East Side Oral is always looking for talent, fresh, old, or in between. We're looking for writers who know how to find humor amidst the pathos. ESO usually considers memoir and fiction, but we're also game for magazine articles, monologues, bits of screenplays, and poetry as long as it's humorous and not too ethereal. If your writing comes from the heart and is well-crafted (no first drafts please!), then send it on over.

If you're a writer or musician who wants to read or play on the East Side Oral stage, here's what you need to do:

Email Elise a Word attachment at eastsideoral@yahoo.com. Your piece shouldn't take longer than 15-20 minutes to read aloud. Please include a brief bio and tell Elise how you heard about the series.

You can mail Elise your CD at:

East Side Oral C/O Elise Miller
641 41st Street #2A
Brooklyn, NY 11232

East Side Oral is the only reading series I know that pays its performers, in cold hard cash. How do we do this? Toward the end of every ESO, we pass around a tip bucket, something The Living Room has done for years when bands play. After the money’s been collected, I split it evenly among all the performers. Usually it’s not much more than the price of a burrito, but hey! We’re being paid, and that’s what makes us professional. With that in mind, the more people you bring in, the more burritos you can buy.

1. Practice your piece put loud.
2. Spread the word! Invite your fans and friends and family.
3. Plan to arrive no later than 4:45 P.M.