What's Down with the Brown?

Brownscape Updates

Jessica Emerson

Right before Labor Day, I had the pleasure of accompanying singer/songwriter/author Stewart Lewis on the New England leg of his book tour, in an effort to publicize his newly released novel “Rockstarlet,” which tells the story of closeted rising music star Jackson Poole.

We stopped first at Now Voyager Bookstore in Provincetown, MA.  Since it was the night before “Carnival,” Provincetown’s annual celebration of gay life and culture, the streets were packed with potential customers.  When a lack of air conditioning and a grumpy bookseller forced Stewart and I into the streets, we took advantage of our surroundings by handing out fliers to the tourists who flocked the streets of P-Town.  We worked tirelessly throughout the evening, in between vodka martinis, and handed out innumerable flyers.  Although we did get slightly distracted by a Drag Poker game going on nearby…

Next stop was Symposium Books in Providence, RI. A slight monkey wrench worked its way into our plans when we were alerted only minutes before the book reading that the bookseller had not yet received its shipment of “Rockstarlet” novels, and had recently sold the last remaining store copy. A frantic search for “gently used” copies of the book ensued, but only three were located- one of which belonged to me, another to Stewart, and the third to Stewart’s mom! No matter though, because Stewart announced to the gathered Providence crowd that having a book reading without any books was “totally hot in Paris.”  Stewart and I rounded out the night by again drinking martinis and passing out flyers to local fans, and a blond drag queen who was on her way to a benefit nearby.

Last stop was Calamus Books in Boston, MA, home of the recently swept and humiliated Boston Red Sox.  After finding the world’s perfect (free) parking spot, Stewart entertained a crowd with readings from Rockstarlet and performances from his new CD The Chemical.  Luckily, the patrons at this bookstore were actually able to purchase Stewart’s novel, and we ended the night by (yes, again) drinking martinis, passing out more flyers, and visiting with some of my old college friends.

It was a heck of a book tour, and a wonderful trip…thanks to Stewart and his crew of friends and family who gladly put us up!  Don’t forget to visit www.amazon.com or www.stewartlewis.com to check out Stewart’s new book and CD!