It takes an extraordinary effort to write a book and see it through to completion. That might seem like an obvious and plain thing to say, but it’s true: Though many folks like to think they can do it or try to, fewer actually do. Perhaps that is why publication day and month is most always a big deal for writers: Congratulations cards, flowers and gifts are in order! Short of those things, I’ve got a couple of articles I wrote about two very different writers with two very different books celebrating mutual publication dates to share with you.
“Sexy Life, Hello!” is the first book for Michelle Kircherer. Her debut novella is also the premiere release of her independent publishing venture, Banana Pitch Press. Kicherer is an ambitious performer, writing coach and instructor and has a big vision for her multimedia venture, without any of the yuckiness associated with the big three publishing houses. She will be reading from her book and discussing it at Green Apple on the Park in San Francisco on March 6 and at Clio’s in Oakland on March 8. You can read more about Michelle in my profile of her for the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The Mansion” (Gnashing Teeth Publishing) is the tenth collection of poems by Dee Allen. A performance poet, Dee has been writing and performing his work in San Francisco, Oakland and beyond for over 20 years. I had the good fortune to first hear him read in 2012, or maybe it was 2013 — at any rate, that was several books ago for Dee. I try never to miss his publications and readings, but they are coming so fast and furious, I accidentally skipped 2024’s collection “Discovery.” It’s time to catch up and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing during a live-streamed conversation from Bird and Beckett Books and Records on Sunday March 9 at 10 a.m. A sneak preview of what’s likely to come up is in this profile for Bay City News, published today.
Congratulations to Michelle and Dee on their respective new publications. Though writing is its own reward, sometimes it helps to know there are those of us reading and appreciating the work, respecting what goes into the process and identifying with it. Thanks to this pair of authors for making our Bay Area literary community particularly unique, for making my job reporting on them easy, and for helping to keep the spirit of independent publishing alive in these unreal times.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Book news, Books, California, San Francisco News, books, Dee Allen, fiction, independent publishing, Michelle Kicherer, novella, poem, Poetry, small press, writing
Denise Sullivan 