Citywide Blackout

Explore new lands in D.A. Mucci’s fantasy sequel

Emergency room physician-turned-writer D.A. Mucci is back with a second book in his fantasy series, “Ignatius and The Battle at Dinas Affaraon.” Have a look at what lies in store:

 

Fifteen-year-old Iggy is prepared to face his first days of high school . . . but is he ready to face mythical creatures, black magic wizards, and sword fights where people get killed? Iggy’s never thought of himself as a fighter. But as he learns more about the strange place he’s landed, one thing becomes abundantly clear, in the World of Skye they need a hero. And Iggy just might be the one they’re looking for, even if he’s not so sure. In this thrilling continuation, readers will discover new characters, dive deeper into the world and hold on tight as twists and turns abound. This looming battle is epic and could change Iggy’s life.

 

D.A and I talk about what took him from the emergency room to the bookstore and the various fantasy writers that his children introduced him to. We talk about the challenges he faced as a writer and developing the vast world of his books, which include people, creatures, and even languages. Yes, that's right—he created several languages just for his fantasy series.

 

D.A.'s books have seen tremendous success, including an interview on Good Morning America and companies approaching him about an animated adaptation of the story. We also look at the epic cover art and the mind behind the greatness.

Boston’s Only Child brings an all-different sound with new project

Fans of the Boston music scene will recognize songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Christopher James Martin from his work with the band All Eyes On Me. Well, Christopher is back with a new project, Only Child, and recently released the first single “Don't Call Me BB” and the music video in August.

 

In this interview, we look at the new solo venture and how the songwriting process has changed. Christopher has many friends in the local scene and we talk about their influence in the creative process. The single and forthcoming EP, “SRS ONE” were produced by Boston electro queen Casey Desmond, and we talk about how the two met and what it was like working together.

 

The glitzy music video for “Don’t Call Me BB” was directed by Mary Lee Desmond at Magic Room in Brighton. Kaitlyn Ciampa teamed with the Desmonds on filming the visual, as well as stylizing Martin’s hair and makeup, with fellow musicians Kara MacDonald, Alison Pappas, and KT Sullivan, and we look at how this went from concept to filmed video.

 

Following this, I've got the new single, “Don't Call Me BB,” a truly unique musical experience.

Ian Rogers talks Netflix deals and horror collections with “Every House Is Haunted”

Sam. Fucking. Raimi.

 

I think I can stop there.

 

No? OK then, onward we go! For this episode I'm continuing my interviews with amazing talent publishing books though Cemetery Dance Publications. Ian Rogers joins me to talk about his soon-to-be-released collection of 22 horror stories, “Every House Is Haunted.”

 

Perhaps the biggest news is that the book was optioned by Sam Raimi and a feature film of one of the stories, “The House on Ashley Avenue,” is currently in development at Netflix. Script by Jason Pagan and Andrew Deutschman, directed by Corin Hardy, helmer of “The Nun” and “Gangs of London.” We talk all about this, how Ian met Sam Raimi and what the process has been like.

 

Next, we dive into the book itself, of which the stories include:

 

• A mysterious double murder draws the attention of an insurance company with a special interest in the paranormal.

 

• A honeymoon cabin with an unspeakable appetite finally meets its match.

 

• A suburban home is transformed into the hunting ground for a new breed of spider.

 

• A nightmarish jazz club at the crossroads of reality plays host to those who can break a deal with the devil...for a price.

 

Ian talks about where the ideas came from, which story was the first to be published, and some of his favorites, as well as whether anything was changed from when they were first written.

The Pastor of Horror shares one his most terrifying tales

With a name like “The Pastor of Horror,” you just know this episode's going to be a good one! Author Ezekiel Kincaid joins me to talk about all things spooky, including his recently-released “The Dawning,” Book 1 in The Dreadful Death series. As always, I've got a little peek into what lies within the pages:

 

On a cold November night in 1817, a seven-year-old girl named Theodosia Whitefield finds a door leading to another world. She feels a pull towards a dark, celestial being who beckons her, and senses his presence growing each day. In an old rocking chair by her bed, a seeming friend appears and helps her navigate through this new world.

Little by little, Theo's innocence changes as the dark creature edges closer to her reality. The little girl begins to grow into something sinister and evil. Shedding her youth and innocence, her demon friend paves the way for Theodosia to meet the entity named Tetromet, The two meet and the horror and madness blossom in Theo, leading to unprecedented depths of terror.

The charming countryside of North Carolina makes the backdrop for the insanity and evil emanating from this child. She wreaks havoc on her family and friends as her power grows. It all comes to an insidious, nightmarish end, with questions of faith, sanity and above all, God and evil.

 

I've read some scary stuff over the years, and this may well be the best. Ezekiel and I talk about Theodosia, the dark being, and how she changes over the course of the series. We talk about the best ways to off a character and how it fits in with the overall story.

 

Ezekiel's 20-plus years in ministry have afforded him the opportunity to encounter people from all walks of life and in a myriad of situations and we talk about how this has factored into his work. We look at how he made the transition to writing and how the people in his life reacted to it.

 

In addition to his writing, Ezekiel has done some work in haunted house investigations and tells us how to tell the real deals from the bogus places. We also look at some of the most memorable sites he's been to. And of course, we lean how he came to be known as “The Pastor of Horror.”

Heerraa returns for a one-year catchup

It was last fall when international singer-songwriter Heerraa and I met on this show and she is back with a lot to share.

 

To start with, a slew of awards and honors, including the ICon Award, Female Single of the Year from ISSA, and Entertainer of the Year from the Rampage Music Awards. We look at how that influences her future work and the example she's setting for the next generation. She's also been doing work with Harvard as the Director of Communications at Harvard Extension Student Association.

 

Over the last year Heerraa's released a number of new singles, including “Peter Pan,” which she wrote at 15 and we talk about what inspired her to release it and if anything was changed. She also partnered with Autumn Helene for “Morning Light” and we dive into how the two meshed as artists.

 

Following this, enjoy “Across The Universe,” released as part of Harvard's Undergraduate Songwriters Collective latest album.

 

What’s that sound? Explore the haunted house of “Something Stirs”

If you're the type to wonder if that creaking sound is a restless soul, best to skip this episode. For all you horror fans, welcome! Author Thomas Smith joins me to talk about his book, “Something Stirs,” out on Oct. 13 through our friends at Cemetery Dance Publications. Here's a look at what lies within these pages:

 

Ben Chalmers is a successful novelist. His wife, Rachel, is a fledgling artist with a promising career, and their daughter Stacy is the joy of their life. His novels have made enough money for him to provide a dream home for his family. But there is a force at work in their lives. A dark, chilling, ruthless force that has become part of the very fabric of their new home.

 

A malevolent entity becomes trapped in the wood and stone of the house and it will do whatever it takes, to find a way to complete its bloody transference to our world.

 

Local Sheriff Elizabeth Cantrell, and former pastor-turned-cabinetmaker Jim Perry are drawn into the family's life as the entity manipulates the house with devastating results. And it won't stop until it gets what it wants. Even if it costs them their faith, their sanity, and their lives.

 

This is actually a re-release, since the book was originally published in 2011 through a different company. Thomas and I talk about what readers can expect in this updated version, as well as how he came work with the fine folks at CDP.

 

We dive deep into the story behind the book and how Thomas created the menacing presence within the Chalmers' home. This is a Christian horror novel, and if that's a new term for you, you're not alone. We look into what that genre is all about and what can—and cannot—be done in this kind of book.

 

With her debut EP, Dani Teveluwe shares her life in a diversity of sounds

After hearing “Into The Deep,” the debut EP from Dani Teveluwe, I knew right then that she'd be a grat guest for the show, and here we are! In this interview, we talk about Dani's decision to go from primary school teacher to musician and how that change has gone. Dani shares the doubts she experienced as well as how the experience has changed her.

 

Along with the EP, Dani has a music video out for “Double Shot,” a song centered on a person who's hurt so badly that they wind up hurting others. The video is filmed in a school setting with a group of children, an unexpected frame for the story and Dani shares what led her to go in this direction.

 

And this conversation wouldn't be complete without us talking about the cover art, done by Tamara Armstrong. It's simply amazing and we go into how the two met and worked together.

 

Following the interview, enjoy two songs from the EP, “Double Shot,” followed by “Sweet Summer Nights.”

Lisa Sherman explores memory and identity in debut thriller

What if you showed up one day and couldn't remember a thing about you, but knew that the life you led wasn't your true one? It's an interesting premise, and the one explored in Lisa Sherman's debut book, “Forget Me.” Here's a look at what's in store:

 

Who’s that girl? After being fished out of a river in small-town Wisconsin, Wanda Dellas is lucky to be alive – yet, she can’t help but feel like something’s wrong. Wanda is living someone else’s life: that’s the sense she’s had since an accident robbed her of her long-term memory. Barely scraping by, Wanda cleans offices at night in order to support her young daughter. She tells herself that anyone would believe they’re meant for a different existence. Yet she can’t shake the sense that she’s missing something—and that the past she’s been told belongs to her is not the whole story.

 

Claire Stanbrick’s photo is all over the news. A missing businesswoman who’s presumed dead, Claire bears a striking resemblance to Wanda. After learning that Claire went missing around the same time as her accident, Wanda embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her past. Yet with each additional clue she uncovers, Wanda faces new dangers that threaten her life . . . or is it Claire’s?

 

Lisa and I explore how identity and memory tie together, and if one can exist without the other. We look at Wanda's quest to discover the truth about herself and the obstacles in her way. Lisa is a lawyer-turned-author, and shares how her legal background helped with the writing process. This may be Lisa's first book, but it's not her last and we talk about future titles and what lies in store.

It’s a world of daemons and magic in Alison Levy’s new book

I’ve been a longtime fantasy fan, and so it was a real pleasure to speak with Alison Levy’s new book, “Blue Flame,” part two of the Daemon Collecting series, out on Oct. 11 through SparkPress. The new book continues the adventures of Rachel Wilde, who comes from a dimension adjacent to ours. The people there have structured their society around daemon collecting: they locate, catch, and repair malfunctioning daemons (creatures out of phase with our world that tempt people to do good or evil).

 

While introducing Leda Morley, last of an ancient line of gatekeepers, to the ins and outs of her daemon-collecting work, Rachel Wilde encounters something far more dangerous than any daemon: a young boy who stands alone against an unseen yet terrifying enemy that has invaded his home—an inhuman creature who, hellbent on revenge for a minor slight, intends to harm the boy’s oblivious family. Meanwhile, Leda’s brother, Simon, is feeling left out of his maternal family legacy but is coping partly by helping Rachel’s friend Bach—a previously homeless man with unusual mental abilities—get his life back on track.

 

In the midst of all of this, Bach unintentionally but serendipitously makes contact with a capable otherworldly being who, with great reluctance, agrees to help Bach and his friends take on the dangerous creature that’s just become their problem to solve. Together, this group of unlikely allies must put aside their differences to save an innocent child, and his family, from a monster—before it’s too late.

 

Alison and I dive into the worldbuilding that went into this book and the new characters that we meet. She talks about the daemons and the system of magic she created and how it all works. We look at how writing this book compared to her first novel, “Gatekeeper,” and her plans for the release of “Blue Flame.” Along with being a writer, Alison is also a mental health advocate, and we go into how writing the new book helped and how it can be a platform to help others.

Kevin Lucia talks about the new arm of Cemetery Dance Publications

As we close on Halloween, it makes perfect sense to welcome back one of my favorite horror authors, Kevin Lucia. This time, we're diving into the small press industry with a look at his role as e-book and trade paperback editor at Cemetery Dance Publications. It's a significant change for the press and one that's upped their status in a big way.

 

In this episode, we talk about what this means for the company and the work that made it happen. Kevin addresses the publisher's past issues with making deadlines and the complete turnaround that he's witnessed.

 

But that's not all! Kevin has some new projects in the works, including “The Horror at Pleasant Brook,” out this Halloween. Along with a look at the story, we talk about the kill factor in horror books and some of his best methods to end a character. Hey, it's a horror episode, what did you expect?