Hit the town, read a book

FOR far too long, Los Angeles -- the largest book-buying market in the country -- was stuck with an undeserved reputation as a cultural wasteland where nobody reads. It was a ludicrous put-down, given L.A.’s well-documented literary pedigree as home to a multitude of talents both native (Ray Bradbury, Charles Bukowski) and imported (F. Scott Fitzgerald, Evelyn Waugh, William Faulkner). But the truth can no longer be denied. L.A.’s lit scene continues to grow and thrive, powered by a battalion of independent bookstores, small presses, writing programs and blogs.

“People dismissed L.A. as a serious literary presence because it’s hard to pin down,” says Los Angeles Times Book Review editor David L. Ulin. “It doesn’t have a central, edifying sensibility here the way other cities do -- it has multitudes.” But there’s an upside to not being taken seriously, Ulin adds. “It allowed people to explore things they wouldn’t if a lot of people were paying attention.”

It has also produced a literary scene entirely unique to L.A., where the more homely book clubs of the ‘90s and glaring lights of bookstore events have morphed into a new twist on the literary salon -- club-like and often celeb-studded affairs. Like the ones organized by Wendy C. Ortiz and Andrea Quaid, Antioch alumni and producers of the Rhapsodomancy reading series, who hold bimonthly evenings at Hollywood’s Good Luck Bar. “Andrea and I were sitting in a restaurant talking about all the things we hated about author appearances in bookstores,” remembers Ortiz. “They’re overlit, they’re not comfortable, they’re so obviously geared toward moving units. We made a few attempts at holding salons in peoples’ houses, but it was always too hard for people to find parking. So we started fantasizing about having a reading series in a bar. We both lived near Good Luck at that time, and we loved the atmosphere, the jukebox, the character.”

On a recent Sunday night, an enthusiastic throng has crammed into the M Bar in Hollywood for another group’s literary event. WordTheatre features marquee-name actors reading the work of well-known writers. This particular evening’s theme was “Novel Beginnings,” and its lineup included actor James Franco (“Spider-Man 3”), reading a chapter from “Five Skies,” Ron Carlson’s first novel in 25 years.

“I first went to WordTheatre because I heard Tobias Wolff was going to be presenting one of his stories, and he’s one of my favorite writers,” says Franco, who is in UCLA’s MFA program for creative writing. “I met [artistic director] Cedering Fox at that reading, and she invited me to be part of the next one, which featured stories by Rick Moody. I love Moody’s writing, so it just snowballed from there. Now I’m on the board of directors,” he adds. “My responsibilities are mostly on the casting side, bringing other actors in. The rewards have definitely been greater than the effort.”

“People can get so disconnected here in L.A.,” says Fox of her motivation for starting WordTheatre. “Everyone’s in their car or on their BlackBerry. But great writing contains universal truths that can bring us back together and renew our sense of community.”

Community is a big buzzword at 826LA, the nonprofit franchise founded by Dave Eggers with the mission of turning elementary and high school students on to writing. A few weeks ago, about two dozen hipsterati swigged Tecates and milled about its newest center, an extremely raw storefront space on Sunset Boulevard, waiting for the inaugural event, dubbed “Inside Voices,” to start. Though the event had been described on 826LA’s website as a reading by some of the center’s volunteers, it also turned out to be a recruiting fair. “If any of you have any construction skills, like you know how to build a wall, we could really use you,” pleaded 826LA’s Mac Montandon. In addition to tutoring stations, the plans call for the construction of a time-travel-themed shop (its motto: “Wherever you go, we’re already then.”).

Also making their mark on L.A.’s literary landscape are Adam Parfrey and Jodi Wille, the husband-and-wife publishing team. The couple operate counterculture imprints Feral House and Process Media out of their home in the Silver Lake hills, where they also throw legendary literary salons, such as the recent one hosted for Feral House’s new book about a ‘70s cult, “The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, YaHoWha 13, and the Source Family.”

“We’ve had some amazing events here,” says Wille, who believes a big advantage to L.A. is its unending opportunities for exposure to different types of people -- eccentrics included. “A favorite memory is a salon we hosted for Mel Gordon, who passed Chinese aphrodisiacs with questionable ingredients out to everyone. But [the parties] started to get a little too crazy, with too many people we didn’t know coming through the house.”

“We don’t mind having strangers come over,” Parfrey adds, “just not a hundred of them.”

Hence, future happenings will be held at the Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax, which is managed by friends of the couple. “They’ll let us hang our art up on the walls,” Wille says. “It’s a great space, still feels intimate, but we’ll be able to introduce more people to great stuff we love.”

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Here’s the word

Vermin on the Mount

In a dark corner of Chinatown beats the uncouth heart of a bookish rodent. For the last three years Jim Ruland has hosted this bimonthly reading series, which brings together an irreverent crew of novelists, bloggers and punk rock poets. This month’s installment features authors Gustavo Arellano, Duncan Murrell, Mary Otis and Kevin Moffett. 8 p.m. Sunday and Jan. 13, Mountain, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. Free. (310) 617-2216; www.vermin.blogs.com.

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The Moth StorySLAM

The Los Angeles wing of the NYC-based storytelling extravaganza the Moth has branched off into StorySLAM, an audience-drawn whirlwind of stories evaluated by a panel of audience-member judges. StorySLAM winners later face off in the inevitable GrandSLAM championship round. Hosted by Brian Finkelstein, the November reading theme is “Family Ties”; the theme for December is “Gifts.” 7 p.m. Tuesday and Dec. 4, Tangier, 2138 Hillhurst Ave., L.A. $6. (212) 742-0551; www.themoth.org /storyslams.

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826LA Benefit

The Los Angeles outpost of the nonprofit literary center run by McSweeney’s editor Dave Eggers will be the subject of a benefit reading at this Fairfax supper club/cabaret. Punk scribe Lydia Lunch will be joined by friends for a reading the following evening. 8 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16, Largo, 432 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. $25. (323) 852-1073; www.826la.org.

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Tongue and Groove L.A.

Conrad Romo hosts this monthly series featuring short fiction, essays, poetry and spoken word by published and emerging authors. This next installment will include readings by Shawna Kenny, Chris Miller, Jillian Lauren, Dana Eagle and Iris Berry, plus musical guest Daniel Stessen. 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. $5. (323) 937-0136; www.tongueandgroovela.com.

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Rhapsodomancy Reading Series

Now in its third year, the bimonthly reading series founded by Wendy C. Ortiz and Andrea Quaid features four writers of varying disciplines -- while favoring the emerging, genre-bending and innovative out of the Los Angeles literary melange. This time around the lineup will include authors Maggie Nelson, Emily Rapp, Catherine Dupree and Maureen Alsop. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. $3 suggested donation. (213) 503-1729; www.rhapsodomancy.org.

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WordTheatre: The Women

Since 2003, Cedering Fox has produced and directed this literary salon featuring performances of literary works by authors who are also in attendance. Each show begins with a meal and is followed by a Q&A; and a book signing. “The Women” will include performances of the work of authors Aimee Bender, Dylan Landis, Holiday Reinhorn, Rachel Resnick, Ellen Slezak, Leelila Strogov, Diana Wagman and Deborah Vankin. 6 p.m. Jan. 13, M Bar and Restaurant, 1253 N. Vine St., Hollywood. $10 food minimum. (310) 915-5150; www.wordtheatre.com.