Citywide Blackout

Rhode Island Author Expo Pre-Show, Episode 3

In the third installment of my ongoing series of interviews with authors who will be at the Rhode Island Author Expo on Dec. 7, I speak to Joyce Derenas about her five-book series that takes a deep dive into her family history, Terry Gaspard on her extensively-researched book “Daughters of Divorce,” and M. Lee Prescott on her many romance and thriller titles.

Pearls and Sunflowers

Opening this episode is Pearl Cutten, a Denmark-based soul artist who recently released a new single, “The Pain in You,” a story of the reality of being in an abusive relationship but with a message that self-love is ultimately the answer. We talk a lot about the concept of self-love and how she's incorporated it into her life. After this interview, enjoy the new tune.

 

Next up is Boston's own Genie Santiago. This stellar R&B artist was first on the show in 2017 and has been a regular since then. We talk all about her latest single “Spirit Party” and the music video that accompanies it. She talks about balancing her life between work, music, and making time for herself. The show closes out with “Spirit Party.”

 

 

Ben Eads takes us to new depths of horror

Author Ben Eads walks some dark paths with his new novella, “Hollow Heart,” released through Crystal Lake Publishing. Ben introduces us to The Architect, a very complex character, and what it was like working with Crystal Lake Publishing and how it helped the final story. He also gives a sneak peak into some future projects, some of which involve a continuation of this novella.

 

Unique pop-punk and revolutionary rock

In this episode, Melbourne, Australia-based pop-punk artist Hated Names shares his debut single, “Anthem for the Atheist.” Naturally, religion and taking on this subject comes up, but we also learn about his origin as a musician, work as a producer, and the music scene in Australia. Following this interview, enjoy this great musical debut.

Lyric Dubee, of Ontario, has accomplished a lot by age 21—five albums, international tours, and much more. He tells us all about his journey to making music a full-time job, some interesting tour stories, and what he has in planned for 2020. After this, enjoy Lyric's tune, “Soundscape City.”

SuperMegaFest: Cosplay, haunted houses, and the danger of typos

In this episode, Ben Chou and I enjoy a day at the great local con, SuperMegaFest. There's some amazing creatives here and we showcase a sampling of them on the show. First up, authors Killarney and Margaret Traynor tells about their Encounter Series, a collection of stories that begin with the phrase “what if?” This includes haunted houses and alien invasions, but more is coming.

Next, Stephen Lomer debuts the short film adaptation of his book series, “Typo Squad.” Stephen talks about the transition from book to film and how the story changed to fit the medium. We also look at the stellar cast of this film and the different qualities they bring to the show.

Cosplay artist Chelsea Von Chastity closes out the day by telling us about the Princess Ariel costume she wore for SuperMegaFest as well as the many other ones she has created over the years. She's been to a number of other cons over the years and shares a few stories about those great times.

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.