You know I think more people don’t go to book reading because frankly, they can be boring as hell. I went to one of my first readings last Fall during Litquake when I heard about an event called the Literary Death Match (LDM). Surely anything that ends in some sort of gladiator style smackdown can’t be bad!
And I was right.
As explained on LDM’s website:
Each episode of this competitive, humor-centric reading series features a thrilling mix of four famous and emerging authors (all representing a literary publication, press or concern–either online or in print) who perform their most electric writing (in eight minutes or less) before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readings, the judges–focused on literary merit, performance and intangibles–take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story, then select their favorite to advance to the finals.
The two finalists then compete in the Literary Death Match finale, which trades in the show’s literary sensibility for an absurd and comical climax to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.
True to form, the first LDM I saw involved some really fantastic readings and in the end the two finalists laser gunning each other for the title of champion. It was a riot, and I was hooked.
LDM is actually the brainchild of Todd Zuniga, founder of Opium Magazine. Looking for a way to liven up the literary scene, Todd has been running LDM’s all over the country (and the world), with monthly events occurring in San Francisco and New York.
SF is in for a treat this Friday, June 12th, as Todd will be in town to co-host the latest Death Match taking place at the Elbo Room with doors opening at 6:30pm and the show beginning at 7:15pm.
(In full disclosure, I am a sometimes advisor to LDM, so yes, I am shilling my own stuff, but bear in mind I wouldn’t advise you to go see anything that was less than spectacular. So just deal with it.)
I spoke with Todd about Literary Death Match and here’s what he had to say:
Todd Zuniga, Opium and LDM Founder
Me: Why did you start Literary Death Match?
Todd: The snarky answer is: we hate readings. But the truth is more in line with this question: how to get people to read? Earlier tonight I was talking to a friend and we were talking about how people want to read, they want to feel literary, but it takes so much time. And reading costs you at least an episode of Breaking Bad. So, we created a series that, at its core, was very literary, but we dressed it up in mayhem that’s actually a load of fun in itself. Then we married the two. Fun and literature. Which is the foundation of Opium Magazine, which is the magazine that led to the Literary Death Match.
Me: What’s the most outrageous Death Match that’s taken place?
Todd: It’d be easy to tie the outrageousness to a single event within a single Literary Death Match, but to me the nuttiest LDM had to be the one we did in Beijing. I mean, first of all, it was such an honor to be invited to throw one there, just downright flattering to think that all this hard work in SF and NYC added up to being invited across the Pacific. But the better part was how well it was received. It was a 98.52% ex-pat audience, and these people were brilliant from second one, completely into the spirit. But it also signaled to me that the LDM (and Opium) have particular value to ex-pat communities that don’t have immediate access to books. Here we were providing a legitmate service. In the US, I feel like we’re a daring reading among many. There, though, we were stars for a night.
Me: What can people expect to see this Friday?
Todd: Opium8′s Infinity issue, for one, which is the thing I’m ridiculously excited about handing over to people who come. The cover, by SF-based conceptual artist Jonathon Keats, boggles the brain, and the inside (featuring SF brillianteur Daniel Handler, for one) is ludicriously well designed by our resident genius, David Barringer. Beyond that, the first 60 people will get a button for the lapel of their choice, and they’ll see a hyper-talented lineup. Katharine Noel and Eric Puchner will do the first-ever co-reading, and I’m just plain over the moon to have Ayelet Waldman and Josh Kornbluth judge. Plus: Michelle Richmond–the woman every writer has, or should have, a crush on. Oh, oh, oh, and I believe this will be the most ridiculous finale we’ve ever tried to pull off. Seriously!
Me: And anything else we should know?
Todd: Opium launch parties are a great excuse to break out surprising clothing combinations, and thus: I will be dressed semi-hysterically, and semi-Dean Martin-ishly. But all eyes should be on my co-host Alana Conner, who will shock and awe as always (I know this in advance). Plus, she’ll make all the young boys starry-headed.
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It’s certainly going to be a fun night. Between LDM and
Riders with Drinks (yes, both are on the same night! *sigh*) I see myself running from one event to the other. Either way, I don’t think you can go wrong!
