Tonight: Opium's Literary Death Match comes to L.A.

What is a literary death match? Why, it's when authors go head to head, live, in front a real live audience and a panel of judges, and compete to the death!

Or, you know, not death, exactly. But, like, really close. OK, not at all close.

Opium's Literary Death match series -- which has been alive and well in other cities -- comes to L.A. tonight at Cinespace in Hollywood. There are four writers in competition: Joshua Lyon (his memoir is "Pill Head"), Melinda Hill (from "What's Up Tiger Lily?" comedy show) Rich Ferguson (from TheNervousBreakdown.com) and Chris “Whitey” Erickson (representing Flatmancrooked).

The judges are litblogger Mark Sarvas (The Elegant Variation), Sarah Thyre (author of "Dark at the Roots" and actress from "Strangers With Candy") and comedienne Alison Becker (from Mayne Street). Opium magazine editor Todd Zuniga and Erin Hosier host.

What to expect? Lots of laughs, mostly, and critiques that may well draw blood. Doors open at 7:30p.m., show starts promptly at 8 p.m.; tickets are $10.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Image courtesy Opium Magazine

Comments

[Todd Zuniga]

I oculdn't be more excited for this. LDM goes to Hollywood!

[Stacy Hardey]

This was one of the most disappointing events I've ever been to in my life. It was ill-planned, overly-long, and just not entertaining. The hosts seemed to think they were funny when they were not, the judges seemed confused, and the competition was a disaster. Just thought others should know and, if LDM is reading this, please don't come back.