fantasy centers on Pall Warren, a 16th-century warrior who wakes up to find himself in the far future. He’s now four books into the series with the release of “The Pilgrim” and we look at how the story has advanced. Kelly Swan Taylor brings a little mystery to the show with her series “The Wright Detective,” now three books long. Tessa Wright is a seventh-grade student who solve mysteries with her friends. We talk about the main character’s creation, along with how her friends and father—also a detective—factor into the books. Kelly has a new book, “Frozen in Time,” and we talk about the intense plot that awaits. Maggie Kozel brings things to a close with her book, “My Legs are Crying.” Like Ann, this book is centered on real-life experience in the medical world. Maggie’s book is based on her work with emotional-based illnesses, and we go into what they are and how her work impacted medicine.

Sterling Golden is retiring. Those are four words I never thought I’d say. But, here we are. As of Jan. 1, 2024, Sterling Golden will bring a 15-year career in music, nightlife, events, radio, and podcasting to a close and enter his next phase-focusing on family. In this interview, Sterling and I talk about the decision to retire made early this year and how he’s processed it in the months that followed. Sterling shares his thoughts on stepping down and how he’s already begun adjusting to his new role. But the man isn’t quite done yet. He has two interviews dropping this month, as well as a final, 23-hour playlist covering some of his favorite music from 1976 to present. Sterling gives a few previews as to that you can expect, but trust me, you’ll want to check them out and hear the full stories. Fifteen years is a long time in any industry, and Sterling and I talk about some of his best moments and memorable encounters. We look at business left unfinished and if there’s any chance that Sterling Golden will return to the world of nightlife. He also talks about his last live event and the experience of being on stage for the final time.

For Roberta Kuriloff, much of her life has been spent finding her home—from living in an orphanage following the deaths of her mother and aunt and separation from her father to standing on a plot of land in Maine preparing to build her new house.   In “Framing a Life: Building a Space to Be Me,” Kuriloff chronicles this journey, bringing together several journals that she kept over the years. The book details an eight-year spiritual quest where she explore her Jewish roots, how she came to understand the losses and the influence they had on her, and discovering her sense of self.   In this interview, Roberta speaks with Max on the concept of ‘home’ and what it means to her. We talk about the writing process and what inspired her decision to share the story with the world. Roberta shares the losses she’s endured, and how she’s grown through them into the person she is today. We also go into the spiritual quest and what she experienced during that time.  

Since hearing, “Pottery God” from Gabby & The Gondolas, it was clear this was a band to watch. The mix of sounds and honest lyrics were refreshing and compelling to listen to and it’s clear there’s more to come.   In this interview, Max and Curtis chat with Kyle Neveau, the band’s founder. We talk about how Gabby came to be and the origin of this unique band name. We do a deep dive into their EP “Pollyanna” and the diverse sounds and stories that make it up. It’s described as “a snapshot in time” and we go into what that means and the timeframe Kyle wanted to capture.   Kyle also talks about the move he made from San Clemente, California, to Knoxville, Tennessee, and his experiences over the last couple years. The episode wouldn’t be complete without talking about the stealer cover art for “Pollyanna,” and we give a shoutout to the artist behind this amazing creation.   Opening the episode is an excerpt from the debut single “Pottery God” and closing out the show is the follow-up, “Steamed Rice.”

The Boston Asian American Film Festival has a special meaning for us, as it’s one that we had the pleasure of covering back in the show’s early days. In October, the festival returned for its 15th year and my co-host Ben Chou was there for it. In this three-interview collection he speaks with the great filmmakers whose works were screened as part of BAAFF.   First up is Michele Rae Jouse for her documentary, “Nurse Unseen.” The film explores the little-known history and humanity of the unsung Filipino nurses risking their lives on the frontlines while facing a resurgence of anti-Asian hate in the streets.   Michele talks about the personal connection to the story, as well as the much wider tale told through the 92-minute film. She and Ben look at the history behind the Filipino nurses, as well as the many interviews done as part of the writing process. They talk about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the healthcare community.   The next interview is with Director/Producer Jennifer Takaki, Executive Producer George Hirose and Producer Linda Lew Woo for the documentary “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story.” Corky Lee passed away in 2021, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film is an intimate portrait of the life, work, and advocacy of pioneering Chinese American photographer Corky Lee. Takaki followed Corky Lee for nearly 20 years, documenting triumphs and tragedy.   Jennifer, Linda and George go into the 20-year process and all the things they saw and memorable moments of the filmmaking process, of which there were many. They talk about Corky’s five-decade career and the many, many things he photographed and the advocacy aspect of his work. They talk about the importance of having a good editor on the project and what they hope people take away from watching the film.   Closing out this episode is Jonathan Hsu, the producer of the narrative feature “Starring Jerry as Himself” and narrative short “Closing Dynasty (aka. Queenie).” The first film shows how a family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent, only to discover a darker truth. The short shows us how on a school day, a 7-year-old hustles strangers for money on the streets of New York City.   Jonathan takes us through both films and the stories behind both and Ben offers his own perspective and how it impacted him. They talk about the shared theme of both films and how they were developed from there. Jonathan talks about personal connection with “Starring Jerry” and how the strong familial connection influenced the story.

As the big day approaches, here’s the final of the two-part series previewing the Rhode Island Author Expo, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It’s a free event with more than 100 writers, panels, raffles and more.    David Shoorens is up first and his book, “The Refuge,” may have that “ripped from the headlines” sound, but I assure you, it is a work of fiction….for now. The U.S. is a broken country, with a far-right president granted unprecedented power over their political opponents. We talk about the story and how it came to be, the characters that inhabit it, and his take on the world as it is now.   Closing this episode out is Thomas Brillat with his first book, “Ekaternia.” The main character Ekaternia is a relative of Tom’s and he talks about how he learned of her story, and how he turned these family tales into a completed book. He goes into the more memorable stories and how he wrote what was effectively a ‘practice book’ before writing this one. 

Maya Golden’s life seems perfect—award-wining journalist, loyal wife, and a new mom. But in private, she battled addiction, perfectionism, and rage from sexual abuse at the hands of many people. In her new memoir, “The Return Trip,” (Rising Action Publishing Collective) Maya shares her journey to end the secrets of her life and the three moments of divine intervention that saved her.   In this interview, Curtis and Max talk with Maya about what inspired her decision to share her story, how it helped in the healing process and what she hopes readers take away from it. We look at the writing process and how the story was helped by her editor and the many writing groups which she’s a member of.   Pitching a story is old hat for a veteran journalist like Maya, but a novel is an entirely different matter, and we look at how long it took before a publisher says “yes.” Maya talks about the challenge of coming up with a title that really encompasses the story. We also look at the next book she has in the works and the new paths it’s taken her down. 

It’s that time again—the return of the annual Rhode Island Author Expo, happening on Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. As part of our coverage, I’m once again previewing this event by speaking with a handful of the 100-plus writers that you can meet there.   Opening this episode is Brielle Lilygarten, who’s released two children’s books: “Fishy Fishy” and “Fishy Fishy Goes to School.” Brielle and I talk about how she’s made the pivot from middle school teacher and realtor to children’s writer. We look at the lessons she hopes that readers take from these books and what we can expect down the road.   After that, it’s Paul Mainville for his book, “Fifteen Miles: One Man’s Journey to Find Family and Self.” It’s based on Paul’s journey to meet his birth family years after learning that he was adopted. Paul talks about the process of writing his debut book and what he experienced reliving this part of his life. We go into the significance of the title and if we can look forward to another book in the future.

It all starts out with a simple jewelry heist…until things take a most unexpected turn!   When cracked open, the case morphs into a full-fledged murder investigation with an unknown drug that seemingly connects a string of deaths. Quite a story, eh? Well, buckle up, because in this episode, Curtis and I talk shop with author Maggie Giles for her new book, “Twisted.” Along with being a great crime thriller, the story explores the different sides of crime and mental health and asks the question: How much are we responsible for when we aren’t fully in our right mind?   Maggie shares the origin of this story and all the different changes she made from first draft to finished product. This includes cutting down the narration from multiple points of view to just a few. She shares the lengthy research she had to do and how her time with Women’s Fiction Writers Association—including being in charge of social media—benefitted her during the story crafting process and in promoting her works.   Maggie takes us into the minds of her characters, which run the gamut of personality types. She talks about who made the final cut and which names got left behind (and may come back in a future book?).

It’s that time of year, so what better to talk about than a three-story release form Crystal Lake Publishing? “Dark Tide 9: An Unholy Triquetera,” features new works by William Meikle, Curtis M. Lawson, and Jason Parent.   Jason joins us to talk about his story, “A Knot Within a Knot,” in which the survivor of a plane crash finds himself going from bad to worse. Meanwhile, an elderly woman faces off against a god of night and his steed from the confines of her airplane seat, while another hides from night and storm in the hope of a new dawn.   Jason, Curtis and I talk about how this book got its start and the different stories done by Parent, Lawson and Meikle as well as the different myths and legends that each writer utilizes.

I love a good fantasy story, so it was a real pleasure to speak with Dr. Michael Nelson and his daughter Isabelle for their “Annie Abbot” series, now two books in with “Annie Abbott and the Druid Stones,” and “Annie Abbott and the Race to the Red Queen.” The story’s got a real-life inspiration, as some of the people and locations are based on Michael and Isabelle’s own adventures around the world.   It was great to talk about the writing process and how these two decided to pen a fantasy story. Michael has his own writing background as the name behind the Emmett Casey Chronicles trilogy and talks about the challenges and fun of pivoting to this new genre. Isabelle shares her own experiences as a writer and how it’s been crafting the worlds, creatures and magic of these books.   Recently, the two took part in CastleChaos MultiCon, which took place in an actual castle! This sounds like a blast and Michael and Isabelle share some stories from the event.  

The name Scott Hoffman (AKA Babydaddy) is well known in the world of music as co-founder of the disco glam band Scissor Sisters. And now we can add “comic writer” to his resume with the release of his two series, “Nostalgia” and “Wag,” both available through Comixology Originals.   Scott and I talk about how both these series came to be. “Nostalgia” is about a reclusive rock star in a dystopian future, and you can bet Scott channeled some of his time in the music industry into this title. We also go into the sick artwork, which is some of the dreamiest, trippiest drawings I have seen.   Next is “Wag,” also in a dystopian future, but that is where the similarities end. Wag is the story of a loner in a post-apocalyptic world, who hears voices in his head. We talk about the legwork that went into creating the character and the world he lives in.

Let’s face it: politics is pretty nuts. And who better to capture that wild, sometimes insane nature than George Franklin, a longtime lobbyist in Washington, D.C., Congressional candidate, and author. In his new book, “A Feeding Frenzy in Washington,” this former Fortune 500 corporate executive and Capitol Hill staffer pokes fun at DC and the politicians who comprise the circus we call Congress.   But don’t let the characters fool you—this is entirely a work of fiction. No, really, it is.   In this episode, Curtis and I talk with George about what went into writing this book, his fourth to date. He talks about the characters and some real-life inspiration that worked its way into their creation.   George has worked in Washington longer than some of us have been alive, and shares some of the people that he’s met that resonated with him. He defines just what a lobbyist is (surprisingly, the movies and shows have it wrong!) and the work he did over the years.   Of course, this interview wouldn’t be complete without asking George the all-important question. When it comes to democracy in 2023, are we going to be OK?

Recently, Ben Chou and I went to the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE). For me, it’s been many years since I went there, and remember what a great collection of comics they had, many of which I still have today.   Well, this year did not disappoint. Held at Boston University’s Fuller Building, the event featured dozens of comics creators, some at the start of their careers and others with a slew of titles to their names.   In this episode, Ben and I talked with a some of artists and one of the minds behind the event (who is also an artist, so remember that!). First up is Savannah Strodder. This was her first MICE and we talk about the experience, the people she met and some important lessons for her artistic career. Savannah has a comic out, “Mundae,” with beautiful illustrations and absolutely no text, so the reader can make their own story. I really like the concept and yes, I purchased a copy. I wonder how my story will go…..   Hannah Templer may be a familiar name—she’s worked on titles like Doctor Who, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and many more. Hannah also has a great series called “Cosmoknights.” It’s all about a ragtag group of space gays out to save princesses from the patriarchy. Needless to say, I bought both volumes shortly thereafter. We go into the origins of the series, how it’s grown over the years, and what we can expect in the forthcoming third volume. Hannah also shares some of her times at MICE and what she likes about the expo.   Tak Toyoshima is perhaps best known for his Secret Asian Man comic, and for years he was an exhibitor at MICE. Well, he’s also one of the organizers as the Art Director, and let me tell you, that’s no cake walk. Ben took the lead here, and the two talk about what led to Tak taking on this new role and what it’s been like. Tak gives us some history on Secret Asian Man as well as some other projects he’s working on (hint: think Choose Your Own Adventure). He and Ben talk about the state of the comics industry and the pros and cons of the recent changes that it’s seen.   Wrapping this episode up is Shaina Lu. Like Savannah, this is her first time at MICE and she shares the great memories made over the weekend. Shaina is in the process of releasing a new comic, “Noodle & Bao,” all about a food cart that stands against a hip new café and gentrification. Shaina said the series takes a cue from what she has seen in Boston’s Chinatown and we go into that as a theme. Shaina is also an art teacher for elementary students and we look at her teaching style and how she helps guide the next generation of creatives.

The Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF) is an event that will always have a special place in my heart. It was among the first events that we covered on this show, and I loved the diverse assortment of films that were shown.   From its early days hauling the films in a box from venue to venue, BAAFF has grown a lot over the years, showcasing films from around the globe by some of the best in the business. Now, in 2023, it’s entering the 15-year mark, and doing so with works in every genre, from Oct. 12-22. Festival Director Susan Chinsen joins me for a rundown of the event, which will include both in-person and virtual screenings.   Susan and I talk about some of the names you’ll see at the festival, as well as its growth over the last decade and a half. She shares some of the early memories as well as what she sees as BAAFF’s impact on the film world after all this time. 

It’s that time of year and we’re kicking it off with one hell of a horror story! Friend of the show Kevin Lucia joins us to talk about his debut novel, “The Horror at Pleasant Brook,” out on Oct. 13 through Crystal Lake Publishing.   This Halloween, a malevolent, creeping horror invades a small, isolated town nestled deep in the Adirondacks. It cares nothing for this town’s secrets, prejudices, or flaws. Its only desires are to consume everything in its path and spread, until nothing else remains.   A small group of people stand in its way. They are the leftovers, the ignored, the excluded, and the dismissed. However, as the evil grows, they prove to be the only ones strong enough to stand and fight.   Cool synopsis, huh? Kevin, Curtis and I talk about the menacing force that we’re introduced to in the first chapter and the real-life origin that happened during his day job as a teacher. Kevin’s a familiar name in the horror publishing industry through his work at Cemetery Dance, and he shares how this helped him in the writing process.   We’re introduced to some of the heroes of the story and what makes them stand out, and discuss some of the character types that reflect life in 2023. We look at some of the tropes in horror and the ones he hoped to avoid in this story.

In his recently-released book, “These Things Happen,” writer Michael Eon weaves his own battles with substance abuse and a challenging childhood into the story of Daniel Zimmer. I loved this book from the first page and was drawn into the story of Daniel’s early life, which we see transposed with his later years. This book is available through Girl Friday Books.   The characters are really amazing, from Daniel’s brother Max—whose struggles with mental health frame much of his life—to love interests Jill and Brie, to his father. Michael and I talk all about the many people in the book, some of whom came right from Michael’s own life, and the different roles they play. Music from bands like The Ramones and Black Sabbath plays a strong part in Daniel’s upbringing, and of course we take the time to nerd out about favorite bands and songs.   Michael also talks about his childhood and his battles with substance abuse. The author shares a lot of details, and we go into who the theme of substance abuse and the message for the readers. 

I think we can all agree on that one, right? So of course these creepy dolls would find themselves into the pages of William Sterling’s soon-to-be-released book, “String Them Up,” out on Sept. 22 through Crystal Lake Publishing.   In this interview, William takes us through the town of Hollow Hills, which is plagued by a series of brutal murders. We meet the toymaker, once a beloved member of the community, now the prime suspect in the killings. William talks about Sinclair Redman, a man with a dark and haunted past who must unearth the truth behind the killings as the bodies continue to pile up.   William talks about the concept of toys in horror and why it appealed to him for his new book. We look at his first time working with a publisher and his own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to promoting his work. Plus, there’s a great giveaway for those that pre-order the book!

As it says in his bio, Jonathan Panetta is “trying to heal the world with a hard rock brain and a punk rock heart.”   In this episode, we talk about how songs like “Inner Demons” deal with mental health and what he hopes people take from listening to them. Jonathan shares the creation process behind his new EP and the different avenues he goes down when it comes to sound and style.   Jonathan’s done some collaborating, particularly with friend of the show Dany Horovitz on the single “Make Use of Your Time,” which was inspired by the “Life is Strange” video game series. We talk about working with Dany, how this happened, and other artists he’s worked with. Jonathan and I do a little nerding out over the game, the amazing soundtrack and some of the takeaways from the story.   “Inner Demons” also has its own music video, and Panetta worked with Nesskaf Productions and we look at the planning process and cool visuals seen throughout.    Opening this episode is an excerpt from “Make Use of Your Time” and closing things out is the full track, “Inner Demons.”

In mystery thrillers, a death often happens right off the bat. Such is the case with our next guest, but we also get a slew of tightly-held family secrets.   In this interview, Curtis and I sit down with author Susannah Marren to talk about her newest book, “Maribelle's Shadow,” in which the death of Maribelle Walker’s adored and impressive husband Samuel unearths the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters. Curtis and I talk about the theme of secrets, a common element in Susannah’s work and why it plays such a prominent role. We also look at how Samuel’s death leads to those secrets being revealed.   Susannah has a long career in teaching gender studies and guest teaching creative nonfiction. She talks about the research she did for the book, which included interviewing many women across the country, and what she learned. She also shares her favorite and most challenging parts to write.

If you’re part of the Boston music scene, then the name Jennifer Tefft likely rings a bell. If not, you’ve got some listening to do!   In this episode, Curtis and I talk with Jenn about the recent release of the acoustic version of “Going Out,” all about escaping for a night on the town. We talk about its sound and what the full band version will be like. She’s got another single, “Love & War,” and goes into what we can expect from that. Friend of the show Nina Pickell was the executive producer for both songs. Part of the process included working with musical heavyweights Munk Duane at Bad Stella Studios and Hans DeKline, a Grammy winning Los Angeles mastering engineer.   Jenn has been part of the Boston scene for some time and we talk about her fave venues, both past and present. We look at the state of the scene and get her take on all the recent changes. Jenn also share some stories from her time as a music teacher and the lessons she works to impart.   We kick off the show with an excerpt from “Love & War,” and end the show with the full “Going Out.”

You’ve toured the world of superheroes in author Ryder O’Malley’s Heroes of Vanguard series. Now, it’s time for something a little bit darker.   This writer (whom I have never spoken to before, honest!) used his love of comics to craft a M/M romance series, now four books long. On Sept. 14, Ryder debuts the Villains of Vanguard with the first installment, “Corrupted Desire.” Here’s a look at what’s in store:   The world is going to burn, and I’m the one holding the match. Prison hardens a man. Even worse, my ex testified against me in court. Ten years into my sentence and the inmates of Cold Iron fear me. It’s lonely, but it’s the price of survival. This isn’t the place to think about friends, let alone a relationship. When Vanguard needs a criminal with my fiery skills, my time in the slammer is cut short. To keep my freedom, I only have to put down a Southland’s newest king pin. It’d be easy if the local do-gooder stopped interfering. Gallant won’t be the reason I get locked up again. If he wasn’t smoking hot, I’d crush him. On second thought, maybe he needs a pounding. The heroes are playing with fire, but I’m not the one about to get burned.   Ryder and I dive right in, starting with the origins for this series and the climactic battle of shifting from his previous work to the world of romance. He takes us on a journey through the process of how romances are written (and Hallmark movies too, apparently) and the unique style he’s going for. We even get treated to a brief excerpt from the writer himself!   Buckle up folks, this one’s gonna be epic.

Therapy is one of the most important tools to help someone who has experienced from abuse—but it’s so expensive that many cannot access it. That’s where Help; Hear; Heal comes in. Since their founding, they’ve connected people with the resources to get the help they need.   Founder and CEO Todd McKay joins us to share the organization’s progress since it was launched just one year ago and some of the dedicated people who’ve joined. We discuss how they provide financial support to help people access therapeutic services and how they can sign up if needed. Todd also talks about their partnership with Thriveworks and what they’ve done together.   Todd shares some personal stories regarding a member of his family who was assaulted and how this led to Help; Hear; Heal’s founding. We discuss the stigma for those who need therapy, both men and women, and the challenges they face while on this journey.  

As the man said, “I have a million stories and the photos to prove it.”   Over the last four-plus decades, Chris Cuffaro has photographed the biggest names in the music industry and now those photos—and the stories behind them, have been collected in a new app called “Greatest Hits.” Using the app, you can see some of the photos he took of all the greats and hear a brief tale of the experience.   But this is just the beginning, Chris says.   In this interview, we talk about the app’s origins and how he came to work with the New Zealand-based digital media team at iSPARX. We talk about how he spent 12 years going through his countless photos to select the best—in black and white, of course—and record the stories that he remembers best.   We also dive into Chris’ past—the inspiration he received from legendary photographer Richard Avedon and how taking photos at local concerts led to a career that has put him in the same room with the likes of Rob Zombie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ice-T. We talk gear for a bit, his preferences and the importance of staying current in a business where the equipment is always changing.   Chris shares his plans for the future of the app and how he plans to grow it in the years to come.

Did I say paradise? Because I meant wasteland….as in, there’s a part of the world called “The Wastes.” It’s just one of the many things that we go into talking with author Noah Lemelson for the continuation of his steampunk-apocalyptic-noir trilogy, “The Lioness and the Rat Queen” (August 29, 2023, Tiny Fox Press).   But that’s not all! For this episode I welcome back Curtis Hughes as my new co-host. Curtis was a part of the show way back when, and instrumental in its early success with his keen mind and quick wit.   Together, Curtis and I look at how this book picks up following Noah’s first novel, “The Sightless City,” and find a murderous tycoon on the run, and three vigilantes out for revenge. We dissect the characters of Lazarus Roache, Marcel and Sylvaine and look at what each brings to the story and what they experienced in the first book. Curtis and I talk with Noah about the worldbuilding that went into this series, as well as his pivot from a career in biology to creative writing.

With just two songs, singer-songwriter Lorenza Wildcard has captured the attention of the music world, being named an artist of the month and charting high on several stations. She joins Citywide to talk about her debut singles, “You & I” and “My Army.” Both songs come from different points in her life—the first from one of her most difficult moments and the other showcasing the strength to move forward.   We look at how she went from recording a song at home during the early days of the pandemic to meeting with a producer to get the track recorded. We talk about her early success, how this influences her as an artist and pushes her to that next level. We also look at the very different sounds of “You & I” and “My Army” and her process of experimenting with different styles.   Opening this episode is an excpert from “My Army,” and closing the interview is the full “You & I.”

Author Robert Bly is a longtime fan of—and writer of—the world of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. But what is a black hole? And how does warp speed work? And how many kinds of demons are there?   Robert set on the most epic of quests in “The Science Fictionary,” now available through Crystal Lake Publishing helping reader to understand the unique language of these genres. In this interview, we talk about what inspired this book and how he went about learning the precise definitions for all sorts of words. We look at those that really stumped him and the process of defining words that have been anything but.   We also look at Robert’s lengthy writing career and how this all helped in his research and writing. The book also includes over 50 illustration and we talk about how these came to be.