Stephen King on Dorothy Parker

Stephen King has a beautiful essay in The Times today, titled "What Ails the Short Story" and he makes a reference to Dorothy Parker: "And this kind of reading isn’t real reading, the kind where you just can’t wait to find out what happens next (think “Youth,” by Joseph Conrad, or “Big Blonde,” by Dorothy Parker). It’s more like copping-a-feel reading. There’s something yucky about it."

King is the editor of "The Best American Short Stories 2007," and makes a case for why the art of short fiction is dying. He says, "What I want to start with is something that comes at me full-bore, like a big, hot meteor screaming down from the Kansas sky."

Both King and Parker share something in common: both won the O. Henry award, which is for the best short story of the year.

Labels: news

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Parkerfest 2007 Update

Parkerfest 2007 is Oct. 4-6 in New York. Plus, the Robert Benchley Society is going to join us again, which always adds an air of fun and mischief to the weekend. Don't miss out! The schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 4
Dorothy Parker Reading, Mo Pitkin’s House of Satisfaction, 9-11 p.m.
Titled “The Potable Dorothy Parker” and co-produced by Celia Bressack and Stephanie Sellars, this is the second year in a row that this unique ensemble has presented Mrs. Parker’s work in the East Village. The address is 34 Avenue A, admission is a suggested $5.

Friday, Oct. 5
Happy Hour at the Algonquin Hotel, 6-8 p.m.
Join the Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley societies for cocktails in the lobby of the Algonquin, 59 W. 44th Street. Make new friends or renew acquaintances with old ones.

Saturday, Oct. 6
Dorothy Parker-Robert Benchley Walking Tour, 11 a.m.
Meet in the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel for a 2-hour walk to the former haunts of the Vicious Circle, with many stops along the way of places associated with Parker and Benchley. A special tribute to the 85th anniversary of The Treasurer’s Report. Wear comfortable shoes. $15.

Lunch at the Round Table, 1:15 p.m.
Come to the Algonquin Hotel and soak in where the legends once roamed. We will have lunch at the Round Table (and if the crowd is too large, at the smaller satellite tables that are just as swell). Cash only, per person.

Immediately following lunch, if you are interested in the Parker or Benchley societies, meet the officers and directors of each.

Robert Benchley-Dorothy Parker Banquet, 6:30 p.m.
We will be in the private dining room of Pete’s Tavern, the historic literary landmark bar-restaurant in Gramercy Park. The Benchley Society awards its annual humor prizes. The event is a two-hour open bar plus dinner, $50 per person. Attire: 1920s-1930s, black tie optional, speakeasy era dress encouraged. Pete’s is on the corner of 18th Street and Irving Place. Seating is strictly limited, so you must RSVP to attend.

Dorothy Parker Bathtub Gin Ball, 10:00 p.m.
The big event of Parkerfest is always the party. The year, we are going to the oldest drinking establishment in Manhattan, The Bridge Café. It is right next to the Brooklyn Bridge in lower Manhattan, and has been around since 1794. The event is a two-hour open bar plus live entertainment, $50 per person. Attire: 1920s-1930s, black tie optional, speakeasy era dress encouraged. The Bridge Cafe is on 279 Water Street. Attendance is strictly limited, so you must RSVP to attend.


TO RSVP: YOU MUST EMAIL KEVIN (at) DOROTHYPARKER (dot) COM ASAP.

See info and photos from our past events here.

Labels: events

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 8:46 PM | Permalink | Comments