This Week in Lit: Spoken Word, Sexy Magazines and 36 Authors Create a Story

This is a week of the word in action—it’s rare to come across so many literary events that involve the stage, music, and vigor in town, though Lit Editor Heather Logue accepts the challenge.

Shift: An Evening of Spoken Word at Town Hall Seattle:
We kick this week in Seattle off with a dynamic event involving poetry, music and The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas. Headlining Shift is Carl Hancock Rux, a man who combines the worlds of theater, music and fiction with a performance that electrifies the audience. Sometimes it’s just more fulfilling to see poetry in action than confined to sheets of paper—and CREATION Project artists assist in this rousing display of art. Amontaine Aurore, Amber Flame, Chad Goller-Sojourner, okanomodé, Cristina Orbé, Storme Webber and Kane Mathis flaunt their talents and begin the week with flare.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. // Town Hall Seattle // $12

Susie Bright at Elliott Bay Book Co.:
It seems cruel to write about two events in the same night (though it’s always good to give the people some variety)—so here’s another option for your Tuesday evening. When Dan Savage says that someone’s life other than their sex life is incredibly compelling…you know it’s time to pay attention. And such is the case with Big Sex Little Death: A Memoir by Susie Bright, one of the first women to be considered a “sex-positive feminist”. Known for her participation in 1970s progressive causes and especially for her role as co-founder of On Our Backs, the first women’s sex magazine, for years Bright has astounded and inspired with her open dialogue about sexuality. In a culture that often tiptoes around the subject of erotica, it’s refreshing to encounter a woman so frank, bold and open about her life adventures and passion. Prepared to be shocked and entertained.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. //Elliott Bay Book Co. // Free

Roy Blount, Jr. at Town Hall Seattle:
Humorist Roy Blount, Jr. is gracing Town Hall with his boisterous presence and witticism. The author of over twenty books is here with his latest, Alphabetter Juice: Or, The Joy of Text, and his insight into language (and its abuse) remains unfaltering and enlightening. Though one may be terrified to actually speak around the man, the panelist from public radio’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me should be fascinating to listen to.

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. // Town Hall Seattle // $15

The Novel Live! Presents: Hotel Angeline at University Book Store:
I feel like maintaining this week’s focus on humor and strangeness, which makes this University Book Store event more than relevant. Though it actually took 36 Northwest writers to craft Hotel Angeline, a story about the tenants of an endangered Capitol Hill home, there are going to be seven on hand to discuss their process. Project founders Garth Stein and Jennie Shortridge will be sharing, as well as several other contributers that helped create the book during last October’s “The Novel: Live” marathon. It’s a mystery to me how 36 people can agree on anything, making this event intriguing in my book.

Thursday, 7 p.m. // University Book Store // Free

China Mieville and Tomten at Chop Suey for Verse Chapter Verse:
Alien books and sixties blues rock has already convinced me to attend this lively occasion at Chop Suey—the fact that there’s booze around only sweetens the deal. This week’s edition of The Stranger’s Verse Chapter Verse focuses on China Miéville, author of the fore-mentioned alien book Embassytown, and exciting literary talent. Paul Constant, The Stranger’s book editor will be grilling China on his novel (which really discusses the impact of language and communication), and Tomten will fill any voids with some tunes.

Saturday, 7 p.m. // Chop Suey // $5 tickets available at thestranger.com