Literary Firsts

We started our fourth year splendidly: a packed room, an appreciative crowd, and four stellar writers.

There were so many great moments, more appearing in hindsight. Chris Marstall reading an essay about a local film projectionist, the mic failing him, Chris not batting an eye when I asked him, “How do you feel about projecting?” the pun only sinking in (for me, at least) the day after. Reyna Clancy, soft-spoken, hypnotic, telling us about bees and strippers and ghosts and kings. Myfanwy Collins starting her reading with two words: He died. And then there was William Pierce, for whom I have no words, but he had enough for both of us.

Watch the videos. Photos below (thanks to Randolph, as always, for taking them). I love this series with my whole heart.

Chris Marstall reads an essay.

Reyna Clancy reads poetry.

Myfanwy Collins reads fiction.

William Pierce tells a confessional tale.

See you in July, lovelies.

Two-time Literary Firsts reader, Karyn Polewaczyk, asked me to write a little something in honor of LF’s third birthday. She wrapped my words in a shiny package, but here’s the bottom line: “After each reading, I feel lucky just to have been in the room.”

You can read the full article here.

Just remember though, this is not about me. It’s about the series–so I’ll see you at Middlesex Lounge this evening at 7 for:

Reyna Clancy’s poetry!

Myfanwy Collins’s fiction!

Chris Marstall’s non-fiction!

William Pierce’s confession!

Be there to help us kick off our fourth year right!

Readers, Writers, Listeners, Loved Ones:

Literary Firsts is almost three years old!

So, help us celebrate at 7pm on April 8 at Middlesex Lounge when Reyna Clancy will read poetry, Myfanwy Collins will read fiction, Chris Marstall will read an essay, and William Pierce will read a confessional tale.

You never want to miss Literary Firsts, but you will not want to miss this.

Myfanwy Collins is a mile a minute.

Myfanwy Collins lives on the north shore of Massachusetts with her husband and son. Her work has been published in The Kenyon Review, AGNI, Cream City Review, Quick Fiction, and Potomac Review. Echolocation (Engine Books, 2012) is her debut novel and her collection of fiction, I Am Holding Your Hand, is recently released from PANK Little Books. Learn more about Myfanwy at her author site: http://www.myfanwycollins.com.

Myfanwy is the fiction writer for the April 8 reading.

Myfanwy Collins is a mile a minute.

Myfanwy Collins lives on the north shore of Massachusetts with her husband and son. Her work has been published in The Kenyon Review, AGNI, Cream City Review, Quick Fiction, and Potomac Review. Echolocation (Engine Books, 2012) is her debut novel. A collection of her fiction, I Am Holding Your Hand, is forthcoming in 2013 from PANK Little Books. Learn more about Myfanwy at her author site: http://www.myfanwycollins.com.

Myfanwy is the fiction writer for the October 15 reading.

I’m thrilled to announce the readers for the next Literary Firsts reading.

Please join us on October 15 at Middlesex Lounge when Erica Anzalone will read poetry, Myfanwy Collins will read fiction, Jennifer De Leon will read an essay, and Ilan Mochari will share a confessional tale. As always, I’ll be your host. Come help us say goodbye to 2012 in style.