Disclaimer: you can't lose. Do not fret. Bring emergency supplies. Be smart. Trust strangers only if they're holding Festival Guides. Trade books for books. Share poems. Dance in the corridor between yourself and the rest of the world.
Tomorrow is the largest literary crawl in the world. Ever, as in, across space and time. 400 or so authors, 65 venues, 3 and a half hours. You know that part. But what are you going to do about it? What follows is something of a guide and a few suggestions.
But first, a mobile guide to the entire crawl.
:: Phase 1 ::
Ashcan Magazine in Clarion Alley » There is something about literature in an alley that is just right. Plus I'm a fan of Jim Nelson and Doctor Popular.
BARtab at Martuni's » Meliza Banales and Kirk Read should pretty much ensure that this is outrageous.
Babylon Salon | Mina Dresden Gallery » High-quality authors in a fantastic, open space. Here's an example of one of their shows.
Why There Are Words | Artzone 461 » Two words: Tom Barbash. Here's an example.
ZYZZYVA | Elixir » Howard Junker released a novel this year? How come I didn't know this? I'm fairly outraged. Oh yeah, M.G. Martin's pretty much the most talented person in the universe. I have no idea what to expect from this group, but it should be interesting and perhaps the most wide-ranging of events in Phase 1.
BANG OUT | Double Dutch » This series is always high-octane, even when the pieces aren't in-your-face. Here's an example of one of their shows.
Small Desk Press | Adobe Books » I just have so much faith in SDP. They put out great books. Plus you're probably also in love with Sarah Fran Wisby.
Quiet Lightning | Gestalt » What is there to say? We have Sam Sax. 13 authors back to back to back to back et ceteranium to your cranium. That's all it is. Here's one of our shows.
Instant City | Dalva » Joshua Citrak. Andrew Dugas. Rob McLaughlin. Plus you're sure to enjoy a Gravity Goldberg sighting. Readings form the release of Issue #7.
Narrative Magazine | The Lab » Editor Carol Edgarian emcees a host of big name readers in an appropriately classy venue. Pia Z. Ehrhardt, for one. From Narrative Night 2010.
Counterpoint Press | Muddy Waters » This is going to be a quality all-around session, with "tales of television, religion, murder, and revolution."
Significant Objects | Root Division » Beth Lisick. Chris Colin. I have no idea what's going on here but I promise it will be thrilling.
Ambush Review | 18 Reasons » Primal meets new-age in the form of poetry. Check out Ana Elsner.
Top pick: Quiet Lightning
if there were 2 top picks: Instant City
Where I'll be: I host Quiet Lightning with Rajshree Chauhan.
:: Phase 2 ::
Own Your Story | Clarion Alley » Joe Loya started and will read in this series to engage the community in personal storytelling. Also featuring Cassandra Dallett and Wendy Merrill.
Mystery and Mayhem | Mission Police Station » Michelle Gagnon and Seth Harwood, but also the fact that it's in a police station. Trust me on that one - I've been many times. In the right circumstance, they're pretty neat. Mystery and Mayhem!
SF Writer's Grotto | Elbo Room, upstairs » Gerard Jones and Elizabeth Bernstein will emcee six accomplished Grotto-ites, including Kathryn Ma, James Nestor, and Justine Sharrock. Every time I've seen someone from the Grotto I've been impressed. And usually pleased.
Anger Management and Revenge | Elbo Room, downstairs » Nic Alea. Paul Corman-Roberts. Charlie Getter. Amy Glasenapp. H.K. Rainey. Jezebel Delilah X. Here's another one of their shows. This is one of the best collections of talent in the whole Crawl.
Corium Magazine | Sub/Mission Art Space » These writers are prone to quirky short pieces and have a mastery of the literary quickpivot. Andrea Kneeland. Ben Loory. Stefanie Freele.
The Threepenny Review | Bruno's » Yiyun Li. Charlie Haas. Tobias Wolff. As if you needed to know anything else (and you probably know I am not a sucker for 'big names'), you should know that this will be a mixture of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction (of which I am a sucker).
RADAR | Lexington Club » Ali Liebegott. Kirya Traber. Ali is one of my favorite local poets and is soft-spoken but uber-pungent like a really strong but delicious beverage, and Kirya has been known to spit fire, so I would really love to see them read together. Plus Michelle will be there.
826 Valencia | 826 Valencia » Student readings! Prepare to be blown away. And possibly jealous.
Indie Press Review | The Marsh Mock Cafe » D.W. Lichtenberg. Surprise guest. I have a good feeling about this one.
Emperor Norton Lives | Blue Macaw » This collection of Bay Area iconoclasts is certain to shock you with delight. Why else would Litquake co-founder Jack Boulware be emceeing? Lynn Breedlove. Chicken John Rinaldi.
Top pick: The Threepenny Review
if there were 2 top picks: Anger Management and Revenge
Where I'll be: Bikram Writing @ The Beauty Bar. I'm gonna do some pomes with a group of beautiful ladies getting their nails done and drinking martinis and reading short stories. That doesn't sound too bad either, actually.
:: Phase 3 ::
Bawdy in the Alley | Clarion Alley » This series is outrageous. Porchlight for the sex party scene. With a crowd full of clowns. No, really. Clowns. J. Delicious.
San Quentin | Ritual Coffee » This is one of the reasons I love Litquake. Inmates of the prison have a class called "Finding Your Voice on the Page." Inmate alumni will present readings and talk about their feelings re: this program and its effects on the community.
Indie Fiction Extravaganza | Casa Bonampak » Two Dollar Radio and Manic D Press are pioneers and torch-bearers of the independent publishing world. Then there's Jon Longhi, Joshua Mohr, Alvin Orloff, and Larry-bob Roberts. This will be funny and intense.
Portuguese Artists Colony | Laszlo Bar » These guys do this every month. Their stories range from subtle character development and the dissection of emotions to poignant and hilarious social commentary. Here's an example of their shows. Caitlin Myer. Benjamin Wachs. Leslie Ingham. Daniel Heath. Carey Tennis.
InsideStoryTime | Lone Palm Bar » Emcee James Warner knows how to pick em. Jonathan Keats. Linda Robertson. Here's an example of their shows.
The Rumpus | Latin American Club » This one will be hard to beat. Latin America Club seems like a perfect venue for the monthly variety show. Lit Crawl edition features Stephen Elliott, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Bucky Sinister. Here's an example show. Oh, what? music by Michael Mullen of the Size Queens?!
Canteen Magazine | The Revolution Cafe » Sean Finney, Mia Lipman, and Susan Steinberg are 3 good reasons to do anything. Plus Malena Watrous and Ghita Schwartz.
Tenderloin Reading Series | Doc's Clock » These guys are a year young, but don't let that fool ya. Jonathan Hirsch. Joel Landfield. Joanna Lioce. Chris Moore. Anna Seregina. Here's an example.
Anthemion | Gypsy Honeymoon » This is such an excellent little boutique shop - I saw a reading there once and it was very intimate. Plus this is one of those Litquake's cool shows: writers respond to an antique object. Should be a great demonstration of a potentially lucrative exercise. Gravity Goldberg joins a collection of inneresting folk for this one.
The Believer and McSweeney's | Heart » You love both publications. You also love Matthew Zapruder. What's to lose? Troy Jollimore. Sandra Simonds. Holy poetry!
14 Hills + Eleven Eleven | Muddy's Coffee House » Two impressive, local publications combine forces for a fury of fiction and floetry. Lauren Hamlin. Zara Raab. Loren Rhoads. Here's a 14 Hills party. And here's something from Eleven Eleven.
Top pick: The Rumpus
if there were 2 top picks: The Believer and McSweeney's
Where I'll be: After Quiet Lightning and Bikram Writing, I figure I'll just wing Phase 3. See what happens.
REMEMBER » You can't go wrong. Bring your booklet with you and follow the map. Eat tacos. Stampede!!!
STAY TUNED » I am going to scan the map/guide and load it onto Scribd. I think I might go grocery shopping first, though.
I am going to practice reciting my poems on top of Bernal Hill tonight. Wouldn't it be fun to have a pre-crawl reading party? Answer: Yes, in so many ways. I will be there and would love to see you: 912 658 2333. I don't get texts, however.
Rest up, San Francisco. Or party. Whatever you do, make sure you can crawl tomorrow.
xoxoxox
— Evan
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