We are very excited to bring your Boskone 54’s Guest of Honor, Brandon Sanderson. It has been an honor to work with him and his staff over the last several months as we pulled the schedule together, and we hope you will all enjoy what we have in store.

Please help us welcome Brandon to Boston and to Boskone, showing him the best of what Boston fandom has to offer.

Bio: Brandon Sanderson was born in 1975 in Lincoln, Nebraska. By junior high he had lost interest in the novels suggested to him, and he never cracked a book if he could help it. Then an eighth grade teacher, Mrs. Reader, gave him Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly.

Brandon was finishing his thirteenth novel when Moshe Feder at Tor Books bought the sixth he had written. In 2005 Brandon held his first published novel, Elantris, in his hands. Tor also published six books in Brandon’s Mistborn series, the most recent being The Bands of Mourning, along with Warbreaker and then The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance, the first two in the planned ten-volume series The Stormlight Archive. Brandon was chosen to complete Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series; the final book, A Memory of Light, was released in 2013—the year that his novella The Emperor’s Soul won a Hugo Award. That year also marked the releases of YA novels The Rithmatist from Tor Teen and Steelheart, the first book in the Reckoners trilogy from Delacorte, which concluded in 2016 with Calamity. The fifth book in his middle-grade Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series is also a 2016 release from Starscape (Tom Doherty Associates).

Currently living in Utah with his wife and children, Brandon teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He also hosts the Hugo Award-winning writing advice podcast Writing Excuses with Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells.

Learn more about Brandon Sanderson by visiting his website or following him on Facebook and Twitter.

Brandon’s Schedule at Boskone:

Friday 3:00 PM (free to public)
My Toughest Book
Brandon Sanderson, Charles Stross, Walter Jon Williams, Darlene Marshall (M), Allen M. Steele
Burroughs · 60 min · Panel
What makes a book difficult to write, or difficult to write well? Is ignorance of the subject matter a barrier? Is knowing too much? We’re always told to “write what you know, ” but can this be a trap? How about troubles with plot, character, dialog, or pacing? Our panel of authors recall which of their works had the most arduous gestation.

Friday 5:00 PM (free to public)
Autographing: Brandon Sanderson, Milton Davis
Brandon Sanderson, Milton Davis
Galleria · 60 min · Autographing

Friday 8:00 PM & Reception
Opening Ceremony: Meet the Guests
Brandon Sanderson, Dave Seeley, Maryelizabeth Yturralde, Lorraine Garland, Lojo Russo, Milton Davis, Ken MacLeod
Galleria – Stage · 120 min · Event
Welcome to Boskone, New England’s longest-running convention for science fiction, fantasy, and horror! Whether you are attending for the first time or the fifty-fourth, we invite you to join us in the Galleria to meet this year’s guests and program participants while enjoying refreshments, stimulating conversation, and exceptional art that’s a feast for the eyes. Experience the music and the festivities as Boskone celebrates another year of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in Boston.

Saturday 11:00 AM
Mistborn: House War Game Demo
Joshua Bilmes, Brandon Sanderson
Harbor I · 60 min · Gaming
Game on! A semi-cooperative resource-management game, Mistborn: House War is set during the events of Mistborn: The Final Empire, the first novel in the bestselling fantasy series by Boskone Guest of Honor Brandon Sanderson. Join agent Joshua Bilmes for an early look at this exciting new board game — launching this spring!

Saturday 1:00 PM
Guest of Honor Brandon Sanderson: Building a Career
Brandon Sanderson, Joshua Bilmes, Moshe Feder
Harbor III · 60 min · Dialog
Even a prodigiously talented author doesn’t become a success alone, or overnight. Boskone 54’s Guest of Honor, Brandon Sanderson; his agent, Joshua Bilmes; and his editor, Moshe Feder, discuss how they have worked together to sculpt and craft the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, “Brandon Sanderson,” that we know today. All three luminaries share their stories of navigating the shoals of the publishing world as they built friendships and careers within the speculative fiction industry.

Saturday 4:00 PM
Boskone Book Club: The Rithmatist
Bob Kuhn (M), Brandon Sanderson
Marina 4 · 60 min · Discussion Group
The Boskone Book Club continues! Join us for a conversation that brings con-goers together to consider one noteworthy work at length. This year we are reading The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson (our Guest of Honor). Boskone’s own Bob Kuhn will lead the discussion; Brandon Sanderson will join the group halfway through for a Q&A. To participate, please read the book and come ready with your observations on style, plot, character, setting, vision, geometry?

Sunday 12:00 NOON
Reading and Q&A with Guest of Honor Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson
Harbor III · 60 min · Reading
Boskone Guest of Honor Brandon Sanderson reads a short selection of his work and answers questions from the audience.

Sunday 1:00 PM
Autographing: John Langan, Brandon Sanderson, Robert J. Sawyer, Dave Seeley
Robert J. Sawyer, Brandon Sanderson, John Langan, Dave Seeley
Galleria · 60 min · Autographing

~

Want to attend Boskone? We’d love to see you there. All attendees need to purchase a Boskone 54 convention membership. Click here to buy yours today! 

Note: Boskone Programming starts at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 17th and is open to the public from 2:00-6:00 pm. A membership is required after 6:00 pm on Friday, February 17th and through the rest of the weekend.

Full Weekend Rates

• Adult Full Convention: $65
• College Student Full Convention: $40 (school ID required)
• K-6 Full Convention: $25 (school ID may be required)
• 7-12 Full Convention: $25 (school ID may be required)

One Day Rates

• Friday One Day: $25
• Saturday One Day: $45
• Sunday One Day: $25

Happy Friday, Boskone fans! We’re only a few weeks away from this year’s convention and it’s going to be a treat! Get in the mood by catching up with our new group of mini interviews.

Kate Baker

Kate Baker is the Podcast Director and Non-fiction Editor for Clarkesworld Magazine. She has been very privileged to narrate over 350 short stories/poems by some of the biggest names in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Since joining the Clarkesworld staff in 2009, she has narrated over 300 stories (1 Million+ words) and the Clarkesworld Podcast has been downloaded over 2 million times. She has been nominated for a Parsec Award, and a World Fantasy Award.

Kate won the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine in 2011 and 2013, the British Fantasy Award for Best Magazine in 2014 and the World Fantasy Award for Special Award: Non Professional in 2014 alongside the wonderfully talented editorial staff of Clarkesworld Magazine. Kate has also read for various other audio venues such as The Dark, StarShipSofa, Escape Pod, Nightmare Magazine, Mash Stories, The Drabblecast and Cast of Wonders. Kate is currently situated in Northern Connecticut with her first fans; her wonderful children. She is currently working as the Director of Operations for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Find Kate online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

I’ve been to a lot of conventions in my life, but it was really Boskone that pulled me into this particular community. I had dressed up as Dana Scully and attended an X-Files convention when I was a teenager and went to a few Star Trek conventions too, but Boskone is where I really fell in love with consuming all sorts of science fiction and fantasy again. The programming has always been engaging and the whole convention is really well-run.

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

I don’t believe in that one, magical defining moment. We are the sum of all them. From making a choice to join a popular MMO and meet a future best friend, recording their short story effectively launching this narration career, to reaching out to a few favorite authors and professionals for advice–I do notice a trend. These moments tend to happen when I took a deep breath and jumped in despite being nervous or afraid.

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

Aside from my narration work for Clarkesworld Magazine, I’ve jumped back into writing again. I sold my first qualifying story a few months ago with publication imminent and have several others that I’m going to release onto the world. I’m truly excited because I believe that skills translate across many professions. My time as a narrator has helped me be a better writer in terms of flow, plot, and structure.

 

Ada Palmer

Ada Palmer’s first science fiction novel Too Like the Lightning (volume 1 of Terra Ignota, from Tor Books) explores how humanity’s cultural and historical legacies might evolve in a future of borderless nations and globally commixing populations. Its sequel Seven Surrenders comes out a few days after Boskone, so there are hopefully copies in the dealer’s room.

 

Ada teaches in the University of Chicago History Department, studying the Renaissance, Enlightenment, classical reception, the history of books, publication and reading, and the history of philosophy, heresy, science and atheism, and is the author of Reading Lucretius in the Renaissance (Harvard University Press). She often researches in Italy, usually in Florence or at the Vatican. She composes fantasy, SF and mythology-themed music, including the Viking mythology musical stage play Sundown: Whispers of Ragnarok (available on CD and DVD), and often performs at conventions with her vocal group Sassafrass. She also researches anime/manga, especially Osamu Tezuka, early post-WWII manga and gender in manga, and worked as a consultant for many anime and manga publishers. She blogs for Tor.com, and writes the philosophy & travel blog ExUrbe.com. Find Ada online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

The incredible gathering of authors, editors, publishers and other professionals that come every year. So many amazing industry people come to Boskone, I would say that only Readercon and Worldcon itself can rival it as places to hear groups of people with their fingers on the pulse of the industry talk about the latest trends, themes and ideas. Even the conversations that happen in the lobby are often more exciting than panels at many other cons!

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

I was 16, squatting on the floor of the library going through the complete works of Freud. We had just read Freud’s Civilization and its Discontents in class, and I read about his concept of the “Death Instinct” and remembered thinking about a documentary I’d seen about WWI and it felt to me like he wouldn’t have had such an idea before WWI. So I went to his complete works and searched and searched the pre-WWI stuff and, indeed, the “Death Instinct” wasn’t there. It was the first time I had really seen how events influence ideas, how even the most important fundamental concepts that we all depend on in daily thought have a history, and came into being, not out of raw speculation, but because of specific historical events influencing specific people. That was the beginning of my fascination with the history of how events and ideas shape each other, which came to be both why I became a historian, and how I go about my world building, thinking about what the major concepts of the world are and what events must have happened to shape them that way.

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

Rock Holmes (aka. Makube Rokuro), a character from the works of God of Manga by Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka’s universe has a modified Buddhist reincarnation-based metaphysics, so he has his characters reincarnate in different stories, so the actions of one have karmic consequences in another. Rock appeared in more than 90 different Tezuka stories, from “Astro Boy” to “Phoenix” and “Black Jack” and over the course of them Tezuka creates an amazing series of parallel lives in which Rock comes face-to-face with the cruelty of the metaphysics and has to choose whether to try to rebel against it. It’s an amazingly intricate structure for a multi-story story, and once you have seen ten or so versions of Rock his story is so powerful that sometimes Tezuka can have him appear only in a single panel and you can fill in the whole rest of his life before and after that moment from your knowledge of his character. It’s an amazingly trusting kind of storytelling, working with the reader’s knowledge and memory, very unlike anything else I’ve seen done with reincarnation or multiple versions of a character. And I LOVE metaphysics, the more the better!

 

Victoria Sandbrook

Victoria Sandbrook is a fantasy writer, freelance editor, and Viable Paradise XVIII graduate. Her first story appeared in the anthology, Swords & Steam Short Stories (Flame Tree Publications, 2016). She is an avid hiker, sometimes knitter, long-form talker, and initiate baker. She is often found loitering around libraries, checking out anything from picture books to monographs. She spends most of her days attempting to wrangle a ferocious, destructive, jubilant tiny human.

Victoria, her husband, and their daughter live in Brockton, Massachusetts. She reviews books and shares writerly nonsense at victoriasandbrook.com and on Twitter at @vsandbrook.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

Boskone has always been the place where my family, friends, and passion intersect, and because of that the conversations–on panels and elsewhere–are what keeps me coming back. There are very few times of the year when I can talk the latest Netflix binge, out-of-print pulp fiction, this year’s award nominees, and how my writing sprints went last week all at once. And there are equally few times during which I see most of my local writer friends, fellow workshop alums, authors and editors I admire, and my family all in the same space. It’s like my geek version of the perfect, 3-day long dinner party.

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

I’ve got a few short projects in the works, but the big thing I’m tackling is my novel in progress, a gaslamp fantasy novel set in an alternate 1869 New Hampshire. Botany, fairies, steampunk tech, and Mount Washington. I think the challenges of this book have been the high points, really. My main character is a scientist who finds out that fairies are real: that alone makes it much different than the fantasy novel I set out to write. But I’ve also had to do my homework. I’ve researched everything from Abenaki history, language, and culture to cell biology to early 19th-century botany and patents. This isn’t a book I’ve wanted to do half measure, so even the tough spots have had their own value.

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 and series I wish I’d gotten to when I had the time to do nothing but read. But I think Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle would have been the one that I’d have gushed over most unabashedly. As it stands, I didn’t read it until after I’d been introduced to the movie in my early twenties (though it’s never too late to enjoy either version of that world, IMHO). I think seeing Sophie’s version of reluctant heroism would have inspired me as a reader and as a young writer. And I would have found a whole vein of fantasy books that I didn’t discover until much later. And, admittedly, I’d have had the biggest crush on Howl…

The Flash Fiction Slam is back! The Boskone Flash Fiction Slam is fast becoming a Boskone staple and you don’t want to miss out!  Be one of the 11 writers to dazzle the judges and the audience with an original story that can be read in under 3 minutes.

 

 

Sign up in advance for one of eight (8) reading slots on a first-come, first-served basis via this online form. Please put “Flash Fiction Slam” in your email’s subject line. To secure one of the remaining three (3) slots, sign-up onsite at Program Ops in the Galleria additional openings. A waiting list will also be available.

 

Judges

• James Patrick Kelly
• Bruce Coville
• Leigh Perry ( Toni L. P. Kelner )
• Dana Cameron

Moderated by Rob Greene

Flash Fiction Slam

• Day: Sunday
• Time: 9:30-10:50 a.m.
• Room:  Marina 4

BOSKONE 54 is coming February 17-19, 2017!  and the program schedule is now online. Come check out all of the exciting activities and start planning your convention! We’ll be posting the schedule in various formats soon for your convenience, including an online app and a program grid.

Boskone 54 Program Highlights!

Be sure to check out the full Program Schedule to see what else you would most like to attend, but here are a few highlights from this year’s signature events:

Free Friday Afternoon Programming (January 17 2:00-6:00 pm)
We’re hosting Free Friday Afternoon again, which means all Boskone programming begins at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 17th and is free to the public from 2:00-6:00 pm. Memberships are required after 6:00 pm on Friday and throughout the rest of the convention.

Friday 8:00 PM
Opening Ceremony & Boskone Reception
Erin Underwood (M), Brandon Sanderson, Dave Seeley, Maryelizabeth Yturralde, Lorraine Garland, Lojo Russo, Milton Davis, Ken MacLeod
Galleria – Stage · 120 min · Event
Welcome to Boskone, New England’s longest-running convention for science fiction, fantasy, and horror! Whether you are attending for the first time or the fifty-fourth, we invite you to join us in the Galleria to meet this year’s guests.

Connoisseurs and philistines alike: welcome to the Boskone Art Show! Join us in the Galleria for an upscale social mixer. Meet our program participants while enjoying refreshments, stimulating conversation, and exceptional art that’s a feast for the eyes. Experience the music and the festivities as Boskone celebrates another year of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in Boston.

Friday 9:00 PM
Featured Filkers Concert: The Fabulous Lorraine & Lojo Russo
Lorraine Garland, Lojo Russo
Marina 1 · 60 min · Event
The Fabulous Lorraine (aka Quiche Me Deadly) and Lojo Russo, longtime friends and coconspirators, have come to Boskone to entertain us with their fanciful and farcical music — which has yet to disappoint anyone, including themselves.

Saturday 10:00 AM
SketchUp as a Tool for 2-D Artists: Art Demo by Official Artist Dave Seeley
Dave Seeley
Marina 1 · 120 min · Demonstration
Dave Seeley incorporates a variety of tools and methods in his work. Using the free software SketchUp, Boskone’s Official Artist shares how he builds and renders artistic elements within his 2-D illustrations.

Saturday 11:00 AM
Special Guest Interview: Maryelizabeth Yturralde
Maryelizabeth Yturralde, Dana Cameron
Harbor II · 60 min · Interview
Boskone’s Special Guest, Maryelizabeth Yturralde, joins us from a Mysterious Galaxy far, far away. From running a bookstore to helping to plan programming for Comic-Con International, M’e (as her friends call her) has been a part of the various forms of fandom for … well, let’s just say for a significant amount of time. Join author Dana Cameron and M’e for a lively discussion between old friends.

Saturday 1:00 PM
Guest of Honor Brandon Sanderson: Building a Career
Brandon Sanderson, Joshua Bilmes, Moshe Feder
Harbor III · 60 min · Dialog
Even a prodigiously talented author doesn’t become a success alone, or overnight. Boskone 54’s Guest of Honor, Brandon Sanderson; his agent, Joshua Bilmes; and his editor, Moshe Feder, discuss how they have worked together to sculpt and craft the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, “Brandon Sanderson, ” that we know today. All three luminaries share their stories of navigating the shoals of the publishing world as they built friendships and careers within the speculative fiction industry.

Saturday 4:00 PM
“Chemistry Is Everything” — Science Speaker Presentation by Milton Davis
Milton Davis
Harbor II · 60 min · Solo Talk
Milton Davis, Boskone 54’s Science Guest, talks chemistry. What is it? Why is it important? Why is chemistry, well, everything? From polymers to global warming, the magic of chemistry binds matter together — or breaks it apart. Milton dives into fundamentals as well as specifics, with a special focus on acrylic polymer chemistry … A research and development chemist who’s specialized in acrylic polymer coatings for 30 years, Milton Davis is an industry expert in floor finish technologies, and holds a patent in electronic circuit board cleaning technology.

Saturday 6:30 PM
Boskone Book Party
Galleria – Stage · 60 min · Event
Join us for Boskone’s Book Party! See what’s just out from authors you love, and discover new favorites. The book party will include E. C. Ambrose (Elaine Isaak), Neil Clarke, LJ Cohen, Milton Davis, Grady Hendrix, Carlos Hernandez, Jeremy Flagg, Kristin Janz, Hillary Monahan, Cerece Rennie Murphy, Ian Randal Strock, Christine Taylor-Butler, and more!

Saturday 8:00 PM
Open Mic: Villains!
Kenneth Schneyer (M), Linda Addison (M), C. S. E. Cooney, Kate Baker, Milton Davis, Ada Palmer, Vincent O’Neil, Don Pizarro, Tom Kidd, Julie C. Day, Emma Caywood
Galleria · 90 min · Event
Live from Boskone … enjoy the unsavory stylings of our program participants and audience members. They share their open mic skills in the second annual Boskone Open Mic, which this year features our favorite fictitious villains! Each person gives his/her best 5-minute villainous performance — story, poem, song, skit, interpretive dance, or whatever!

OPTIONAL: For extra-appalling appeal, feel free to come dressed as your favorite fictitious villain!

The Rules: Boskone members are invited to join our participants in the open mic by signing up for one of the six open slots at the door to the event, which opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is given a firm 5-minute time limit (max), including setup time. So a quick transition between acts is key.

8:30 PM
Boskone 54 Awards Ceremony
David G. Grubbs, Gay Ellen Dennett, Michael Sharrow, Jane Yolen, Bruce Coville, Greg Manchess
Harbor II+III · 20 min · Event
Saturday night’s theatrical extravaganza continues with the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) event in which we present our annual Skylark and Gaughan awards. The Skylark Award honors the work and personal qualities of an exceptional contributor to science fiction. The Gaughan Award is presented to a talented emerging artist. Tonight, we will also be announcing the winner of the annual NESFA Short Story Contest.

Saturday 9:00 PM
The Play’s The Thing!
Laurie Mann (M), Lojo Russo, Lorraine Garland, David G. Grubbs, Erin Underwood (M), Jane Yolen, Bruce Coville, David Anthony Durham, Darlene Marshall
Harbor II+III · 90 min · Event
Boskone’s theatrical extravaganza features a live reading of a faux-Shakespearean play that is based upon an empire far, far away that has strucketh back against an intrepid group of friends who are forced to confront the darker side. There will be capes and a lighted saber (or two) and shenanigans to entertain audiences of all ages!

Sunday 9:30 AM
Flash Fiction Slam
Rob Greene (M), James Patrick Kelly, Bruce Coville, Leigh Perry, Dana Cameron
Marina 4 · 90 min · Event
Boskone’s Flash Fiction Slam returns! Be one of eleven (11) writers to compete for the title of The Flash, reading your own original fiction — which must tell a complete tale within a 3-minute period. Our expert panel of judges will score your work, and you automatically lose 10 percent for going over your 3-minute time. You may only read your own work. The reader with the top score wins! Sign up before the con for one of eight (8) reading slots on a first-come, first-served basis by signing up online before the convention. Or sign up onsite at Program Ops in the Galleria for one of three (3) at-con openings. A waiting list will also be available.

Sunday 11:00 AM
NESFA Press Guest Interview: Ken MacLeod
Ken MacLeod, Charles Stross
Harbor III · 60 min · Interview
Charles Stross interviews our NESFA Press Guest, Ken MacLeod. Will we hear about Scotland, zoology, and biomechanics, or the intersection between socialist ideologies and computer programming? Come and find out!

~

Want to attend Boskone? We’d love to see you there. All attendees need to purchase a Boskone 54 convention membership. Click here to buy yours today! 

Full Weekend Rates

• Adult Full Convention: $65
• College Student Full Convention: $40 (school ID required)
• K-6 Full Convention: $25 (school ID may be required)
• 7-12 Full Convention: $25 (school ID may be required)

One Day Rates

• Friday One Day: $25
• Saturday One Day: $45
• Sunday One Day: $25

 

Happy Friday, Boskone fans! Ease into your weekend with the latest installment of our mini-interview series. If you like heroes you definitely do not want to be, dystopian super heroes or strange voicing in your novels, you’ll want to learn more about these program participants.

 

EC Ambrose (Elaine Isaak)

Elaine Isaak is the author of The Singer’s Crown (Eos, 2005), and its sequels, as well as the Tales of Bladesend epic novellas comprising Joenna’s Ax in full-length, and Winning the Gallows Field. As E. C. Ambrose, she writes The Dark Apostle historical fantasy novels about medieval surgery, which began with Elisha Barber (DAW 2013), and continue with Elisha Magus (2014), Elisha Rex (2015), and two forthcoming volumes.

Her short fiction has won the Tenebris Press Flash Fiction contest and appeared in the New Hampshire Pulp Fiction series, Fireside magazine and Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. She had now edited three volumes of genuine New Hampshire Pulp Fiction. A graduate of the Odyssey Speculative Fiction workshop, she has returned to teach there as well. In addition to writing and teaching about writing, Elaine works part time as an adventure guide and rock climbing instructor. In spite of her Wilderness First Aid training, you still do NOT want to be her hero. Find her online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

I am deeply invested in character exploration, using fantasy elements to heighten the conflicts and choices the characters have to make. My tagline is “you do NOT want to be my hero” because the process of facing those conflicts and making those choices is not very kind, but I hope it creates a gripping and though-provoking experience for the reader.

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

Right now, I am tackling an epic secondary world fantasy, with much wilder world-building than my previous work (even my previous secondary world books). Sometimes, I get to go off on amazing flights of fantasy where I invent all sorts of elements of new cultures or creatures–then I realize I also have to embed them into an ecology and geography that maintains coherence, and I get a tad bit worried. I’m trying to think of it in the way I do my historical fantasy–rather than overload the text, what are the small details that will convey my vision to the reader?

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

The Golux. The only Golux in the World, and Not a Mere Device. from James Thurber’s The Thirteen Clocks. He is warm, witty and mysterious all in one, and not afraid to speak his truth, however strange, poetic or convoluted it might be.

 

Ken Schneyer

Kenneth Schneyer was a finalist for both the Nebula and Sturgeon awards in 2014. His stories appear in Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, the Clockwork Phoenix anthologies, the Escape Artists podcasts, and elsewhere. He attended the Clarion Writers Workshop in 2009, and now works with the Cambridge Science Fiction Workshop and Codex Writers. By day he is Professor of Humanities and Legal Studies at Johnson & Wales University.

Born in Detroit, he now lives in Rhode Island with one singer, one dancer, one actor, and something with fangs. Find him online at his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

A lot of my work employs strange voicing: documents, letters, radically unreliable narrators, voices that don’t understand the story they’re telling, etc. I think of myself as a science fiction writer, but my fantasy’s more widely known.

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

The second book in N. K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth series. The first one shattered me.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Introducing my son to Brandon Sanderson. Renewing ties with old friends I see only at cons.

Jeremy Flagg

Jeremy Flagg is the author of the Nighthawks and Night Shadows in the dystopian superhero series, Children of Nostradamus. He also has recently been published in Wicked Witches: An Anthology of New England Horror Writers and the Horror Writers of Maine’s Northern Frights. Find him online at his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

“I like to work with common concepts, such as superheroes and put a dark spin on them. I tend to treat my characters like real people and put them in positions where they either push forward or find themselves broken. Not all characters survive. I think this creates situations where the reader can ask themselves, “”Would I be able to make it through this?”” I like pushing limits in unique worlds with flawed characters.

The other side of my writing tends to be sarcastic and filled with sass. I balance the darkness in one series by playing up the lighthearted components in the other. Still applying real world scenarios, I think a protagonist with a sharp wit and a sharper mouth makes for good reading.”

 

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

Currently I’m engrossed in books three and four of a dystopian superhero series. The challenges have been imagining a flawed future that doesn’t rely on science fiction but has elements that helps build the world. Writing superheroes in prose has its own problems, namely avoiding the typical overpowered hero. Setting limitations has been a big part of the writing and forcing them to confront problems that having powers can’t solve. I think the exciting part is it lets the reader see what might really happen if powered people existed and not the standard utopia or the “heroes always win” scenarios popular in most comics.

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

Bastion Balthazar Bux. Michael Ende’s The Never Ending Story is one of my favorite books, primarily because of the main character. He starts out as an absent minded, terrified, bystander in his own story. Later, he embraces his story, becomes drunk with power, delves into villain-hood and later redeems himself. This heroes journey was so convincing and poignant to my own life, I found myself rooting for his redemption.

Planning on staying overnight so you don’t miss a moment of all that Boskone has to offer? If so and you haven’t already booked your room, read on for an important update.

We just heard from our Hotel Committee that Boskone’s Room Block is now technically sold out.

However, the Westin is allowing our members to book  rooms outside of our room block while vacancies last, which won’t be long.

 

For your convenience,  our room block covers the convention dates PLUS the shoulder nights around the convention. So, please reserve the dates that best fit your travel plans.

Boskone Room Rates at the Westin Boston Waterfront are available while availability lasts or until 5:00 pm (EDT) on January 17, 2017.

• Single/Double Rate: $166
• Triple Rate: $186
• Quad Rate: $206

To reserve your room, here are the links to the Westin room blocks:

• Regular Rooms/Non-Party Block:  Reserve a Regular Room 
• Party Block Rooms: Reserve a Party Block Room

If you have any issues with your hotel reservation, please contact hotel@boskone.org as soon as possible.

For more information, visit the hotel page on the Boskone website.

At Boskone, you’ll find folks working on a wide variety of projects in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. Today’s mini interview participants shine a spotlight on all the behind-the-scenes action.

 

Richard Shealy

Richard Shealy is a freelance copyeditor specializing in SF/F work from short stories to novels but has worked in broader genre as well. He works with both traditional publishing houses and self-publishing authors. Find him online at his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

A beautifully snarky urban fantasy by a pseudonymous author! What excites me about it is what excites me about everything I do in this job: I’m able to turn a mindset/skill set I’ve had all my life into something that helps genre be even a little bit better. And that’s the challenge of the work, as well: weighing the artistic decisions and trying to figure out how best to make sure the author’s artistic vision comes across to the reader exactly as intended.

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

When I realized that fandom was not this distant, detached concept but something I could actually take part in without any of the negative stereotypes of fandom promulgated by mainstream culture. Not only was I finally able to interact with people who *get* my enjoyment of genre fiction, but it also inevitably led to my becoming a genre professional: I was able to take a lifelong mindset/skill and turn it to the benefit of genre while getting *paid*. It’s a wonderful life when you’re able to combine love and a paycheck!

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

Holy cow, Gimli. Everyone’s (rightly; I don’t begrudge that one bit) gaga over Legolas, but Gimli’s a guy who’s frankly, by comparison, just a working stiff, someone doing his job unconcerned with flair, elegance or grace. No matter what happens, he finds a way to just keep going.

 

Deirdre Crimmins

Deirdre is a Boston-based film critic. She is currently a staff writer for FilmThrills.com, but also contributes to the Brattle Theater, Rue Morgue Magazine, Paste Magazine, and Cinematic Essential. Find her online on Twitter.

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

I write about movies. Though I am a professional film critic, I hate that the title intimidates or sounds pretentious. When it comes down to it, I simply write about movies.

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

The Handmaiden. I can’t believe that it took me so long to read it! It is really satisfying to read a book that aligns so well with my feminism and politics, but it somehow more hopeful than I am. The encouragement would have meant a lot to a younger “me.”

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

I always liked Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street. She was smart and refused to live her life in fear, but could be vulnerable too. Showing humanity shouldn’t be a weakness.

 

Steve Davidson

I’ve been a fan since 1964 when I first watched Fireball XL5 I publish Amazing Stories and our first book of original fiction will be released shortly I’ve worked cons and Worldcons, published fanzines and think FIAWOL is an understatement. Find him online at the Amazing Stories website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

I’m trying to resurrect the genre’s first magazine, Amazing Stories.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

I really enjoy Boskone’s mix of fan generations: the convention (and its people) have deep connections to fandom’s history, and makes this accessible to a growing number of newer, younger fans. They, in turn, help keep fandom relevant, energized and exciting.

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

My discovery of Heinlein’s Starman Jones novel in my elementary school’s bookmobile.

What is Journey Planet: Boskone? It is a fantastic new fanzine published in December 2016 by the Hugo Award-winning Journey Planet and this issue features Boskone through the years!

When I agreed to chair the 54th Boskone convention, I really wanted to do something special to share and to celebrate Boskone, its history, and fandom with as many people as possible…especially people who may not be able to journey to Boston for a winter convention.

That’s when the idea for Journey Planet: Boskone was born! I reached out to  Journey Planet’s regular editors James Bacon and Chris Garcia with my idea to do a Boskone themed edition of the fanzine. They loved the idea and invited me to be the Guest Editor. So, I jumped at the chance, pulling  in author and graphic designer Errick Nunnally to pitch in and help out.

The real beauty of Journey Planet: Boskone is that it is very much like a convention in a box…or a convention in a PDF fanzine to be more accurate! 🙂 This amazing fanzine celebrates the past 53 Boskone conventions and features a variety of reprinted guest introductions, cover images, and other historic tidbits from past Boskone Souvenir Books for you to enjoy.

With Boskone 54 coming up in February 2017, I hope you enjoy this edition of Journey Planet: Boskone that reflects Boskone’s unique personality, spirit, and style. If you are not able to attend Boskone this year, hopefully this special fanzine will provide a little mid-winter fannish fun for you to enjoy.

Special thanks to all of our contributors, to Boskone, and to Tony & Suford Lewis for access to their complete collection of Boskone Souvenir Books. YOU have all helped to make this fanzine possible. Thank you!!!

SIGNAL BOOST: Please feel free to share Journey Planet: Boskone with anyone who might enjoy it. If you have any questions, please let me know.

• Journey Planet: Boskone
• Publication Date: December 31, 2016
• Guest Editor: Erin Underwood
• Designer: Errick Nunnally
• Available: Online as a free PDF
• Publisher: Journey Planet
• Executive Editors: James Bacon & Chris Garcia

If you like the darker side of fantasy, you won’t want to miss this! These authors write horror, dark pulp and “grim tidings in the woods.”

Errick A. Nunnally

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Errick A. Nunnally served one tour in the Marine Corps before deciding art school would be a safer—and more natural—pursuit. He strives to develop his strengths in storytelling and remains permanently distracted by art, comics, science fiction, history, and horror. Trained as a graphic designer, he has earned a black belt in Krav Maga with Muay Thai kickboxing after dark. Errick’s successes include: the novel, Blood For The Sun; a comic strip collection, Lost in Transition; and first prize in one hamburger contest.

The following are short stories and their respective anthologies: Welcome to the D.I.V. (Wicked Witches); Harold At The Halfcourt (Inner Demons Out); Penny Incompatible (Eulogies IV); The Last Apology (A Dark World of Spirits and The Fey); You Call This An Apocalypse? (After The Fall); Recovery (Winter Animals: stories to benefit PROTECT.ORG); A Hundred Pearls: PROTECTORS 2 (stories to benefit PROTECT.ORG) and The Elevation of Oliver Black (Distant Dying Ember). He also has two lovely children and one beautiful wife. Find him online at his website and Twitter.

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

The emergence of superhuman abilities appearing mostly among non-whites of the world, the political ramifications of such, and the fallout from those who would use those abilities for illicit gain. In a nutshell. I haven’t completed it yet, so there’s no simple pitch. BUT what’s most challenging is juggling the amount of characters and locations. It’s turning out to be the longest piece of fiction I’ve ever written–around the 100k length that I used to think was weird. As well, it’s something that’s been knocking around my head for decades.

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

In general, more of Octavia Butler and Tananarive Due’s work, more women, more non-European derived narratives just to expand my earlier experience of stories.

What is it that you enjoy most about Boskone?

The critical mass of professional and deeply interested persons willing to reasonably discuss nearly everything genre.

KT Bryski

KT Bryski is a Canadian author and playwright. She has short fiction in “Tales from the Archives,” “Black Treacle Horror Magazine,” “Daily Science Fiction,” and forthcoming from “Strange Horizons” and “Apex.” She is the winner of the 2016 Toronto Star Short Story Contest—the largest such contest in Canada. Select playwriting credits include scripts for Black Creek Pioneer Village, East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon (Canadian Children’s Opera Company), and Key of D Minor (Sears Ontario Drama Festival).

Her audio dramas Coxwood History Fun Park and Six Stories, Told at Night (funded by the Ontario Arts Council) are available wherever fine podcasts are found. In 2014, her short story “Under Oak Island” was a Parsec finalist. KT is a SFWA member and graduate of the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing. She has a mild caffeine addiction. Find her online at her website and Twitter.

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

Hopeful angst. My work tends to go fairly dark (not in a blood-and-gore way, more in a grim-tidings-in-the-woods sort of way), but there is usually a tiny little ray of light at the end. It contrasts with the shadows, you know?

I work a lot with fairy tales, and I also draw from Canadian history and culture quite heavily.

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

So it’s 2011. I’m very wee. I’ve been working at a living history museum for about six months. I’ve just asked this really cool girl who ALSO works there to voice a character in this podcast novel I’m releasing. We chat about the project over dinner, and then talk eventually turns to our museum’s onsite brewery.

“Our Christmas events are so hard,”” she says, “”it’s a two-person job down there, but no one else has their Smart Serve Certificate*.”

“Um,”” I say hesitantly. “”I have my Smart Serve.”

And so I ended up in the brewery – for one night only – as an extra set of hands. Except that I fell in love with it the moment I saw it; the sweet smell of boiling wort, the gleaming copper kettle, the history and tasting notes of each beer style…

Five years later and I manage our brewery’s blog, I’ve given beer talks across the United States and Canada, and I’ve sampled/written tasting notes for over 400 different beers.

And it all started from that one chance comment…

*Editor’s note: Smart Serve refers to the The Smart Serve Responsible Alcohol Beverage Service Training Program for hospitality service workers in Ontario, Canada.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

I’m looking forward to learning a LOT. This is a new con for me, so I’m stoked to meet new people, hear new points-of-view, and check out a slew of awesome programming! (Also looking forward to shenanigans. There are always shenanigans.)

 

Grady Hendrix

Grady Hendrix is a writer and film programmer living in New York City. His novel, Horrorstör, is about a haunted IKEA and it is currently being developed as a television series by Gail Berman (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich). He recently wrote the screenplay for the War of 1812 horror movie, Mohawk, starring Kaniehtiio Horn (Hemlock Grove), and his latest novel is My Best Friend’s Exorcism, out now.  Find him online at his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

I’m just finishing up my new book, PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, that will be out in September 2017, just in time for Halloween. It’s a non-fiction book about the publishing horror boom of the 70s and 80s and it’s got more Nazi leprechauns than you might expect.

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

Phoenix #1: Dark Messiah by David Alexander because I could have used a hero who fights post-apocalyptic mutants and draws his signature Phoenix with bullets from his machine gun.

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

It was MEG until they moved it to 2018. Jason Statham fights a giant shark. Now I look forward to nothing and shall greet 2017 with hot tears.

Happy New Year, Boskone fans! We’re excited to present our annual Mini Interview blog series to help you get to know your favorite Boskone guests better. To kick things off, let’s hear from Boskone 54’s featured filkers, The Fabulous Lorraine & Lojo Russo, and Special Guest, Maryelizabeth Yturralde.

 

Lojo Russo

Lojo Russo has been orbiting the ‘Con biospheres since her first days in the awesomely, classic-jam-rock quintet known as, ‘Cats Laughing’. Three of the original members of ‘Cats Laughing’ – Emma Bull, Steven KZ Brust and Adam Stemple – are best known for their wonderfully crafted SF/F novels. Somewhere along this timeline she also fell in with the Fabulous Lorraine and has remained both friend and confidant as well as one part of the peculiarly remarkable twosome, Mogg. (aka; Moggenahf, Mogguffaw, the “other” Flashgirl)

From those humble beginnings Lojo Russo has continued to provide soulful, fanciful and farcical music to her enduring fan. Her novelty album, Sweet Tooth, contains the Con-inspired hits, ‘Orbital Groove’ and ‘Blame It On the Jello’. She enjoys long walks on the beach, the smell of Hi-Karate and the way bandaid packets spark when you open them. Find her online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

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

Been making music most of my life and the music has changed with me over the years. Childish and idyllic, young and questioning, mature and introspective. Seems the older I get the more the music moves and shapes and growls. I’ve got a pocketful of novelty and SF/F based as well

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

Working on a new album; Fresh Oil, Loose Gravel. (Country themed – if it wasn’t already painfully obvious.) The writing process is not always as easy as I’d like but when I finally get the chance to work in the studio and start building and shaping the sound – woof!

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

Attending a new ‘con – this will be my inaugural flight! My family has roots in MA and I was out there once about 15 years ago. I am acquainted with a number of East Coast writers and fans so this aught to be a hoot!

 

The Fabulous Lorraine

The Fabulous Lorraine worked for author Neil Gaiman for 20 years until he moved east and she decided hey, why not go to collage, having missed that one in her youth. She is currently ALMOST a senior at University and plans on a Master’s as well. Once obtained, she will decide on a costume, and a super hero name, and go out into the Helping Profession and help everyone who crosses her path.

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

I’d have to go with the moment Neil Gaiman said “Could you come over and put my books on the shelves of my new library.” I stayed for the next 20 years, doing all the things that needed doing. He taught me about work, about love, about compassion, about learning, about perseverance, about wonder and joy. He showed me how the world worked, and showed me his vision how how things might be. And when the time to change came around, he helped me on the path and said: go and be all that I know you can be.

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

“I think I’ll go with the witches, the three wyrd sisters, in Macbeth. Mostly because they had awesome dialog, which excited me as far back as I can remember. Their opening lines were featured in some sort of anthology called (something like) “”Seriously Weird Stories about Witches, Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls for your Child”” which was my favorite book back then. Dancing around in the dark around a fire, chanting some sort of magic spell, tossing all manner of spooky ingredients into a pot sounded to me like a fine way to spend an evening.

When I got a little older and read the play, and started seeing it on stage, it seemed to me that they were all about the idea that nothing is ever what it seems, and perspective is everything. And in life, weird shit happens and one needs to roll with it. Because you never know what happens next, and that is very exciting.”

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

The peoples!! I want to meet everyone. And talk to everyone. And give them as many hugs as seems appropriate.

 

Maryelizabeth Yturralde

Maryelizabeth Yturralde last attended Boskone in 1984, and spent the next decade working in chain bookstores. Maryelizabeth co-founded independent genre bookstore Mysterious Galaxy in Southern California in 1993; she is a regular contributor to programming at literary conventions all over the country, including Comic-Con International San Diego and New York Comic Con; and she is a regular writer of non-fiction, including critical and biographical essays, and reviews for Mysterious Galaxy, as well as Publishers Weekly.

She is passionate about connecting readers and stories. Find her online at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Who is your all-time favorite fictional character? What is it about this character that you love?

Darkwing Duck. He is the terror that flaps in the night. Also, he wears a purple cape, and loves wordplay.

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

Ursula K. LeGuin’s THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS, which I didn’t read until my 20s. I think I would’ve been a better friend and citizen of the world with an earlier, more nuanced understanding of gender.

What are you looking forward to at Boskone?

I am looking forward to talking books, books, and more books!