Here's an event I'm really excited for. There's been much discussion of late about anti-heroes — and whether or not they've outlived their cultural usefulness. (Here's a good primer/argument on anti-hero fatigue from Margaret Lyons at Vulture, and here's a response/companion piece that I wrote for Entertainment Weekly.)

To semi-officially mark the publication of NEAR ENEMY back in January, I asked three super-smart people to talk about anti-heroes with me. Unfortunately, that initial panel got SNOWED OUT—by that vicious January snowstorm that never actually materialized. However, I am very pleased to announce the event has been rescheduled for Mon, Nov 9 at 7 PM at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe.

All three of the panelists need no introduction, but here's one anyway: Megan Abbott, award-winning novelist and all-around noir expert (of whom I am a publicly avowed fan); Emily Nussbaum, TV critic for the New Yorker (among many, many great pieces, here's her very convincing argument for the golden-age-of-TV-inclusion of SEX AND THE CITY) and A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times (here's one of my personal favorite essays of his, on the contemporary strain of screen villainy). Any three of whom would, in my humble opinion. be worth hearing on the topic all by their lonesomes, but at this event you can hear all three. Plus me. 

So come on out! It's free. No ticket required. (But RSVP is requested — see the link below.) All proceeds from book sales/beverage sales/general good-time-haved-ness go to benefit the very worthy Housing Works Cafe. Here's their description of the event:

From Tony Soprano to Tony Stark, from Sex in the City to Gone Girl, we live in a golden age of antiheroes—on the big screen, in books, and on TV. But has the antihero run its course—and if so, what could possibly replace it? Will we ever want to watch just-plain-heros again?

This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP via the Facebook link you'll find here. I hope to see you there!