Literary Death Match

Literary Death Match, now in 50 cities worldwide, was called “the most entertaining reading series ever” by the LA Times. The live show — hosted by LA Times “Face to Watch” Adrian Todd Zuniga — brings together four authors to read their most electric writing for seven minutes or less before a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readers, the judges take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary — in the categories of literary merit, performance and intangibles — then select their favorite to advance to the finals. The two finalists then compete in a vaguely literary competition to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.

Featuring local authors:

• Bill Roorbach, author of Flannery O’Connor Prize and O. Henry Prize winning novel Big Bend, and 7 others 
• Jessica Anthony, author of Chopsticks and The Convalescent
• Mira Ptacin, contributor to Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York
• Crash Barry, author of Sex, Drugs & Blueberries

JUDGES: 

• Literary Merit: Joshua Bodwell, writer & Executive Director of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance
• Performance: Sean Mewshaw, theater and film director 
• Intangibles: Chelsea DeLorme, writer + cofounder, 2 Degrees Portland