It was an Enhanced Gravity kind of weekend at Chez Booker:
150 people crowded into Politics & Prose Saturday night to celebrate the launch of Enhanced Gravity, the new fiction anthology of Washington-area women edited by Richard Peabody. I had the pleasure of reading with contributors Liz Poliner, Kate Blackwell, Susan Coll, Meena Arora Nayak, Venus Thrash, Sibbie O'Sullivan, Rose Solari, and Sally Steenland. Expertly moderated by C.M. Mayo, each panelist read the opening lines of their work and passed the mike, giving the audience a taste of the diverse stories and styles. Things really took off during the Q+A session, when someone called editor, Richard Peabody, a "collector" of women. Why women? "Because I already know how men think," said Peabody. Enough said.
As usual, I was my DC-booster self, promoting the writers and writing life here in the city. Often overshadowed by politics and powerbrokers, I am happy to report the literary scene is very much alive and kicking here in D.C., with thriving indie bookstores, literary events and readings a plenty.
Enhanced Gravity is Richard's second anthology of Washington-area women writers. The response has been so positive that a third—and possibly 4th!—volume is in the works. Yes, there are that many women fiction writers in the area. So stay tuned.
Following the launch on Saturday night, there was a lovely party Sunday at the beautiful Capitol Hill home of writer, Therese Droste and her partner, Terence Bertele. Jazz musicians, fine food, wine and conversation, and more readings from the book.
A lovely book-ish weekend, to be sure.
[Update: We left Robin Ferrier, our fellow reader and coordinator for the actual event off our list of contributors. Our apologies to Robin, who also gave a wonderful reading.]
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