As writers, professionals and fans, we all have a defining moment that shaped who we are today. In today’s Boskone Mini Interviews, three participants share their stories on what influenced them to become science fiction fans, publishers, writers and science journalists.

Steve Davidson

Steve Davidson is the owner, publisher and editor pro-tem of Amazing Stories. Steve is a recovering fan; following a whirlwind career that culminated in managing the 1977 Hugo Awards Banquet, he briefly gafiated for 30 years to become a Top 100 Paintball Player of All Time. He has since come to his senses and returns to the warm and fuzzy folds of Fandom with Amazing Stories. Visit the Amazing Stories website, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @amazingstories0.

What event or experience stands out as one of those ‘defining moments’ that shaped who you are today?
Purchasing a copy of Heinlein’s Starman Jones from the Bookmobile while in fourth grade. I’d been fond of science fiction up till that point (without realizing it was a “thing” – watching shows like Fireball XL 5, The Outer Limits and reading H. G. Wells and Jules Verne), but picking up a true SF novel (one illustrated provocatively by Berkey), and one by Heinlein, opened the door to fandom for me; in searching for “more of the same” I quickly discovered anthologies (Astounding Tales of Space & Time), other authors (like Ursula Le Guin) and the magazines, like Amazing Stories. I became a letter hack and had several published in Ted White’s Amazing Stories; an announcement in Filthy Pierre’s convention listing turned me on to Suncon, which was being managed out of my neighborhood; I signed on to staff and there was no looking back.

What are you working on now? What excites or challenges you about this project?
I’m continuing to publish Amazing Stories as a daily, multi-author blog; we’re increasing out offerings in fiction, we just opened our online store (Frank R. Paul Amazing Stories pulp cover posters, mostly); I’m managing licensing deals with Futures Past Editions books and Open Road Brands, negotiating additional licenses and always – ALWAYS – continually looking for that investor that can help take us to the next level.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?
The tradition. Boskone is a “traditional” convention of the fan-run, fan-attended, fan-interest convention of the type I attended when I first started going to conventions. I love the intimacy – being able to walk up to anyone and start a conversation, starting out with having so much in common that there can be a meaningful conversation. During my first run of doing conventions in the early 70s through the 80s I lived in New Jersey and ended up mostly going south and west to attended cons – philcons, balticons, disclaves, pghlanges – and for some reason, although I tried on numerous occasions, I never made it north of New York City (Lunacons, Bouchercons, etc); moving to New Hampshire changed all of that and I was very happy to discover that Boskone was “just like those other cons I’d been to”. When they say that fandom is one big extended family, they weren’t joking. And it’s so nice to be able to go “home” once every year.

E. C. Ambrose (aka Elaine Isaak)

E. C. Ambrose writes The Dark Apostle historical fantasy series about medieval surgery, beginning with Elisha Barber (DAW, 2013). Her work has appeared in Clarkesworld, and won the Tenebris Press Flash Fiction Contest 2012. As Elaine Isaak, she is also the author of The Singer’s Crown and its sequels. Visit her website, friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter at @ecambrose and/or @elaineisaak.

What event or experience stands out as one of those ‘defining moments’ that shaped who you are today?
Years ago, when I had dropped out of art school and was looking for a way to support myself while finishing my first novel, I shared an apartment with my sister, and ended up getting a job at the same place she was working, a call center for a vendor of equestrian equipment. I knew just enough about horses to get by (and most questions were easily answered by the catalog anyhow). But I became increasingly frustrated with the corporate structure, and the company’s adherence to hierarchy–even when it didn’t make sense. So, when they had pushed a little too hard on an agenda that had nothing to do with my work, and everything to do with making sure I understood I was the Employee, and they were In Charge. I quit. When A fellow employee discovered I didn’t have another job lined up, aside from some freelance costuming, she said, “What are you going to do?” And I said, ‘Whatever I want.” My motto since then has been, I am who I am because I dare. Not because I live by someone else’s arbitrary rules. Only in daring can we learn and grow and become our best selves.

From a fan perspective, what new book, film, TV show, or comic are you most looking forward to seeing/reading?
Avengers II. Yep, totally. I loved the first one, loved Captain America, and the Iron Man films (mostly), but most of all, I love how they pack so much adventure and character development into a single film. The Marvel films in general give me a great break from the pressures of life, sure, but from the author’s perspective (yeah, I know, outside the purview of the question, but there you go) they also encourage me to think about courage, heroism, and consequences. But, best part, I can have Captain America *and* Iron Man for Mother’s Day.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?
Boskone is my chance to visit with hundreds of friends, fans and fellow authors all in the same place, sharing our intellectual curiosity, artistic enthusiasm, and geekish discoveries. It is a tribal gathering where I can recognize even those I have not yet met. Every time I prowl the con suite I meet an old friend, or I make a new one.

Jeff Hecht

Jeff Hecht is a free-lance science and technology writer and consultant for New Scientist magazine and Laser Focus World, based in Newton, Massachusetts. His short fiction has appeared in Analog, Asimov’s, Interzone, Nature, and Daily Science Fiction. He has written several books on lasers and fiber optics. Visit Jeff’s website or follow him on Twitter @jeffhecht.

What event or experience stands out as one of those ‘defining moments’ that shaped who you are today?
Answering a tiny little ad in the help wanted section of the Boston Globe 40 years ago. I was getting bored out of my skull writing computer manuals for Honeywell. I had all but finished my project, and was sitting around writing science fiction and sending out resumes. The tiny little ad was from a trade magazine looking for an assistant editor. It turned out to be a laser magazine, and I had worked one summer in a laser lab, and had a degree in electrical engineering. I talked my way into the job. And it was a hell of a lot more fun than computer manuals. It got me launched into a career as a science journalist, something that I hadn’t really thought about very much before. My boss was an old-line journalist who put up with my erratic spelling because I understood more about physics and engineering than he did. He also tutored me in writing. And he turned out to be an old friend of Damon Knight who was not bothered by my side interest in science fiction. I stayed seven years, learned laser geek speak, and quit to become a full-time freelancer and write about more than lasers. That led to more adventures in writing the history of fiber optics, going through the madness of the Bubble, and covering news stories like the Piltdown bird (Archaeoraptor).

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

I write about lasers and dinosaurs. Seriously. I make my living writing about science and technology, and somewhat by happenstance two of the areas I specialize in are optics (lasers, fiber optics, photonics, and so forth) and paleontology (earth science, history of the earth, fossils, and – of course – dinosaurs. I’ve been known to write fiction about them, but mostly I write science fact, for magazines including New Scientist and Laser Focus World.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?
Meeting old and new friends and talking about interesting ideas. Boskone attracts an interesting group of people, and they make for stimulating discussions.

It’s all about Friday.

Boskone is starting early this year, which means more programming and more fun. So, mark your calendars with the magic number: 2.13.15 at 2:00 pm because that’s when program panels begin.

Programming Highlights for Friday (2.13.15):

• Panels begin at 2:00 pm: featuring everything from Manga to Science, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Young Adult and Children’s programming…and more!
• Gaming begins at 2:00 pm
• Anime and Film Screenings begin at 2:00 pm
• Kaffeeklatches begin on Friday
• Readings begin on Friday
• Filking begins on Friday
• Even better, everything is free to the public from 2:00-6:00 pm on Friday; memberships are needed after that.
• Did we mention late night chocolate?

Registration Rates:

• Full Convention Rates:
  • Adult rate: $50
  • College student rate: $35
  • K-12 student rate: $25
• Day Rates:
  • Friday: $20
  • Saturday: $40
  • Sunday: $20
• Access the Printed Registration Form

Register Today for the Pre-convention Rates! 

Rates increase after January 21st.

Friday Evening Events:

• 8:00-8:30 pm  — Opening Ceremony & Meet the Boskone Guests
• 8:30-10:00 pm —  Boskone Reception / Art Show Opening
• Plus LOTS of Fun!

Boskonians! Filking has long been a part of Boskone’s program, and filkers (i.e. musicians) from far and wide come to filk and talk music every February. In honor of our filking traditions, we’ve got a special set of Mini Interviews for you today, which features Jeff Bohnhoff (one of our Featured Filkers), Denise Gendron, and Gary Ehrlich. Sit back and enjoy the Filking Mini Interviews.

Jeff Bohnhoff

Jeff Bohnhoff is a professional musician, songwriter and recording engineer/producer. With his wife Maya, he has released 5 CDs including 3 albums of hilarious parodies of classic rock songs, and 2 albums of beautiful original songs. He has also produced albums for Seanan McGuire, Nancy Freeman, Mary Crowell, Betsey Tinney, Twotonic (Katy Dröge Macdonald and Steve Macdonald) and Harmony Heifers. He is currently working on new albums with Scott Snyder and Char McKay. Midichlorian Rhapsody, a spot-on parody of Bohemian Rhapsody from Jeff and Maya’s most recent album Grated Hits, went viral on Youtube. Jeff and Maya have been frequent musical Guests of Honor at cons all over the US and the world, including the UK, Germany and Canada. Visit Jeff’s website, friend him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter @mysticfic.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

I’m especially looking forward to connecting again with the community of musicians and writers from the east coast community. Maya and I were last in New England in 2003, so it has been too long. Boskone offers a rich combination of activities from the literary, visual and musical arts, and I want to meet the creative people involved with all of them.

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

I’m currently producing an album for the filk artist Scott Snyder. It’s a collection of songs about gaming called Rock and Roll to Hit. As of this writing, I’m at the mixing stage, which is always a fun challenge. Mixing involves thousands of decisions, that all affect each other. You can take the same set of raw tracks and get very different results depending on how you mix it. I love sculpting sound, especially when I have such a strong set of tracks to work with.

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

I like to describe my parody work as a classic rock FM radio station that has gone feral. For our parody recordings, I try to match the production of the original song as closely as I can, so that ideally, you can’t tell it’s different until the lyrics come in.

Denise Gendron

Denise Gendron has been reading SF since 1966, teaching music since 1976, and filking since Lois Magnan pulled her in from the hallway to sing. She has written about two dozen music books and recently released her fourth CD of original music.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

I love the energy at Boskone. Apparently, if you gather that many intelligent, curious people in one place, you can feel the potential! I always come home inspired and eager to tackle my next project.

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

As usual, I’m working on several projects; two music instruction books, various compositions, and a musical (all in addition to teaching!). The musical is taking a long time to write because it is complex. It doesn’t appear to be genre inspired, but I would never have started it without the inspiration I get from sf. I also plan on referring to as much sf/fantasy literature as I can, mostly through favorite quotes. I am thoroughly studying Dr. Who and Sherlock to improve my plotting, dialogue, and scene building skills. Steven Moffat’s brilliance is both inspiring and intimidating.

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

Due to a big sale, coupons, and hoarded gift certificates I recently amassed enough Dr. Who DVDs to last me for months! Most exciting is last year’s collection, as I have only seen the first episode with Peter Capaldi (and that only weeks ago!). Bring on the blizzards, I know what I’ll be doing!

Gary Ehrlich

Gary Ehrlich is a mild-mannered structural engineer who stalks Northeast conventions singing of space flight, lunar colonies and hyperspace hotels. Gary is a past chair of NEFilk’s Conterpoint incarnation and is Balticon’s Director of Filk and Other Musical Mayhem. Gary is a 2012 inductee into the Filk Hall of Fame. For more information, visit Gary’s Livejournal.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

I was originally drawn to Boskone by its fine filk program, but quickly came to appreciate the strength of its literary program as well. The program committee always seems to do an excellent job at scheduling a wide spectrum of panel topics, not just the same “Religion/Economics/Political Systems/Humor in SF” panels that you can find on almost every general SF convention schedule. Favorites have included “What’s So Cool About the Middle Ages, Anyway?”, “Bad Science on TV”, “Boston as Setting”, and “Fun with (or Fear of) Genetics?”.

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

Thematically, my songs often come from the media and literary ends of the fannish and filk pool. I have songs about Star Trek, Babylon 5, Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series, and Zenna Henderson’s People stories. I’ve also been known to work city or building imagery into songs – that’s my engineering background and architectural interests breaking through. Musically, I include James Keelaghan, Schooner Fare, and Pete and Maura Kennedy among my inspirations. I’m one of those rare folks who’s adept at both funny and serious material, which means you often never know exactly what kind of song I’m going to launch into next!

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

The event that looms largest over my years in fandom is my first trip to Canadian filk convention FilKONtario in 1994. My maternal grandmother passed away during the weekend, but for various reasons I chose to stay in Canada. Many of the folks who helped comfort me I had just met for the first time in person (having corresponded on-line previously via the GEnie Science Fiction Round Table). Meanwhile, outside of the personal crisis it was a great convention musically and otherwise. That weekend established for me what a perfect filk convention and a fannish community should be. I strive for those ideals when helping run conventions and in my local filk and fan communities.

Come join the fun at Boskone’s Multi-Author Book Party, and meet the presses and authors who have new books coming out at Boskone.

Boskone is once again holding a book party on Saturday night during the convention to give our authors and publishers the opportunity to show off their newly released titles.

Meet the Presses: The Boskone Multi-Author Book Party

Day: Saturday, February 14th
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Location: Con Suite, in the Galleria Level, Westin Waterfront Hotel

Authors & Publishers: If you have a new book that was (or will be) published within a few months of Boskone, we invite you to participate in the Multi-Author Book Party. Bring your books and swag to share with readers who come to mix, mingle, and talk fiction with Boskone’s authors. If you would like to join the party, please email Erin Underwood at Program@boskone.org with your book’s information, including:

• Title:
• Author Name:
• Release Date:
• Publisher:

Authors and publishers with a new book and a  membership for Boskone 52 are welcome to take part, but need to contact Program@boskone.org with their book details.…the more book lovers the merrier!

Fans & Readers: Come meet the presses who have come to the convention! Join us for Boskone’s Multi-Author Book Party, and see what’s new from authors you already love as well as those you have yet to discover.

Day two of the New Year brings us four brand new Boskone Mini Interviews with program participants who are all new to Boskone. These writers come to Boston from across the country. Help us welcome Chris Jackson, Susan Jane Bigelow, Thomas Sweterlitsch, and D. Lynn Smith.

Chris Jackson

A sailing writer, or writing sailor (still not sure which), Chris A. Jackson is living his dream. Sailing full time since 2009, he and his wife are dividing their time between cruising and writing fantasy. As a sailor, nautical fantasy came naturally. His Scimitar Seas novels have won multiple gold medals, and his debut Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate’s Honor and Pirate’s Promise have received high praise. The Weapon of Flesh Trilogy has become a Kindle bestseller, spurring international interest. His shorter works include “Blood and Iron,” a nautical novella in the Iron Kingdoms world released in 2014 from Privateer Press, stories in various anthologies, and a short story for Catalyst Game Labs in the Shadowrun universe pending release. More Pathfinder Tales, the Weapon of Fear Trilogy, and other works are coming in 2015. For more information, visit Chris’s website, friend him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter @ChrisAJackson1.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Chris Jackson (CJ): I love small, fan-based conventions, but due to my vagabond lifestyle and aversion to cold climes (I’m usually in the Caribbean this time of year), I have not been able to attend a Boskone. That is about to change, and I’m psyched. Love Boston, love fans, love small cons, and some writers I have not seen in years will be here, so there will be some catching up. What could be better?

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

(CJ): Working on my fourth novel for Paizo’s Pathfinder Tales, tentatively titled Pirate’s Curse. Just turned in the manuscript for the third, Pirate’s Prophesy, and the second, Pirate’s Promise, was released in December, so it looks like I’m on a one book a year schedule with this series, and loving it. The challenge is to take it to the next level, as with all series. Things have to progress, to let the reader know that, yes, bad things can happen to the primary characters. No spoilers, but there are going to be some major twists.

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

(CJ): Since this is my first Boskone, I’ll jump on this question with both feet. I am a hybrid, writing for both traditional publishers and on my own. The first is as a labor of love. Most of the worlds I write in are shared gaming worlds, and since I’ve been a gamer for about 35 years, I’m having more fun than is usually legal to have with your clothes on writing for these publishers. The second is to pay bills, and be faithful to my fans. I am a character writer, and my fans have fallen in love with several I have created. I cannot abandon them. I firmly believe that plot and setting, while important, are not the primary driving force of story and reader engagement. Readers read to be with the characters, to experience the world, to figure out the mystery, to slay the dragon and save the prince/princess through the character. My characters are real people, they just happen to live in a fantasy world.

Susan Jane Bigelow

Susan Jane Bigelow is an author and political columnist from Connecticut. Her short stories have appeared in Strange Horizons and War Stories, among other places, and her science fiction is published by small press Candlemark & Gleam. Her latest novel, The Seeker Star, was released in November 2014. Visit her website, friend her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter at @whateversusan.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Susan Jane Bigelow (SJB): This is going to be my first Boskone, so I’m looking forward to all kinds of things! Conventions often involve me wandering wide-eyed through everything like a kid in a candy store. I can’t wait to see all of the art, hear awesome filkers, go to panels, play some games, and spend literally hours in the dealers’ room browsing everything. I like being overwhelmed by a con when I first get there.

But what I know I’m most looking forward to is meeting people—from folks I know from other cons or online to new people.

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

(SJB): I always have a ton of projects going on at the same time. Right now, I’m working on the fourth book in the Extrahumans series, which is also the final book. I’m also working on the final book in the Grayline Sisters trilogy. So I’ve been doing a lot of wrapping things up and bidding farewell to characters I may never write again, meaning it’s both satisfying and bittersweet. I will definitely be glad to complete these two series, though—just because I’m the kind of person who really loves finishing things! I’ve also been doing a ton of work on short stories this year, and I expect that will continue.

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

(SJB): I am excited beyond belief for the next book in the Fairyland series by Catherynne Valente to come out. I love this series so much, and every book takes me on the best emotional roller-coaster! I will read anything new by Seanan McGuire, especially her October Daye series. I’m also somewhat cautiously excited for the new Star Wars movie—but don’t hold me to that. I was excited for the prequels, too, and that didn’t go so well!

Thomas Sweterlitsch

Thomas Sweterlitsch is the author of Tomorrow and Tomorrow. For twelve years, he worked at the Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife and daughter. Visit Thomas’s website, friend him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter @letterswitch.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Thomas Sweterlitsch (TS): I’ve never been to Boskone, I’ve never even been to Boston before—so I’ll be wide-eyed, taking everything in. I’m sure to spend a lot of time in the Dealer’s Room (I’m planning on packing light, so I can fill my suitcase with books), and I’m excited to hear, and maybe even have a chance to meet, some of my favorite writers. The Boskone website lists Charles Stross as a scheduled attendee—I hope I have the chance to ask him to sign a book!

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

(TS): I’d always been into Dungeons and Dragons and horror fiction, but the first real engagement I had with science fiction was watching Peter Chung’s Aeon Flux shorts as part of MTV’s Liquid Television when I was in high school. The book responsible for my love of reading science fiction was the “Philip K. Dick Reader,” a collection of his short stories.

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

(TS): The two movies I’m most looking forward to are Blomkamp’s “Chappie,” and Garland’s “Ex Machina.” I’m also waiting patiently for the new season of Oprhan Black.

D. Lynn Smith

D. Lynn Smith has spent most of her career writing and producing such television shows as Murder, She Wrote, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Touched by an Angel. In addition, Debbie has published short stories in the Dark Delicacies, Summer Chills and DOA II: Extreme Horror anthologies. She was nominated for a Scribe Award for her audio drama The Lost Girl which is set in the world of the 60’s classic television show, Dark Shadows. Most recently, Debbie created Kymera Press, a comic book publishing company that supports women in comics. Kymera’s first offering is Gates of Midnight, created by Debbie. Debbie lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with husband Paul, Jack Russell Terrier, Mad Max, cat Mr. Grant and desert tortoise Hermione. For more information, visit Debbie’s website and friend her on Facebook.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

This is my first Boskone so I’m looking forward to everything. I’ve heard such good things about this convention. I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. I’m also looking forward to visiting Boston as I’ve never been there either.

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

I recently started a new comic book press called Kymera Press. Kymera was formed to support female artists and comic book creators. Our first outing is my own comic, Gates of Midnight. All of the artists involved are women.

I love writing comics and working with all the artists to bring my stories to life. It’s very similar to working in the collaborative environment of television, except I have more power over my creative choices.

Absolutely everything is challenging about this endeavor: learning all of the aspects of running a business, learning all the aspects of putting together a comic book, finding artists, finding printers, getting distribution—everything. But I really love it. In 2015 Kymera will produce a second comic book series. A third and a fourth are in the works. I’m excited to work with all of these talented women and to give their art a voice in comics.

Entertainment Weekly posted its annual top 10 picks for the Best Movies and TV Shows of 2014. While there weren’t many genre items on the list, it turns out that Boskone is doing panels on all three of their “Best Picks” that fall into the SF/F categories. Special thanks to Carrie Cuinn for suggesting Jodorowsky’s Dune, which she will be on with Dan Kimmel as moderator.

Here’s what Entertainment Weekly had to say about these three items. You can view all of their other Best Picks on the Entertainment Weekly website, and you can also get in on the discussion of your favorite shows while at Boskone!

In the meantime, here’s what EW has to say….

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’S BEST MOVIE PICKS FOR 2014:

10. Jodorowsky’s Dune
Easily the geekiest and most obsessive documentary I saw all year, Frank Pavich’s Jodorowsky’s Dune is an exhumation of the weirdest movie never made. In the mid-’70s, eccentric Chilean auteur Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo) tried and failed to adapt Frank Herbert’s sci-fi talisman Dune. The false starts, bizarre detours, and cult luminaries attached to the project are probably more interesting than the film would’ve been. But Pavich argues (convincingly) that Star Wars, Alien, and The Terminator wouldn’t exist as we know them were it not for one man’s epic fail. A delightful celebration of a visionary whose dream never got the chance to live outside his head.

6. Guardians of the Galaxy
When it comes to superhero movies, I have become an agnostic. I have neither the faith of a fanboy nor the knee-jerk derision of a men-in-tights heathen. But if there’s one movie that’s come the closest to making me a believer, it’s James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel’s merry band of squabbling misfits goosed anarchic life into a genre that tends to get mired in existential heaviosity. And what’s not to love about a posse of anti-heroes that includes Chris Pratt’s cocky Star-Lord and Zoe Saldana’s green-skinned assassin, plus a mound of muscles, a foulmouthed raccoon, and a grunting tree named Groot? Guardians works precisely because it’s so unlike every other comic-book movie. At last, an excitingly unpredictable blockbuster.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’S BEST TV SHOW PICKS FOR 2014:

8. Game of Thrones (HBO)
After four seasons of hero-decapitating, wedding-massacring, small boy-defenestrating suspense, you’d think Game of Thrones couldn’t shock us anymore. But with Joffrey’s poisoning, the Red Viper’s eye-gouging, and Tywin’s death atop the, uh, ”throne,” there were more opportunities than ever to yell ”WHAT?!” at the TV. What’s surprising, then, is that the most talked-about scenes weren’t the out-of-nowhere deaths, but the scenes that made us care fiercely about the living. Cersei’s rape might’ve been a showrunner blunder, but it inspired more thoughtful debates about consent than you’ll find on most college campuses. And Tyrion’s courtroom lampooning of the hypocrites in the Red Keep was deeply satisfying. He wasn’t just defending himself—he was speaking for all of us.

Thank you EW for choosing 3 excellent shows. While we definitely have to agree with these three picks, we can’t help but to wonder why Gotham, Agents of Shield, and The Walking Dead aren’t on their list or the fabulous new series The Librarians…which is just way too much fun. Well, we got ’em at Boskone, and that’s what counts. Right?

For the number crunchers out there, we have a few Boskone statistics that you may enjoy chewing on…However, I have to remind you that the program items are still in flux. So, these numbers are accurate as of right now. Things might shake out slightly differently by February 13, 2015 when Boskone starts.

Right now we have scheduled:

• 65 Individual Readings
• 30 Kaffeeklatsches, featuring 35 program participants
• 54 Autographings
• 15 Discussion Groups
• 17 DragonsLair items, designed just for Children
• 15 Solo Talks and Dialogs on everything from the Art of Jeffrey Jones to Penguins in Antarctica, Death Rays, and Steven Brust!
• 25+ Filk/Music items that range from music specific panels to Open Jam Sessions
• 110+ Panels on topics ranging from the Dark Side of Doctor Who to Cooking with Science, Sidekicks and Henchmen, the Legacy of D&D, the Evolution of Urban Fantasy, and MORE!
• We have an fantastic Art Show that is bursting at the seems with amazing art and a Dealers’ Room that is fully stocked and ready to go!

But who are the program participants who will be on these items and talking about these things? You can find the full list of confirmed program participants on the Official Boskone website, which is in the process of being updated with the final list of names. However, we think you will be pleased by all of the familiar faces who are returning yet again to Boskone as well as all of the new faces that you are sure to have either read or heard about who will be coming to Boskone for the first time as a program participant!

Also, special thanks goes out to ALL of the program participants who have agreed to show up early for the free programming on Friday from 2:00-6:00 pm that is open to the public. Memberships are needed to attend programming after 6:00 pm on Friday and for the duration of the convention.

And that is Boskone’s program by the numbers. We’re planning to post the final program in early/mid-January. So, stay tuned for more information. In the meantime….

Click here to Purchase your Boskone membership!

Calling all young adults and readers who are young at heart! We’ve got an awesome lineup of young adult authors and editors in today’s Boskone Mini Interviews. This year, Boskone’s expanded Young Adult programming is very exciting, and with authors and editors like Stacey Friedberg, Fran Wilde, Ken Altabef, ACE Bauer and Carrie Vaughn, it is no wonder we are looking forward to February!

Stacey Friedberg

Stacey Friedberg is an Assistant Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House. She focuses on middle grade and young adult novels, and has previously worked as an Editorial Assistant at Lightspeed Magazine. A lifelong fan of fantasy and horror (and a more recent fan of sci-fi), Stacey is always looking for novels that open her imagination and bring her to new worlds. Follow Stacey on Twitter @staceyfriedberg.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Even though I’m a participant, my very favorite thing to do at Boskone is to sit in on other people’s panels and listen in on all the funny and thought-provoking things the other panelists have to say. I just love learning new things, and it’s such a treat to be able to sit in on discussions held by interesting, intelligent people. Of course I’m going to go to all of the children’s and YA themed panels, but I also love being able to learn about things outside of my field, like real-world science or film. So, I am greatly looking forward to sitting in the audience and being totally enraptured.

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

I’m always working on multiple projects at once—the challenge lies in juggling them! Right now, I’m working on Lauren Magaziner’s next whimsical middle grade novel (it will be tough to top her first, The Only Thing Worse Than Witches), which is a hilarious school-based story, but not necessarily the sort of school you’d want to attend. It needs a title, which is I guess one of the challenges I am facing! I’m also working on Marked by Jenny Martin, the sequel to her heart-pounding sci-fi debut Tracked. Revising a sequel is always tricky, and revising a sequel that takes place in a sf/f world especially so, because everything needs to stay consistent between the two books—besides a connecting narrative voice, the cultures portrayed and even the slang used need to feel in sync. Finally, I am wrapping up The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes, a punch in the gut sort of read that makes you question what you believe and why. Half the book is told in flashback, which was a huge challenge to edit—getting the timeline right was difficult. But now that it’s wrapped up, I couldn’t be happier—and I am super excited for it to come out!

If you could recommend a book to your teenage-self, what book would you recommend? Why did you pick that book?

YA was only just starting to emerge as a genre when I was a teen. At the time, young adult books weren’t “hot,” and the books that were published for that age group often didn’t get much notice. Gabrielle Zevin’s Elsewhere came out in 2005, when I was a teenager, but I hadn’t heard of it at the time. It’s one of my very favorite books today. It’s touching and funny and heartbreaking all at once, and it’s a book that really makes you think, which is something I’ve always loved. And it’s so imaginative and beautifully written. I would have treasured this book as a teenager, and thinking about it now gives me such mixed emotions: I’m happy that the YA market has exploded, so that teens today can easily find and enjoy great books written just for them. But I’m sad that I missed out on it! Luckily, I read Elsewhere a few years ago, so at least that gem didn’t slip through my grasp. And now, I can recommend it to others (and I always do!).

Fran Wilde

Fran Wilde is an author, programmer, and technology consultant. She’s worked as a science and engineering writer, a sailing instructor, a game developer, and a jeweler’s assistant. Her first novel is forthcoming from Tor in 2015, with two more to follow. Her short stories appear in Asimov’s, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Nature, and The Impossible Futures anthology. Her nonfiction “Cooking the Books” column has appeared at Strange Horizons, the SFWA blog, and on Fran’s website. Friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @Fran_Wilde, and connect with her on Google Plus.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

This is my third Boskone and what I enjoy most are the conversations that happen here — in panels, hallways, at kaffeklatsches, and over meals. Also, the readings, the YA track, and I love watching the demonstrations. So those are my favorite. Wait. The art show! Definitely the art. … Nope, I can’t pick. I’m looking forward to the weekend. Also I hear Steven Brust is pretty funny. He’d better be funny.

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

I am finishing Cloudbound, the second book in my Bone City trilogy for Tor. And I’m getting ready to share Updraft, the first book, with everyone in 2015. Updraft is about a city high above the clouds, built on towers of living bone. Kirit, the protagonist in UPDRAFT, is seventeen when the novel begins. The themes and story within UPDRAFT include politics, environmental issues, monsters and an entire city on the cusp of change. While this book is appropriate for older YA readers, it is classic fantasy, leaning new weird. After Boskone a couple years ago, I went up to New Hampshire to the indoor skydiving center to do research for both books, so topping that is going to be a challenge. Maybe. ^^ We’ll see.

Ken Altabef

As an active SFWA member, Ken’s short fiction has appeared three times in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and also Interzone, Buzzymag, Abyss & Apex, Stupefying Stories, Unsettling Wonder and various anthologies.  ALAANA’S WAY is his 5-book epic fantasy series with an arctic twist.  His first short story collection Fortune’s Fantasy was published by Cat’s Cradle Press in September 2014 .  He was an editor on the mixed-genre short story anthology Drastic Measures and its sequel Wash the Spider Out. Visit Ken’s website and follow him on Twitter @KenAltabef.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

What I enjoy most about Boskone is an opportunity to interact with the readers. I see writing as a form of communication. I construct the prose in such a way as to convey images, to give a semblance of life for the characters and meaning to the story. I’m doing all of that, alone in a room. But the reader is foremost in my mind all the time. I think about what they should know and when they should know it, how they perceive the characters and the environment, how to make them laugh, when to tease them a little and when to reveal the big secrets. Am I doing it right? Are they getting my message? At conventions I get to hear the other side of the conversation, the point of view of the readers. I often like to float new ideas at cons and get reactions. I also have a longstanding tradition of giving out autographed copies of one of my novels to everyone who attends my readings, and will continue that this year.

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

When I was thirteen, I read both Dandelion Wine and The Hobbit in the same month. Boom! That’s where it all started for me. In those ancient days, Ray Bradbury was taught in grade school English class. From Bradbury I learned that it’s not enough just to tell an entertaining story, you have to tell it beautifully. Dandelion Wine is all about finding fantastical stories in commonplace items (such as a new pair of sneakers). But The Hobbit is all about fantasy with no semblance of reality at all – hobbits, elves, goblins, dragons. So many choices. In my novels I try to keep a balance by having fantastical characters and also a full cast of realistic human beings facing their own problems (such as survival in the arctic).

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

My current project, Alaana’s Way is an epic fantasy series of novels (5 in all) which take place in the arctic. The fantasy world is based on Inuit mythology and that’s a world readers don’t encounter very often. Instead of elves and dwarves and wizards, we have Inuit shamans and polar bears, and a golden walrus spirit with a sarcastic sense of humor. All things that you can only see in the arctic setting. My heroine Alaana has one of the most unusual sidekicks in fantasy fiction. It’s a tupilaq – which is the reanimated carcass of a black seal stuffed with amulets and created for bloody revenge upon another shaman. Alaana reconsiders her intentions and decides to educate and raise the thing on human kindness, feeding it with the laughter of children. It has a raven’s beak stuck in the middle of its forehead and can talk through both the seal’s mouth and the raven’s beak with two different personalities. That’s a character you can only find in the arctic. There are a lot of other wild and fun characters including The Whale-Man, Tornarssuk the guardian spirit of the polar bears, the Moon-Man and Tulukkaruq the mischievous Raven himself. Alaana’s Way Book One (The Calling) will be on free Kindle download during January 16-18 if anyone wants to check it out ahead of time, and also during Boskone weekend.

A.C.E. Bauer

A.C.E. Bauer is the author of two middle grade novels, No Catles Here and Come Fall; and a young adult novel, Gil Marsh. She also published a short story in Ladybug Magazine called “The Piano Lesson.” Her books have been chosen for the ALA Rainbow List and CCBC Choices Books, and have received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews and Publisher’s Weekly. Born and raised in Montreal, she spends most of the year in Connecticut, and much of the summer on a lake in Quebec. For more information, visit A.C.E.’s website, friend her on Facebook or LiveJournal, and follow her on Twitter @ACEBauer1.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

The people! This is my first Boskone, and I’m excited to meet fans, pros, volunteers, and participants.

If you could recommend a book to your teenage-self, what book would you recommend? Why did you pick that book?

There are so many books that I’d recommend, so it’s hard to pin down just one. But as a teenager, I’m pretty sure I’d have loved The War of the Oaks by Emma Bull. It’s the novel that introduced me to urban fantasy. Filled with complex, fully formed characters, a rich setting, and a host of faery folks, it has an compelling and intricate plot. It’s so beautifully crafted, I reread it willingly.

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

I write fiction mostly for young readers that fits into the magical realism genre. I describe it as realistic fiction where magic can occur, but usually doesn’t. It’s a kind of fantasy, sort of.

When I was a kid, I believed that anything could happen, especially magic. But day-to-day, I had to brush my teeth, comb my hair, go to school, do my homework, and get shots every year at the doctor’s office. The bully in fourth grade cornered me in a stairwell, and my older brother was more interested in hockey than in playing with me. There was no magic.

But I still believed it existed. If I opened the right door, or read the right book, or met the right person, or I wound up my courage and visited a strange house, I might find it. I didn’t expect to be sent into a fantastical world of wizards and dragons, or meet elves or fairies, but I knew that somehow, I’d brush up against a little strangeness, something that didn’t quite make sense, and that would be magic. This is what I try to capture for my characters in my writing.

Carrie Vaughn

Carrie Vaughn is the author of the New York Times bestselling series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty, the most recent installment of which is Low Midnight. She’s written several other contemporary fantasy and young adult novels, as well as upwards of 70 short stories. She’s a contributor to the Wild Cards series of shared world superhero books edited by George R. R. Martin and a graduate of the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop. An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado. Visit Carrie’s website and follow her on Facebook.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

This will be my first ever Boskone. I only get to the East Coast for conventions every other year or so, so I’m really looking forward to meeting and hanging out with people I don’t get to see very often, meeting fans in a part of the country where I’ve not yet done an event, and checking out a whole new convention that I’ve heard great things about.

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

Right this minute, I’m working on a screenplay adaptation of one of my stories. Writing a screenplay has been on my long term “to do” list for years. It’s inevitable that I would try it someday, since I’m such a fan of movies (see my blog for my impromptu, idiosyncratic movie reviews). It’s a different kind of writing, demanding a lot of precision and planning, and I’m learning a lot. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it’s something I really wanted to try.

I’m also putting the finishing touches on a YA space opera novel which is a huge amount of fun.

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

I end up saying, “No, really, just try it,” to people about my work a lot. People who aren’t fans of urban fantasy see the label and are skeptical. But I tell them I write quirky, character-driven stories of contemporary fantasy with an eye toward realism, and that gets them interested.

Want to download the report as a PDF? Click here 

INTRODUCING BOSKONE 52
Boskone is New England’s longest running classic science fiction and fantasy convention for the whole family, drawing program participants from North America, Europe, and beyond. Join us February 13-15, 2015, at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA.

Guest of Honor Steven Brust is the author of the Vlad Taltos series and has published more than 26 novels. He writes fantasy, urban fantasy, and more. He’s also an enthusiastic amateur drummer, guitarist, banjo player, and poker player.

Official Artists Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang are artists whose work embraces vintage-style Halloween imagery, Lovecraft inspired themes, and holiday collectibles. They are also co-founders of the Terror Fantasies Art Show in Salem, MA, which may be the longest running Halloween art show in the U.S. Wendy is also a writer and comic book artist.

Special Guest Robert K. Wiener is the president of Donald M. Grant Publisher, Inc. (releasing first editions of Stephen King books among many others). Prior to that he had founded Archival Press. Robert is also a well-known collector of SF art and illustration. He began collecting art in 1965 and has contributed to all of the previous Boskone Art Exhibits as well as to many World Fantasy, Worldcon, the Society of Illustrators and Spectrum Exhibitions. Somehow, he still manages the time to be a fan as well.

Featured Filkers Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff are professional musicians and songwriters. They are known for their clever and ingenious filk parodies, which are not to be missed! In addition, Maya is also a New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen speculative fiction novels, and Jeff has produced albums for many of fandom’s top filkers.

The Hal Clement Science Speaker is David L. Clements. He is an astrophysicist based in London, and his work is focused on extragalactic astronomy and observational cosmology, including working on the Herschel and Planck space missions for more than 10 years. To top it all off, he has just published a new popular science book on infrared astronomy and is also a science fiction writer.

The NESFA Press Guest is the Hugo award winning artist Vincent Di Fate,. He is also recognized as one of the foremost authorities on science fiction and fantasy art. His book Infinite Worlds is considered the major reference on the field. He teaches science fiction illustration and film at FIT. Di Fate is a past president of the Society of Illustrators, a Worldcon Guest of Honor (1992, MagiCon) and a founding member and a past president of the Association of Science Fiction/Fantasy Artists.

PROGRAM
Boskone’s program is known for its creativity, depth, and high-caliber speakers. Join in the fun as we discuss what’s new in science fiction, fantasy, science, films, horror, music, and more! Some of our participants are Guy Consolmagno, Bob Eggleton, Christopher Golden, Andrea Hairston, Elizabeth Hand, John Langan, Ken Liu, Marjorie Liu, Scott Lynch, Melissa Marr, Patrick & Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Charlie Stross, Carrie Vaughn, Walter Jon Williams, Brianna Spacekat Wu, Jane Yolen, and many others!

WHAT’S NEW?
The convention opens at 2:00 pm! And will be free to the public on Friday, February 13 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Memberships are required after 6:00 pm on Friday and for the duration of the convention.

But Wait, There’s More
We have a room dedicated to anime and films, an expanded young adult program, and a heavy-hitting art program that is a “can’t miss” event for art lovers! Plus, Boskone’s roving judges will hand out Hall Costume ribbons, but please be considerate toward others in your costume design.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Friday features Boskone’s Opening Ceremony and Reception. Saturday includes the Featured Filker Concert and the Multi-Author Book Party followed by the Awards Ceremony, a special improv show, and more late night events!

GAMING
Our well-stocked gaming area provides more room for activities and fun. We will have everything from Agricola to Zombie Dice. Try your luck on the Atari, Genesis, Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3 systems. You can save the world with Pandemic, play Dominion to your heart’s content, or take a shot at the Guru of the Game Room Tournament.

ART SHOW
The Boskone Art Show is consistently one of the best around, featuring professional and amateur artists from across the country. Not only can you enjoy the elaborate SF and fantasy-themed artwork, you can bid on and buy many of these original works of art and learn more about each piece during a guided tour. We have a Special Exhibit showcasing SF/F art history as well as a ComiC Book Legal Defense Fund charity painting auction.

DEALERS’ ROOM
Looking to buy something? You’ll find it here, in our own shopping area for amazing and fantastic objects. Here are things you simply can’t get online. Vendors include booksellers, artists, small presses, games, jewelry, those must-have shirts, and, of course, NESFA Press.

DRAGONSLAIR
DragonsLair is our program for young fans. Here you’ll find readings, toys, games, crafts, talks, and hands-on demos designed to appeal to elementary school-aged children.

CON SUITE
The center of Boskone is the Con Suite. Grab a quick snack, have a conversation, or relax and watch the con go by. You can also participate in one of the many Kaffeeklatsches — group discussions with our participants — or get that special book signed by your favorite author!

REGISTRATION & HOTEL
Online pre-registration rates are available through January 21, 2015: Adults $50, College Students $35, and K-12 Students $25. Visit our website for day rates.

Westin Waterfront Hotel is located at 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA. Boskone’s room rates are $157 single/double, $167 triple, and $177 quad.

 

What better way to top off the holiday season than another set of Boskone Mini Interviews? Today we bring you the amazing Jane Yolen who puts a little bit of sparkle in everything she does, the science fiction author and engineer John Murphy, and the multi-talented researcher Joan Slonczewski.

Jane Yolen

Heading toward Book 350, and in 2013-2014 the following SF/F books out: The Hostage Prince, B.U.G., Curse of the Thirteenth Fey, How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad, Romping Monsters/Stomping Monsters, Waking Dragons, Sister Fox’s Field Guide to Writing, Bloody Tide, The Last Changeling. For more information, visit Jane’s website, friend her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @JaneYolen.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

Seeing old friends,making new ones.

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

Meeting David Stemple who became my husband for 44 years until his death in 2006. I am a better, broader, deeper person since knowing him.

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

Two new things that have my creative juices really galloping (not just flowing.): The STONE COLD graphic novel trilogy (written with son Adam Stemple),a noir mystery in three parts set in Edinburgh in the 1930s and the Nero Wolf character is a gargoyle! And a verse novel about a girl who runs away from an abusive home and ends up in a forest where she comes upon a little hut on chicken feet, called FINDING BABA YAGA.

If you could recommend a book to your teenage-self, what book would you recommend? Why did you pick that book?

Well, the author I disliked until I hit my sixties and discovered how truly funny and insightful she was is Jane Austen. I wish I could reintroduce my sixteen year old self to her work.

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

Protean. Diverse. For all ages and stages of life. Sometimes outrageously punny. Other times weepingly sad. The best of times deep and moving. (Or so I’m told.) I want the following on my tombstone: She wrote many good books and one great one. (It’s a Rorschach test!)

John Murphy

John P. Murphy is an engineer and writer living in New Hampshire. His research interests include robotics and network security. His fiction has focused on mystery in SFF. For more information, visit John’s website and follow him on Twitter at @dolohov.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

I have a number of friends in the SFF community who I really only get to see once a year at Boskone — some of whom I met there in the first place! I’m very much looking forward to catching up with them, and to meeting new friends to look forward to seeing next year. I think it speaks very highly of Boskone that I can rely on seeing so many interesting people come back for more every year.

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

When I was signing up for college courses freshman year, I was mostly looking at engineering classes, but in the back of my head remembering that humanities requirement. Just flipping through the catalog, I saw that they taught Japanese. At the time, growing up in West Virginia, I knew nothing about the language or the country — I wasn’t even an anime fan like half my class turned out to be. I just thought, “hey, that might be cool” and on the spur of the moment added it to the list. I took that class, then the next, and wound up studying in Japan. I saw parts of the world I never would have otherwise, met fascinating people, and got introduced to an enormous body of film, literature, and food that has enriched my life over the years.

It’s taken a long time, and I’m still not sure I’ve fully learned the lesson, but learning to randomly say “yes” to unexpected opportunities that present themselves, trusting that “hey, that might be cool” instinct, has turned out to be a very useful life skill.

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

I’m working on a novel-length sequel to my SF mystery novella Claudius Rex, which was an homage to the Nero Wolfe mysteries. I’m excited about bringing these characters to a longer form where they have more space to interact with each other and near-future Boston, and to fully develop as characters in their own right, and I find that I have a lot more to say on the subject of how people might get along with artificial intelligences. But at the same time, that novella was structured as an origin story, which gives a lot of opportunity to naturally worldbuild, and the novella->novel sequence is likely to mean a higher new reader ratio than an ordinary sequel would have. It’s been tough trying to naturally introduce the characters and the setting to new readers without that origin story structure and also without boring the folks who already know them.

Joan Slonczewski

Joan Slonczewski researches bacteria in extreme environments and writes award-winning SF about future medicine, revolutions, and alien sexualities. In The Highest Frontier (Tor Books, 2011; Campbell Award) a Cuban-American student goes to college at an orbital space habitat protected from alien invasion by Homeworld Security. Slonczewski’s earlier Campbell-award winner, A Door into Ocean, creates a world covered entirely by ocean, inhabited by an all-female race of humans who use genetic engineering to defend their unique ecosystem.

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

1) A year with my family in Zurich, surrounded by the Alps. One day the school teacher cancelled classes and took us up the mountain to ski. Our school still learned faster than in the USA. There are always things to learn bedsides school–if you have a good school.

2) In the 80s, I was with Quakers protesting the launch of a Trident sub. A grandmother lay down in the road, requiring a police officer to pick her up to take to jail. Behind the factory fence, a worker stared out at me. “You’re right,” he said. People always have a responsibility to work for what’s right.

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

I am on a field project in Antarctica, the Dry Valley Lakes, which resemble Mars. We are isolating new microbes for study. What excites me is that I am learning a lot about extreme landscape–and about the ability of my body to adapt to it. See my blog: Ultraphyte.com

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

A Year on Ice, documentary about Antarctica, including winter and summer seasons. The McMurdo people tell me this is the best documentary ever made about Antarctica.

If you could recommend a book to your teenage-self, what book would you recommend? Why did you pick that book?

Mary Renault, The Last of the Wine. I married a classicist (Greek, Latin).

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

I write about biological aliens that coevolve with young people, who help them save the Earth from destruction. I conduct microbiology research with a team of a dozen students, who investigate how E. coli bacteria tell the brain to eat chocolate.

~

Happy Boskone to all, and to all a good con!