This October I’ll be speaking and tabling at two major events:
- Sacramento’s 16th annual California Freethought Day Festival is happening this October 15 (Sunday), with a VIP donors party the night before (which I shall also attend). I’ll be tabling all day selling my whole catalog of books (and I might even have stock of my latest by then: The Scientist in the Early Roman Empire). And I’ll join a panel of authors on stage to discuss my work and other issues of the day. Full details here. Free to all. But donations welcome; and required to attend to donor party.
- Fresno’s 10th annual Heretic’s BBQ is happening this October 28th (Saturday). I’ll be tabling all day selling my whole catalog of books (and I might even have stock of my latest by then: The Scientist in the Early Roman Empire). And I’ll be speaking on how the invention of Jesus succeeded the same way other tabloid legends have, from Nedd Ludd to the Roswell Saucer. Full details here. Get your tickets here.
Come join us! Both events will be awesome. Here are some highlights of why…
Sacramento’s Freethought Day is always a marvel of booths and music and all the usual festival fare. But it will also be featuring David Smalley and a wide array of other speakers and artists, including: Sikivu Hutchinson (African-American Feminist Author), Larry Decker (ED of Secular Coalition for America), Jessica Xiao (Asian-American Feminist Author), Elizabeth Lagesse (Arrested for Protesting), David Tamayo (President of Hispanic American Freethinkers), Victor Harris (African-American Atheist Poet and Master Cheesecake Chef), Rebecca Hensler (Secular Grief Counseling Expert), Thomas Smith (Host of the Serious Inquiries Only Podcast), David Fitzgerald (Author of Many Fabulous & Entertaining Books), Candace Gorham (African-American Author, Founder of the Ebony Exodus Project), Elbe Spurling (The Renowned Artist of The Brick Bible & Beyond), and Melissa Pugh (Organizer for United CoR). And more. All free. You’ll find it all on the State Capitol grounds. And if you come early enough, there will be a free tour of the Capitol building itself.
Fresno’s Heretics BBQ is a fun and delicious event put on by The Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics. The theme this year is “Mythology” and the Tabloids. Ideal for the era of Fake News. It’s just $19. Less for members. Free for children (under 12). Get your tickets here. It’s all going on in the Independence B room at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District (808 4th Street, Clovis CA). Many will be tabling the event besides me. So you’ll get great food and meet a lot of interesting folks. My talk will be “Mythmaking Jesus: Yesterday’s Fake News Gave Us Today’s Religions.” People often ask, “Why make that up about Jesus?” Modern fake news provides a model that explains exactly that. I’ll discuss the structure of propaganda in mythmaking about Jesus, and its similarities with the current fake news epidemic. But it won’t just be me! Aron Ra and Bill Zuersher will be presenting as well. And we’ll be partying to the live tunes of Joey Fabian.
I’ll be making other appearances throughout California and beyond in October. I’ll announce those as their details get finalized. But these will be super fun. So definitely try to attend at least one of them! Register for the Sacramento festival here; for the Fresno festival here.
