Well-known author kicks off fiction festival

Gets wicked for good cause

Jamaica Plain residents are in for a treat as Gregory Maguire, the author of “Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister” and “Son of a Witch,” will be signing books and conducting a reading at Sweet Christopher’s Dessert Café at 601 Centre Street on Sat., July 14.

Maguire’s appearance will kick off the Boston Fiction Festival, scheduled for three Saturday evenings this summer¬—July 14, July 28 and August 11. The Festival will run from 6 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. each night at Sweet Christopher’s.

Maguire’s appearance at 4 p.m. on July 14 will have a real neighborhood feel. The Boston Fiction Festival, organized by Roslindale resident Armand Inezian, provided the impetus. Sweet Christopher’s is playing host, and Rhythm and Muse Books is providing copies of Maguire’s books. Maguire will autograph books until about 5:30 p.m. when he will do a short reading.

Fans should expect to reserve tickets, which are free, by contacting Rhythm and Muse Books at 740 Centre St. or by calling the store at 524-6622. Readers may bring their own copies of Maguire’s books for him to sign, or they may buy a copy from local bookseller David Doyle of Rhythm and Muse.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from sales of Maguire’s books will be donated to The Sharing Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to meet the physical, emotional, educational and medical needs of orphaned and seriously disadvantaged children in Cambodia. The founder of the foundation, Dr. Nancy Hendrie, will be in attendance to answer questions.

Maguire’s interest in the event is personal as well as professional, as both he and Ben Lem, the owner of Sweet Christopher’s, have adopted children and both actively do charitable work on behalf of orphaned and disadvantaged children in Cambodia and elsewhere.

“I’m delighted that Gregory could do this. I think it’s a great chance for people to come out, have a nice time and show support for the important work conducted by The Sharing Foundation,” said Lem.

At about 6 p.m., after Maguire reads, the Boston Fiction Festival will begin with original short fiction presentations by Jaimee Wriston Colbert, William Orem and Michael Reitema.

Tickets for the Boston Fiction Festival are $7 per person per night and may be purchased by using Paypal at www.fictionfest.com. Buyers will receive an e-mail confirmation, and paper tickets will be sent by regular mail.

Tickets (if available) may also be purchased at the door. They do not include food or drinks which may be purchased separately at Sweet Christopher’s.

From press materials.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *