Email Author Karen Zuercher

2004 Stories by Karen Zuercher

• The Pub in Publishing

  published December 22, 2004

  A large woman in a miniskirted Santa suit perches on a barstool in front of me, drink in hand. Other Santas in various states of debauchery and... More >>

• Outward Bound

  published November 24, 2004

  The initial effect is subtle. Walk into the Mission District's Adobe Book Shop on 16th Street, normally a cramped, slightly musty store crammed... More >>

• Cut-Up

  published October 27, 2004

  One of the first lessons we learn as kids when borrowing books from the library is don't fuck them up. Don't write in them, don't put stickers on... More >>

• Heavy Traffic

  published September 29, 2004

  Let's face it: Poetry readings can be deadly. Sometimes they're full of energy and spirit and riveting language, but more often than not, they're... More >>

• Lookers

  published August 25, 2004

  Have you ever bought a book for the sole purpose of displaying it on a table? Neither have I. The concept of "coffee-table" books is, to me,... More >>

• Native Speaker

  published July 28, 2004

  English is my first, last, and only language. I don't say this proudly, and it's not for lack of trying. I took Spanish in high school and... More >>

• Come Together

  published June 30, 2004

  "Envy can be blinding to your art." This was Po Bronson, author of four books, speaking at a panel discussion last week celebrating the 10-year... More >>

• Now Hear This

  published May 26, 2004

  Being read to has got to be one of the prime pleasures in life. There are few things more soothing than sitting back with your eyes closed and... More >>

• What Is Normal?

  published April 28, 2004

  The kinky photographer is in the kitchen washing the breakfast dishes when I arrive. (He'd made a smoothie, because his nutritionist had told him... More >>

• Funny Business

  published April 14, 2004

  "Finally!" was my first thought when I heard that this year's San Francisco International Film Festival would include a special emphasis on... More >>

• Zine Stealers

  published February 25, 2004

  Standing outside the Alternative Press Expo on Feb. 21, I struck up a conversation with V. Vale, the founder of RE/Search, an alternative... More >>

• Sticking Point

  published January 28, 2004

  I had every intention of writing this column earlier. Really, I did. But there was so much work to do, and the home office needed cleaning (who... More >>