Litquake Schedule: Thursday, Oct. 15

Day two of Kidquake at the library presents more authors and workshops for middle school kids, and bookstore evening events feature bestselling writers Sarah Vowell, James Ellroy, and Tracy Kidder. If that’s not enough, the Supperclub hosts readings in bed from the country’s foremost erotica authors, the Contemporary Jewish Museum hosts authors and artists exploring the works of Maurice Sendak, original short stories will celebrate Charles Darwin at Varnish Fine Art, local noir authors help expose San Francisco’s sinister underbelly at a secret location, and the Literary Death Match spills author blood at the Verdi Club!



10 am-12:15 pm: Kidquake, San Francisco Main Library FULL
5-8 pm: Readings in Bed: A Sensuous Night at supperclub
6-8 pm: Maurice Sendak: A Wild Imagination, Contemporary Jewish Museum
7 pm: Original Shorts: Survival of the Fittest, Varnish Fine Art

7:30 pm: Sarah Vowell, author of The Wordy Shipmates, The Booksmith
7:30 pm: James Ellroy, author of Blood's a Rover, Books Inc. in the Castro
7:30 pm: Tracy Kidder, author of Strength in What Remains, Kepler's Books, Menlo Park
7 pm: Subterranean SF: Hard-Boiled Writing with an Edge, location to be revealed
9 pm: Literary Death Match, Verdi Club


10 am-12:15 pm
Kidquake, Middle School Program FULL
Join seven Bay Area authors, illustrators, poets and workshop leaders for a morning of readings, discussion, and special workshops designed to excite the imaginations of middle school kids in grades 6 through 8.
Grades 6-8 authors: Lewis Buzbee, Hillary Homzie, Wendy Lichtman, Elizabeth Partridge, Zilpha Keatley Snyder


San Francisco Main Library's Koret Auditorum and Latino Rooms, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
5-8 pm
Readings in Bed: A Sensuous Night at supperclub
Put on your nighties and join us at supperclub where the country’s foremost erotica authors will tell us spicy bedtime stories -- from actual beds. Authors Violet Blue, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Stephen Elliott, Geoff Knight and Carol Queen will read excerpts from their books and answer your hottest questions. Moderated by David Henry Sterry, editor of the new anthology Hos, Hookers, Call-Girls, and Rent Boys.
supperclub, 657 Harrison Street, San Francisco
(415) 348-0900
Admission: $10 suggested donation at the door
21 and over
6-8 pm
Maurice Sendak: A Wild Imagination
In conjunction with the Contemporary Jewish Museum's exhibit There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak, Litquake presents Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket (An Unfortunate Series of Events), Lisa Brown (The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story), Thatcher Hurd (Bad Frogs), Elisa Klevin (The Paper Princess) and artist/writer/art critic Jonathan Keats (The Book of the Unknown) as they explore the odd privilege of writing for and about children of all ages. With pictures, some video, and probably an accordion.
Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco
(415) 655-7800
Admission: free with museum admission, $5 after 5 pm
7 pm
Original Shorts: Survival of the Fittest
Each year Litquake asks authors to create and share short original stories on a common theme. This year, in conjunction with the citywide Evolve 2009 celebration of the life and work of Charles Darwin, Kathryn Ma, Lori Ostlund, Cornelia Nixon, Sylvia Brownrigg, Russell Hill, and Chelsea Martin will write and read on the theme “Survival of the Fittest.” Co-sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
Varnish Fine Art, 77 Natoma Street, San Francisco (note changed venue)
(415) 222-6131
Admission: free
21 and over
7:30 pm
Sarah Vowell, author of The Wordy Shipmates
Co-presented by The Booksmith and Litquake
The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco
(415) 863-8688
Admission: free
7:30 pm
James Ellroy, author of Blood's a Rover
Co-presented by Books Inc.  and Litquake
Books Inc. in the Castro, 2275 Market Street, San Francisco
(415) 864-6777
Admission: free
7:30 pm
Tracy Kidder, author of Strength in What Remains
Co-presented by Kepler's Books and Litquake
Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
(650) 324-4321
Admission: free
7 pm
Subterranean SF: Hard-Boiled Writing with an Edge
An evening of readings exposing San Francisco’s sinister underbelly. Join a darkly inspired roster of literary and crime fiction masters as they delve into the shadowy realms of mayhem, murder, and much more. Hosted by San Francisco Noir 1 & 2 editor Peter Maravelis. With Robert Mailer Anderson, Cara Black, Craig Clevenger, David Corbett, Don Herron, Peter Plate, Dominic Stansberry.
Admission: free*
21 and over
* Note: this event takes place at an undisclosed location. Seating is limited and by invitation only. Please check back at litquake.org for tickets, map, and navigation instructions.
9 pm sharp (doors open at 7:30 pm)
Literary Death Match
Since launching in SF in July 2007, the Literary Death Match has spanned the globe—London, Paris, Beijing—but no question, the most epic episodes of the series have happened at Litquake. Join us for the third Litquake LDM: SF, Ep. 22, as we bring together a cast like never before, with an uber-talented trio of judges: actress/poet Amber Tamblyn, artist extraordinaire Paul Madonna and SF Chronicle cultural scribe David Wiegand, who will pass judgment on a downright stellar literary lineup featuring Tod Goldberg (Other Resort Cities), Frances Dinkelspiel (Towers of Gold), Lynka Adams (A Skeleton at the Feast), and James Nestor (Get High Now (Without Drugs)).
Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street, San Francisco
(415) 861-9199
Admission: $15 at the door
21 and over