Reading by "Bloodnight" Author in El Cerrito

By Gina Gotsill 

This Saturday, plan a visit to to meet Philadelphia novelist James Rahn in the Perfumer’s Garden. Rahn’s book, Bloodnight, has recently hit the streets. He will be on the West Coast this summer promoting Bloodnight and , where he’ll read a few pages from his gritty past. The event runs from 1-4 p.m.; the reading begins at 2:15 p.m. Copies of Bloodnight will be available to purchase. The Purrfumery will also be open.

Bloodnight transports readers to a Jersey shore resort town that was a violent and volatile place. By 1970, tourists who once loved the town were traveling to newer, trendier places. As tourist dollars dwindled, the locals lost their jobs. They unleashed their frustration on their kids. Kids, in turn, punished each other. Growing up meant hustling, and learning to be tough.

Bloodnight is Rahn’s first book. His stories and articles have appeared in numerous publications. He also taught fiction at the University of Pennsylvania for fifteen years.

Rahn leads the Rittenhouse Writers’ Group in Philadelphia – a series of acclaimed fiction workshops. He founded the group in 1988. Since then more than 1,200 people have participated. RWG may be the longest-running independent fiction workshop in America. Many members have gone on to publish short stories, novels, and nonfiction books, and have received fellowships from places like the Pew Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, among other organizations.

• WHO: Novelist James Rahn at Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery
• WHAT: Rahn reads from his new book, Bloodnight. Light refreshments will be served.
• WHEN: June 30, 1-4 p.m.; reading begins at 2:15 p.m.
• WHERE: Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery, 727 Sea View Drive, El Cerrito, CA 94530
• WHY: Saturday afternoon in the garden overlooking the Golden Gate, enjoy light fare and listen to the street-wise story of growing up in a fictionalized Atlantic City circa 1970.

For more information about the author event, email laurie@purrfumery.com or call 510-528-8040.

Gina Gotsill is a Bay Area freelance writer, editor and voice over artist who writes for Laurie Stern and Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery.