Citywide Blackout

Citywide Bytes—Life from the projectionist’s booth

In this episode, author Brad Barkley joins me to talk about his newest YA book, “The Reel Life of Zara Kegg (Regal House, June 16, 2026). Here’s a look at the story:

“Three years after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Zara still feels like an outsider in Carolina Beach. Working during the beach’s off-season as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre—a rundown retro cinema that shows only vintage ’50s sci-fi and horror flicks, including a major Godzilla marathon—she spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups and the occasional existential crisis.

Then she meets Zachary, who might be the most interesting person she’s ever met. As their friendship deepens into something more, Zara learns about the struggles Zachary hides beneath his charm and wonders if trust is possible.”

Brad and I talk about the role of cinema in this book as well as the themes of grief and mental health and how they’re all portrayed. Brad shares the origins of Zara and creating the setting for the book.

We talk business as well, such as how the YA genre has changed and how one prepares for the many rejection letters likely to come. We offer a few pieces of advice for prospective writers, particular those looking to break into the YA field.

Like what you heard? Then visit https://www.bradbarkley.com for more.

Kicking it with Pixiepunk, Part 1!

I’ve been a fan of the band Pixiepunk for a while now, so getting to talk with members Lynzi and TJ is something I’ve been looking forward to. We had such a great time and talke for so long that we decided to make this a two-parter!

So in this episode, it’s all about the music, as we dive into their (at the time) newest release “Roses,” and the interesting origin behind it. We talk about their song “I Don’t Fit In,” their response to the request to write a bio…instead, they wrote a song!

We also go into the band’s origin, keeping active during the pandemic, and how they create that unique Pixiepunk song.

Be sure to check out https://pixiepunk.world for more details, buy some merch, and follow their socials!

Wrapping up this episode is the single “Roses.”

Citywide Bytes—Creating a comic world, from the ground up

Making a comic is a lot of work, but taking that first step is the most important part. Writer/artist Mike Maihack talks about that step in this episode, as we dive into his new title, “The Moonlit Spiral,” to be released Oct. 6 through Candlewick Press.

 

Mike shares how those with an idea can make it happen, and not through a long-running series or a 100-page trade. He also gives a few tips as to what tools or programs are among his preferred to use.

Mike talks about the origin of this new comic, a fantasy story about two friends, Rion and Zola, on a quest to find the last treasure on the world of Helix. He goes into the art of the comic, which is just beautiful, and how he created the world of “The Moonlit Spiral,” as well as some new things he got to try.

Like what you’ve seen? Be sure to visit https://operationspacecat.com and pre-order your copy, and check out his other comics.

Find your voice with Emily Woo Zeller

Emily Woo Zeller has been in the voice acting performance field for many years, and may have even voiced the audiobook you’re reading now, so she has a lot to talk about when it comes to breaking into this field and earning your spot.

This episode takes a deep dive into how Emily started off, with a really fun origin story! She talks about the steps people can take if they’re interested in trying the VA industry, and gives some very honest thoughts on what works and what doesn’t. We also talk equipment and what is essential to start off, and AI and its impact on the industry comes up as well.

Emily also talks favorite roles over the years, the different genres she has voiced, and gives a hint or two as to what lies ahead.

Like what you heard? You can visit https://emilywoozeller.com to learn more.

Citywide Bytes—Fighting for your freedom

Zara Marielle’s empowering fantasy debut “The Cafe of Infinite Doors” (now available) follows a trapped housewife who finds shelter in a magical cafe after a fight with her toxic husband, only to be drawn into a thousand-year-old battle between two Scottish goddesses, which threatens to destroy not only the cafe, but the entire world.

In this episode, Zara talks about the origin of the story and how she developed and worldbuilt it into the final book. She talks about her protagonist Marceline, how she was created and the unique situation she finds herself in. We also dive into what it’s like being a debut author, and Zara offers some advice for those about to embark on their own literary journey.

Like what you heard? Check out www.zaramarielle.com for more info to get your copy.

Facing your past in “Showdown”

Comic creator Dave Wielgosz joins us to walk a road of revenge and redemption in his first creator-owned comic, “Showdown.” The first issue drops on May 13 through Ignition Press. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

When Trish Sullivan left her hometown for college, she left behind unfinished business. Now she’s back and looking to settle up.  

Trish blames Harvey Harlowe for the death of her little brother, so Trish’s homecoming is an eye-for-an-eye mission. She’s going to kill him, and Harvey should get his affairs in order. But Harvey’s dad has just died, and an injury destroyed his football scholarship. Without a future ahead of him, Trish’s challenge is all the more welcome. He’s more than ready to go down fighting, and no one is going to step in and save him.   

Dave talks about the origin of the story, which he developed over the last 12 years. He introduces us to the team and shares how each one of their contributions helped shape the comic. We also talk about how he came to work with Ignition Press and how it feels to have his first creator-owned title about to debut.

We’ve got a lot to share about the business of comics, and Dave offers his advice on what first-timers can do to launch their comic. He offers perspective on past hurdles and how he overcame them and looks ahead to where the industry is going.

Like what you hear? Check out the comic at https://ignitionpress.com/pages/property/showdown.

Citywide Bytes—Michelle Forziati talks about her first steps in music

What should be your first step as a musician? I pose this questions to singer and actor Michelle Forziati in this week’s episode. We talk about the lessons she’s learned as an artist and her advice to those just beginning their own journeys.

Michelle shares the story behind her single “Stranger” and how this pushed her into the world of music and the story behind her most recent release, “Once More.”

Michelle’s recent single, “Once More” closes out this episode.

Like what you heard? Then follow her on Spotify at https://tinyurl.com/mter4p93. 

Citywide Bytes—SHP Comics shows how your story can meet the world

Woodstock, 1969–A cultural milestone in this country’s history. Now, add some vampires. Trust me, it works.

Now, picture yourself, an aspiring comic creator looking for that first step to make your idea a reality.

You’ll get both in this week’s episode, where I talk with SHP Comics founder and the writer behind their new title “Woodstake,” Shawn Hainsworth. Shawn and I begin with the origin of this great new comic, including how he developed it from concept to finished product. Shawn shares working artist Felipe Kroll and his reaction to seeing his art, which is really one of a kind.

Shawn also gives some tips on the best ways to get your work out into the world, and ways to convert a passerby at a convention into a potential new customer. He also offers a first step he thinks creators should take when it comes to making their comic. 

Now that you’ve got all that, head over to https://shpcomics.com/ to get your copy of “Woodstake” (with a special offer!).

Citywide Bytes—Tyler Pollard of Robotic Hawks talks band launches

When it comes to launching your music, starting can be the hardest part. How long before you know if you’re ‘ready’ to play? Tyler Pollard of the Boston-based band Robotic Hawks has been in the music game for a long time and believes that there is no ‘ready.’ You just gotta go for it!

Check out this episode for that discussion, as well as a dive into their new EP, “New, Better Things.” It’s four songs of awesome, recorded by Benny Grotto/Mad Oak Studios and mixed by band hero, Paul Q. Kolderie (yes, I ask about that!). Tyler also talks about booking shows and gives us a preview into upcoming performances.

We’re going to wrap up this episode with “Heartbeat,” my personal fave off the new EP.

You can check out more at www.richardtylerpollard.com. 

The Space Between strikes hard with “Weapon of Choice”

Ottawa-based hard rock band The Space Between recently released a new single, “Weapon of Choice,” from their forthcoming album, “Dying Sun,” and I for one cannot wait to hear the rest.

Band members Maryn Pegan and James Shaheen join us to talk about working with producer Brian Moncarz at Noble Street Studios and how this offered a brand new experience for the band.

We go into the themes and story behind the single and their vintage approach to the sound. Maryn and James talk about the origin of The Space Between and how the four members met up, and give us a glimpse of what’s to come.

Wrapping up this interview is “Weapon of Choice,” and be sure to visit www.thespacebetweenband.com for show dates, merch and a lot more.