Below is our beautiful poster for the first Progressive Reading Series event of 2008, designed by the amazing Ellen Gould. The first event takes place on January 19th at the Makeout Room. Click it for a larger image which you can print out. Please check out our links section for more info on tickets, the venue, and coming soon, more writers' information.

The Progressive Reading Series is a monthly literary reading which raises money for progressive candidates in the 2008 elections. Though most readings are in San Francisco the contributions made at these events go to candidates all over the country who are challenging right-wing incumbents.

The San Francisco series happens on the third Saturday of every month through the 2008 elections at 7pm at the Makeout Room. It is a Party Progressive event, hosted by Stephen Elliott author of Happy Baby and editor of Sex for America.

For advance tickets, visit Act Blue.

Here is the San Francisco 2008 Schedule:

Jan 19: Tobias Wolff, Walter Kirn, Jami Attenberg, Ali Liebegott, Adam Johnson

Feb 16: Charles D'Ambrosio, Vendela Vida, Michelle Orange, Steve Almond, Colm Toibin—plus, The Six Word Memoir Slam

March 15: Amy Tan, Jerry Stahl, Justin Chin, Bucky Sinister, Peter Plate, Rabih Alameddine

April 19: Michelle Richmond, Jane Smiley, Yiyun Li, Charlie Anders, Jeff O'Keefe—with music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

May 17: Pam Houston, Adam Mansbach, Mary Roach, David West, Rachel Howard, Mark Pritchard, with multi-media by Josh Bearman and Starlee Kine

June 21: Eileen Myles, Andrew Sean Greer, ZZ Packer, Helena Echlin, Lorelei Lee + The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

July 19: Neal Pollack, Tara Jepsen, Doug Dorst, Frank Portman, Ethan Canin, Po Bronson

August 16: Jonathan Franzen, Davy Rothbart, Tom Barbash, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, April Sinclair

September 20: Daniel Handler, Aimee Bender, Glen David Gold, Jane Ganahl, Katie Crouch

October 8: Joe Loya, Chris Cook, Lisa Margonelli, Will Durst