What is this thing again?
Verse Chapter Verse is The Stranger's readings-and-music series. Here's how it goes: Tomorrow night at Chop Suey, hot young local band Tomten will play a few songs. Then, sci-fi author China Miéville will read a little bit from his new book, Embassytown. Then I'll ask him a few questions. Then, he'll take questions from the audience. Then, he'll sign your books while Tomten plays a few more songs.
What else can you tell me about it?
Tickets are $5. You can buy them online right here until 4 pm today. After that, they'll be available at Chop Suey. Doors are at 6:30, and the show will start promptly at 7. That's important! We're not on rock show time; we're on readings time.
Do I have to buy a book?
The good folks at University Book Store will have a selection of Miéville's books available for sale, but you're not required to buy a copy. And if you own other Miéville books you'd like signed, you should feel free to bring them along to the reading.
I haven't read the book yet; will your Q&A spoil anything? I fucking hate spoilers!
I always try to take care to avoid spoilers in my Q&As. Authors are generally careful to avoid ruining the plots of their own books at readings, since they want you to, you know, buy the book. If you've already read the book and you have a question about the ending or something that happens later in the book, you should definitely wait in the signing line and ask Miéville personally. He's a personable fellow, and will probably be stoked to get all sci-fi wonky with you.
Can you tell me more about Embassytown?
It's really good! I reviewed it this week.
I am nervous about asking questions of authors in public. Can you ask a question for me?
Put your question in the comments and I'll sure try to fit it in. See you tomorrow.
