In The Flesh Reading Series Ends After Five-Year Run; Finale and Party Set for Thursday, December 16

Online, December 2, 2010 (Newswire.com) - In The Flesh reading series concludes its five-year run at Happy Ending Lounge on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Readings begin at 7:30 p.m. with a party to promptly follow.

In The Flesh hostess Rachel Kramer Bussel will read from her latest book anthology. Featuring some of the country's best writers including Nancy Balbirer (Take Your Shirt Off and Cry), Kiri Blakeley (Can't Think Straight), Michele Carlo (Fish Out of Agua) and Stephen Markley (Publish This Book), famed letter writer Samara O'Shea (Note to Self, For the Love of Letters), Lambda Literary Award winner Rakesh Satyal (Blue Boy), romance novelist Kama Spice (Sehra's Honor) and The Marketplace series author Laura Antoniou, the authors are game to share their stories. A special exhibition from photographer and CulturePOP photocomix series creator Seth Kushner has been arranged. In addition, burlesque artists GiGi La Femme and Stormy Leather are scheduled to perform. Giveaways include 500 cupcakes from Baked by Melissa.

"After more than five years, amazing readers, countless cupcakes and unforgettable moments, it's time for one last hurrah," said award-winning author and In The Flesh reading series creator Rachel Kramer Bussel. "I'm excited to end this wonderful series, which has far exceeded my expectations and opened up new worlds for audiences, on a festive note."

Happy Ending is located at 302 Broome Street between Forsyth and Eldridge in New York City (phone: 212-334-9676; http://www.happyendinglounge.com/). This special event is free and open to the public (21+).

In The Flesh "by the numbers":
1 former massage parlor
62 readings held (every month from October 2005-December 2010)
301 readers
2 burlesque dance performances (GiGi La Femme and Stormy Leather)
1 boudoir photographer (Laura Boyd)
1 pastie twirling lesson (Jo Wheldon)
0 wardrobe malfunctions
Over 5,000 cupcakes eaten (October 2005-October 2010)
500+ "Likes"/Fans on Facebook
1,300+ followers on Twitter
1 stellar hostess

About the In The Flesh Reading Series:
Since its debut in October 2005, this monthly reading series (inthefleshreadingseries.com) has been held at the appropriately named Happy Ending Lounge in New York City's Lower East Side. Hosted and curated by acclaimed writer/editor Rachel Kramer Bussel (Passion, Fast Girls), In The Flesh features the country's best writers sharing stories to get you hot and bothered. Notable In The Flesh alumni include Julia Allison, Jonathan Ames, Susie Bright, Lily Burana, Jessica Cutler, Mike Daisey, Tracie Egan, Stephen Elliott, Gael Greene, HoneyB, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Jillian Lauren, Michael Musto, Amy Sohn, and Zane, along with over 200 others.

In The Flesh has received media attention from several outlets including the New York Times's UrbanEye, Daily Candy, Venus Zine, Flavorpill, The L Magazine, New York Magazine, Philadelphia City Paper, Gothamist, Nerve.com, New York Post, New York Observer, Time Out New York, Gawker and Jezebel.com. In The Flesh was named Best Reading Series of 2009 by New York Press and has been enthusiastically recommended by Dr. Ruth.

The final In The Flesh will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2010.

About Rachel Kramer Bussel:
Rachel Kramer Bussel (rachelkramerbussel.com) is a New York-based author, editor and blogger. She writes frequently about books, pop culture and relationships. She has edited over 30 award-winning anthologies.

Links:
Follow Rachel on Twitter: http://twitter.com/raquelita
Become a Facebook fan of Rachel: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Kramer-Bussel/122880675514
Subscribe to Rachel's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/rachelkramerbussel

Contacts:
For more information or interview requests:
Elsie Nwankwo, Publicist
[email protected]
+1-310-776-5494

For review copies of Rachel Kramer Bussel's recent book anthologies:
Brenda Knight, Cleis Press
[email protected]
+1-510-845-8000