Citywide Blackout

Fantasy and romantasy writer Alesha Escobar joins us to talk about her newest (of many) book, “The Queen’s Oath,” the first in the Soulweaver Trilogy. She shares the creation of her protagonist, the soulweaver Lysara Vale and how her quiet village life is transformed into a quest with the fate of a kingdom at stake. 

Alesha has been writing for years and talks about how she kicked off this journey and the first book she ever wrote. She also talks about her character development process and what she has in store, including a film adaptation of her title, “The Tower’s Alchemist.”

We also talk a little business and Alesha dives into some strategies for promoting your work, how be heard in this age of constant digital noise, and some first steps into the writing world.

Check out more at https://www.aleshaescobar.com. And, for authors looking for more concrete, practical steps to sell their books, Alesha has a free three-step guide with actionable strategies to help kickstart their visibility, reach more readers, and boost book sales: Author Growth Kickstart Guide.

Silka Weil has established herself as an emerging voice in Canadian indie music with her self-titled debut EP in 2023. Based in Montreal, she brings a depth to the singer-songwriter genre with a blend of introspective folk-pop and post-grunge edge.

In this episode, Silka and I talk about what got her stared in music, as well as how she has grown as an artist with her new EP, “Midnight Blue.” Along with the new music, she has a music video and we take a deep dive into the scenes and imagery throughout.

Silka also talks about new music that she has planned, as well as her advice to those just starting out.

Want to know more? Then visit https://www.silkaweil.com/, and enjoy the single “Make Me Lose Control,” from the new EP.

Photo by Erika Lamon

Hi everyone! Citywide Blackout will be taking a brief hiatus while co-host Max Bowen focuses on a personal matter of some pretty major importance. We're planning to resume with a new episode of Citywide Bytes on Monday, Oct. 19. See you then! 

Wandering Planet Toys has turned heads with their line of collectible action figures that celebrate the pop culture icons of yesteryear.

Now, co-founders Gavin Hignight and Chris “Doc” Wyatt are teaming up for an all-new line of retro-style action figures, featuring the coolest, quirkiest space travelers ever known to the universe: The Planetoid Raiders, inspired by Kenner Toys’ 1978 Star Wars action figures, and their off-the-wall competitor Tomland Toys’ Starroid Raiders.

Doc joins me to talk about just what the Starroid Raiders are and how this inspired a new line of toys. We learn all about the characters of the Planetoid Raiders, their backstories and Doc shares his favorites.

The company has a Kickstarter going now, and we talk about the progress made and what that’s meant for them. BTW, you can still join this crowdfunding effort!

Have an idea for a toy line? Well, Doc talks about how to take an idea and make it happen.

Learn more at https://wanderingplanettoys.com.

Find the Kickstarter at

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderingplanettoys/planetoid-raiders-retro-style-action-figures?ref=a2329m

Located on the historic Medfield State Hospital campus in the heart of MetroWest, Bellforge is a place for gathering, creativity, and shared experiences, where art is accessible, community-driven, and alive.

Executive Director Jean Mineo joined us for a look at the site’s long history and how it went from a state hospital to a center for the arts. She takes us through the recent groundbreaking for the $30 million historic preservation and renovation project, converting the Chapel into a 300-seat flexible performance venue and the Infirmary into 17 practice rooms and classrooms, anchored by a new glass connector serving as the central lobby and gallery.

She also introduces us to the team behind Bellforge, the story behind the name and what we can expect in the future.

Curious? Check out https://bellforge.org for more!

Novelist, actor, professor, and popular podcast host Jaime Parker Stickle’s new novel “Take Hart” continues her "Corey in Los Angeles" crime series. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

Corey Tracey-Lieberman is a former television journalist who’s determined to bring justice to her corner of Los Angeles, while balancing an increasingly challenging modem day-to-day reality: consulting for the LAPD; coping with the anxiety of parenthood; filing stories for an indie news blog; processing the failures of her marriage; meeting with her therapist; and navigating the romantic feelings for her crime-fighting partner, all while solving the mystery of yet another missing woman in the city of angels. Reader, it’s a lot.      

Corey is barely keeping it together. And then a mother named Sonja Hart vanishes in her neighborhood, and the case is all but ignored. Sparked by maternal fury, Corey’s investigative instincts come roaring back to life in the second "Corey in Los Angeles" series, following the release of the series debut, Vicious Cycle. 

In order to see the truth clearly, Corey must stop taking the meds that keep her anxiety at bay. Strapping her 14-month-old son Jacob to her chest, she follows a trail that leads from a suspicious house fire to the furtive activities of new neighbors. The more Corey digs, the more she uncovers about the secret toll of gentrification—and the closer she comes to the verge of a breakdown. And the horror dawns that the killer she’s been chasing has been watching her all along . . .

Jaime and I go back to the beginning when this series got its start and talk about the creation of Corey’s character. She shares her process for crafting her mysteries and how her protagonist handles the investigative part of the job. She also shares some tips for those new to writing and how to break into the mystery genre.

Want more? Then head to https://www.jaimeparkerstickle.com.

After finding film censorship notecards among a deceased relative’s belongings, award-winning author and TV producer Glenn R. Miller knew he had a story on his hands. The author of “Doorman Wanted” (2026 Plymouth Reads Book of the Year) is now preparing to release a new satirical novel on censorship in the arts: “Rough Cuts” (Koehler Books, Sept. 29, 2026).

It’s 1926 and the world of film is about to change forever. On the cusp of “talkies,” directors and actors fear their greatest days might soon be behind them. Patrick J. Shepard, a director at the end of his career, has just completed his masterpiece, his vehicle for eternal fame. But there’s one problem: Ohio.

Harold Dawdry, the young, second-string minister at a small church in a corner of Ohio, has been appointed to the State Film Censorship Board. He regards this appointment as his ticket to the power and relevance he desperately craves. There is one director who has particularly rankled his delicate sensibilities: Patrick J. Shepard. The minister feels Ohio is best served if Shepard makes drastic cuts to his final film.

In this interview, Glenn talks about the notes he found and what it taught him about film censorship in the 1920s. He goes into his own research and what was learned and how all this shaped the story. Glenn also talks about his two main characters Shepard and Dawdry, how they were made and their interactions in the book.

Glenn also talks about the different ways he connects with his readers and offers some tips on how to bridge that gap. We go into the different ways of learning the craft of writing, as well as how to take that first step as a writer.

Want to know more? Visit https://glenn-r-miller.com.

For this episode, I’m chatting with Jane Brookwood about her new cozy mystery, “The Hanged Man” (Brookwood Publishing, September 15, 2026). Here’s a look at what’s in store:

In small-town Pineridge Hollow, Fiona Miller runs a metaphysical gift shop where she reads tarot, sells crystals, mixes tea, and generally minds her own business alongside her cat and familiar Rosie. But when she pulls The Hanged Man tarot card moments before learning her long-lost friend’s son has turned up dead, she vows to uncover the truth. 

The town has already decided, but Fiona's tarot deck isn't so sure. She follows the cards into buried grudges, old money, and secrets the town spent decades hiding. On top of everything, The Hanged Man keeps making himself known.

We’ll be talking about the creation of Pineridge Hollow and what’s in store for this small town in future books. Jane talks about the crafting of Fiona’s character and how she pivots from small-town business owner to investigator. Tarot plays a strong role in the story and Jane gives us an opener into what it’s all about and how it factors into the book.

Be sure to get your copy of “The Hanged Man” and visit https://ravenversebooks.com/ for more!

Rising country-pop artist Sofia Renee has a new single out, “Stuff About You,” and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this this episode.

Sofia talks all about her beginnings as a musician and the journey to find her sound as an artist. We talk about the many different shows (and why she’s banned from booking any!) and some of her favorite times on stage.

Social media is a tricky beast, but Sofia shares some of her tactics for posts that will generate real interest. She also gives some ‘first step’ advice and the opportunities down the road.

Closing out this episode is “Stuff About You.” Be sure to visit http://www.sofiareneemusic.com/ for more!

Texas musician Randy C. Mooore has worked with some of the legends of country music scene, played shows all over the world, and been inducted into the European Country Music Hall of Fame….so it’s safe to say that he’s done a lot in his lengthy career.

Randy joined me to talk about what got a guitar into his hands at the age of 15, and how he has stuck with it all these years. He goes into teaming up with rockabilly legend Carl Perkins for the song “Big Bertha,” and the interesting story behind the tune.

Randy has done shows from Mexico to Singapore and offers his advice for other artists about to hope on a plane to play in a new country for the first time. He also shares his advice on what’s a good place to kick off your own music career.

Wrapping up this episode is Randy’s recent single, “High Cost of Low Living.” Check out https://randycmoore.com.