Thanks to COVID-19, there are new protocols for just about everything, and that includes book readings and other author events. In the before-times, I had a great time attending the launch for Parallel Prairies: Stories of Manitoba Speculative Fiction. Now, however, if we want to do a public event, doing it by video is the safer way to go. Fortunately, that’s exactly what Anita Daher has organized through Manitoba Book Jam. The event will be held this week, on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. CT.
I’m one of six authors for the evening. I’ll be reading from my short story in the anthology, “The Comments Gaze Also Into You.” (It’s an urban fantasy story about holding online trolls accountable. Can’t imagine how that might be relevant these days.) The other authors taking part are Jonathan Ball, S.M. Beiko, Adam Petrash, Darren Ridgley, and Craig Russell. Live music will be provided at the intermission by Alana Levandoski. The anthology was edited by Darren Ridgley and Adam Petrash, and published by Great Plains Books / Enfield and Wizenty. Each author will have about five minutes during the hour-long event.
If you want to watch and listen via Zoom, you can register for the event here. Registration is free, but please consider picking up a copy of the book, or one of the other books by the participating authors! (I should add that Zoom attendees to the event are eligible for a $25 McNally Robinson Booksellers gift certificate draw.) There is more information on the event’s Facebook page, where people can also watch the video of the event.
So: if you’re looking for some book-related diversion this week, tune in on Thursday and listen to a half-dozen prairie authors read from their weird, wonderful work. Hope to see you there!
