MenuWelcome back to the Boskone 58 Mini Interview Series! Get to know some of 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.
Check out who has a new song playlist for us! And, is someone going to the beach? Find out on this week’s Boskone 58 Mini Interview Series with Gillian Daniels, Vincent H. O’Neil, and Jarvis Sheffield!
Gillian Daniels
Visit Gillian Daniels on their Facebook, Twitter, and Website!
What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?
I’m so happy to experience a familiar con in a new way! I’ve been attending Boskone for the better part of a decade. I’m delighted to be a part of the online version. I look forward to being reunited with regulars to the con as well as encountering people who have never been and can now attend remotely.
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?
At the moment, I mostly want to travel with friends again. I’ve fantasized about going to places where I’ve never been, like India, Japan, and South Korea, but I’d also love to take a scenic cross-country trip along the continental United States. There’s plenty I haven’t seen in this country, either. I love kitschy tourist traps. Regardless, I can’t wait until the general population is vaccinated enough for me to visit new places again.
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.
What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?
I have four pieces coming out in 2021, including fiction in Nightmare Magazine and Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet! I’m very excited to share more of my dark fantasy and horror with the world. You can get more details on my website at gilliandaniels.com!
Right now, I’m writing a novel about the legendary Jenny Greenteeth, a monster who devours children and people who wander into whatever body of water she’s currently occupying, and a mortal man that she simultaneously wants to eat and kiss. Maybe at the same time!
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Vincent H. O’Neil
Visit Vincent H. O’Neil on their Facebook and Website!
What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?
I’ve been coming to Boskone for many years, but that’s easy for me because I live in Rhode Island. Many times I’ve read or heard comments from people who’d like to attend Boskone, or would like to attend more often, but can’t because of the distance or some other travel-related concern. So this year I’m absolutely thrilled that we’re able to provide the same Boskone experience for everybody and bring Boskone to people who live far away.
My hat’s off to all the organizers, volunteers, and participants who are working so diligently to make this happen. As bad as the pandemic is, it’s truly an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good and in 2021 the Boskone experience goes global. I’m really looking forward to it, and to missing the freak but savage snowstorm that so often decides to show up over that weekend.
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?
When I first read William Gibson’s Neuromancer, I was struck by a minor bit of dialogue that appears toward the end. One of the characters had been pulled into a virtual reality situation earlier in the story, a place that was little more than an abandoned stone blockhouse on a deserted beach. The blockhouse had a potbellied stove, a water source, and dehydrated rations, but little else. The beach itself was gray and desolate, and the character was briefly held there.
After escaping, the character describes this setting to a fantastically wealthy woman who is the descendant (more accurately, a clone) of the genius who founded her family’s financial dynasty. The founder was named Marie-France Tessier, and her descendant recognized the beach being described. Her explanation goes like this:
“Morocco. When Marie-France was a girl, years before she married Ashpool, she spent a summer alone on that beach, camping in an abandoned blockhouse. She formulated the basis of her philosophy there.”
I’ve always liked the idea that the original Marie-France went off by herself to find a spot where she could think deeply without distraction. The place is austere and monotonous, but it allowed her to leave all the chatter behind and focus on something that was very important to her. While the Tessier-Ashpool financial behemoth was the most tangible result, the phrase “the basis of her philosophy” in that explanation suggests Marie-France came up with even bigger plans during her sojourn there.
I’m not sure I’d like to spend an entire summer on that beach, but I do think it’s very important to have a place where you can tune out the static and hear your own thoughts – or tune them out too. That’s why I like that old blockhouse in Morocco so much.
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.
What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?
I was thrilled to have my short story “In-Body” published by Escape Pod at the end of October. It’s free to all and always available, and you can listen to the excellent audio performance by voiceover artist Tren Sparks or read the complete text. An online search for “Escape Pod” and “In-Body” usually brings it right up.
In-Body is a science fiction story that touches on PTSD and survivor guilt to explore the debts we owe to others, and I hope you like it.
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Jarvis Sheffield
Visit Jarvis Sheffield on their Facebook, Twitter, and Website!
What you most looking forward to at virtual Boskone 58?
I am looking forward to the plethora of offerings from the awesome panelists, also the workshops and programming. Meeting new and interesting people are the best part of cons.
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?
If I were planning a vacation I would definitely go to the beach. The soothing waves and cool breezes are fantastic. That environment is simply soothing to the soul.
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.
Sweetback, Kindred Family Soul, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Eric Badu, Jill Scott
What are you currently working on? Any new releases that fans should know about?
I am currently working on shoring up existing projects like www.BlackScienceFIctionSociety.com, and www.GenesisScienceFictionMagazine.com. In addition, I started a marketing website to help creators get the word out about their projects called www.GreatBusinessNetworks.com. Lastly, I am completing hopefully my last year of my dissertation which involves utilizing virtual games as educational tools.
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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!
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