Literary Deathmatch in Boston!

Hi everyone! We just stopped by to let everyone know about this great event occurring in Boston on January 13th! After a stirring (and noisy) debut last April, Opium returns to Boston with a talent-rich lineup to heat up icy New England. The fundraising event doubles as the launch of Opium9: The Mania Issue. See readers Elisa Gabbert (Thanks for Sending the Engine) representing Open Letters, Steven Brykman (Four Stories), Janaka Stucky (Handsome) and a Quick Fiction reader-rep!

Plus, brilliant judges Billy Giraldi (senior fiction editor of AGNI), comedian Lamont Price and a female musician TBA that'll knock your (and our) socks clean off! Hosted by Opium founding editor Todd Zuniga.

Boston Literary Deathmatch
Doors at 7, show at 8:05 (sharp), afterparty: 9:30 at Enormous Room.
Enormous Room, 569 Massachusetts Avenue
Cost: $10 includes a free copy of Opium9, cover price of $12

Opium’s Literary Death Match, co-created by Opium’s founding editor, Todd Zuniga (pictured), Elizabeth Koch & Dennis DiClaudio, marries the literary and performative aspects of Def Poetry Jam, rapier-witted quips of American Idol’s judging (without any meanness), and the ridiculousness and hilarity of Double Dare.

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.

To satisfy your curiosity, here's a short video of an LDM featuring Paco Romane:



Hope to see you there!