The Mini Interviews continue with authors Vincent O’Neil and Jennifer Pelland who many of you may already know since they are two of our local authors who are returning again this year to Boskone. For those of you who are meeting them for the first time, we hope you enjoy this introduction to Vincent and Jennifer. For those of you who already know them, we think you’ll also enjoy these interviews because, hey!, it’s Vinny and Jen!

Vincent O’Neil

Vincent H. O’Neil is the Malice Award-winning author of five mystery novels. Most recently he’s published the military sci-fi survival tale Glory Main (as Henry V. O’Neil) and Interlands, a Lovecraftian horror novel set in Providence, Rhode Island featuring the historian Angela Morse. For more information visit Vincent’s website and find him on Facebook.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

Vincent O’Neil (VO): Honestly, I really like to spend time in the con suite area. That seems to be the big crossroads of Boskone, and I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve made just striking up conversations there. Sci-fi and fantasy people are always so enthusiastic about the many different facets of these genres, and the Boskone crowd is extremely engaged on so many levels. There are a lot of things to do and see right there, from participating in different discussion groups to perusing the amazing art work on display. The Boskone program is always packed with excellent panels, but when I’m not at one of those I usually head back to the con suite to see what they’ve got going on and who’s up for a chat.

What event or experience stands out as one of those ‘defining moments’ that shaped who you are today?

(VO):  Just after I graduated from West Point, I entered a grueling army training school known as the Ranger course. Ranger lasts two months, and the students aren’t fed much and don’t get to sleep much while carrying heavy loads over difficult terrain and accomplishing various graded tasks. It was an enormous challenge, but it was also a humbling experience that taught me a lot about myself. Whenever I’ve been faced with a tough situation, I’ve usually been able to reach back to the Ranger course for inspiration and motivation.

I based my first mil sci-fi novel Glory Main: Book One of the Sim War Series on the Ranger experience, placing my main characters in a survival situation with no water, food, or weapons. As they overcome one obstacle, an even worse one pops up to take its place. It was quite a trip down memory lane, and several of my classmates from Ranger have remarked that it is highly reminiscent of that experience.

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

(VO):  HarperVoyager is releasing the sequel to Glory Main, entitled Orphan Brigade, in January of 2015. Right now, I’m writing the third book in the Sim War series, and it’s a whole lot of fun to build on the universe and characters presented in the first two books.

Whereas Glory Main was a gritty tale of survival, Orphan Brigade has a much broader scope and explores some of the darker ramifications of humanity’s war against the humanoid Sims. The third book ties several earlier threads together while adding still more complexity to the storyline, and it’s a real challenge to stay true to the preceding books while allowing the plot and the characters to continue to evolve.

That’s one of the best things about attending Boskone: Everyone is so well-read and well-versed in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and other genres that I always come away excited about getting back to whatever I’m writing at the time. It’s really a great convention, and I highly recommend it.

Jennifer Pelland

Jennifer Pelland is a Boston-area writer and bellydancer. Her novel Machine and short story collection Unwelcome Bodies were published by Apex Publications. She’s most recently been published in Glitter and Mayhem, Chicks Unravel Time, and Queers Dig Time Lords.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?
Visit Jennifer’s website for more information, find her on Facebook, check out her dancing, and follow her on Twitter @jenniferpelland

Jennifer Pelland (JP): Mostly that it’s relaxing. There’s much more time for me to just hang out and talk with my old writing friends at Boskone than there is at other cons. I appreciate that it’s not as insanely scheduled as other local conventions, and that it still has a lot of opportunities for fun. It was a lot less relaxing back when I was writing, but now that I’m just there as a fan? Ahhhh…

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

(JP): Right now, I’m working on crafting a belly dance piece for a show based on The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern. I’m going to be embodying the Ice Garden. It’s fascinating to be part of a dance show that’s based on a piece of literature. The toughest part, beyond satisfying the fans of the book, is the fact that my piece is glacially slow. So I need to make sure I completely banish my adrenaline before going on stage. I’ve managed to do it for previous super-slow performances, but each one is a new challenge.

The show is Saturday, December 6th at 7 pm at the Cambridge YMCA. All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For more information, visit http://www.worldofneylan.com/worldofneylan/Night_Circus.html

Once I’m done with that, then I need to start prepping for Arisia’s Geeky Belly Dance Show. Last year, I was a belly dancing Dalek, complete with twirling plunger, so that’s gonna be tough to top.

From a fan perspective, what new book, film, TV show, or comic are you most looking forward to seeing/reading?

(JP): Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever already aired, so I guess I can’t use that as my answer. And I’m not sure The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore counts as something fannish, but I’m chomping at the bit for it. I hope it fills the void left behind by Totally Biased, because it was a crime when it was canceled. I guess I’m hoping for good things from SyFy’s version of Twelve Monkeys and from Ascension. They finally got their shit together with Helix (and to a lesser extent with Defiance), so hopefully they’re back to making good SF television. But who am I kidding? I’ll also watch Sharknado 3 when it airs. It doesn’t all need to be good.

~

Our next set of Mini Interviews is coming soon! Sign up to follow the Boskone Blog via email to avoid missing the interview with your favorite author.

Purchase your Boskone membership!

The Boskone Mini Interviews are part of a new series that features our guests and program participants as they share fun, interesting, and amusing thoughts with Boskone’s fans. Our inaugural Mini Interviews feature Steven Brust, this year’s Guest of Honor, and YA author Peadar Ó Guilín. This is your chance to meet them before the convention begins. Enjoy the interviews, and get the pre-con conversation started by leaving comments and sharing your thoughts!

Steven Brust, Guest of Honor

Bio: Steven is the author of twenty-six novels and one solo record. He’s an enthusiastic amateur drummer, guitarist, banjo player, and poker player. For more info, visit Steven’s website and find him on Twitter @stevenbrust.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Steven Brust (SB):  Simply being there. Let me explain. I’ve been in fandom since the mid 70’s, and so I remember clearly the old-style fannish conventions. By all reports, Boskone is one of those–there is a comfort, a relaxation, a
sense of being surrounded by family, that comes from that kind of
convention. I plan to dive in when I get there and not emerge until the
dog has died.

What event or experience stands out as one of those ‘defining moments’ that shaped who you are today?

(SB):  I’ll just answer a couple of pieces of that: As a writer, it was in high
school, when I read Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny. As a fan, it was my
first Minicon.

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

(SB):  I’m working on Vallista, the latest in an ongoing series. The real joy of
this series is finding the relationship between the simple story, what the
story is *about*, and how to best tell the story. That always changes,
and the process of discovering it with each book is different and
exciting.

From a fan perspective, what new book, film, TV show, or comic are you most looking forward to seeing/reading?

(SB):  I had the pleasure of reading Jo Walton’s The Just City. It is an
absolutely amazing accomplishment–you follow characters you deeply care
about in their struggles, and at the same time you find yourself in a
dialog with Plato. How can this not be fun? I’m told there is a sequel
coming, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Peadar Ó Guilín

Bio: In September 2007, Peadar Ó Guilín published his first novel, The Inferior, which the Times Educational Supplement called “a stark, dark tale, written with great energy and confidence and some arresting reflections on human nature.” Foreign editors liked it too, and over the years, translation rights have been sold to publishers as far afield as Germany, Korea, Japan and Turkey. His second novel, The Deserter is a direct sequel to The Inferior and received its first outing on 5th May 2011 in the UK and Ireland. It was published in North America in March 2012. Peadar’s fantasy and SF short stories have appeared in numerous venues, including Black Gate magazine and an anthology celebrating the best of the iconic Weird Tales.

For more info, visit Peadar’s website, friend him on Facebook, and find him on Twitter @theinferior.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Peadar Ó Guilín (POG): Steven Brust is the short answer! I read his work for the first time 20 years ago or so, and I still remember the important points of “selling onions”. I can’t wait to see what he’s like in real life.

How would you describe your work to people who might be unfamiliar with you?

(POG): My novels aspire to be high speed adventures in bizarre but comprehensible worlds, with lots of mystery, sadness and sometimes, triumph. My short stories are all of the above, but slower, and with more sadness than triumph. I like to think that a higher proportion of my readers retire to monasteries in despair than those of any other author. But I might be wrong.

From a fan perspective, what new book, film, TV show, or comic are you most looking forward to seeing/reading?

(POG): There are always dozens of books on my wish list — George R. R. Martin’s The Winds of Winter is an obvious example. But to be honest, the best book of the year is always the one I’m not expecting. Previous novels that came out of left-field to totally blow my mind include, Ancillary Justice, City of Stairs, Faith, Blindsight, Dark Eden and The Fade. I have no way of predicting what the next one will be.

~

Our next set of Mini Interviews is coming soon! Sign up to follow the Boskone Blog via email to avoid missing the interview with your favorite author.

Purchase your Boskone membership!

Boskone is starting early this year and YOU are invited to join in the fun!

Special early programming will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 13th and will be free to the public until 6:00 pm.

Register today for your
full membership or a day-pass!

After 6:00 pm on Friday and through the duration of the convention, you’ll need to purchase an attending membership to stay and enjoy the events, panels, interviews, games, and more! Weekend passes as well as day passes are now available for purchase online.

Science Fiction / Fantasy / Horror / Comics / Art / Games / Young Adult / Children / Books / Film / Live Painting Demos / Music / Improv / Chocolate !

Boskone has it all.

Have a friend who’s been thinking of coming to Boskone? This is the year to bring him or her along. Come early, stay late, and return for more. It all begins at 2:00 pm on ….

Friday, February 13, 2015

Coming in December and January … Boskone announces a fun new series of posts called the Boskone Mini Interviews, featuring our guests and program participants who share all kinds of fun, thoughtful, and amusing comments about themselves and Boskone. You’re going to love them!

Sign up to follow the Boskone Blog via email using the field in the top right corner of the page.

To all of our friends in the U.S. and around the world, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with fun, food, and great stories.

We look forward to seeing you in February!

The Boskone Blog has been a bit quiet, but that’s all about to change. The last few months have been about sorting out convention logistics and program planning. We’re in the process of finalizing the first draft of the schedule, which means we have some fun stuff to share. You can get the full scoop on our progress by reading the first edition of Helmuth, Boskone’s newsletter.

We’re also in the process of putting together the Boskone Mini Interviews, which is something new for the blog! The Boskone Mini Interviews are short and fun interviews that feature many of this year’s program participants. It should be a lot of fun to read what they have to say. Plus, the mini interviews will give you a nice opportunity to learn more about some of your favorite authors as well as to introduce you to authors who may still be new to you.

We’ll also be sharing information soon on the Multi-Author Book Party, the Paint-a-Thon, and the Boskone Reception — not to mention Boskone’s very own live improv show based on the hit TV series Whose Line is it Anyway, featuring its own “spec fic” spin! The fun is just beginning and we are looking forward to seeing you there (February 13-15, 2015). So, be sure to buy your membership and get ready for Boskone!

Let the fun begin.

It is with great regret that we let you know that Robin McKinley will not be able to attend Boskone 52 in February 2015 due to unforeseen personal issues. Please join us in wishing her the very best. We are looking forward to a fantastic convention filled with some of the most talented writers, artists, scientists, and musicians in fandom.

• Steven Brust, Guest of Honor
• Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang, Official Artists
• Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff, Featured Filkers
• Robert K. Wiener, Special Guest
• Dave Clements, Science Speaker
• Vincent DiFate, NESFA Guest

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Robin McKinley is no longer able to make it to Boskone this year due to personal reasons. However, we are excited to announce that New York Times bestselling author Steven Brust will be joining us as Boskone 52’s Guest of Honor. Please help us in welcoming him to the convention.

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Memberships for Boskone 52 are on sale! You can buy your membership now at b59.boskone.org and take advantage of the 2014 pricing. We’re in the process of revamping our website, but the purchase links are live and ready to go. Our guests for Boskone 52 include:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener, FN

We’ve also got a beautiful new flyer that you can download and either tack up on your wall in anticipation of February 2015 or you can print it out and share it with a friend. Here’s the link to the file Boskone 52 Flyer #1…and here is a preview of the flyer. The image is by our official artists Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang.

People interested in being considered for the Boskone 52 program should contact our Program Committee at program@boskone.org.

Thank you to everyone who entered
the NESFA Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Contest.

Entries are now closed and the winners will be announced at Boskone 52, which will be held February 13-15, 2015.

–

NESFA Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story Contest
Winners to be announced at Boskone 52.
February 13-15, 2015.

Short Story Contest Rules

NESFA will run a science fiction/fantasy short story contest, with prizes to be awarded at Boskone 52, in February 2015.  The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2014. All submissions should be made via email to storycontest@boskone.org in flat text, rich text, or any format readable by MS Word, or Open Office.The contest will be limited to the first 100 qualifying entries. We reserve the right to cancel the contest if fewer than 10 submissions are received by the deadline.The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateur writers to reach the next level of proficiency. We will look for engaging openings, good character development, well structured plotting, powerful imagery, witty or humorous language, unique word or phrasing choices, and convincing endings.

A qualifying entrant is a writer who has not had a short story, novella, or novel published in a paid, professional forum, book, magazine, etc. at the time of submission, and who has received no more than $250 for any previously published short story or other work of fiction.

To be considered, a story submission must have strong science fiction or fantasy elements and must be shorter than 7,500 words.

Judges will provide feedback for all contest entries as soon after Boskone as possible. First round judges will consist of NESFA members and volunteers. Winners will be chosen by a final panel of judges, including at least one professional writer.

The winner, runners-up and honorable mentions will be announced during the awards ceremony at Boskone 52, in NESFA’s newsletter following Boskone, and in various electronic media, including the Boskone and NESFA websites, blogs, Facebook pages, newszines, and e-zines.

Winner will receive a certificate of achievement, three NESFA Press books, and a free membership to either Boskone 52 or Boskone 53.

Runners-up will receive a certificate, and two NESFA Press books. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate and one NESFA Press book.

Winner, runners-up, and honorable mentions will be encouraged to select their books at Boskone 52 and either take them immediately or ask for them to be shipped later.

There is no entry fee. You may submit only one entry to the contest. Prize recipients may be required to sign an acceptance form for prizes won.

Stories must be original works of fiction, submitted by their authors. No reprints, fan fiction, or poetry please.

Please provide us with contact information (email, phone, and postal address). We will not use it for anything other than contacting you about this contest. Winners will be asked later for information they want to be part of any public announcement.

Although the Early Registration rate has passed,  you can still plan ahead. No need to stretch your holiday money,  purchase your Boskone 52 memberships now and be worry free in time for February. February 13-15 to be exact.

• Adult rate: $50 Buy
• College student rate: $35 Buy
• High school student and under rate: $25 Buy

Boskone 52′s Guests:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles  Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener

 

 

 

“Join us” photo credit to Flickr user dopey

Did you miss the early registration rates for Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)?

Don’t worry! We have extended early registration through March 16th, which means you still have time to purchase next year’s Boskone membership at this year’s price.

Early Registration Rates for Boskone 52 (through March 16th):

• Adult rate:  $40 Buy
• College student rate: $30 Buy
• High school student and under rate: $20 Buy

Boskone 52’s Guests:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles  Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener

We look forward to seeing you next year at the Westin Waterfront in Boston, MA!