paper press books & co.

PAPER PRESS PRESENTS: PRINCIPLES OF LIGHT

Paper Press Books & Associates Publishing Company. This year at Beast Crawl Literary Festival, we present writers with whom we have worked in the past, whose work we cherish and value, yet have not published. These voices need to be heard. Purchase a Paper Press book today and see why writers and readers enjoy the time and energy we invest in every step of production. paperpressbooks.org

Charisel Angelle Parla is a bilingual Cuban-American poet and educator. Her poetry explores the nuances and intersections of memory, grief, heritage, addiction, and identity. A native of Miami, FL, Charisel earned her MFA in Creative Writing from The University of San Francisco, and currently resides in Oakland, CA where she works with recently arrived immigrant youth at Oakland International High School.

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Thomas Dunn is a multi-media artist, poet, and experimental filmmaker from Midland, Michigan. A proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Thomas is currently completing his MFA in Writing at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

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Antony Fangary is a writer and visual artist living in San Francisco. He was awarded the 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and is the author of HARAM (Etched Press 2019). His poetry has recently appeared in Gulf Coast, The Sycamore Review, West Branch, and elsewhere. His work has received support from the San Francisco Arts Commission, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the Center for Cultural Innovation.

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Colleen Shoshana McKee, aging Riot Grrl and singer, is the author of six collections of poetry, memoir, and fiction including The Kingdom of Roly-Polys (Pedestrian Press); and Routine Bloodwork (Headmistress Press). She teaches writing, and US Citizenship Test preparation. She’s also an editor. Oakland is her home. ColleenShoshanaMcKee.com

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A product of the hip-hop generation, Bleu’s storytelling first manifested itself in the form of rhythm and poetry as a rapper. He and his crew were local heroes, but sixteen bars limited his vision, so he changed up and took it to the next level.

From seeking that next level and stepping out of his comfort zone, Bleu learned that inspiration cannot be stifled and that evolution is imminent. If you are looking for raw, honest expression from the underground, you’ve found it in LaMont Anthony Wright.

Although Bleu’s family tree is peppered with a long line of story tellers, smack talkers and intellectuals, some of his early influences also came from works by Edgar Allen Poe, Orson Welles and Rod Sterling. www.gbleu.com

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Leg 3: 7pm-8pm Venue: Make Westing, 1741 Telegraph

ABOUT MAKE WESTING:
www.makewesting.com

What's with the name?

The name "Make Westing" comes from a short story by Oakland native Jack London. While a bit grim and violent, the tale centers on the overwhelming need to make the westing wind back home to Oakland - to a place of warmth and family (and bocce courts?).

Who are we?

Make Westing is located in the thriving Uptown district of Oakland. Wood, iron, and slate make up the décor that resonates with the industrial heritage of our city. We are equipped with a full bar, a variety of gourmet bites, an outdoor patio, and two indoor bocce courts. The Fox theater is less than one block away, and the 19th st. BART stop is across the street.

Why Bocce?

While we are not bocce aficionados per se, we did play at some of our favorite bars in Brooklyn and the lanes fit the space perfectly, while serving as an entertaining companion to a cocktail. The courts are first come, first serve and are free. When there are others waiting, each group may play one game to seven and then give up the court to the next group in line. If you would like to rent the bocce courts, we do so at $50 per hour, per court.

What else?

Make Westing is more a bar than restaurant and as such (according to the alcohol beverage control rules) no one under 21 is allowed, infants included. For credit cards, we request a $10 minimum. As relates to credit cards - some banks will place a temporary double charge on certain cards only as a hold and will release the charge within 7-10 business days. We have no idea why they do this, but it happens often enough that we thought we should mention it. We have an ATM on site.

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