This is the biggest room I’ve ever read to. Sure, I know most of the people were there to hear Dan Chaon and Michael Czyzniejewski. But still, it was cool.

The theme was Midwest Gothic, a reading/panel organized by Jodee Stanley and Brian Kornell.

The response was wonderful. I remember one guy saying, “How do I join this literary movement called Midwest Gothic?!”

I said, “Well, it’s not like there’s a sign up sheet or anything…”