An Interview with Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind

Madeline Bocaro is a New York author and journalist, specializing in rock and roll.

Bocaro is a passionate music fan. Her work is informed by her deep knowledge. She is a gifted writer, whose books and articles are informative and entertaining. She is a respected author in the rock and roll world. Her work is widely read and admired. She is a passionate advocate for artists and musicians, and her writing helps to keep their history and legacy alive.

Madeline has contributed to books and documentaries about music including Stardust: The David Bowie Story (1985), The Wild One – The Story of Iggy Pop (1988), Mick Ronson: The Spider with the Platinum Hair (2003), and The Nomi Song (Klaus Nomi documentary, 2005). Madeline was a staff writer at CMJ from its inception in 1978. She has contributed to a variety of magazines including Mojo, Dazed & Confused, and Goldmine.

Appointed by Ron and Russell Mael, Bocaro has been writing Sparks Official International Fan Club Newsletter for over 20 years.

You can buy In Your Mind here.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I am inspired by my lifelong admiration of the artist Yoko Ono. Her true life story needed to be told. Yoko will celebrate her 91st birthday on February 18, 2024.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Journalism, rock music consultant, Administrative Assistant.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It was something that Yoko said. All of her work is conceptual, so In Your Mind was the perfect title.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Thrilling! It is a spectacular cover, and holding my first book in my hands was mind-blowing!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“Imagine” (John Lennon), “Winter Song,” “Walking on Thin Ice” (Yoko Ono).

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Readers love Yoko’s simple philosophical messages, and the peaceful, positive nature of the book.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Doing it myself. Publishers wanted me to cut it in half, to 250 pages.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

Busy working on promoting my book, and still publishing articles on my blog.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.