{ bee + spool }

The lit scene was alive and well on the Wednesday night of the Intergenerational Writers Lab reading and 12 Ways book release at Kearny Street Workshop’s space at 180 Capp St. in the Mission.  For normal reasons, the spotlight was on the readers of the evening, and the whole writer’s program is a concept of KSW, in partnership with fellow venerable SF arts organizations, Intersection for the Arts and Galería de la Raza, all of which deserve thanks.  As nonprofit organizations, they receive funding (albeit sorely not enough) from individual donors and grant-funders. 

But, I have to say, that the outstanding event, book and audience really boil down to the dedication of individuals and the giving of their time without reservation whatsoever, including people like Samantha Chanse (KSW’s program director, and, yes, it’s her job, but she absolutely is a dynamo who does so much, including her own creative work (and who would think me a giant dork for using the word “dynamo” at this time)), Jay Jao (intrepid, everywhere person always capturing what’s new in the APA arts scene), Patty Wakida (1,000 cranks of the letterpress to produce the beautiful, earthy book covers) and Mark Baugh-Sasaki (cover design).  Most of all, amazement and gratitude to the open-minded individuals who comprised the audience, who are willing to try out alternative community spaces on an evening outing instead of the local cineplex.

Details on how to purchase the anthology, 12 Ways: An Anthology of the 2007 Intergerational Writer’s Lab (Kearny Street Workshop Press, 2007), ISBN-13: 978-0-9797707-0-8, will be up soon.  In the meantime, contact Kearny Street Workshop here to order.  I believe they are $13.85 plus tax (which brings it up to a round $15 in California), with a short print run of only 500. 

Photos courtesy of Jay Jao.