Read ‘n’ Riot

On Wednesday, October 15th I had, what I’d like to call, my first reading. It was at Powell’s Books in Beaverton. I had never been there before, and most certainly never played guitar, flung charts, and read a chapter of my book as Blackbeard the Pirate in the expanse bridging Children’s Books and Gender Politics. The staff couldn’t have been more wonderful (well, I suppose there is always room for improvement…champagne and a stack of Double Stuff Oreos would have been nice). My friends Jennifer Pidgeon, Jonathan Maier, and Cindy Leitner stopped by which helped soothe my nerves. I hardly threw up on anyone! Truth be told, there were only about nine people there, but it was fun and I got to stay and sign people’s books: even books I hadn’t written, which are most of the books published. No kids showed, however: I think it’s because the last presidential debate was on, and kids love politics. Actually, if you squinted your eyes, it played like an incredibly boring Men in Black outtake.

On Saturday, October 25th I appeared at my FAVORITE bookstore: A Children’s Place. I did my same shtick: a few songs (Grizzly Mall, Theme from Heck, and It’s Now in Limbo Now), some charts, and a reading. I even gave away the papier mâché devil mask I made for Anne Rice’s Halloween party in New Orleans over a decade ago to 10 year-old Ashley Kim who could name three teachers in Heck! Phew!

Next, I will be at Portland’s Wordstock Festival on Saturday, November 8th at 4 PM. I did just find out, however, that I won’t be allowed to do any songs! However, I will have a slide projector and…well, that’s not nearly as cool, but I’m trying to stay positive. It will be a lot of fun and I hope to see you there!