For Immediate Release: March 9, 2007

PEN Oakland And Oakland Public Library
Launch Oakland Out Loud Literary Series

************************************************************************************************************************

(Oakland, CA.) -- PEN Oakland, A Bay Area Chapter of the International Organization of Poets, Essayists, and Novelists, in partnership with the Oakland Public Library, presents the Oakland Out Loud Literary Series. The series is based upon PEN Oakland’s Oakland Out Loud Literary Anthology, which will be published by Jukebox Press in A pril 2007. PEN Oakland President Floyd Salas and author Claire Ortalda will host the kick-off party on A pril 26, 6:00-7:30 pm at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street. Writers Andrew Hayes, Sharon Doubiago, Kim McMillon, Gerry Nicosia, John Curl, Lucha Corpi, Reginald Lockett, and Kirk Lumpkin will read their submissions to the anthology followed by an open mic session. Books will also be available for purchase.

The literary series will continue on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Oakland Main Library, from 6:00 -7:30 pm, with the final two readings in November and December being held at the Rockridge and Dimond branch libraries.

These events are free to the public. For more information, please contact Kim McMillon at (510)228-6775. The Oakland Out Loud Literary Series is an opportunity to showcase the Bay Area’s thriving literary community, and to encourage authors to seeks ways of publishing their work. The literary series and anthology are being funded by PEN Center USA, the Zellerbach Family Foundation, and the LEF Foundation.

###