Several of the bloggers here at sf.metblogs are published writers who appear, from time to time, at various literary readings; I’m not the only one. But I thought I would take a moment to post about one of these readings from the perspective of a reader/performer.

Last night’s reading was at Books Inc. in the Castro, befitting the sorta-rather-queer material and lineup: Cleis Press authors Stephen Elliott, Daphne Gottlieb, and me.

7:20 pm — I drive with my partner Cris to the neighborhood, and we score a miraculous parking place half a block away with ten minutes to spare. It’s going to be a good night.

7:25 pm — Lugging a shopping bag full of my own books — in case there aren’t any copies of my five-year old books in stock — I meet up with my fellow readers and Cleis co-publisher Frederique Delecoste. We agree on an order: me first, then Daphne, then the main attraction, Stephen — and greet our friends and colleagues as they come streaming in.

7:35 pm — I look over the manuscript of the piece, I’m reading, an unpublished story about what it’s like being the “attacker” in a Model Mugging class who gets the shit beaten out of him day in and day out. Given the masochistic theme of Elliott’s book, I thought it would be appropriate.

7:42 pm — A Books Inc. staffer, Jim, welcomes the crowd and introduces me.

7:45 pm — I launch into my story, “Self Defense” (you can read it on my website). It’s a funny story and the audience responds with relieved laughter. I say relieved because you know how often the first act on a bill — no matter what, a reading, dance show, performance art, whatever — kind of sucks? It’s gotten to where they expect the first person to suck. Fortunately I don’t suck, at least this night.

8:03 pm — Daphne Gottlieb rises to read from the manuscript of Jokes and the Unconscious. The published version of the book is a graphic novel in which she collaborates with artist Diane DiMassa (of Hothead Paisan fame). So how do you read a graphic novel at a reading? As performance poetry. Gottlieb’s an accomplished slam poet and her voice gives the text incredible color and richness. Read Daphne’s account of the event.

8:17 pm — The evening’s main purpose is to celebrate the publication of Elliott’s My Girlfriend Comes to the City and Beats Me Up, a fascinating sexual memoir about taking suffering and turning it into identity, connection, and eventually, relationship. Elliott has a very interesting presence. While he’s talking about edgy sex play, about getting masks placed over his head and fucked in the butt, he remains completely non-exotic, down-to-earth, non-threatening. He comes off like the kind of boyfriend everybody wants: cuddly and dirty at the same time. Read interviews with Elliott about his book on the Cleis site as well as an interview I did with him as he was working on the book.

8:45 pm — The reading ends, and Jim asks us to sign books. He gives the readers little presents, too — very classy!

8:55 pm-11:15 pm — Drinks at Lucky 13 a couple blocks down Market St. I meet and talk to a few writers I’ve never had the chance to meet before. This is one of the best things about reading in public — you end up meeting other writers. Despite the extremely loud music, I manage to hold a couple of conversations. My friend Katia introduces me to someone and I’m too far away to hear what she’s saying — I hear only about every 10th word — but it’s really funny to see the gestures she makes when talking about me.

Finally, a little drunk, I head home. Fun evening! I love this city, so full of smart, interesting people.

Related posts:

1. Literary notes from all over
2. ‘Sex for America’ book party
3. The writers aren’t done reading
4. Queer literary events
5. Matters Literary: Michael Chabon, Oakley Hall, & Oscar Villalon