Toot ! Toot!

Yes, I am blowing my own horn, or on a much smaller level, one of those squeaky party favor toys that unroll when blown into before rolling back up, like a frog's tongue.

"And my fine instrument deserves to be blown!"
~ Varla Jean Merman

Friend and Teacher, Noël Alumit, has invited me to be part of the next Promising Series reading, at A Different Light Bookstore. I am both excited and humbled. Participants in previous readings have mostly been well-established writers/artists, such as Prince Gomolvilas.

Take a gander:


The First Promising Series Reading of the Year Will Take Place

on February 13 at A Different Light Bookstore



( Los Angeles ) The Promising Series is the only reading series in Los Angeles that exclusively features Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender writers. A goal for the series is to celebrate established writers and introduce the next generation of writers that will explore the GLBT experience. The next reading will be held on Wednesday, February 13th 2008 at 7:30pm.

“I’m glad that we’re kicking off another year of Promising,” said series coordinator Noël Alumit. “It’s another year of featuring fierce and exciting work.”

The February 13th reading will feature:

Frederick Smith is originally from Detroit , Michigan . He is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and Loyola University Chicago. A finalist for the 2004 PEN Center Emerging Voices Fellowship, and a member of the 2004 VONA (Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation at the University of San Francisco ) novel seminar, Fred is an advocate for social justice and equality issues. He lives in Los Angeles . His first novel, Down for Whatever, was published in 2005. His second novel Right Side of the Wrong Bed was recently published. Readers can contact him at www.fredericksmith.net

Hilary Goldberg began her professional filmmaking career in 1997 while attending film school. Working until its release in 2002, she co-directed and co-edited the feature documentary Render: Spanning time with Ani DiFranco alongside the folksinger. Hilary toured the country as a Spoken Word Artist performing at venues ranging from small coffeehouses to large festivals like Seattle ’s Bumpershoot. She released a collection of poetry Giraffe Medicine in 2003. Her latest film, “in the Spotlight” features writers Michelle Tea, Clint Catalyst, and Guinevere Turner in a film noir tale about a literary hoax.

Peter Varvel leads a contented life, despite his former involvement in ex-gay ministry. He postponed Real Life for two decades by dancing for Disneyland and cruise lines before eventually earning his Bachelor's at USC, in Gender Studies. He hopes to emulate the empathetic style of Young Adult novels.

Margaux Permutt is a songwriter, poet, and activist. Her poetry connects the personal to the political to the metaphysical. She draws inspiration from nature, relationships, and current issues. She hopes that through her words she may help others navigate parts of themselves and their world they may not be familiar or comfortable with.

Series Curator Noël Alumit wrote the award-winning novel Letters to Montgomery Clift. His most recent novel Talking to the Moon went on to become a Los Angeles Times Bestseller. His solo shows The Rice Room: Scenes from a Bar and Master of the (Miss) Universe played at venues on both coasts. .

The Promising Series will take place on Wednesday, February 13th at 7:30pm. A Different Light Bookstore, 8853 Santa Monica Blvd , Los Angeles , CA 90069 , (310) 854-6601.