Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville NC

September 30th, 2006 | Uncategorized

malaprop's

Such a huge throng showed up for my reading last night at Malaprop’s that we had to scrurry and rig up a bigger screen, because the tiny living room-sized one was clearly not going to suffice.

impromptu screen

It was a very lovely evening. People asked some difficult questions, like, how did writing Fun Home change me. It’s like having therapy in front of a crowd.

Here’s how pretty Asheville is at the ungodly hour I at which had to arise this morning.

dawn in asheville

As soon as I pack my tents, I’m going back to my favorite airport, ATL, en route to St. Louis. Maybe on the flights I’ll have time to finally read all the comments on the Michigan Fest brouhaha, which I now see number three hundred and two.

8 Responses to “Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville NC”

  1. Joanne says:

    This is my debut post on Alison’s “blog” but I have been reading it since the beginning. This vicarious travelling looking over Alison’s shoulder at her very diverse photo subjects is a bit overwhelming. [in a good way, but I am a scorpio, so also vicariously sometimes I think, “does Alison really want us in her head 24/7?]

    But when I saw the mountains of Asheville, I just wanted to say hello to Kathy [hope you made it to this event!] and her friends whom I met two summers ago while camping at Hunting Island, South Carolina. They had a couple beat up old vehicles , some tents, a lot of kitchen equipment, and a BIG rainbow flag flying overhead. This camper just had to be friendly…turns out K. is a caterer for rock concerts in Asheville. Kathy, if you’re listening, hello and please get back in touch; I lost your address! [Thanks Alison for everything.] silvio.soprani@yahoo.com

  2. AK says:

    Wow. There really *were* a lot of people there. It’s strange/delightful to see myself in that photo, however obscured by the giant lek of lesbians ‘n’ friends. So, thank you for coming to a small mountain city Alison. Ashevegas is kinda like velcro for dykedom and all things crunchy, but who knew there would be that many humans show up? Schedule it, and they will come.
    I wish I’d segued away from the family questions everyone was asking and asked some art-geek questions; but I really appreciate that as part of the Fun Home tour you have a piece of the show where you explain the process of creating the illustrations. Not that it’s pleasant for you, but it’s good (for me) to know that someone else has to slog through feathery sketch after feathery sketch and pose after pose before getting a facsimile of satisfaction. I used to have to draw in the bathroom, where the mirror was big enough that I could get a complete pose. Thank you digital cameras!
    Oh, and in this, my inaugural post to the blog, I’d like to give a big thank you to all the people with the huevos (or insanity) to discuss the Michigan issue. I think those involved in deciding the rules of the festival should probably read this blog.

  3. mlk says:

    Amen to AK’s suggestion about the diverse and salty and thoughtful viewpoints on Alison’s blog!!

    Alison, I hope you know you’ve done your part in drawing the cartoon that sparked the discussion. you said something in an earlier posting about not having had a chance to weigh in — as though you were feeling some sort of guilt or something. better to take the easy path and just let the comments flow! although it’s nice that you’re reading them (when you have the time). some of the posts have messages for you . . .

  4. Deb says:

    Aahhhhhhhhhh therapy in front of a croud. Sounds dubious at best. Asherville looks quite pretty at the ass crack of dawn. Alison, do you enjoy doing the tours? I think it would be sort of fun to travel to all sorts of places to talk about what I love to do and meet many new people in bookstores. There is something sacred about a boodstore….the smell, sounds etc. I hope you are having fun.

  5. Kathryn says:

    Thank you hank you Thank you for stopping in Asheville. It’s really awesome to see me on your blog. You’re reading was great, and my girlfriend, who had never really read DTWOF, was mightily impressed with Fun Home.

  6. Aunt Soozie says:

    I think it’s fabulous how that person jumped in to say,
    “Hi, I’m new here and you’re HOT!”
    Why yes she is new person, in more ways than one.

    I’m still thinking about lesbians in the airport.

    I once saw Jim J. Bullock (from Too Close for Comfort with Ted Knight and more recently of Kissing Jessica Stein and Hairspray and some show my kid watches on the disney channel) at RDU airport.

    I recognized his face and was convinced that he was some friend of a friend gay guy that I must know from somewhere. Luckily something kept me from approaching him and after awhile I realized that he was “that actor”.

    I wonder if it’s irritating being that kind of famous. I think most people must know his face, he’s been on so many tv shows, but they probably wouldn’t know his name. He’s pretty gorgeous in person, tall and handsome with glowing skin and eyes. I’d have traded that for Alix Olson though…

  7. Anonymous says:

    My favorite airport “ATL” indeed! I recall arriving there for a 3-hour layover after travelling ALL day and all I could find to eat (picky vegetarian) was a bagel and creamcheese. That was fine, in fact sounded great, but the restaurant refused to sell me one because it was no longer “breakfast”.

    “But you still have them back there?”
    “Yes.”
    “So you could just probably sell me one anyway, I mean it’s a bagel. You don’t even have to toast it or anything.”
    “I’m sorry, it’s just not breakfast anymore.”

    AHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!

  8. Deb says:

    You have GOT to be kidding me!