Local author Julia Claiborne Johnson, speaking about her hot new debut novel, “Be Frank with Me,” will be at Chevalier’s Books on Wednesday night at 7pm, along with friends and fellow debut novelists Steven Rowley and Kemper Donovan.
Johnson has planned a fun evening for local book lovers.  Delighted not to be speaking alone, she has corralled two charming and hilarious friends, Steven Rowley and Kemper Donovan, also debut novelists, to talk about their common experience as first-time published authors and to read from their funny and big-hearted new novels: Rowley’s “Lily and the Octopus,” Johnson’s “Be Frank With Me” and Donovan’s “The Decent Proposal.”  The evening will feature cookies by Coco, Johnson’s daughter,  and something Johnson’s calling “M&M shots.” “It could get rowdy,” she warned us wryly.Â
Joining Johnson is fellow neighbor Steven Rowley who has written a story of a man whose dog’s cancer takes the form of an evil, talking octopus.
“Lily and the Octopus” is strange and hilarious. Like a “The Year of Magical Thinking” for dog lovers, “Lily and the Octopus” is a profound reflection on our connection to those around us, human or animal,” according to Chevalier’s experts.  Steven Rowley has worked as a freelance writer, newspaper columnist, and screenwriter. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College. Rowley also lives in the neighborhood with his dog and boyfriend.
Kemper Donovan’s “The Decent Proposal” is a humorous, heartfelt love story built 
on a tantalizing premise: would you agree to spend two hours a week with a stranger—just talking—to collect half a million dollars at the end of a year?
Donovan lives in Santa Monica. He’s a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he worked at the literary management company Circle of Confusion for a decade, representing screenwriters and comic books.
Festivities start at 7 pm.
Chevalier’s Books
126 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
323-465-1334
Open Daily: 10am – 6pm
