2nd Anniversary of the Poison Pen Reading Series

The 2nd Anniversary of the Poison Pen Reading Series features a longtime listener, first-time reader. Scott Repass emcees the monthly literary installment, which is hosted at Poison Girl, the bar he co-owns. But when he's not running the bar, he's writing.

"I'm working on a novel, but who isn't?" he says, and adds he prefers short stories because they pair better with his patience. "I have a really short attention span. I get up for coffee or something every three minutes. I write like five words at a time and then stop."

For today's reading, he'll share a short story inspired by an experience in New Orleans. "It's a true story about a mime and a clown who almost get in a fistfight in the French Quarter," says Repass. "I chose it because it has a lot of cussing in it and it's really short."

Repass's need to be on and off the mike quickly isn't surprising, considering how it took the Poison Pen crew two years to convince him to read at the event. "I didn't want it to be a vanity thing - it's like hanging your own art in your own gallery," he says. Repass will read before Matthew Zapruder, author of The Pajamaist, American Linden and co-editor of State of the Union. Houston-based fiction writer Irene Keliher also appears. 8:30 p.m. 1641 Westheimer. For information, call 713-527-9929 or visit www.myspace.com/poisongirlbar. Free
Thu., Sept. 25, 8:30 p.m., 2008