Marginalia

On 11 July, Et al. hosted the San Francisco launch of The President. Xander gave a reading, and then chatted about the novel with the fabulous SF-based speculative fiction writer and essayist Ploi Pirapokin.

We couldn’t have asked for a lovelier spot than Et al. for The President’s Californian inauguration. The high-ceilinged, white-walled gallery in the Mission has a lively calendar of readings, events, exhibitions etc. (Its bookshop has a terrific selection of mostly secondhand books¹, too.) For a list of folks who have spoken there (Xander is in truly great company!), as well as ways to support, check out its website.

1. As of this week, it also has three copies of The President available for purchase. ↩︎

The President is a globetrotting beast — set in Cape Town, written (mostly) in Skukuza, extensively revised in California and designed in Berlin. But, we’d argue that the book’s true “home” is arguably Johannesburg, where the first edition was printed and hand-bound by PULP Paperworks.

On 5 May, we hosted a little Jozi launch in PULP’s light and airy workspace.

The author was in conversation with GALA Queer Archive‘s Karin Tan. (Thanks for the lively convo, Karin!) As South Africa’s preeminent LGBT archive, GALA is doing vital (and vibrant) work with a publishing programme and a library that’s open to all.

PULP has copies of The President for sale; pop in to grab yours (and some stunning PULP stationery). Or order it from them online¹.

If you weren’t able to join our Joburg or Cape Town launches, no fear! We’re hosting a virtual launch from 5-6pm SAST on Saturday 14 June 2025.  Here‘s where you can register.

1. If you’re based in South Africa, that is. If you’re overseas, please contact us to arrange a copy to be posted to you. ↩︎

Looked on by Brett Murray’s print All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go (and the gigantic painting of Brett’s upon which the print was based), The President had its first-ever launch at Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa.