This year offers a chance to hear local talent such as Matt Briggs, Jerome Gold, John Olson, Chuck Palahniuk, Claudia Mauro, and Matthew Stadler (see Bumbershoot Guide insert), as well as a rare appearance by Dennis Cooper (see "Kicking a Dead Horse," this page). You might also want to check out Abrecaminos, a group of Mexican Americans from Yakima who have a recently published anthology of stories, poetry, and essays out from Blue Begonia Press (Friday, 2:15 p.m., Starbucks Literary Stage). Blue Begonia also presents poets Jody Aliesan, Lee Bassett, Charles Potts, and Jim Bodeen on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on the Starbucks Stage. Another local press, Calyx Books, presents their 23rd anniversary reading, with the very talented Kathleen Alcalá, author of The Flower in the Skull, Monday at 2:15 p.m. on the Starbucks Stage. Gregory Hischak (see Bio: Readings box, page 81), editor of Farm Pulp, never fails to offer a reliably brilliant performance, reading from his funny and frequently allegorical stories (Saturday, 2:45 p.m., Starbucks Literary Stage).
If all this fails to thrill you, why not offer up your own talent? Sign up for the Bumbershoot Open Mic, hosted by Red Sky Poetry Theater, Sunday at 8:30 p.m., Starbucks Literary Stage.