NEWS RELEASE -- For Immediate Release
Contact: Karen M. Allman kmallman@elliottbaybook.com 206-624-6600
Queer Eye on the Future: Leading Writers Predict the Next Wave of Gay Popular Entertainment
A gang of top writers will meet in Seattle with the goal of figuring out where gay entertainment is going—and how to shape it.
Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen, Elizabeth Sims, and Sarah Warn will form the panel "Queer Eye on the Future: Leading Writers Predict the Next Wave of Gay Popular Entertainment", moderated by Seattle Weekly columnist Steve Wiecking at Elliott Bay Book Co. on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the writers say they want to hear ideas from the audience.
"I think it's going to be a dynamite evening," says Sims, instigator of the panel and author of the Lillian Byrd crime series. "I'm thrilled that Brent, Michael, Sarah, and Steve agreed to do this. As it turns out, we're all dying to hash out trends, dish gossip, and argue about what's coming in gay popular entertainment. What's important? What's junk? Who's got the answers? If we can get the audience involved with some Q & A, it'll be great fun. Maybe we'll come up with a brand-new analysis of the gay-lesbian zeitgeist."
Brent Hartinger is the author of 'Last Chance Texaco', 'Geography Club', and its just-out sequel, 'The Order of the Poison Oak'. His books are climbing on young adult bestseller lists, and he has several more novels under contract with HarperCollins and Tor Books. He is also an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, and works to help troubled youth. A feature film of 'Geography Club' is in development.
Reviewers have called Michael Jensen's work "Spellbinding... rich in atmospheric detail... foursquare." His two titles, 'Firelands' and 'Frontiers', a pair of gay historical novels set on the edge of the American West, are wildly popular with readers and booksellers as well. "Un-put-downable" is the comment most often posted on web sites about his books.
Elizabeth Sims's lesbian crime novels 'Holy Hell', 'Damn Straight', and 'Lucky Stiff', follow the adventures of Lillian Byrd, a freelance reporter who busts crime and stands up for the downtrodden. The second in the darkly comic series, 'Damn Straight', won a Lambda Literary Award last year. Currently Sims is in talks with a cable television network about adapting her books for TV.
Sarah Warn is the founder and editor of www.afterellen.com and www.afterelton.com, web sites devoted to news and commentary on lesbians and gays in entertainment and the media. These sites have rapidly captured tremendous traffic and influence in the cyber-community. "Sarah's finger is firmly on the pulse of the entertainment business, from big Hollywood to independent film, TV, and music," says Sims.
Steve Wiecking's column 'Small World' appears in the Seattle Weekly. A gay guy trying to make sense of the world by writing what he sees, Wiecking takes on everything from politics to culture to commerce and all points in between. "Steve will bring energy and humor to the job of moderator," Sims says.
The authors will autograph copies of their books after the panel discussion.
The Elliott Bay Book Company is located at 101 S. Main St. (1st and Main in Seattle's Pioneer Square). Free/no tickets required. For more information: kmallman@elliottbaybook.com or www.elliottbaybook.com.
|
|
