Author Christopher Rice stops in at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse today to read from his new book, “The Moonlit Earth” at 7:30 p.m.
The novel tackles three dangerous subjects: wealth, family, and gay life in the Middle East. After his last novel about a closeted Marine’s death and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” elicited real-life death threats, Rice jokes, “This book is as close as I’ll ever get to Robert Ludlum.”
Rice credits Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon with keeping the store open despite the current economic climate and changes in LGBT bookselling and publishing.
“Outwrite is a powerhouse. Look at what’s happened to gay bookstores. We’ve gone from 150 to about 50 (in recent years),” he says. “Outwrite’s staying strong as an institution and not resting on its laurels. Philip’s aggressive, he’s really out there in the community, and stores like Outwrite and Giovanni’s Room in Philadelphia are stepping up to the challenge.”
Outwrite is located at 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309.