Join Baltimore author K.M. Szpara and Christine Sciacca, Associate Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE, as they discuss Spzara’s newly released book First, Become Ashes and the shared themes of monsters, and magic as they appear in Szpara’s novel and the Walters collection. Following the talk, participants can join a breakout group to discuss themes in the book; reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation.

This program is a collaboration between the Walters Art Museum and the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

K.M. Szpara is a queer and trans author who lives in Baltimore, MD, with a tiny dog. He is the author of the novel Docile and "Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time," a Hugo and Nebula nominated novelette about a gay trans man who's bitten by a vampire. More of his fiction can be found in venues such as Uncanny, Lightspeed, and Shimmer. You can find himme on Twitter at @KMSzpara.

Content Warning: First, Become Ashes contains explicit sadomasochism and sexual content, as well as abuse and consent violations, including rape.

Learn more about First, Become Ashes and purchase your copy from the Ivy Bookstore here.

ASL interpretation will be available for attendees.

Writers LIVE programs are supported in part by a bequest from The Miss Howard Hubbard Adult Programming Fund.

Dial-In Information

Listen to the conversation on the Walters Art Museum and Enoch Pratt Free Library Facebook pages.

Listen to the 6pm-6:45pm conversation between K.M. Szpara and Christine Sciacca on the Walters Art Museum and Enoch Pratt Free Library Facebook pages and the Walters Art Museum YouTube page. Direct links to come.

Join the Q&A and breakout discussions 6:45pm-7:30pm in Zoom Meeting after the conversation. Login information below:

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