The Tiptree Bake Sale returns to Boskone as part of the Boskone Book Party. If you have some baked goods to donate or just want to sate your sweet tooth, be sure to stop by the Galleria on Saturday evening.

6:30 PM – SATURDAY, February 17
Tiptree Bake Sale @ Boskone
Diane Martin
Galleria – Meetup Spot · 60 min · Event
The Boskone Bake Sale benefits the James Tiptree Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for speculative fiction that expands or explores our understanding of gender. The sale is held on Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (or until we sell all the food).

Please consider bringing something to be sold: all non-refrigerated foods are welcome (particularly those that also suit dietary restrictions — e.g. gluten, lactose, egg-free).

If you are thinking of donating, please drop off at 6:00 pm or during the sale itself! If you are planning to donate some treats, or if you would like to volunteer to help with the bake sale, please contact us at bdiane@gmail.com.

6:30 PM – SATURDAY, February 17
Boskone Book Party
Erin Underwood (M), Nat Segaloff, Les Johnson, James Patrick Kelly, E. C. Ambrose, Jane Yolen, Robert V.S. Redick, Christopher Paniccia, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Walter H. Hunt, Adam Stemple, Kristy Acevedo, Christopher Irvin, Rob Greene
Galleria – Stage · 60 min · Event

Come join the fun at Boskone 55’s Book Party — and meet the presses and authors who have new books coming out at the con! This is your chance to see what’s new from writers you already love, as well as those you have yet to discover.

Interested in a dash of science for your science fiction? Read on to find out more!

Les Johnson

Les is a physicist, a science and science fiction author, and a NASA technologist. His science fiction novels include Back to the Moon, Rescue Mode (with Ben Bova), On to the Asteroid and his latest, Mission to Methone. His popular science books include Graphene: The Superstrong, Superthin, and Superversatile Material That Will Revolutionize the World, Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel and Sky Alert: When Satellites Fail. In his day job, he is the Principal Investigator for NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid Scout solar sail mission which will launch in 2019 and a Formulation Manager in the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Science & Technology Office. Les is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The British Interplanetary Society, The National Space Society and MENSA – and is the Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop. He was a technical consultant for the movies Europa Report and Solis. NPR, CNN, Fox News, The Science Channel and The Discovery Channel have all interviewed Les about space and space exploration. He was the featured Interstellar Explorer in the January 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine and has been interviewed on Science Friday. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @LesAuthor.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

My convention experiences have been primarily in the southeastern USA and I’ve heard for many years about Boskone and what a great convention it is. As a southerner, I am a little nervous about being in Boston during the winter, especially February, but I am looking forward to it!

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

I’ve never been and look forward to making those “favorite Boskone memories!”

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

As a scientist, a fan, a writer, and now the lead scientist (PI) for a deep space robotic exploration mission, I would have to say that I would like to re-experience reading Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama for the first time. Clarke was able to convey the sense of wonder like no other writer and he inspired me to pursue a career in science and, in particular, space exploration. If you haven’t read Rendezvous with Rama, or if you haven’t read it in many years, stop now and get a copy. You will not regret it!

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

There is the time I was almost arrested for a crime committed by someone sharing my exact name and birthday. And the time I was almost put into the Federal Witness Protection Program for testifying against a NASA contractor who committed fraud — and has shady relatives associated with the mafia. Or the time I was in the Washington, DC airport about to board my flight home to Alabama when I accidentally encountered my sister, who lives in Tennessee, who just happened to be in Washington, at the Washington airport, waiting for her flight at the exact same time I was there waiting on mine. Or the time…

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I am editing an anthology for Baen books and writing the first book in a three book series, also for Baen, about our first interstellar voyage. At the same time, and for my day job at NASA, I am preparing for the launch of my mission – the Near Earth Asteroid Scout – which will use a solar sail to propel it toward an asteroid rendezvous sometime in 2020. Do you really have to ask what excites me about these projects???

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Tony Stark (Iron Man), Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Stephen Hawking (a real-life superhero) would be my choices. I would like to think that human ingenuity and creativity can solve our problems without relying on mystical superpowers. Even against the totally evil villains you selected!

Jeff Hecht

Jeff Hecht writes about science and technology for magazines including New Scientist, Nature, and IEEE Spectrum. He also writes short fiction, which has been published in Nature Futures, Analog, Daily Science Fiction, Interzone, Asimov’s and anthologies including NESFA Press’s Conspiracy! His recent books include City of Light: The Story of Fiber Optics, Beam: The Race to Make The Laser, and Understanding Lasers. He is now working on a book on the history of laser weapons. He lives in the Boston area with his wife Lois. Visit his website or follow him on Twitter @jeffhecht.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I go to Boskone because I live in the Boston area and because I have lots of friends who come to Boskone. I’ve been going since the late Neolithic…otherwise known as the 70s. It’s a great place to hang out and talk with people about science, technology, science fiction, and various and sundry other topics. And it’s a great place to pick up interesting ideas.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

In “On 202” I evoked the chill of hearing the voices of the dead on the radio and invented Oldies radio. Or so I like to think. The story originally appeared in Twilight Zone Magazine, reprinted in Year’s Best Horror Stories, Great American Ghost Stories, and elsewhere. When I was growing up, radio was live people talking from somewhere else, a radio studio or a baseball game. They were visiting me in what was often a lonely world. When I started listening to music on the radio it also seemed alive, a way for other people to speak to me. Then sometime in the 1970s I began noticing the voices of the dead. It may have been after I heard a voice uncannily like a dead friend in the place where I worked. It wasn’t him, of course; he had died three years earlier, a suicide, maybe a hundred feet from where I was sleeping at the time. But then I started hearing on the radio the dark ghostly voice of Jim Morrison, the plaintive wails of Janis Joplin, and others who had died recently and young. As time passed, there were voices of the dead on the radio. I set the story on the most empty stretch of road I recalled, Route 202 northwest of the Quabbin Reservoir in western Massachusetts, which I driven to substitute teaching jobs a couple of dark late autumn roads. The music came from radio 666 in Enfield, one of the drowned towns under the Quabbin. The reservoir caught my imagination because my grandmother had been born in a lost town, now covered by the Sacandaga Reservoir in upstate New York. My two characters were haunted in their own ways, a young couple slowly drifting apart, one maturing while the other just drifted, wrapped up in himself. I wrote in the woman’s voice because it felt natural, and because she was trying to pull herself together. I like it because it captured a time and a feeling in a way that spoke to others as well as it did to me.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I am writing a book about the history of laser weapons. I have been writing about lasers for nearly 40 years, so I’ve seen a lot of that history. Thirty years ago Gordon Gould told me about how all the colonels “were so eager to believe” when he told them that he knew how to make a laser in 1959. He also told me how he was given a million dollars, then denied a security clearance because he had once been a communist. It’s part of a great story. The 1960s were full of wild-eyed schemes to build incredible lasers that were entirely non-credible. Each time one crazy plan failed, another would be conceived. It kind of made sense at the time, but in retrospect Ronald Reagan’s plans for an orbiting fleet of megawatt laser death stars to shoot down the whole Soviet nuclear arsenal were little short of daft. The Airborne Laser tried to shoehorn a giant laser into a Boeing 747 and shot down a missile; but it was totally impractical. But now a new laser technology has come along that might just work to shoot down rockets, artillery, mortars and drones. And just yesterday I wrote about an Air Force plan to install one of these new lasers in a fighter jet and test it against air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles in 2021. It’s a fascinating bit of technological history, with plenty of science-fictional angles.

Andrea Corbin

Andrea Corbin is a Boston-based writer. Her work has appeared in Shimmer, Flash Fiction Online, Crossed Genres Magazine, Sub-Q, and The Sockdolager. Her interactive fiction and the occasional blog post can be found on her website, amcorbin.com. She talks a lot of nonsense on Twitter as @rosencrantz, but sometimes there are cat pictures, too.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

Boskone has a great mix of panels (and panelists!), with such a variety of fascinating topics. I love a con where looking at the schedule is a little bit heartbreaking because you can’t clone yourself and go to everything! And, of course, there are the conversations that happen as you’re trailing out of panels, over dinner, in the art show, wandering the dealers room… It’s a wonderful weekend.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

This is a terribly hard question, because for me there’s a joy in reliving things and anticipating what you know is coming. So I thought, maybe a mystery would be good. Like Tana French, or if I could experience the book or 1974 movie of Murder on the Orient Express without any knowledge of it at all. Then I thought, what about assigned reading from school that might not deserve my antipathy? In the end, though, if I could experience Emily Carroll’s comics anew every time I picked up Through the Woods, I would be happy. Terrified and disturbed, but happy.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

I wrote a story called “The Roving Bookstore” after the title phrase popped into my head on a rainy walk home. That story, published in The Sockdolager in 2016, only has a few characters, but does have one of my favorites — the bookstore itself, Tka. Tka walks on leopard legs and taught itself to communicate. Tka creates books, though does not shelve them accurately, and is home to a witch. How could I not love a living bookstore that prowls the hills and fields of the Kansas/Missouri border?

Walter H. Hunt

Walter H. Hunt is a science fiction and speculative fiction writer from Massachusetts. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Dark Wing series, originally published by Tor Books and now in the Baen e-library. He has also written A Song In Stone, a novel of the Templars; Elements of Mind, a Victorian thriller about mesmerism; and, with Eric Flint, 1636: The Cardinal Virtues, part of the New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series. He is married with one daughter, and is Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @WalterHHunt.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

In 2002, when I was attending Boskone for the first time as a pro, I came out of a panel to attend an autograph session. My fellow-writers were Robert Sheckley and Hal Clement. My seat was occupied by David Hartwell, who was chatting with Sheckley. As he got up, he said to me something like, “this is a *tough* business, don’t forget that,” and wandered away. I sat down and Robert Sheckley leaned over, looked at my book, nodded, and said, “don’t listen to *him*!”

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

I remember watching Empire Strikes Back in Geneva, Switzerland, with subtitles in German and French. Everyone in our group spoke one or the other or both – and they ran a little ahead of the actual English dialogue.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

A Song In Stone was originally based on a real-life experience – a visit to Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. We were in Scotland for Worldcon and I wanted to see Rosslyn after reading about it – and it led to the first novel that wasn’t related to any of my existing work. It’s ample proof that inspiration can come from anywhere, at any time.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m writing a novel with Eric Flint set in an alternate 18th century in America, and I’m about to start copy edit on Harmony In Light, my second novel set in the nineteenth century and dealing with the world of mesmerism.

Boskone regularly features lots of programming that is specially designed for children as well as young adults … and adults who enjoy young adult fiction (I know I do!). This year, with Tamora Pierce as our Young Adult Fiction Guest and Catherine Asaro as our Hal Clement Science Speaker, we have an especially wonderful selection of choices for children, teens, and adults. Here are are some highlights that we hope you will enjoy.

To view the entire Boskone 55 schedule and to find more items you will enjoy, view our full program (or the text only version).

FRIDAY

2:00 PM (free to public)
Star Wars Mad Libs
Mihku Paul (M), Frank Wu, Laurie Mann, Kaitlin R. Branch, Inanna Arthen
Griffin · 60 min · Game Show
Who doesn’t love a good session of Mad Libs, Boskone style? Join us for a special edition of Star Wars Mad Libs — in which the audience provides the nouns, adverbs, and adjectives for a raucous reading performed by our panel of program participants.

3:00 PM (free to public)
Welcome to Boskone!
Brenda Noiseux, Janice Gelb
Independence · 60 min · Panel
New to the con? Or returning after a long absence? Join us for a short discussion about what Boskone has to offer. Hear the highlights, learn some lingo, and meet new people who love the same strange things you do — plus some weird new stuff of their own! Then join our docents for a stroll around the con.

3:00 PM (free to public)
The Real Hero of Hogwarts
Priscilla Olson (M), Julia Rios, Pete Hollmer, Gabriel Erkard, Flourish Klink
Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel
Everyone knows the Harry Potter series. Harry is at the center of the story with events swirling around him, but is he the real hero? In fact, is there any real hero at Hogwarts? Let’s discuss heroism. What does it take to be a hero — and what does that even mean in a place like Hogwarts?

4:00 PM (free to public)
Big YA
Michael Stearns, Tamora Pierce, Christine Taylor-Butler, Gregory Katsoulis (M), E. Ardell
Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel
What is Big YA? Well, it’s a term we just made up here at Boskone to talk about the intricacies of writing, editing, and publishing big, long young adult series. What are the challenges associated with writing a series where the characters often don’t age as quickly as their readers? How do you track all the details without dropping threads? And why are these long epic YA series so popular today?

5:00 PM (free to public)
YA Fiction Guest Interview: Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce, Julie Holderman
Harbor III · 60 min · Interview
With a brand-new book out and nearly 30 other novels, dozens of short stories, and several comics to her name, Tamora Pierce is a much-loved author of children’s and young adult fantasy fiction. Join us for this lively discussion with Tamora about her life, her writing, and her love of cats, conducted by her longtime friend Julie Holderman.

6:00 PM
Origami for Kids
Persis Thorndike
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair

7:00 PM
Space Exploration for Kids
Les Johnson
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Kids get an up-close look at materials used for space exploration in this discussion group — led by NASA scientist Les Johnson — about spaceships and interstellar travel.

8:00 PM
Creature Creations
Christopher Paniccia
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Author and artist Christopher Paniccia works with kids to help them create their own amazing creatures.

SATURDAY

10:00 AM
The Lego Batman Movie
Carlton · 100 min · Film/TV/Media
A really slick (in fact, plastic) Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to take over Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick. (2017)

10:00 AM
Drawing Aliens
Gregory Katsoulis (M)
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Join author and animator Gregory Katsoulis for some alien drawing fun!

11:00 AM
Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Hats
Mihku Paul
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Join artist and author Mihku Paul for a wonder-filled hat making session.

11:00 AM
Kaffeeklatsch: Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce
Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch

12:00 NOON
Group Reading: Fiction for Kids and Young Adults
Kristy Acevedo, Daniel P. Dern, Erin M. Hartshorn (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Justin Key, Trisha Wooldridge
Griffin · 60 min · Reading
Boskone presents a special group reading for lovers of children’s and young adult fiction. Our authors provide a range of stories and topics that are sure to delight and entertain!

12:00 NOON
A Wizard of Earthsea
Catherine Asaro, Vandana Singh, Robert V.S. Redick, Fran Wilde, Max Gladstone (M)
Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel
Ursula K. Le Guin’s masterpiece was published 50 years ago. A classic coming-of-age story, A Wizard of Earthsea continues to cast its spell over teens and adults alike. Why is Ged such a compelling character? What makes the story as fresh and appealing today as in 1968? What does it have to say about words, magic, ambition, patience, truth, death? Our panelists share their insights — and favorite parts.

1:00 PM
Kids’ Art Show Tour
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair

1:00 PM
Writing for Children
Tui Sutherland, Bruce Coville, Sarah Jean Horwitz, Gregory Katsoulis (M), Michael Stearns
Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel
The process you use in writing literature for children, and the elements you need to include, are different from those for YA, teen, or adult fiction. What are those elements? How do you adjust your style? And how do you avoid the ultimate mistake of talking down to a child?

2:00 PM
Model Magic: Making Monsters
Lisa Hertel
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Artist Lisa Hertel leads kids in a hands-on demo that is kid-friendly and kid-safe, as they create fantastical creatures made of clay.

2:00 PM
Sex and Romance in Young Adult Fiction
Barry Goldblatt, Hillary Monahan, Tamora Pierce, Michael Stearns (M)
Harbor II · 60 min · Panel
Starting with that talk about when a bird and a bee love each other very much, the most embarrassing topics in teenagerdom have got to be sex and romance. Just as awkward in fiction, these issues demand special sensitivity when writing YA. Who’s ready to read stories with sexual themes? How far is too far? What details are involving but not icky? And will gender diversity that’s fine with 13-year-olds explode half the heads on the school board?

3:00 PM
Dragon Stories & Crafts With Tui Sutherland
Tui Sutherland
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Kids join Tui Sutherland to color dragon images, while she talks about the winged beasts and answers questions about writing.

4:00 PM
Kids Concert with Mary Ellen Wessels and Gary Ehrlich
Mary Ellen Wessels, Gary Ehrlich
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair

4:00 PM
Comics for Young Adults and Teens
Tui Sutherland, Elise Sacchetti, Barry Goldblatt, Robert Howard (M), Josh Dahl
Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel
From Runaways to Ms. Marvel, Paper Girls, and more, comics for young adults are booming. Let’s look at some famously must-read YA comics, as well as publications just hitting the shelves that are not to be missed. What is it about YA comics that capture the imagination — especially of teen readers?

8:00 PM
Saturday Night Special Event: Boskone Awards and Rapid-Fire Theater
Bruce Coville, Gay Ellen Dennett, David G. Grubbs (M), Bob Kuhn, Laurie Mann, Mihku Paul, Michael Sharrow, Jane Yolen, Ginjer Buchanan, Fred Lerner, Tui Sutherland, Jen Gunnels, Erin Roberts, Christine Taylor-Butler, William Hayashi, Nat Segaloff, Daniel M. Kimmel
Harbor II+III · 120 min · Event
Saturday night’s presentation is a fast-paced theatrical extravaganza, featuring a set of mini-shows that resemble live-action podcasts (akin to a science fiction variety show with a short awards ceremony, an interview, a game show, and an original radio show with aliens). This special Saturday night program has something for every fan. Hosted by Boskone’s very own David G. Grubbs.

• 8:00 p.m. — NESFA Awards Presentation: The New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) presents its annual Skylark and Gaughan Awards. The Skylark Award honors the work and personal qualities of an exceptional contributor to science fiction. The Gaughan Award is presented to a talented emerging artist. We will also be announcing the winner of the NESFA Short Story Contest.
• 8:30 p.m. — Special Interview: The Rapid-Fire Theater continues with a short interview, featuring bestselling children’s author Tui Sutherland.
• 8:50 p.m. — What’s My Name: Panelists race against the clock in a science fictional guessing game that somewhat resembles “What’s My Line?” as a panel of experts try to identify the characters being portrayed.
• 9:30 p.m. — Boskone Radio Play: Boskone’s Rapid-Fire Theater comes to an out-of-this-world conclusion with a short adapted radio play by Nat Segaloff about humanity’s first contact with aliens.

SUNDAY

10:00 AM
The Forgotten Topics in YA Fiction
Melanie Meadors (M), Gregory Katsoulis, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Fran Wilde, Carlos Hernandez
Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel
Young adult fiction panels often focus on what makes a believable teenage character, young love, or great teen hero. But there’s so much more to explore! What about stereotypical teen behavior? Villains? Reality versus fiction? Let’s spread the net wide. This is our chance to dish on the topics that get the least airtime.

10:00 AM
Creating a Franken-Story
Kenesha Williams
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Kids work with author Kenesha Williams as they create and stitch together a scary original story.

11:00 AM
Deconstruct an Accordion!
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Help take apart an old accordion to see how it’s constructed!

12:00 NOON
Magic Show for Kids
Daniel P. Dern
Galleria · 60 min · Children – DragonsLair
Daniel Dern brings back his DragonsLair magic show for Boskone’s children!

12:00 NOON
Dark Fantasy for Children/YA
Adam Stemple (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Tui Sutherland, Jane Yolen, Gabriel Erkard
Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel
How dark is too dark when it comes to dark fantasy and horror for younger readers? Is there an invisible line in the sand? Should we provide kids with more happy endings? And what draws them to these stories in the first place … even when none of the characters are children?

12:30 PM
Reading by Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce
Griffin · 30 min · Reading

1:00 PM
Igniting the STEM Literary Movement
Kathleen Cheney, Catherine Asaro, Kaitlin R. Branch, Brenda Noiseux (M), Cady Coleman
Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel
There’s a growing focus in education on bringing more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into the classroom. Stories with strong STEM components are being written for children and young adults. But how do we attract younger readers’ attention, and build greater interest in this literature? Participants share their ideas and invite suggestions from the audience.

2:00 PM
Great Villains in Kids’ SF/F
Tui Sutherland, Bruce Coville, Carlos Hernandez, Melanie Meadors (M), Tamora Pierce
Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel
From Sauron to Voldemort, the Grinch to the White Witch to the Dane Twins, Mrs. Coulter to President Snow to Mayor Prentiss — what kind of characters do children and young adults truly love to hate? Are there limits to showing real evil, or can kids take more than we think? How obvious do we get: if there’s a mustache, must it be twirled?

 

Saturday evening is set to be a spectacle, and we look forward to seeing you there.

6:30 PM
Tiptree Bake Sale @ Boskone
Diane Martin
Galleria – Meetup Spot · 60 min · Event
The Boskone Bake Sale benefits the James Tiptree Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for speculative fiction that expands or explores our understanding of gender. The sale is held on Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (or until we sell all the food). Please consider bringing something to be sold: all non-refrigerated foods are welcome (particularly those that also suit dietary restrictions — e.g. gluten, lactose, egg-free). If you are thinking of donating, please drop off at 6:00 pm or during the sale itself! If you are planning to donate some treats, or if you would like to volunteer to help with the bake sale, please contact us at bdiane@gmail.com.

6:30 PM
Boskone Book Party
Erin Underwood (M), Nat Segaloff, Les Johnson, James Patrick Kelly, E. C. Ambrose, Jane Yolen, Robert V.S. Redick, Christopher Paniccia, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Walter H. Hunt, Adam Stemple, Kristy Acevedo, Christopher Irvin, Rob Greene
Galleria – Stage · 60 min · Event
Come join the fun at Boskone 55’s Book Party — and meet the presses and authors who have new books coming out at the con! This is your chance to see what’s new from writers you already love, as well as those you have yet to discover.

 

8:00 PM
Open Mic: Myths & Legends!
Elaine Cunningham (M), Kenneth Schneyer (M), Lauren Roy, C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, Gabriel Erkard, E. Ardell, Benjamin Newman, Roberta Rogow, Don Pizarro, Trisha Wooldridge, Mary Ellen Wessels, Edward L. Stauff
Galleria – Stage · 60 min · Event
Live from Boskone: A special selection of tall tales as told by our program participants — plus audience members. All show off their open mic skills in the third annual Boskone Open Mic extravaganza. This year features the myths and legends of yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Each participant contributes his/her most legendary performance — a 5-minute story, poem, song, skit, interpretive dance, or whatever! OPTIONAL: For extra appeal, feel free to come dressed as your favorite mythic or legendary character.

The Rules: Boskone members are invited to join our participants in the open mic by signing up for one of the six open slots at the door to the event, which opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is given a firm 5-minute time limit (max), including setup time. So a quick transition between acts is key. Please no profanity: DragonsLair is within hearing distance.

 

8:00 PM
Saturday Night Special Event: Boskone Awards and Rapid-Fire Theater
Bruce Coville, Gay Ellen Dennett, David G. Grubbs (M), Bob Kuhn, Laurie Mann, Mihku Paul, Michael Sharrow, Jane Yolen, Ginjer Buchanan, Fred Lerner, Tui Sutherland, Jen Gunnels, Erin Roberts, Christine Taylor-Butler, William Hayashi, Nat Segaloff, Daniel M. Kimmel
Harbor II+III · 120 min · Event
Saturday night’s presentation is a fast-paced theatrical extravaganza, featuring a set of mini-shows that resemble live-action podcasts (akin to a science fiction variety show with a short awards ceremony, an interview, a game show, and an original radio show with aliens). This special Saturday night program has something for every fan. Hosted by Boskone’s very own David G. Grubbs.

• 8:00 p.m. — NESFA Awards Presentation: The New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) presents its annual Skylark and Gaughan Awards. The Skylark Award honors the work and personal qualities of an exceptional contributor to science fiction. The Gaughan Award is presented to a talented emerging artist. We will also be announcing the winner of the NESFA Short Story Contest.
• 8:30 p.m. — Special Interview: The Rapid-Fire Theater continues with a short interview, featuring bestselling children’s author Tui Sutherland.
• 8:50 p.m. — What’s My Name: Panelists race against the clock in a science fictional guessing game that somewhat resembles “What’s My Line?” as a panel of experts try to identify the characters being portrayed.
• 9:30 p.m. — Boskone Radio Play: Boskone’s Rapid-Fire Theater comes to an out-of-this-world conclusion with a short adapted radio play by Nat Segaloff about humanity’s first contact with aliens.

9:15 PM
Group Reading: Noir at the Boskone Bar — Special Edition
Christopher Irvin (M), Errick Nunnally (M), Paul Tremblay, John Langan, Dana Cameron, Nik Korpon, Gillian Daniels, Bracken MacLeod, Leigh Perry
Galleria – Stage · 90 min · Reading
Noir at the Boskone Bar is a special night of reading and fun with our noir, crime, mystery, and horror writers. Hosted by Chris Irvin and Errick Nunnally.

For the full schedule of events and registration information, visit us online at www.boskone.org Find us on Facebook, on Twitter, and check out the Boskone Blog.

Register for Boskone 55 today!

This year Boskone has some terrific programming on Friday. Here are just a few of our Friday night highlights. We look forward to seeing you there!

5:30 PM (free to public)
Boskone’s Regency Dance with Guest of Honor Mary Robinette Kowal
Kevin Turausky, Antonia Pugliese, Mary Robinette Kowal
Harbor II · 90 min · Event
Calling all dancers! Join our Guest of Honor, Mary Robinette Kowal, as we travel back in time to Britain’s Regency period, when dancing was all the craze. Antonia Pugliese from Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, a Boston-area nonprofit that reconstructs, performs, and teaches dances of the 19th and early 20th century, will lead us through Boskone’s special set of Regency dances. So put on your 19th century duds or keep your modern wardrobe to represent your favorite era — as we genre-happy gentlefolk join together to dance, Regency-style!

8:30 PM
Jordin Kare Memorial Concert
Mary Kay Kare, Mary Ellen Wessels, Roberta Rogow, Stephen Brinich, Gary Ehrlich, H Paul Shuch, Benjamin Newman, Edie Stern, Priscilla Olson (M), Edward L. Stauff
Marina 1 · 60 min · Event
Join Boskone’s filkers for a very special concert celebrating the life and music of our longtime friend Jordin Kare.

8:45 PM
Opening Ceremony: Meet the Guests
David G. Grubbs (M), Gay Ellen Dennett (M), Catherine Asaro, Mary Robinette Kowal, Craig Miller, Tamora Pierce, Marianne Plumridge, Nat Segaloff
Galleria – Stage · 15 min · Event
Welcome to Boskone, New England’s longest-running convention for science fiction, fantasy, and horror! Whether you are attending for the first time or the fifty-fifth, we invite you to join us in the Galleria to meet this year’s guests.

9:00 PM
Boskone 55 Reception
Catherine Aaro, Mary Robinette Kowal, Craig Miller, Tamora Pierce, Marianne Plumridge, Nat Segaloff, Gay Ellen Dennett (M), David G. Grubbs (M)
Galleria – Art Show · 120 min · Event
Connoisseurs and philistines alike: welcome to the Boskone Art Show! Join us in the Galleria for an upscale social mixer. Meet our program participants while enjoying refreshments, stimulating conversation, and exceptional art that’s a feast for the eyes. Experience the music and the festivities as Boskone celebrates another year of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in Boston.

10:00 PM
Boskone’s 2000s Dance Party
Madeline Lee, Tristan Marks
Harbor II · 120 min · Other
Get your boogie on! Join our Boskone DJs Madeline and Tristan for some late-night dancing.

 

For the full schedule of events and registration information, visit us online at www.boskone.org Find us on Facebook, on Twitter, and check out the Boskone Blog.

Register for Boskone 55 today!

Happy Friday, Boskone friends! We’re only a month away from Boskone 55. The schedule is out for your planning enjoyment. Be sure to read up on today’s Mini Interview participants and catch them on their panels.

Erin Roberts

Erin Roberts is a writer and communications consultant from Washington, DC. Her fiction has been published or is forthcoming in Podcastle, Clarkesworld, and The Dark, and her non-fiction has appeared on Tor.com and in People of Colo(u)r Destroy Fantasy, People of Color Take Over FSI, and Cascadia Subduction Zone. She is a Staff Writer for Zombies, Run!, an Associate Editor for Escape Pod, and a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop and Stonecoast MFA program. Visit her website or follow her on Twitter @nirele.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I was very lucky – Boskone was the first writing convention I ever attended, with the help of the amazing organization, Con or Bust, which helps send fans of color to conventions. It was the year that there was a crazy blizzard in Boston, but despite the weather everyone was so welcoming and so friendly, from the conrunners on down. I always say that Boskone helped to shape my writing life, because I got the opportunity to meet with Jeanne Cavelos of the Odyssey Writing Workshops, which led directly to my going there, and I met someone in the audience of a panel who told me about the Stonecoast MFA program, which led directly to me applying and attending. Those reasons are really specific to me, but I think they speak to someone I love about Boskone – people want to talk to you, to hear about you, to support the things you are doing and reading and loving. That’s why Boskone, for me, is a must-do.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

Two years ago, I dressed up as Carmen Sandiego, my favorite hard-to-find kleptomaniac supervillain. I’d say that 80% of people had no idea who I was until I told them, but once I said Carmen Sandiego, they totally got it. The best part was getting to quote lines from the Carmen Sandiego show theme song and relive part of my childhood. “Well she sneaks around the world, from Kiev to Carolina…”

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I am working on a couple of novella projects at the moment – as a short story writer, novellas seem impossibly long to me, but I’m enjoying having the chance to sit with my characters for a little longer (and, if I’m being honest, put them through a world of trouble). My favorite project of the bunch is the story of five women (an ex-con, an ex-cop, a reformed grifter, a somewhat-reformed thief, and a fading celebrity/addict) trying to get by in a world where memories can be bought, sold, and traded like any other commodity. I like thinking about the people who get left behind by the world they live in – the ones who fall through the cracks, or are left behind, or are knowingly exploited so that the system runs more smoothly for those in power. The world has failed each of these women in some way, and I am loving writing the story of how they come together to make a difference and create change in spite of that.

Pete Hollmer

Pete Hollmer is the author of the Togahan series, debuting with A Togahan’s Tale, continuing in A Togahan Returns, and A Togahan’s Chance. He grew up in central New York on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction, and action/adventure and has worked in the tech industry for over twenty years. Pete’s enjoyed designing tabletop and live action games, and spent six wonderfully funny and stressful years writing and producing the steampunk live action role play (LARP) The Calling. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ATogahansScribe.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

It’s intimate. The setting, format, and variety of forums make for in-depth discussion. The convention covers a slew of topics that interest me, and hosts a lot of familiar names in the field. And I live just outside metropolitan Boston, so it’s easy for me to get to. But most of all, everyone is just really friendly. It’s a very welcoming convention.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

I would relive watching the cinematic release of Fellowship of the Ring. When I saw it in the theater in 2001, I hadn’t read the book in a while, so I had forgotten enough of the minutia where I could just enjoy the story as it unfolded. I noticed how they edited much for pacing (obviously they couldn’t keep everything), but they integrated so much of Tolkien’s rich description into the set and costume design that it was easy to immerse myself in the story. The fight scenes with the cave troll and the Balrog far exceeded my expectations, and they perfectly captured the drama of Galdalf’s fall. I remember turning to my buddy Ron as the credits rolled and saying, “That was…perfect.” It really set the bar for movie storytelling in the twenty-first century.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

There were tons of characters, and I’ve killed off a bunch. Right now, I’d have to say my anti-hero Fenris is one of my favorites to write, and I think it’s because he doesn’t care what others think, or even if they live, frankly. He’s in it for the twists and turns. “Life gets more fun when you stop caring,” he would probably say, and so his interactions with the other characters are fun, and sometimes funny when they’re not deadly serious. I surprise myself the most when I’m writing him. The odd thing is, he wasn’t intended to last beyond the first book, but folks liked him, so I found new ways to weave him into Dante’s (my main character’s) story. And the two have continued to define each other. Fenris was the best accidental hero I could have created.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m currently writing the fourth novel in the Togahan series (title TBD). The first three books concluded a major plot arc, and this next one launches a whole new scenario with a nice blend of familiar characters and new ones, too. The main characters are fairly well defined, so challenging them in new ways where they grow and change, yet remain true to themselves is what makes it fun. I’m learning about the new characters as I go, and grow to appreciate them more as they reveal themselves. The challenging part now is that with a lot of world building already defined, the risk of contradicting myself increases with every new bit. I try to keep track of it all with spreadsheets and maps, but even then, there’s a fine balance between explaining everything and keeping the action moving. But it’s fun. I love it. It’s the project that I think about, even dream about. It’s the story that I am compelled to tell.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes.  Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Yikes. Talk about a genre mashup. Shooting from the hip, I’d pick Gandalf, Spock, and Agatha Heterodyne. Do I have to explain why? Yes? Uh, well, Gandalf’s a 3000 year old Maiar wizard, and came back from the dead more powerful. Spock can fly a federation starship, knows time travel, and is a superb logician—and also came back from the dead. Agatha is brilliant, lucky, and inspires loyalty like no other character I’ve ever seen. And I’d have to reread 10 years of comics, but I’m pretty sure she came back from the dead too. Apparently I’ve assembled the zombie team.

Sarah Jean Horwitz

Sarah Jean Horwitz was raised in suburban New Jersey, where her love of storytelling grew from listening to her mother’s original “fractured fairy tales,” a childhood spent in community theater, and heaping dose of Harry Potter fan fiction. Sarah was a film production student at Emerson College when she took her first screenwriting class and realized that making up a movie’s story was a lot more fun than actually making it happen. She graduated with a concentration in writing for film and TV in 2012. Naturally, the first project she decided to write after graduating film school was a book. A few years and many odd jobs later, that book became The Wingsnatchers, the first book in the Carmer and Grit series. The Wingsnatchers was a Spring 2017 Kids’ Indie Next Pick and Junior Library Guild Selection. The second Carmer and Grit book, The Crooked Castle, hits stores in April 2018. Sarah’s other passions include feminism, circus arts, extensive thematic playlists, and making people eat their vegetables. She lives with her partner near Cambridge, MA. Visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter  @sunshineJHwitz.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

This is the first convention I’ve ever been invited to as a published author. So that’s exciting! Thanks, Boskone.

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

I once went into anaphylactic shock after a dinner date with my (then relatively new) partner. (Talk about a romance killer! Surprisingly, he stuck around.) I later discovered it was an unusually severe reaction to a condition called “oral allergy syndrome.” Basically, your body sometimes has a wacko reaction to certain proteins and leftover pollen in uncooked vegetables, fruits, and tree nuts, and goes, “Hey, I’m allergic to pollen! GTFO.” I was instructed to avoid most uncooked fruits and vegetables, to which I replied, “Um, I’m a vegetarian.” I am still a vegetarian. I carry an EpiPen, and I’ve never had a severe reaction since that day, but I fully admit to living life on the edge and indulging in all the raw fruits and veggies my heart desires. I was born a rebel, obviously.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

In 2013, I dressed up like Daenerys Targaryen circa season one, complete with baby dragon. I was not as much of a hit in the Barnes & Noble College where I worked as you might have expected.

Kenneth Rogers Jr.

Kenneth has been living and teaching in Baltimore City since 2010 with his wife, Sarah, and two daughters, Mirus and Amare. In that time he has taught 6-10th grade English in Baltimore, Maryland. Kenneth has earned a masters degree in education from Johns Hopkins School of Education, the number one ranked school of education in the country. Since growing up and moving from Peoria, Illinois he graduated from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio in 2008 with a dual degree in Political Science and English, he has written and published five novels. Those six novels are: Thoughts in Italics, a book of short stories that range from speculative to science fiction; Writing in the Margins, a novel that intertwines the characters of Jack Mueller and John Rubaker that makes the reader question what is reality and fiction; Sequence, a dystopian science fiction novel telling the story of Andrea Remus and Thomas Charon through each memory they are forced to relive as they are downloaded in a computer known as the Pandora Complex to save the human race; The Diary of Oliver Lee, the first in a young adult trilogy that tells the story of Oliver Lee, his ability to “stream” stories from the minds of those around him, and his search for the first couple he ever “streamed”; Love and Fear, book two in the Liturian trilogy which tells the story of Kevin and his continued search for Oliver Lee and answers to his possible future and fate; Raped Black Male: A Memoir which tells Kenneth’s story of what it means to be a male rape survivor, overcoming stereotypes of what it means to be black, and male, and that men can’t be raped; Heroes, Villains, and Healing: A Guide for Male Survivors Using DC Superheroes and Villains which uses comic books and back research to help male survivors of child sexual abuse understand and heal from their childhood sexual trauma. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @liturian.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

My favorite Boskone memory is being invited out to dinner with a group of other black science fiction authors and feeling welcome.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

My favorite piece of work is my science fiction novel, Sequence. It stands out the most because it blends together the most from so many different worlds. While incorporating mythology, astronomy, and orbital equations I experimented with memories and being able to transition from one thought to the other in a way that may the reader question their reality. It also won two book awards, so I guess there’s that as well.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I am currently working on third book to my young adult trilogy The Chronicles of the Last Liturian. I am also doing a lot of research on trauma, the brain, and Marvel characters for my next self-help book that uses Marvel superheroes and villains to help heal male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Finally, I am outlining a science fiction novel that tells the story of character who can travel at different points throughout his life, but only when he drowns. All my projects excite me because they are issues I care about and believe the world should have more information on.

Janet Catherine Johnston

Janet Catherine Johnston is a scientist, engineer, master costume designer and choreographer, playwright, dance teacher, singer, martial artist, private pilot, and science fiction author. She is a co-author on numerous scientific journal articles on space experiments as well as on geophysics. She has traveled to 50 countries, including Outer Mongolia, Svalbard and East Germany. She has lived in New York, Alexandria (VA), London and Moscow, but always returns to her Plum Island home. Her hard science fiction stories have appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact (Of Night; Lune Bleue) and her one act plays have been produced n Boston. She has lead space experiments from concept through Critical Design Review, tests and integration, launch, checkout and data analysis, been an invited participant at NASA Mission Design Laboratory, and published multiple scientific/technical reports. She holds four science/engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Currently she is finishing a screen adaptation of her novella, Lune Bleue.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

People at Boskone have read a variety of sub genres of science fiction I always learn something when I come!

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

Definitely The Ring Trilogy. I first read it in college and never wanted it to end. It created a world that seemed like home and part of it is with me all the time.

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

Almost all of my life qualifies for this. Buy me a coke sometime and I’ll tell you some amazing tales of travels to far off lands (Svalbard to Outer Mongolia), ghosts, and psychic phenomena. It’s been a long strange path.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

I think I was born in costume. I can remember wearing my mothers high heels, her black slip and putting a long lace chapel veil over my hair and I was a Spanish lady when I was very small.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I have adapted my novella Lune Bleue (Analog, Oct 2013) to a full length screenplay titled Blue Moon. It’s an adventure story about three people in the wrong place at the wrong time and their struggle to survive on the Moon. I think the story makes a better film than written story.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Mighty Mouse, Wonder Woman and Batman. Among them I think any foe could be felled!

 

Steve Davidson

Steve Davidson is learning how to be a widower. As he does that, he continues to helm the Amazing Stories website. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @AmazingStories0.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

Well, Boskone is local, making it easier on the budget, but if it weren’t a great convention, I’d be going elsewhere. Boskone has managed to strike a good balance between the needs of the “modern” convention and maintaining fannish traditions.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

Sadly, I think it was the tremendous out-pouring of sympathy, gratitude, condolence and community surrounding the memorial for David Hartwell. Everyone really came together and shared each other’s memories and pain. It was a true expression of the idea that fandom is a family.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

Picking up Starman Jones in the bookmobile. (John) Berkey’s cover just blew my ten year old head completely off. I teased myself with that read, finishing up a handful of Wells, Verne, Shelley & Stoker first, all the while staring at that cover with tremendous anticipation. It was like someone opened the door to the golden kingdom, and I was about to step through.

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

That if I had not managed to obtain the trademarks for Amazing Stories, the name would have ended up being used as the title for a series of Canadian travel books.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes.  Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

James Bolivar “Slippery Jim” diGriz, Ellen Ripley and the hacked T1000.

Toni Kelner (Leigh Perry)

Leigh Perry writes the Family Skeleton mysteries featuring adjunct English professor Georgia Thackery and her best friend, an ambulatory skeleton named Sid. The Skeleton Paints a Picture is the fourth, and most recent. As Toni L.P. Kelner, she’s the co-editor of paranormal fiction anthologies with Charlaine Harris; the author of eleven mystery novels; and an Agatha Award winner and multiple award nominee for short fiction. No matter what you call her, she lives north of Boston with her husband, two daughters, one guinea pig, and an ever-increasing number of books. Visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @Family_Skeleton.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

It was at Boskone that I met with Ginjer Buchanan to pitch some series ideas, and she picked the pitch that became my Family Skeleton mysteries right there in the lobby bar. The second runner up is at a Boskone when I was talking Dungeons & Dragons with Myke Cole, and he mentioned the limericks that used to run in DRAGON Magazine, and proceeded to quote one. As it happens, I wrote that limerick–it was one of my early publications. So that somebody remembered it mumble-mumble years later astonished and gratified me.

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

This is embarrassing for a mystery writer, but here goes. My sister and niece Amanda were visiting, and my niece wanted to explore the area behind our house which contains several detached garages. Our own garage isn’t visible from the house, and we never use it. Amanda came running back and asked why there was a car in our garage. It turns out two guys who lived in a kind of boarding house that opened onto that same area were running a chop shop. They’d steal cars from Boston, bring ’em back to behind our house, and strip ’em. And they broke into our garage to store one of the stripped, stolen cars. The best part? When my husband Steve was talking to the police officer who came to check out the situation, Steve mentioned, “You know, this is supposed to be where they caught Albert DeSalvo.” (DeSalvo is widely believed to be the Boston Strangler.) And the officer said, “I know. He’s my uncle.” Now how could I put that into a book?

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

My family and I went to Disney World for Halloween activities several years ago, and I did a simplified Mrs. Potts. In human form, I hasten to add. I kept it simple so I could still enjoy the rides, but I had the apron and cap, and a group of French students were much impressed and wanted to take a picture with me. In subsequent years, I wear skeleton shirts or my Jack Skellington dress, but that’s the last full-blown Halloween costume.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m working on the fifth in the Family Skeleton series. This far into the series, the challenge is to retain the elements that worked in previous books while keeping the story fresh. So

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Wonder Woman–because she’s Wonder Woman. The Flash–the Barry Allen version from the TV show. Because he’s an awesome cinnamon bun and if anybody could reform those three, it’s Barry. And Sherlock Holmes–either the original or the version from Elementary, because he’s smart enough to figure out all their plans.

Daniel M. Kimmel

Daniel M. Kimmel’s reviews appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 25 years and can now be found at Northshoremovies.net. He writes on classic SF films for Space and Time Magazine. His book on the history of FOX TV, The Fourth Network, received the Cable Center Book Award. His other books include a history of DreamWorks, The Dream Team, I’ll Have What She’s Having: Behind the Scenes of the Great Romantic Comedies, and Jar Jar Binks Must Die… and other observations about science fiction movies which was shortlisted for the Hugo Award for “Best Related Work.” His first novel, Shh! It’s a Secret, a novel about Aliens, Hollywood, and the Bartender’s Guide, was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award. His latest book is Time on My Hands: My Misadventures in Time Travel. He is a past president of the Boston Society of Film Critics and past co-chair of the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @dkimmel.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

This year is a special Boskone for me as the media guest of honor is my good friend Nat Segaloff, the author of A Lit Fuse, the biography of Harlan Ellison. It’s a superb book, possibly the best Nat has done, and anything that brings him back east and let’s us get together is good. Plus, although I know him for more than three decades, this will be the first time we’ll be sharing at least one programming item together.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

It’s hard to pick out a single “favorite,” but I suppose I have to have a special place for the essay that gave the title to my Hugo-nominated collection of essays on science fiction films, Jar Jar Binks Must Die. It put me on the map in the science fiction world, and I could always tell who the audience for the book was. When I announced it at conventions, it would be greeted with laughter, cheers, and applause. When I got what what I referred to as “my mother’s reaction” (“Very nice, dear. What does it mean?”) I knew that person wasn’t the audience for the book.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

Coming out next year, my third novel, Father of the Bride of Frankenstein, allows me to draw on a number of interests to create a comic romp that includes reanimated bodies, wedding plans, legal proceedings, and religion. I’m hoping that readers will be entertained and surprised reading it as much as I was writing it. It reminded me that inspiration is a mysterious thing: there are things that happen in the story that I didn’t plan on but my characters led me there. I kept at it because *I* wanted to know what happened next.

Elaine Cunningham

Elaine Cunningham is a New York Times best-selling fantasy author whose publications include 20 novels, four dozen short stories, and a graphic novel. She is best known for her work in licensed settings such as the Forgotten Realms, Star Wars, EverQuest, and Pathfinder Tales. Visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @e_cunningham.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I have lived in Rhode Island for nearly twenty years but have never attended Boskone. It’s long overdue! And speaking of overdue, I have been writing fantasy for over 25 years but have never explored the filk aspect of fandom. As a former music teacher–a mezzo-soprano who plays several instruments–I’ve often thought about getting involved with filk. So I’m looking forward to observing my first sessions with an eye toward participating next year. I’m not a dancer, but the Regency Dance on Friday evening sounds like great fun, if only to observe!

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

Danilo Thann, a bard who appears in several of my Forgotten Realms books and short stories. He was inspired by two favorites from my adolescence: The Scarlet Pimpernel and everything written by Oscar Wilde. As you probably gathered from that description, he is much more than he appears to be. His foppish persona amuses me, as does his fondness for swords that belt out bawdy songs during combat.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m working on a novel set in a fantasy version of Elizabethan England. It spans about a year, from midsummer of 1566 until May 26, 1567. The end date was the revival of the Eisteddfod, an ancient Welsh bard competition. According to history, its purpose was to grant licenses to qualified bards, making traveling musicians dependant upon royal favor, and, theoretically, less likely to spread rumors. This theme–the political and social impact of disinformation–is one of the challenges of this story, as it hits a little too close to home. But the story has many of my favorite things: music, history, intrigue, betrayal, mythology, folklore, and properly malicious faeries.

Kevin McLaughlin

Kevin McLaughlin is the USA Today bestselling author of over thirty science fiction and fantasy novels and more short fiction than he can easily count. He owns Role of the Hero Publishing, and produces the monthly science fiction and fantasy magazine by the same name. Kevin began writing at age seven on an old manual typewriter. That first short story was enough to give him the bug, and he’s been at it ever since in one form or another. A professional member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and the Romance Writers of America, Kevin likes to pass along the help he once received, so that newer writers can achieve their dreams, too. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @KOMcLaughlin.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

With Boskone, it’s a home town advantage thing, since I live in downtown Boston! Plus, when I moved here back in 2012, the New England Science Fiction Association folks were some of the nicest, most welcoming people I met shortly after arrival. Glad to be a part of this convention. This will actually be my first Boskone, though! Until last May I was working as a nurse, and Boskone has always landed on a work weekend for me. Now that I write full time, I can finally take the weekend off and come to this event – at last!

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

This is an easy question. My mother took me to New York City to view a special premier opening for the first Star Trek film. I was six years old at the time. I’d never been in the middle of a group of people with such excited, positive energy before. There was a full-theater standing ovation when the credits opened, when the Enterprise first appeared on screen, and at the end. It was one of those experiences you NEVER forget!

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

Interestingly for a novelist, it was an essay, not a story. When I was in college, I had an English teacher named Professor Kloeckner. We had to write an essay on Catch-22” I wrote mine quickly, spun it out with little care, and turned it in knowing it would get an A like every other paper I wrote. But it didn’t; I was given a D. I was furious, since I knew the paper was better than most of the class, and some people had As and Bs. I asked why. He told me I could write better than that, and he wasn’t putting up with me giving him half efforts. If I wanted a better grade, I was welcome to rewrite it and turn it in again.

No one had ever challenged me like that before. English had always been an easy A. So I rewrote the paper and got a C. Still frustrated, I did it again, revising my thesis, re-reading the book, looking deeper into other analysis which had been done of the work. In short, I worked my tail off through multiple deep revisions of that stupid little essay. I finally got an A-.

I still have a printout of that paper in a box of my old writing.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m writing the fourth book in a series about what it means to be alive in a blended science fiction and fantasy setting. If a human consciousness is uploaded to a game world as the body dies, and that person’s memories and thoughts are intact inside a game world but they can never again impact the outside world, are they still alive? Does life matter, if the only thing you can impact are the lives of the other people locked into the virtual afterlife with you? When does human consciousness and AI blur? That’s the underlying premise of the Valhalla Online series, the fourth book of which is my current project.

But that will be released long before Boskone. By then I expect I will be working in a shared world with other authors, contributing my books to expand that universe. Which will be *really* fascinating, since I’ve never done that before. The opportunity to work closely with other writers in such a universe will be interesting and fun.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes.  Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Galactus.

Just him.

Really don’t need anyone else. One burp, and the problems are largely solved. To borrow Ripley’s line from Aliens – “nuke the site from orbit; only way to be sure.” Or eat the planet. Either way works.

Gillian Daniels

Gillian Daniels writes, works, and haunts the streets in Boston, MA. Since attending the 2011 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Workshop, her poetry and short fiction have appeared in Strange Horizons, Apex Magazine, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, and Flash Fiction Online, among others. She currently reviews for The New England Theatre Geek. Visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @gilldaniels.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I live in Boston and enjoy connecting with local fans, authors, and readers. It makes me feel more a part of the community.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

During my first Boskone, bonding with Clarkesworld narrator Kate Baker over Doctor Who was enormously fun and a very sweet experience.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

I would want to read the The Princess Bride without seeing the film, first. They’re very similar, but I think my experience of the movie colored too much of my thoughts on the book. I would want to read it again without preconceptions.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

My short story “The Oracle Sings a Torch Song” in Not One of Us, April 2016. It was my favorite story I wrote at Clarion UCSD when I attended in 2011. It proved to me that I could ascend to new levels of fiction writing and didn’t have to stay confined to one writing style or set of themes. It was a story that genuinely surprised me while I wrote it. On some level, I feel the same way about my story, “His Wife and Serpent Mistress” in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, October 2017. I don’t know where it came from; it just came out when I sat down to write.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

2017, I was female Captain America. I want to dress up for as many years as I can.

 

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m currently editing/revising my first official space opera short story/potential novella. It’s been something I’ve wanted to write for a very long time. I didn’t realize how much I loved the genre.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Iron Man, because he’s a gifted engineer apart from the billions of dollars and selfishness; Miles Vorkosigan from Lois McMaster Bujold’s books, because he’s deeply clever, endlessly energetic, and has impressive knowledge of future technology; the elf warrior, Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, from Sarah Rees Brennan’s In Other Lands, a young female warrior from a matriarchal society who believes men are gentle souls who must be protected. They’re all fantastic characters at tactics in their own way, which would be needed to fight these antagonists. Also, I would love to see their banter together.

Tom Easton

Tom Easton is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, a well-known science fiction critic (he wrote the science fiction magazine, Analog‘s,  book review column for 30 years), and a retired college professor. He holds a doctorate in theoretical biology from the University of Chicago. He writes textbooks for McGraw-Hill on Science, Technology, & Society and Environmental Science. Over the years he has published about fifty science fiction and fantasy short stories, ten science fiction novels, and several anthologies, of which the latest two, co-edited with Judith K. Dial, are Conspiracy! (NESFA Press, 2016) and Science Fiction for the Throne: One-Sitting Reads (Fantastic Books, 2017).

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

Scaring a roomful of fans with a presentation on violet wands. (I love antique technology!)

In the realm of “truth is stranger than fiction,” what experience from your past would people never believe if it were written into a story?

For over a decade, I was a “source” for the National Enquirer. They would call when they wanted thoughts on futuristic topics (they paid too). I’m not sure people would never believe it, though, since I have given talks on the experience–at Boskone, of course!

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

Jeff Hecht and I had lunch recently, and we realized that when security agencies start building databases of voice samples taken from cell phone conversations and home assistant intercepts, there will be serious privacy issues. When I got home, I found that China is already doing this. So we’re working on a story.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Granny Weatherwax, Cohen the Barbarian, and Tiffany Aching. Because Terry Pratchett.

The Boskone Mini Interview series is going strong with four participants covering science fiction and fantasy through novels, games and even filk (fan folk songs). Read on to find out more!

Christopher Paniccia

Christopher Paniccia was born in Providence, RI. He grew up in East Providence, RI and Rehoboth, MA. For over twenty years he has been an educator at the elementary and college levels in the Boston area. As an author and illustrator his goal continues to be one of inspiring others to follow their dreams. His student’s remain a huge inspiration to him and directly inspired his first book, Gridiron Conspiracy. The Gridiron Conspiracy Trilogy continues to expand its reach to all types and ages of readers. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a Combat Medic. He lives with his family in the Boston area. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @CPaniccia15.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I spend a great deal of time at conventions selling both my novels and my illustrations. As an author and illustrator, it is extremely important for me to network with others in the business. Attending Boskone allows me the best of both worlds. The multiple-panel platform allows me to spend lots of time talking to fans of fantasy and science-fiction. I love to share what I do with others and hope to inspire others to do what I love to do.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

Chris Strong from my first novel, The Gridiron Conspiracy, is my pride and joy. Chris is modeled after my own life and being very autobiographical it is amazing for me to read about him and share with others his story. Although many of Chris’s experiences mirror my own, he continues to grow as his own character and build with each passing book. He really stands out as an unwilling hero who in the end stands up for his beliefs and others.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

My current project is an epic saga about an ancient alien aivilization right under our noses here on earth. When the two civilizations meet the earth will never be the same. If you are a fan of the Ancient Alien Theory then you will love this terrific series, The Haven Series, Book One being Heavens Gate will have you begging for more. The exciting part of this project is the actual research needed to put the two civilizations together into one believable world. For me the challenges are to expand the original story out into a ten book series. Creating an epic saga that readers will follow for years to come is my focus on this project as I do not want the story to become stale and I want my readers to look forward to each installment.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

I would choose Wonder Woman as she always amazes me with her wit, power, and understanding. As a hero she uses all these skills to thwart her enemies. Next I would choose, The Wolverine as he is a no nonsense hero that fights for what is right no matter what without asking for permission. Lastly I would choose Captain America because as a veteran myself he stands for everything I stand for and he will never leave a fallen man behind.

Heather Albano

Heather Albano is a storyteller and game designer – the author of the steampunk time travel trilogy Keeping Time, the creator of the steampunk Sherlock-Holmes-themed interactive novel A Study In Steampunk, the co-creator of five Choice of Games titles, and a contributing writer to the Amazon Alexa game Codename Cygnus. She’s always looking for new ways to tell stories and is currently excited to bring her live action design experience to augmented reality games. Visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @heatheralbano.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

In 2013, David Olsen and I attended James Patrick Kelly’s and Steven Popkes’s  singularity panel. David and I walked out of the room arguing over a philosophical point raised by the panel, and continued to argue over lunch in M.J. O’Connor’s, and before the end of the meal, had mapped out a novella-length story contrasting our two viewpoints – and even figured out an ending that did not explicitly endorse either. You know. Like you do. Especially at Boskone. Fascinating scientific panels trigger interesting intellectual ideas that cascade into “I have to write that story.”

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

“What is the golden age of science fiction? Age twelve.” It applies to non-science fictiontoo.

When I was eleven, I discovered Sherlock Holmes. By the time I was twelve, I had gone through all of Conan Doyle, every episode of the Jeremy Brett series then available from PBS and A&E (in the days before boxed DVD sets were a thing and you had to wait for the networks to dish them out, then beg your parents to let you stay up late on a school night), and every pastiche available in a three-library radius (in the days before ordering stuff from the internet was a thing either). And then one day over eighth-grade winter vacation, I discovered The Seven-Percent Solution by Nicholas Meyer – for 99 cents, in a used bookstore that has long since gone out of business.

I read it in a day, in two huge gulps broken only by my mother’s insistence that I come downstairs for dinner. I had never read a re-imagining of a cultural myth before. I had never read an adaptation of *anything* that took a story element latent in the original and teased it into a plot entirely of its own, and one that moreover turned on its head the universe’s original rules of engagement. I didn’t know you could *do* that.

Is that where I learned that stories change their shapes, depending on the perspective they are viewed from? Maybe. I certainly learned that lesson more thoroughly in classrooms, later. Was the seed of A Study In Steampunk planted there? Almost certainly. In The Seven-Percent Solution, the villainous Professor Moriarty is in fact the mild-mannered elderly professor of mathematics he appears to be. In A Study In Steampunk, my heavily-Sherlock-Holmes influenced interactive steampunk novel, heroes and villains change places depending on the perspective of the player. The whole story is painted in shades of gray, appearing differently depending on the path you choose to walk through the world.

I have a degree in English literature; I create stories for a living; I know how stories are put together. And so I’m harder to surprise, these days. It’s been many years since I read something that *broke my brain* the way The Seven-Percent Solution did at age thirteen. I’d definitely relive that feeling if I could.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

It wasn’t exactly for Halloween, but my favorite costume is the one I put together a few years ago to go to Dawn Metcalf’s steampunk-themed birthday party. Geek that I am, I decided to go as one of my own Keeping Time characters! Katarina Rasmirovna and I both had a wonderful time.

Steven Popkes

Steve Popkes is best known for his short to medium fiction, much of which has been collected in various “Best ofs”. He has three novels: Caliban Landing, Slow Lightning and Welcome to Witchlandia. He is an embedded systems software engineer, a private pilot and studies judo. He lives in Massachusetts where he enjoys gardening, aquaculture and raising turtles. Visit his website at www.stevenpopkes.com.

What is your favorite Boskone memory or experience?

When I managed to convince Tom Easton to buy James Cambias’ story on the dealer floor.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

Firefly. There was an excitement about it. I felt like this had never been done before and I was watching something new unfold.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

Bishop 24 from Future Boston “The Egg” and Slow Lightning. He came from an invertebrate evolutionary history and was completely different from human beings in root and branch. But managed to appreciate them over time because of his mistakes.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m working on House of Birds. It’s the answer to the question: “What does violent child abuse, moral decisions and the terraforming of Venus have in common?” The answer is this novel.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Robert Oppenheimer, Edward Teller and Leslie Groves. With those three a hydrogen bomb is secure. Who needs super heroes?

Roberta Rogow

Roberta Rogow, writes historical mysteries, although she often twists the history, Her most recent book, Malice in Manatas, continues the adventures of Halvar Danske, the Hireling of the Calif of Al-Andalus, as he chases murderers in an Alternate Colonial Manhattan (think The Last of the Mohicans meets Arabian Nights, with a Spanish accent). Roberta is also known as a filker and was inducted into the Filk Hall of Fame in 2013.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

It’s writer- and book-oriented, as opposed to visual media, such as film, anime, etc. And there is really great filking as well. (That’s science fiction folk songs, for those who don’t know.)

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

I think my best song is “Fact/Fiction”, which I wrote many years ago, when the Voyager and other space probes were proving that everything we thought we knew about the solar system was wrong! But we loved the books written about swamps on Venus and canals on Mars anyway, because the characters were so compelling and writers like Robert Heinlein and C.L. Moore made the scenes so real. Science fiction was “why we went to space, after all.”

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

I’m writing the sixth book in my Saga of Halvar the Hireling, the mystery series set in an Alternate Colonial Manhattan. I love working out how Manahttan would be if it had been settled by Spanish Moors and how the Moorish influence could have been extended to the Age of Exploration (in actuality, 1492 marked the end of Moorish dominance in Spain, and the beginning of Spanish influence in the New World). It’s world-building, and mystery plotting combined, and I get to play with historical characters… but the Manhattan geography hasn’t changed, so I can still walk where my characters walk. And I get to work in two different genres as well.

Our latest batch of mini interviews touches on the importance of having science fiction and fantasy characters who represent us, reliving childhood fascination with the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a participant who’s been coming to Boskone since she was a kid-in-tow.

 

Gerald L. Coleman

Gerald L. Coleman is a philosopher, theologian, poet, and author residing in Atlanta. Born in Lexington, he did his undergraduate work in Philosophy and English at the University of Kentucky. He followed that by completing a degree in Religious Studies and concluding with a Master’s degree in Theology at Trevecca Nazarene University. He is the author of the Epic Fantasy novel saga, The Three Gifts, which currently includes When Night Falls (Book One) and A Plague of Shadows (Book Two). He has appeared on panels at DragonCon, SOBSFCon, Atlanta Science Fiction & Fantasy Expo, the Outer Dark Symposium, and has been a Guest Author and panelist at JordonCon and Imaginarium. He is a co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets and has recently released three collections of poetry entitled the road is long, falling to earth, and microphone check. Visit his website, find him on Facebook or follow him on @Iconiclast.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I’m interested in Boskone for its history, its focus, its reputation among fellow authors, and its new interest in being more inclusive and diverse.

Looking back at your work, which character, piece of art, song, poem, article, etc. stands out as an all-time favorite? What is it about this piece that makes it stand out for you?

The main character, Bantu, in my epic fantasy series, The Three Gifts. He stands out as the embodiment of what I was always looking for when I perused the shelves in the science fiction and fantasy section of bookstores. He’s a hero that looks like me, that represents me, in my favorite genre. Over the years I read all kinds of interesting and exciting stories: The Faded Sun, Elric of Melnibone’, The Black Company, The Dragon Riders Of Pern, Guardians of the Flame, The Wheel of Time, but none of them included main characters who looked anything like me. Bantu is the realization of that desire and dream, for me and for readers who want a more diverse landscape in science fiction and fantasy.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

In between working on book two of The Three Gifts, which I finished this summer, and book three, I’ve written some short stories for upcoming anthologies. Those are exciting for me, because I get to create more characters and tell their stories in different sub-genres of speculative fiction. But I’m most excited about a pure science fiction novella I’m working on about a seventeen year old black girl with certain gifts who might have to save the galaxy. It’s not dystopian – I think, honestly, we’ve had enough of that. But I think it’s fresh and interesting and exciting. I know there’s a vast, untapped hunger for Speculative Fiction, especially Science Fiction that centers around black characters and people of color. The Three Gifts is pure epic fantasy, so writing this pure science fiction story is exhilarating.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Wow, what an interesting question. Ok, I’ll refrain from picking characters from my own stories. Let me see, I think to fair we should try to stay in the same genre of the villains, right? So, I’d go with Rand from The Wheel Of Time to stop the Night King. He seems to have the powers necessary to defeat him. Q from the continuum (Star Trek: The Next Generation) to stop the Emperor, though convincing him to do it would be the hardest part. And Doctor Manhattan (Watchmen) to take down the Master/Missy. Can a Time Lord regenerate if they’ve been atomized?

James Cambias

James L. Cambias writes science fiction and designs games. Originally from New Orleans, he was educated at the University of Chicago and lives in western Massachusetts. His first novel, A Darkling Sea, was published by Tor Books in 2014, followed by Corsair in 2015. His short stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Shimme, Nature, and several original anthologies — including the collection Hieroglyph, edited by Kathryn Cramer and Ed Finn. Most recently, his story “Treatment Option” was featured on the X-Prize foundation’s Seat 14C website. Mr. Cambias has written for Steve Jackson Games, Hero Games, and other roleplaying publishers, and is a partner in Zygote Games, a small company specializing in science and nature-based games. His most recent game title is Weird War I, from Pinnacle Entertainment Group. Visit his blog or find him on Facebook.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I like Boskone’s literary focus, and the strong awareness and emphasis of science fiction’s history. It’s also a good size: small enough to be informal and intimate, with no “velvet ropes” between participants and attendees; but big enough to have an interesting variety of activities. It’s a great old-fashioned science fiction convention, and I like that.

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

I’m tempted to say the opening of Star Wars, but that’s like talking about how much I enjoy oxygen. So instead I’ll cite my childhood experience with the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. When I was six or so that was the greatest movie ever made. I saw it again a few years later as a worldly-wise eight-year-old and hated it. That was my first experience of changing tastes and perspectives. Still, I wish I could see the movie I saw when I was six. That one was great.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

The last time I really made a Halloween costume for myself was back around 1995 when I dressed as Jean-Paul Sartre. I still have no idea what Sartre looked like, so I got a beret and a striped shirt and went as a comic-strip Frenchman with a copy of No Exit.

If you were building a team of 3 (super)heroes to save the world from this trio of (super)villains: The Night King (GOT), the Emperor (Star Wars), and The Master/Missy (Doctor Who), who would you pick? The only catch is that you can’t pick characters from the GOT, Star Wars, or Doctor Who universes. Share why you chose your 3 (super)heroes.

Okay, so to stop an evil undead wizard, a space wizard with a Galactic Empire, and a time-traveling psychopath, there’s really only one hero who can save us.

Dorothy Gale. Dorothy eats Wicked Witches for breakfast, snacks on Nome Kings, and has Yookoohoos for dessert. Those three won’t even get a smudge on her gingham dress.

If we actually think Dorothy needs backup, I’d pick Flash Gordon and The Spectre, but really they’re just window-dressing.

Deirdre Crimmins

Deirdre is a Cleveland-based film critic. She regularly contributes to Rue Morgue Magazine, Birth.Movies.Death., and Film Thrills. Her specialty is contemporary horror film, though she grew up going to cons. Follow her on @dedecrim.

There are a number of conventions that you could attend. What is it about Boskone that makes you want to attend this convention?

I’ve been attending since I was a kid-in-tow!

If you could relive your first experience with any book or film, which one would you pick? What is it about this book or film that you want to experience again for the “first time?”

I’d reread Slaughterhouse Five. I read it in high school and adored it, but I wonder how I would have related to it differently as an adult.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What costume did you wear?

In 2015 my sister and I dressed up as the Grady twins from The Shining.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?

There are always new films to review.