I’m pleased to announce the first event (of hopefully many) of the BAIT Reading Series. The idea of launching a regular reading series in Marin has been rattling around in my brain for the past year; most readings in the county are contained within individual book tours, but there’s a real hunger for more cultural events. A well-timed conversation with Jeffrey, the city librarian at the Sausalito Public Library, was the final push to realization. I’m a local library devotee, and am deeply grateful to Jeffrey, Tessa, and the rest of the Sausalito Public Library for agreeing to house this series and putting their enthusiasm and resources behind it.

I’ll be hosting the first BAIT reading on Friday, November 7, at 6 pm at the Sausalito Public Library with featured readers Jaime Cortez (Gordo), Armen Davoudian (The Palace of Forty Pillars), Susanna Kwan (Awake in the Floating City), Lisa Teasley (Fluid), and Sasha Vasilyuk (Your Presence is Mandatory). It’s free to attend, and there will be a moderated Q&A and book signing after the reading. More information is available on the BAIT website, or you can RSVP directly with the Sausalito Public Library here.

Beyond the various meanings of the word bait (entice, ensnare, etc.), the series’ acronym stands for Bay Area in, with a unique T for each reading event. November’s T is for threshold—an entry point; a beginning. I hope to cross that threshold with you.