Citywide Blackout

Rhode Island Author Expo Pre-Show, Episode 2

In this next installment of my interviews with members of the Rhode Island Author Expo, I talk to R.K. Bentley about his debut novel, “Where Weavers Daire.” This book blends science and magic in a seamless way, with a tale of some unlikely characters coming together on the world of Stuk’s Hollow for the New Year celebrations.

 

Paul Magnan is up next, and his fantasy series Kyu, The Unknown. This series centers on The Territories, which have been unified for a thousand years, though it's tenuous at best. Surrounding the Territories is the Disian Curtain, a darkness filled with twisted horrors beyond imagination. Paul takes us on a tour of the Disian Curtain to explore just what evil lies within.

Award-winning comic Upgrade Soul takes on a new form

Ezra Daniels, creator of the popular “Upgrade Soul” comic, joins me to talk about the new digital app and soundtrack that were recently released. We also take a look at the work that went into these creations and how the app stands apart from others that are available. Ezra and I also look at the increased presence that indie comics has these days and how this has led to all kinds of new stories.

 

Following this, enjoy two new songs from Ashley Leblanc, “Everything Takes Time” and “I Didn't Change.” She's a singer/songwriter from Ontario, Canada, and recently released her new album, “The Luckiest Girl in the World.”

 

New comic series blends magic and mystery

In this episode, writer Erica Schultz takes us into the world of her new urban fantasy comic series “Forgotten Home,” available through comiXology Originals. Sheriff’s Deputy Lorraine Adalet investigates child disappearances and finds a connection between many of the abductions: traces of magic which leads her back to her homeworld of Jannada, a place she left many years ago. Schultz talks about Lorraine and the life she left and all that went on in Jannada, as well as the magic she created in crafting this story.

Following that, I bring you the song “The Suitable Woman” by Layla Kardan. This one's got a cool flow with instrumentation that caught me from the beginning.

 

Jeremy Spillman shares a tale of death, music, and revenge

In this episode, Nashville songwriter Jeremy Spillman tackles a new creative challenge: his first novel. In “The DeVine Devils,” Spillman spins a tale of two brothers, Audie and Shane DeVine. After the boys barely escape a massacre by the U.S. Army in which their father is killed, they swear vengeance and spend the next decade honing their skills in music and fighting.

In addition to the book, Spillman also worked with Dean Dillon on an EP which brings the story to life through some amazing music.

Following this, I've got two songs for you from the DeVine Devils EP—“Something Bad This Way Comes” and “Hard Times Come Again No More.”

Follwing that, I've got a great song from the Brooklyn-based Typhoid Rosie, “Sailing On.” They have a show coming up in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Jungle in Somerville with Fuzzy Bumble, Tysk Tysk Tysk, and Wild Allegations, 7pm, $6.

Rhode Island Comic-Con, Part 2

In the second installment of our Rhode Island Comic-Con coverage, I speak with cosplayer Zabracus about joining the vast community of convention-goers, some of her more challenging costumes, and being on the East Coast for the first time.

 

Writer Jenn Dugan and artist Ryan Butt share their comic series “Gnaw” and “Circadia”, stories of rodent apocalypses and love across worlds. We dive deep into the concepts and the work done to bring them to life.

 

Author Debra Zannelli has some great tales to talk about! Her books, “Dark Night of the Soul” and “Sister World I: The Arrival” offer deep, introspectice characters, some amazing alternate histories, and ominous backdrops, and tells us all about them.

 

Cosplay Dad has been to a number of the conventions in New England, whether it's as Bruce Wayne from Batman Beyond or Mr. Rogers. He tells us about what got him into cosplay, experiences with the RICC, and what he has planned for future costumes.

 

Rhode Island Comic-Con, Episode 1

In the first episode of Citywide's coverage of Rhode Island Comic-Con, the show opens with Jane Zei, creator of the popular webcomics Pigeon Gazette and Genji Cat. Jane talks about how these comics came to be, where the inspiration comes from, and how she powers through events like the RICC.

Cosplayer Dezcreepcore and I spoke at last fall's Keystone Comic-Con, and this weekend we got to catch up on what she's been up to, new cosplays that she's done, and the work it takes to make it into a career.

Michael Terracciano, the writer behind the Star Power comic series, is another familiar face, whom I spoke to in January. He talks about the upcoming volume five of the series, as well as some of the conventions he and artist Garth Graham will be appearing at.

The character of Vortex Man has become something of a staple at conventions in the New England area, with that larger than life green statue and a booth that commands attention. We take a deep dive into the character's history, the series' immense cast, and the goal of encouraging a positive change in people's environmental actions.

It wouldn't be a comic-con without some gaming, and so this episode is closing with Clark Huggins, co-creator of the Reckless Deck card game. In this game, you make the hero—literally. By choosing a combination of characteristics, including weapons, items, and abilities, you craft a unique individual that is brought to life through your story.

 

A tale of love, second chances, and Harley-Davidsons

Austin-based author Mary Jane Black shares the touching true story in her book, “She Road a Harley: A Memoir of Love and Motorcycles,” which chronicles her escape from a harsh marriage and discovery of new love with a Texan named Dwayne. They fall in love, get married, and rebuild a Harley together. However, the greatest test of their love and their strength will be Dwayne's cancer diagnosis.

Mary talks about how it felt sharing her life in this book, the reaction from readers, and the message she hopes is shared through this story.

Rhode Island Author Expo pre-show podcast, Episode 1

In this podcast series, I speak to several of the authors who will be part of the upcoming Rhode Island Author Expo. In this installment, Michael Squatrito talks about the fourth and final installment in his “The Overlords” series.

After that, Coral Isabella Aurora and I chat about horror movies that we love, all of which ties into her new book, “The Teenager’s Guide to Surviving a Horror Film.”

The final interview in this episode is Pete O'Donnell, who has transformed a collection of short children's stories into a popular podcast series, “Ill-Advised Stories,” which features himself, his wife, and daughters in the cast.

Separate Charm show what's best about the Nashville scene

The country duo Separate Charm [Melissa Ramski & Lizzie Miller ] have been on my mind a lot since I first heard their new single, “Me Time.” We talk about the origins of this great tune and the response from radio and podast hosts and their plans for more music. Melissa and Lizzie are from the Nashville area and give us an in-depth look on life in the city and some of their favorite venues.

Following this, enjoy their single, “Me Time,” which they describe as a sassy tune, and that's very accurate.

The Cast Irons talk about their new EP and gear fandom

Boston-based The Cast Irons and I nerd out on audio gear and they consider the possibility of grave robbing their band members for their best stuff....no, seriously, we do that. But that's just the passion that this foursome brings to the table, and you can hear it in their new EP, “The Longest Night.” We also talk about some of the places they've played at and some upcoming shows later this fall.

After that, enjoy these two songs from the EP—“Good Haunting” and “Breathe”