Baltimore author K.M. Szpara’s new book First, Become Ashes tells a story of self-discovery after trauma and outgrowing abusive origins during the course of a road trip. Join Szpara and Christine Sciacca, Associate Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE, as they discuss the themes of monsters and magic that appear in Szpara’s novel and the Walters collection. Following the talk, program attendees can participate in a small group discussion about the book and ask the author questions.

Reading the book is not a prerequisite for participation. Content Warning: First, Become Ashes contains explicit sadomasochism and sexual content, as well as abuse and consent violations, including rape.

About the Author
K.M. Szpara is a queer and trans author who lives in Baltimore, MD, with a tiny dog. He is the author of the novel Docile and Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time, a Hugo and Nebula nominated novelette about a gay trans man who is bitten by a vampire. More of his fiction can be found in publications such as Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed, and Shimmer.

Art of Reading Book Club is a collaboration between the Walters Art Museum and the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Thursday Nights are supported by BGE.

Photo credit: Karen Osborne, 2018.