Like many deserving cultural side products, the literary journal hasn’t fared well during the recession. Even the really good ones, like the University of Colorado Denver-sponsored Copper Nickel, have trouble attracting attention — let alone putting out a quality book — in these hard times. So what do you do? If you’re Copper Nickel editor Jake Adam York, you try new things to keep your publication afloat while opening your journal to new audiences. In York’s case, that meant throwing a Copper Nickel Double Feature Halloween Party and Fundraiser that’s nothing but good, literary fun and includes a free copy of Copper Nickel 12 in the price of admission.

“Usually when we put an issue together, we don’t decide on a theme,” York says. “But by coincidence, there are a lot of ghosts in the fall issue, so it seemed like a good opportunity to have a party that wasn’t necessarily unliterary, but that still had a connection to the journal.” Planned festivities include food, drink, a karaoke-style B-movie voiceover challenge in the spirit of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and a costume contest with cool prizes from Mod Livin’ given out to winners in such categories as Best Literary Character, Best Double Feature (costume incorporating more than one person) and Cheapest Costume, among others.

The jollity begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 10 at the Living Room, 1055 Broadway; tickets are $10, $5 for students with ID. Log on to www.copper-nickel.org for details.
Tue., Oct. 27, 6-10 p.m., 2009