A Launch Party in Review
On Friday, October 25th, the Washington Square Review introduced its 44th issue to the world--and a packed house. Contributors Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Chase Berggrun, and Hannah Tinti not only shared their pieces from the new issue but also charmed us with some of their own readings. Even if you weren’t able to attend the launch party, you don’t have to feel like you weren’t there.
Managing Editor Alisson Wood and EIC Joanna Yas.
Washington Square staff getting the party started.
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, introduced by Kukuwa Ashun, is the author of the critically acclaimed story collection, Friday Black (Mariner Books, 2018), and the winner of PEN/Jen Stein Book Award. He was both charming and funny while blurring reality with his stories at the podium.
Adjei-Brenyah reading from his short story collection, Friday Black.
Chase Berggrun, introduced by Mallory Imler Powell, is the author of R E D, a collection of poetry (Bird, LLC, 2018) which revisits Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Her poetry has appeared in many places, including POETRY, Pinwheel, and Sixth Finch, and she is the poetry editor at Big Lucks. Her poem “Psalm 137.5” from Issue 44 can be read here.
Berggrun during her thoughtful and generous reading of a few extra poems.
Hannah Tinti, introduced by Charis Caputo, is the author of three books: Animal Crackers (Dial Press, 2005); The Good Thief (Dial Press, 2009); and The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley (Dial Press, 2017). While wearing a fabulous skeleton skirt, Tinti chose her selection based on a crowd poll. The “spooky trick-or-treating” option proved to be both more heart-breaking and humorous than anticipated.
Tinti reading from The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley.
After the reading, guests enjoyed a broad range of treats and drinks as they mingled and snapped a few polaroids for us. If you have yet to buy the newest issue, don’t worry! Just click on over here and we’ve got you covered.
Washington Square staff having some fun.