There was a light drizzle, surprisingly cold weather, lots of beer and a really obnoxious dog that was determined to be heard. Regardless of these obstacles, the readers who took the microphone at Antidote Coffee House triumphed.
The reading was part of the launch party held on Thursday evening by the folks at Glass Mountain, UH’s undergraduate literary journal. The recent issue is the journal’s eighth volume.
UH alumna Heather Pedoto read, in a very amusing voice, pieces from her love-oriented but hilariously sarcastic fiction, including a bit about a psychic named Cassandra who can’t seem to see what’s right in front of her and an awkward sex scene involving an apologetic human-eating alien.
Creative writing student Reyes Ramirez read from his published fiction and poetry. His prose was lyrical and insightful while still oozing with blunt humor.
UH students Tiffany Le, Elizabeth Davies, Nicola Smith and Aliah Lavonne JT also read from their respective pieces, which can all be found in Glass Mountain’s latest journal. The journal costs $5, which is an enormous steal for such whimsical writing.
Caleb E. Coats, who works for Glass Mountain, talked about what literary readings offer the community.
“The readings, to me, are really great in that they sort of echo literary tradition. Literature evolved out of oral recitations, and I think that all writing still has that sort of innate need to be spoken aloud,” Coats said. “The readings also offer a chance for writers, publications and the writing community in general to make connections and gain exposure.”
Thursday’s reading saw a diverse crowd. There were students, poets, and professors mingling together, including the journal’s faculty advisor Lynn Voskuil, creative writing professor Aaron Reynolds and Creative Writing Director J. Kastely in his snazzy beret.
After the reading some people left, but many stayed and congregated around Antidote’s patio.
“These are group gatherings where, many times, someone can meet another member of the community and forge a really important friendship or social connection,” Coats said.
Glass Mountain offers an opportunity for many aspiring undergraduate writers to do something that they love.
“Well, I really enjoy working for Glass Mountain because it allows me to participate in a literary community — not only as a writer, but also as an editorial voice,” Coats said.
“Plus, it’s just great to work with a bunch of people who take Star Wars trivia just as seriously as Walt Whitman.”
For more information on upcoming events, submissions or to purchase a copy of the journal, visit www.glassmountainmag.com/
