RED LIGHT IS A LAMBDA FINALIST: Got word this morning from editor Anna Camilleri that Red Light: Superheroes, Saints and Sluts is a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award! This is the anthology that contains my poem Why I Want To Be Pam Grier, as well as work from Barbara Jane Reyes and many other brilliant writers. Being selected for the anthology was a huge honor, but to have the book nominated for this award really is icing on the cake. Hats off to Anna and Arsenal Pulp Press on the nom. Fingers crossed here for May 18 when the awards will be handed out in Washington DC.

It's been a busy week. Had a night out with the newspaper staff for dinner and then to the dress rehearsal for Leslie Jordan's one man show, Like a Dog on Linoleum. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Jordan, best known for playing Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace, hilariously deconstructs southern culture, religion, growing up gay, drugs and why older men lust after young boys. The show was both hysterical and, ultimately, heartbreaking because it moves from laughs to drama toward the end as Jordan talks about losing his best friend to AIDS and his own loss of faith. If you're going to be in Atlanta the next few months, you must see this show. He's going to film it for HBO later this year, but seeing it live is a treat.

On Thursday, I went to the anniversary reading for Atlanta Review at Georgia Tech. AE Stallings, Steve Kowit and Charles Harper Webb gave excellent readings. The Clary Theatre was full, but it was a million degrees in there. You could hear the rustling of homemade fans and brows being mopped. Saw a lot of my poetry pals, including Karen Head, Rupert Fike, Kodac Harrison, Robin Kemp, Travis Denton, Mike Dockins and most of the usual suspects.

Last night was Poetry at Portfolio Center with Gypsee-Yo (Jonida Beqo) featuring. I was so disappointed in the turnout, esp. since Jonida is a brilliant performer. We had 10 people in the audience. I'm still thinking about pulling the plug on the series, or taking a hiatus over the summer and trying to build up a bigger buzz. I'm not sure if its the location, the time or it being a Friday when there are two or three other readings happening, but something's got to give. Next month we have the brilliant Chelsea Rathburn, winner of the Richard Wilburn Award for her collection The Shifting Line. This is one not to miss, so mark your calendar now.

Slow To Burn is heading to the printer in the next week or so and I'm still setting up readings and signings. The first big event in Atlanta will be a reading/signing/reception at galerieMC in midtown Atlanta on Saturday, May 13. Many thanks to gallery owner Marscha Cavaliere for her enthusiasm and support. galerieMC is a beautiful space and the photography that graces the walls will be a dramatic backdrop for the reading.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Congrats! The book is cool.

GAV
Unknown said…
Congrats! I so have to get this anthology! I can't think of anything I like better than saints and sluts, besides maybe BBQ...

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