Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Title TK



The first reader in our June event to support Victoria Wulsin's run for congress in Ohio's second district was Sarah Fran Wisby. She read a crazy surreal story called "Who Will Walk Through Fire." It was awesome and I don't mean that just in the pyromaniac sense. She said she couldn't have written it without rent control, so give yourselves another pat on the back for that victory. Sarah Fran's story is proof that San Francisco needs rent control. We're looking forward to her first book, Viva Loss, out from Small Desk Press later this year and you should be too. 

Then came Helena Echlin, a British author who teaches us all about manners and etiquette in her column for Chow. She's like a latter-day Jane Austen, Dear Abby and Miss Manners all rolled into one. But she did fall prey to fast food when she first moved to America, particularly Dunkin Donuts' Omwhich, which is an omelet/pizza/breakfast sandwich all rolled into one. I am definitely going to track one down on my next visit to the east coast. It sounds delish. She's trying to get them to make a donut/hamburger and assures the brass at DD that it will revolutionize the concept of the breakfast sandwiches and the Brits will be all over it. 


We were lucky enough to have Wells Wulsin, son of Victoria with us. Wells spoke about his mother and how her increased disillusionment with the direction the country is heading led to her decision to run for congress. It's not going to be an easy race, he admitted, so please tell all your friends and relatives in Ohio about Victoria Wulsin. If you want to go to Ohio this summer and help out, that can be arranged too. Sign up here. 
Daniel Alcaron was up next and it's true, as Andrew Altschul said in his intro, Suzanne Kleid has been pushing his book Lost City Radio on everyone she knows. I'm one of those people and I should've have listened to her sooner. This book is so purely crafted, it deserves every glorious accolade it has garnered in the year since its publication. Anyway, Daniel read from a novel in progress and I felt privy to a secret literary masterpiece. It doesn't have a title yet; he's taking suggestions. Also, his parents were in town. We clapped for them too and believed him when he said the parents in the piece weren't based on his own. Behold the power of the imagination! The All Star Minstrels were next. What can I say? We gladly filled in as the horn section per Dan's request and Adam took a stage dive (sort of) at the end of their set. No need to worry about the future of music with these two on the scene. During intermission, a fierce game of Rock Paper Scissors broke out. And paper takes it again. 




Lorelei Lee was up next, reading a story about a day on the set of an adult film set. I for one couldn't tell that her flats (as in shoes) were inhibiting her confidence. Can you?


 And finally, the nicest guy in the writing world,  Andrew Sean Greer, wearing a mime shirt, but thankfully speaking. He read a scene from his new novel The Story of a Marriage that brought me chills even on that warm night. You should go out and buy it as soon as possible. Suzanne says so.     





At the end of the night Evan Rehill stacked himself up with glasses.



And that wraps up June. Thanks to Sonya Worthy and Liz Clinkenbeard for the photos. Next month we welcome Po Bronson, Neal Pollock, Tara Jespen, Doug Dorst, Ethan Canin and Frank Portman. Also stay tuned for our first Progressive Reading Series featured author interview. Q&A with Tara Jepsen.