Last Wednesday, May 28 Quattro Books had our second Spring 2014 Book Launch at District Oven in Toronto’s Little Italy. Over fifty literature enthusiasts including supportive friends, family, and fellow writers gathered to hear readings from first time novella-ists Alec Butler and Robert Shoub as well as a reading from poet Phlip Arima.
The evening began with an introduction from Quattro’s Luciano Iacobelli about the novella as an ideal outlet for interesting new perspectives and peculiar narratives. Alec Butler then read from his compelling first novella Rough Paradise about an Intersex teen struggling with self-discovery in a conservative small town. Butler claimed his novella was “a bitch to write” but that he is eager to continue working in the challenging format.
Robert Shoub followed Butler with a reading from his novella Look at Me, a bold and blunt satire about technology, violence, and the struggle of many contemporary youth with masculine identity. While introducing this highly topical book, Shoub reminded the audience of the recent horrific events in California with two haunting words: “Elliot Rodgers”.
Finally, Toronto poet Phlip Arima took the stage for a reading from his newest collection Pin Pricks, a work of “short, pithy, aphoristic” poems in the words of Quattro’s Allan Briesmaster. Arima’s unconventional poems had the audience both chuckling and pondering big issues as he outlined the expected reaction of a reader as: “Aw, that’s going to disturb the rest of my day.” The night, however, was enhanced rather than ruined by Arima’s spirited reading, and the small reception after was the perfect conclusion to an exciting night.
Quattro Books would like to thank its May authors for contributing to a successful evening of poetry and fiction as well as other Quattro Authors who came along to support the press on this special occasion. Thank you to the fantastic staff at District Oven and to everyone who assisted in making this event a success!
We look forward to seeing you at future Quattro events!
Be sure to visit our Facebook page to view photos from our Second Spring 2014 Launch.
