Citywide Blackout

17/01/2025

We’re getting 2025 off to a stellar start with one of the greats of the writing world, NYT bestseller and 5-time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry! Big thanks goes to Lisa Diane Kastner for the introduction.

In our first episode of the new year, Jonathan talks about “Burn to Shine,” the 14th book in the Joe Ledger series. We dive into the new book, the fights awaiting Rouge Team International and some callbacks to characters in past stories.

Jonathan also talks about Joe Ledger, what defines this character, and how his trauma over the years has shaped him. We learn what keeps in the fight and why after all these years, he has no plans to back down.

We also talk about the big news that the Joe Ledger series has been optioned by Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick movies to be optioned for TV development. Jonathan talks about how he and Chad met and the process of working together.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HM7WwhQEjDF4FkngIpEQN?si=RR0ZnXwXSauT5K98KMZTbg

15/01/2025

Our first Five by Five of the new year features writing coach and teacher Brandi Bradley for her mystery thriller, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” set to be released on March 14.

In this interview, Brandi talks about the Souther Noir genre she writes in, the use of different perspectives in her storytelling and her writing style.

By Max Bowen Writing coach and teacher Brandi Bradley brings her professional experience to bear in writing “Pretty Girls Get Away With Mu...

13/01/2025

It was a great show last Friday at Luthier’s Co-op, with the return of the Quaboag Vibe, whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing perform before. Joining the band was Upstairs Dancing with a Lamp and Bring Out Ya Dead! An amazing night of music.

06/12/2024

Nice to see that the show’s Spotify audience grew over the last year. Working with has been a great experience, and he’s responsible for a lot of (OK, pretty much all) of the changes that we embarked on this year. Here’s to a successful 2024 and big plans in 2025.

27/11/2024

In another of our Rhode Island Author Expo pre-show interviews, I’m joined by New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today-bestselling Author Heidi McLaughlin. Heidi has a new book out on Dec. 3 called “Forever My Boy,” which provides a new angle on her earlier book, “Forever My Girl.”

Heidi and I talk about the book and the new direction it goes in, as well as how it fits into the Beaumont Series, which “Forever My Girl” kicks off. We talk about the characters and the different things we’re learning about them in the new book as well as revisiting “Forever My Girl” in the writing process.

In our second episode of the pre-Rhode Island Author Expo interviews, I’m joined by New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today-bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. Heidi has a new book out on Dec. 3 called “Forever My Boy,” which provides a new angle on “Forever My Girl,” which was ...

25/11/2024

Author Janine Kovac began her life on stage dancing in Ballet El Paso’s production of “The Nutcracker.” After leaving the stage, Kovac adjusted to her new roles as a mother and audience member, watching her husband, children and students as they performed. Transitioning to writing, she penned her autobiography, “The Nutcracker Chronicles,” which pairs her story with that of the classic tale.

Janine Kovac By Max Bowen Author Janine Kovac began her life on stage dancing in Ballet El Paso’s production of “The Nutcracker.” After lea...

20/11/2024

In his new book, “Fatally Inferior,” author Lyn Squire brings back his protagonist Dunston Burnett. A lot has changed with the character, and he’s feeling more like an investigator after the events in the first book. A good thing too, because in “Fatally Inferior,” he’s got a perplexing murder to solve.

In this interview, Lyn talks about Dunston’s growth, the mystery he’s tasked with solving and the setting of Victorian England.

By Max Bowen In his new book, “Fatally Inferior,” author Lyn Squire brings back his protagonist Dunston Burnett. A lot has changed with the...

20/11/2024

On Dec. 7, the Rhode Island Author Expo returns, and we’re previewing this event by speaking to some of the writers who will be there. Scott Jablonski, a writer, musician and teacher who has been encouraging kids to become their best version through his “Stand Out! Stand Out!” series.

In this interview, Scott talks about his writing and music, and his hopes for the children that read his books and the messages he’s imparting through them.

On Dec. 7, the Rhode Island Author Expo returns, and we’re previewing this event by speaking to some of the writers who will be there. First up is Scott Jabl...

11/11/2024

In Joanne Howard’s family-inspired book, “Sleeping in the Sun,” (Oct. 22, She Writes Press) readers are introduced to George Hinton and his Indian servant, Arthur, in British-ruled India. The book takes on two very different perspectives—one of privilege and one without. In this Five by Five interview, Howard shares the family stories that helped create the book, introduces us to George and Arthur, and talks about the historical changes she made in writing the book.

By Max Bowen In Joanne Howard’s family-inspired book, “Sleeping in the Sun,” (Oct. 22, She Writes Press) readers are introduced to George H...

08/11/2024

In “The Others,” her first in an urban fantasy trilogy set in San Francisco, Evette Davis has created a “secret society of supernaturals who seek to slow the spread of facism.”

In this episode, we go into Olivia’s character, her abilities, and how she finds herself amidst this conflict. Evette shares Olivia’s motivation and how she handles this new world that she finds herself a part of.

In her first in an urban fantasy trilogy set in San Francisco, Evette Davis has created a “secret society of supernaturals who seek to slow the spread of facism.” Here’s a look at what’s in store: Olivia Shepherd is a political consultant with a secret: She’s an empath, with the power to e...