April showers bring May…book releases.  That’s right, homo-centric is planning an a-MAY-zing reading this month.  We’re ecstatic that Ryka Aoki has published her first book and we’re proud to be a part of—no, make that the center— of the Los Angeles book release party for the much talked about Seasonal Velocities.  What makes May even more special is Justin Huang, he of the I Am Yellow Peril blog (hot at the Huffington Post and adored by towleroad) joins in the Maypole celebration.  As if that weren’t enough, the passionate and talented journalist/poet Albert Serna is making his Los Angeles debut this month with us.  Not impressed yet?  Well, there’s always the possibility of Stories Books & Cafe having a mac & cheese special that night..(just sayin’). 


Ryka Aoki is a writer, performer, musician, and educator who appears in the documentaries “Diagnosing Difference” and “Riot Acts.”  Her work has been published in Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation, and Transfeminist Perspectives.  She has been honored by the Californian State Senate for her “extraordinary commitment to free speech and artistic expression, as well as the visibility and well-being of Transgender people.”  Ryka has an MFA in Creative Writing from Cornell University and a University Award from the Academy of American Poets.  she is a professor of English at Santa Monica College.


Justin Huang is a film editor, screenwriter, and personal trainer based in Echo Park, Los Angeles. He is second-generation Taiwanese American, born and raised in the Inland Empire. He studied English literature and writing at Pomona College and Oxford University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 2009. He writes the sociosexual blog I AM YELLOW PERIL, which is a transcript of the ongoing power struggle he has with his alter-ego, an evil manslut named Yellow Peril. His articles also appear on the Huffington Post, where he is one of the featured bloggers for the newly launched Gay Voices page. When he isn’t arguing with himself, he enjoys cooking while drinking, and is an accomplished go-go dancer within the confines of his own shower.

Albert Serna is 22 year old college journalist and poet who has been writing and telling stories since he was 5 years old. Growing up as the oldest of 6, he was put into a role of responsibility at a young age, and used to writing as a way to escape the stress that he felt during his childhood. His writings would be a place where he could escape fear, depression, joy, jealousy, and sorrow. After spending a year in Seattle, he returned to his hometown and dove head first into college journalism. He is currently editor in chief of the Mountaineer at Mt. SAC and plans on moving to New York one day.

It all begins at 7:30 May 17th at Stories Books in Echo Park.  This is Los Angeles in May so we’ll be outside on the back patio.  Please bring a jacket in case the Echo Parque noche es un poquito frio.  Stories is located at 1716 Sunset Blvd., between Le Moyne and Logan. Parking available in the lot behind the store on Le Moyne St.  Map here.

Make sure you come early to support the store and cafe!
We usually get there around 7pm to
* Order a coffee or tea and have a sandwich!
* Hang out and meet other writers.
* Wander the aisles and buy a book.

Remember that we depend on the word of mouth - so tell a friend, and bring two or three! See you there!