| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2004 CONTACT INFORMATION: Paul Willis
at saintandsinnola@aol.com
Jean Redmann at (504) 821-2601 x 245 or education1@noaidstaskforce.org Saints and Sinners, a Literary Festival in New Orleans Join us for a weekend of Literary Revelry in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. "Saints and Sinners" is a literary festival for the GLBT community, their friends and anyone who is interested in reading and writing. It will take place May 7-9, 2004. The weekend will include workshops, panel discussions, and a reading series that will appeal to readers and writers alike. There will also be special events and book signings. Presenters include such nationally known authors as Mark Doty, Christopher Rice, Katherine V. Forrest, Felice Picano, Patricia Nell Warren, Bob Smith, Ann Bannon, Val McDermid, M. Christian, Jess Wells, Karin Kallmaker, Jewelle Gomez, and Michelle Tea. Some of New Orleans’ favorites will also be on hand, with Poppy Z. Brite, Kevin Allman, Kay Murphy, Chris Wiltz, Patricia Brady, Greg Herren, and J.M. Redmann. Other participants include Jay Quinn, Ian Philips, Dan Boyle, Jim Gladstone, Trebor Healey, Dean James, Judy Doenges, Ron Suresha as well as many others. A number of publishers and editors will be present, including Nick Street, Alyson Books; Kelly Smith, Bywater Books; Robert L. Giron, Gival Press; Dave Smitherman, Polari Publishing; Jay Quinn and Greg Herren, Southern Tier Editions of The Haworth Press; Paul Marquis, STARbooks Press; Greg Wharton, Suspect Thoughts Press; and Patricia Nell Warren, Wildcat International. The weekend will start off on Friday, May 7th with a series of master classes on topics from “The Role of the Editor” with Nick Street of Alyson Books to “Finding Your Hero’s Voice” with Christopher Rice. Michelle Tea will talk about “Writing Your Life,” and there will also be workshops facilitated by Felice Picano, Val McDermid, Jess Wells, Karin Kallmaker, Ann Bannon, and Bob Smith. The opening party of the weekend is a Friday night reception in that hot spot of Bourbon Street, Ambush Mag headquarters. A special part of the weekend will be a chance to attend an intimate dinner party with a featured author such as Christopher Rice, Michelle Tea, Ann Bannnon, Bob Smith, Val McDermid, Felice Picano, Mark Doty, Katherine Vv. Forrest, and Jewelle Gomez. The dinners will take place in the elegant homes of some of New Orleans most renowned hosts. Saturday, May 8th kicks off with panel discussions and a reading series. There will be something for everyone with topics ranging from “what is good editing” to “writing as activism.” There will also be panel discussions on a herstory of lesbian publishing, writing responsible erotica, and queer poetry/queer history. The saints can take an early night on Saturday, but for the sinners there will be an erotica reading hosted by Bob Smith at Chris Owen’s infamous club on Bourbon Street. Sunday continues with the panel discussions and the reading series. And the weekend ends with a closing reception upstairs at the Bourbon Pub with the newest members of the Saints and Sinners “Literary Saints” being recognized. Our first annual inductees were Dorothy Allison, Patricia Nell Warren, Katherine V. Forrest, and Felice Picano. The festival hopes to accomplish two things. One is to raise funds for NO/AIDS Task Force and its programs and services. But the festival will also serve as a community awareness forum, something to show another side of the GLBT community other than the one shown at party times like Mardi Gras or Southern Decadence. While there must be many facets to HIV prevention efforts, one way is to give the community social outlets other than ones that seem to place emphasis on drugs, alcohol and sex, as well as role models of talented and accomplished gay men, lesbians and straight people who are open minded and supportive for young people struggling with their sexual identity and needing affirmation for who they are and who they might become. The festival will take place in the heart of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, using O’Flaherty’s Irish Channel Pub as Festival headquarters where there will be readings, panels, and a bookfair. Other venues will be within easy walking distance. Visit the Festival web site at www.sasfest.com for a complete schedule of events, list of participants, and registration forms. For additional information or to register by phone, contact Tina Simon at 504-821-2601 x 217 or funddevelop2@noaidstaskforce.org. —30—
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O'Flaherty's is
located at 514 Toulouse St. 
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