This April of 2012 I will be making three appearances in southern California. I will be talking about my new book Proving History at 7pm Monday night (April 23) in Ventura, for the Ventura Atheists (location requires joining their meetup group and RSVPing). I’ll be selling and signing copies of it there (I’ll have my other books on hand, too).
The preceding weekend (Saturday-Sunday, April 21-22) I’ll be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC (follow link for location and other details). I will be a featured author at the Atheists United table there (Why them? See below). My books will be sold the whole event long (until sold out), but I will also be there to sign books at some point (right now, my slot is looking like noon to 2pm on Saturday; if that changes I’ll update this blog, and post in the comments section). The booth is being shared in shifts by five or six authors all weekend. I might hang around some besides that, depends on if that’s practical, or if I get pulled away by other things. If you end up at the festival and I’m not at the booth you can always text me (determined fans can figure out where my number is) and ask whether I’m around.
And finally, the Friday night before that (April 20), Atheists United, who sponsored the grant that made Proving History possible, will be throwing a book launch party for me. This is invitation-only and hasn’t been officially announced anywhere; but if you want to attend, I’ve been authorized to issue invites, so you can contact me (see in comments below).
Any chance you’ll be coming through the Jonesboro, AR or Memphis area any time? I’d love to go to one of your book-signings, but I’m not sure how well-received you’d be in the Bible Belt. This area’s quite Protestant-heavy.
I’ve spoken in the Bible Belt before (Missouri, Alabama, Kansas, Florida). Indeed that’s often where the largest and most enthusiastic atheist audiences are found. The only thing that keeps me from it more is that no one flies me out there. Otherwise I’d love to see more of the region. Basically, if someone (or some group or alliance of groups) covers my costs and a modest honorarium, I’ll go pretty much anywhere to speak. Details here.
I would like for you to speak at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro next semester. I am contacting the Dept. of English & Philosophy and the Dept. of History to see how interested they are in hearing you speak and what topics they wish to hear about. Before I gather the money to send you here, I want to make sure enough people will show up so our time and money is not wasted.
Though this is a college town, fundamentalists are the majority, and many would view what you say as a personal attack on their beliefs. Only a handful here will admit to being Atheist for fear of social repercussions. No one wants to lose their friends, and if you don’t believe in God, it’s very hard to find employment here.
I will let you know what I find out. I’m also contacting the very small Atheist community here to get their input.
Katrina Mullet: I would like for you to speak at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro next semester.
I’d be delighted. All the info you need is on my website’s booking page.
Though this is a college town, fundamentalists are the majority, and many would view what you say as a personal attack on their beliefs. Only a handful here will admit to being Atheist for fear of social repercussions. No one wants to lose their friends, and if you don’t believe in God, it’s very hard to find employment here.
Note that I don’t have to speak on a confrontational topic. Although my mere presence will offend people, given my reputation (merely the existence of atheists is taken as so offensive it must be suppressed), even so, if it would help in any way I can do a neutral topic. One I love doing is my summary of ancient science (what they achieved and what sorts of things they were doing, very eye opening). I can also do “Making Ethics a Science” (describing the research program we could develop and what its starting assumptions would be and why) which is only offensive in that it doesn’t mention religion at all. Or if you actually want something more controversial (to garner press and attention, which will often put butts in seats), I’m game for that as well. Just saying you have options.
I’ve been authorized to expand the invite list. If you live in or near enough LA and want to attend the Friday night book launch party, email me, give me your name and say something about who you are (so you’re not completely anonymous), and I’ll get back to you with an address (reception will be 6pm to 9pm, Friday, April 20).
The Book Festival is at USC this year not UCLA. My bad. I’ve revised the original post; but anyone who missed that, be advised! (The originally linked website gives specifics of where and when, and again that’s here.)
You coming to the university is not likely. I’ve contacted the university and they are 100% NOT interested in you speaking. I thought the bible studies, philosophy or history departments would be interested, but they have been less than cooperative. They are all extremely religious and concerned your presence would upset their religious contributors.
Perhaps I can think of something else in the future. If I can get enough of a crowd that would want you here, I might be able to pull this off, but as of right now, I can’t justify sending you here if only 20-30 people will show up.
Indeed.
The book launch party this Friday was just publicly announced. If anyone wants to attend, details on how to RSVP and get the address are now provided here.