OTSP_JJA24_webBanner.jpg

Author: Rasheed Newson and Andrew Sean Greer in conversation

On the Same Page, Summer 2024
Wednesday, 8/14/2024
6:00 - 7:30
Koret Auditorium
Koret Lobby
Main Library
Address

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

Contact Telephone

Rasheed Newson discusses his groundbreaking page-turning novel, My Government Means to Kill Me, in conversation with Pulitzer-prize winning author Andrew Sean Greer. 

Newson’s My Government Means to Kill Me follows the journey of Earl "Trey" Singleton III, a young gay Black man who leaves his affluent family in Indianapolis to navigate 1980s New York City. Trey finds himself in a place of political and social reckoning, forming connections with figures like civil rights leader Bayard Rustin and facing off against his negligent landlord, Fred Trump. As Trey immerses in gay rights activism and directly involved with ACT UP, he grapples with the complexities of family and the realities of life and death. Through a blend of historical events and fictional narrative, Newson delivers a dynamic a Black Queer coming-of-age in 80s NYC set in the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic.

Newson is the author of the debut novel, My Government Means to Kill Me (Flatiron Books, 2022), a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice for 2022 and a finalist for the LAMBDA Literary Award for Gay Fiction. He is also a writer and co-executive producer of the hit television shows Bel-Air, The Chi and Narcos, along with his creative partner T.J. Brady. 

Born and raised in Indianapolis, he is the oldest of three children. He currently resides in Pasadena, California with his husband and two children. 

On Wed., Aug. 14, Newson with be in conversation with Andrew Sean Greer. 

Greer is the author of seven works of fiction, including the bestsellers his recent book, Less Is Lost, the follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize winning, Less. Greer has taught at a number of universities, including Stanford and the Iowa Writers Workshop. He was a New York Public Library Cullman Center Fellow, a judge for the National Book Award and a winner of the California Book Award and the New York Public Library Young Lions Award. He lives in San Francisco and Milan.  

Connect: 

Rasheed Newson – Website | Rasheed Newson – Instagram 

Andrew Sean Greer – Website | Andrew Sean Greer – Instagram 


Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

On The Same Page is a bimonthly city-wide read.

Summer Stride is the Library's annual summer learning, reading and exploration program for all ages and abilities. Read and learn with the Library all summer long.


This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.


Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.


Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.