Belated Report

Morning, and to all those father’s out there, enjoy your day.

A bit of a late report today from QUICKIES on Tuesday night, a reading series that I have dubbed one of the most exciting, laid back, and accessible series in Chicago. Hosted by two fine writers, the lovely Mary Hamilton–who said some lovely things about my book that night, thank you Mary!–and the venerable Lindsay Hunter–who’s Featherproof Mini-book you should check out–they have put together a real keeper of a monthly event here. If you haven’t dropped by there yet, do so on the second Tuesday of each month at the Innertown Pub at Damen and Division. DO IT NOW!

So, on to the actual reading. T’was quite good. I can’t remember all of the other readers as it’s been a while now, but Tanzer did well as always, despite going over the five minute limit and being buzzed off, to which he launched into a Patti Smith-like tirade against the audience–he actually didn’t. He was very good about it–just trying to make you sound a bit more badass, Ben, if you weren’t already badass enough.

Our two hosts rocked it hardcore, Hamilton a monologue about lunchroom debauchery and Hunter an awesome story about the best kind of relationship dysfunction. I read a horoscope that appeared in THE2NDHAND a few months back, which folks seemed to enjoy–but they had to have been lying.

Some friends in the crowd as well, and we need to thank them for their support: Amy Guth, who Ben and I had the pleasure of drinking with afterwards; Spencer Dew, who’s always good to hang with; and Jill Summers–what can we say about her? She rocks.

Aside from a harrowing and drunken sprint west down Madison Ave downtown to catch the last train home, QUICKIES was a rousing success. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even get invited back some day.

Coming soon to the blog: 50 Word Story Segment with Jackie Corely, editor of Word Riot.