826 CHICAGO

I've been a fan of David Sedaris' books. Now I'm a fan of him.

Last Friday, the Lone Ranger informed me via e-mail that Sedaris was going to be at the Barnes & Noble in Skokie that evening. I've never been one to attend book signings. But since I'll be doing them soon, I figured it was about time I learned what they're about. Since I was already a fan of Sedaris' books this seemed like a good time to change my ways and become one of those people who do attend book signings.

I'm glad I made that choice. The Sedaris signing was free and after being there I felt like I owed him something. Sedaris is just as fun to listen to as he is to read. So here's where I pay my debt to him.

Sedaris it turns out is not only entertaining, he's, somewhat surprisingly (or maybe not) a good person. He wasn't just at the B&N to sell his own books (although, judging by the number of people there holding stacks of his books, he sold plenty of them) he was there to pitch a book for which he wrote only the introduction. It's titled, Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules: An Anthology of Outstanding Short Stories. Sedaris also edited the collection and selected the stories he loves most. The collection features such notable writers as Alice Munro, Tobias Wolff, Lorrie Moore, and Joyce Carol Oates. 

So, you might reasonably be thinking, How does this make Sedaris a good person? Well, here's your answer. An epilogue by Sarah Vowell explains that the proceeds from this collection will go to 826NYC, a nonprofit tutoring program designed to help students learn to write, one of a string of programs being established across the country by the creative and enterprising group at McSweeney's.

Now, you might reasonably be wondering, What is 826? It is the brainchild of Dave Eggers, a wonderful writer and the founder of McSweeney's. It began in San Francisco, at 826 Valencia. Their mission is pure and simple, and that is to help students, ages 8-18, to develop their writing skills.

The 826 program has spread to Los Angeles and to New York City. And now it's coming to Chicago. But they need your help. I hope you'll do so, either by donating your time or your money. Give them that warm City of Big Shoulders welcome.

Now, where's that next book signing? I'm a convert.