larkin-1.gifI first met the wonderful Alison Larkin at an adoption conference, many years ago. She was doing a solo performance of her one-woman show, “The English American.” It just blew me away. It was hilariously funny but also contained so many poignant and spot-on truths about adoption, reunion, and life. I sought her out after the show and we became friends on the spot. When you read what her book is about, it’s no surprise why:

Springing from her internationally acclaimed semi-autobiographical one-woman show, in her first novel, Anglo-American comedienne Alison Larkin draws further from her experiences as an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents– and a new homeland-in the United States and weaves them into a hilarious, poignant, compulsively readable work of fiction.

“Compulsively readable” is right. I couldn’t put it down.

So of course I’m encouraging you all to buy her book. But not just that! Alison generously offered, when her book was first published, to do a benefit event for Pact, because she’s just that kind of person. That event is going to take place on Sunday, March 30th. Not only is Alison going to read from the novel, she’s also going to do stand-up comedy and a bit of theater too.

prec_353x197.jpgWe’re also! opening the event with a mini-film festival, with sneak previews of two amazingly powerful films about transracial adoption. Deann Borshay Liem, the filmmaker who made the award-winning First Person Plural, will show a clip of her new film, Precious Objects of Desire. We will also be showing a preview of Adopted: The New American Family, by Point Made Films. I’ve seen them both, and they are excellent.

I hope to see a lot of people at this event. Tickets are selling at quite a clip, so I encourage people to buy tickets online. And even if you can’t come, you can purchase a signed novel, which will also benefit Pact. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and $75 for VIP entry (includes: a personally signed copy of the novel, preferred seating, and an intimate wine and food reception with Alison following the event). Spread the word to anyone who is interested in adoption, likes a great read, likes to laugh and likes to think. In other words, everyone. Here’s a little listen, to whet your appetite. And here’s a little peek.

For any blog readers who do not live in the SF Bay Area, there are lots of opportunities to catch Alison all around the country. She’s going to be a very busy person. (I’ll be at her Powell’s reading in Portland on the 28th, too!)