B58 Mini Interview with Linda D. Addison, Karen Heuler, and Dr. Gillian Polack

Welcome back to the Boskone 58 Mini Interview Series! Get to know some of the top authors, scientists, artists, and creators in the science fiction, fantasy and horror industry, why they’re looking forward to Boskone, and perhaps a sneak peek at what they’re working on next.

Today on the Boskone 58 Mini Interview Series we are with Linda D. Addison, Karen Heuler, and Dr. Gillian Polack!

Linda D. Addison

Linda D. Addison, award-winning author of five collections, including “How To Recognize A Demon Has Become Your Friend”, the first African-American recipient of the HWA Bram Stoker Award®, received the HWA Mentor of the Year Award and the HWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Check out her poetry in the HWA Bram Stoker nominated, “The Place of Broken Things”, written with Alessandro Manzetti. She’s excited about a film (inspired by her poem of same name) “Mourning Meal” by producer/director Jamal Hodge. She has published over 360 poems, stories and articles and is a member of CITH, HWA, SFWA and SFPA.

Visit Linda D. Addison on their Facebook, Twitter, and Website!

What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?

I’m so looking forward to the same things as 3D version of Boskone and that is talking with other creative folks (friends–new and old), going to panels (as participant and audience). There is always such a wonderful variety of areas (writing, art, film, music, etc.) to visit at Boskone–it’s delightful to see similar offerings in the VR version!

If you were planning a holiday or vacation and could visit any location, whether in the real world or fictional worlds, where would you go? Why?

My first dream now is to meet my son in NYC (he and I both moved away) and hang out with him, old friends, visit old stomping grounds, especially museums, restaurants in neighborhoods we lived in. Each year since I moved away I’ve gone back to NYC, met up with friends and I really miss it this year.

What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?

I’m currently finishing edits on my first SF novel (which seems to be taking forever).

I have poetry in the upcoming exciting places:
-BSAM Red Spring: Curating the End of the World exhibition; online at the newyorklivearts dot org
-Weird Tales Magazine #364
-“Chiral Mad 5” & “It Came from the 80?s” anthologies

And a story in Marvel’s Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda anthology, out Feb 2, 2021!

Karen Heuler

Karen Heuler’s stories have appeared in over 100 literary and speculative magazines and anthologies, from Conjunctions to Weird Tales, as well as a number of Best Of anthologies. She has published four novels, four collections, and a novella, and has won an O. Henry award, and been a finalist for many others.

Visit Karen Heuler on their Facebook, Twitter, and Website!

What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?

I absolutely adore going to a panel discussion that opens up an idea in science and/or engineering, or that discusses a point about writing that I hadn’t considered before. The unexpected–that’s what I want to find at Boskone.

If you were planning a holiday or vacation and could visit any location, whether in the real world or fictional worlds, where would you go? Why?

I like jungles. I miss them. I went to the Amazon solo when I was 40, and it was extraordinary. I’d love to go to Costa Rica and see both the rain forest and cloud forest there. Trees and animals give me peace, and the swift surprises of insect life make me consider how much I haven’t encountered of life on earth. I can still happen on the unexpected in cities and in parks and forests, but there’s something about being in a place that smells radically different that also fills me with joy.

What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?

Some writers are reluctant to talk about their works in progress, and I’m one of them. It takes me a while to come up with an elevator pitch or hook and until I find the right description, anything I say sounds to me like a hand-made garment stitched together by a poor sewer. So I’ll just note: novella. novel. stories. All in various stages. And some things coming out next year.

Dr. Gillian Polack

Dr Gillian Polack is a Jewish-Australian science fiction and fantasy writer, researcher and editor. Her most recent novels are Poison and Light (set on a distant planet where the people reclaim the eighteenth century to hide from the rather-difficult present) and Borderlanders (a portal fantasy like no other). Her 2019 novel The Year of the Fruit Cake won the 2020 Ditmar for best novel and was shortlisted for best SF novel in the Aurealis Awards. She wrote the first Australian Jewish fantasy novel (The Wizardry of Jewish Women). Gillian is a Medievalist/ethnohistorian, currently researching how SFF and historical fiction novels transmit culture. Her work on how writers use history in their fiction (History and Fiction) was a runner-up for an award but is out in paperback anyhow. Her hobbies include researching historical foodways and reading. She has a small collection of select and very attractive fans.

Visit Dr. Gillian Polack on their Facebook, Twitter, and Website!

What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?

I’m looking forward to Boskone itself and to the people of Boskone. I’ve heard about it for years from so many of my friends and it’s been on my list of “I only wish I could travel more” list for that long. This year it’s coming to me! I may have to stay up late and wake up early, but I will treasure every minute.

If you were planning a holiday or vacation and could visit any location, whether in the real world or fictional worlds, where would you go? Why?

I love portal fantasies. I always dreamed of the doors in other peoples’ writing and of walking through those doors into enchanted lands. Then I wrote my own. I now want to visit the house in Borderlanders and travel to strange places. I seldom want to visit anywhere I’ve written about, for I know all the downsides of all the places, but doors that lead to hidden seas or to rooms lined with liquid glass? That’s different.

Authors, artists, and creators often listen to music while they work. If you have a playlist you’d like to share or an album to recommend, please add it here. We’ll be compiling a list of lists to help Boskone attendees get their creative juices flowing.

Surprisingly current

You’re the Voice John Farnham

What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?

I have two new releases for 2020, Borderlanders (cosy fantasy) and Poison and Light (the eighteenth century in space).
I’m currently working on a shared world where dice are used by government and in the Arts and five human genders are part of the social fabric. Right now I’ve only written short stories in this world, but that could change.

Curious about who else is coming to Boskone 58? With 3 days of over 100 top-notch items paired with top authors, scientists, artists, and creators in the science fiction, fantasy and horror industry, you won’t want to miss out. Join your fellow fans and writers by registering today!

Don’t miss out! Register for Boskone 58 today!