Last night’s launch of “Temporary Monsters” went very well. Some excellent readings, including one by my very talented friend Richard Gavin, as well as some excellent dark poetry by Liisa Ladouceur. Here are some pics:

Two of the night’s readers and some guy who came for the open bar… only to find out there wasn’t one (hint: his name rhymes with Pieman Crantzas).

Peter Halasz, Michael Kelly, and Robert Knowlton

Richard reading

Thanks to Michael Kelly for taking this shot

Monica asks…. why horror and why monsters?

Hamming it up for the audience. I should have done a few torch songs.

Answering a question from the audience during the q&a.

My own reading went well, I think. This was only the second time I’ve read one of my stories in front of an audience. I managed to get through it without stuttering, and I don’t think my hands were trembling too badly. There was a short q&a session afterwards in which I talked about my writing background, my influences, and my plans for further stories in the “Temporary Monsters” universe. Kat shot some video which I will probably post in the next day or two.

Thanks to everyone who came out, thanks to Monica and Jeff for organizing the event, and extra big thanks (and huggles) to my wife for being there with me through every step of the way.

• Currently reading: Liquor, by Poppy Z. Brite