Thursday, August 26, 2010
Announcing: One City One Story Selection
We at the Boston Book Festival have always been intrigued by the idea of an all-city read but wondered how we might involve the greatest number of people in such an undertaking. Finally we hit on the idea of selecting a short story and making it available to as many people as possible, free of charge. With generous assistance from the Goldhirsh Foundation our idea will become reality in the form of One City One Story.
After considering over 20 stories submitted by local authors, we chose a story by Tom Perrotta entitled The Smile on Happy Chang’s Face. The story first appeared in the literary journal Post Road and was subsequently included in Best American Short Stories. We thought that Tom’s story would appeal to many people as it deals with universal themes like family relationships. And it involves a baseball game.
Beginning on September 30 we will give away 30,000 bound copies of the story at libraries, community centers, subway stops, coffee shops and as many other places as we can. But if you don’t get one of the adorable, pocket sized bound stories, no worries-- it will be available as a pdf on our website both in English and in several other languages as well.
Please check our website on September 27th for a list of where you can pick up your copy of the story as well as a schedule of events and other ways you can participate. One City One Story will culminate with an opportunity to meet Tom Perrotta and participate in a large scale, moderated story group discussion at the Boston Book Festival on October 16 in Copley Square.
So look for The Smile on Happy Chang’s Face and share the experience.
One City One Story: Read. Think. Share.
Read the Boston Phoenix's article with quotes from Tom: Now It Can Be Told: Boston to Read Perrotta
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