VOTM: What's the most unusual experience you've ever had at a reading?
SAMPSELL:The most unusual—and spectacular—reading experience I’ve had was just a couple of weeks ago when I read from A Common Pornography at Powell’s. There were 200 people in the audience and I was so moved by the show of support and by the awesome introduction by my dear friend Frances that I got all choked up. Not once, but three times, during the reading and Q&A.
At the end, I invited my girlfriend, Frayn Masters, to stand next to me and I told the audience that ACP was the main reason that we were together. About 7 years ago, she had read excerpts of the book on the McSweeney’s website and sent me an email about them. Romance bloomed and a year later we were together.
After I told this story, I then dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. People in the audience—many of them friends—were crying and cheering us on. She said yes. It was a night I’ll always remember.
Come see Kevin read on Thursday, April 8 at the Mercury Cafe in Denver Colorado at 7pm.
