Welcome to Electric Literature’s Reddest, Deadest Party Ever

Photos from the Masquerade of the Red Death, Brooklyn’s spookiest literary party

After darkness fell on October 25th, New York’s most distinguished literati donned red and black masks for a night of revelry and fright. At Littlefield in Brooklyn beneath the (almost) full moon, novelists, bibliophiles, and editors alike bathed in the sanguine glow of disco lights, sipping themed cocktails and dancing the night away. At the end of the evening, attendees brought home “Read More Women” tote bags bursting at the seams with free books. Here are some of our favorite snapshots from photographer Andrew Janke and the uber-festive photo booth.

A Party to Die For

What do you think writers Scott Cheshire and Jason Porter are so animatedly debating here? A. The merits of new Southern Gothic. B. Which recent Hollywood adaptation of a beloved pop novel reigns supreme (the answer is Netflix’s Haunting of Hill House, but get back to us when Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk comes out) OR C. How many Sloe Death Negronis is too many Sloe Death Negronis.

The specialty cocktail of the evening, a Sloe Death Negroni, courtesy of our beverage partners at Sipsmith London. Verdict? Absolutely to die for.

Our effervescent executive director Halimah Marcus revealing the winners of the raffle! Eight lucky devils took home coveted tote bags brimming with goodies from Alamo Drafthouse, Quirk Books, Catland, GrubStreet, Out of Print Tees, and The Nib. Prizes included movie tickets, enviable Poe accessories, and tarot cards.

Catherine LaSota of the LIC Reading Series and Andrew Lloyd-Jones of Liars’ League NYC flaunt their panache and valor like bona fide superheroes.

While the bartender brews bewitching concoctions behind them, Evan Ratliff of The Atavist and Samantha Henig of New York Times audio say, “Cheese and Die!” a la R.L. Stine. Samantha, please, the people must know, when will the next season of “Still Processing” premiere? We’re on the edge of our tombstones over here.

Helen Rosner of The New Yorker and Tim Willenken dazzled, all smiles and phantasmagoria, in the crepuscular half-light.

Oh, and about the disagreement earlier — do not fear! Scott and Jason seem to have made up after their riveting debate. I imagine they found common ground in the James Baldwin/Barry Jenkins intergenerational collab. Now that’s a creative duo nobody can shudder at.

Best Dressed/Best Deathed

Some guests flashed their A-game attire to ward off evil demons. Here are some of our favorite lewks of the night.

All guests were issued a mask with ticket, but some people brought their own from home or, uh, sometimes from other events. Here, Emma Story rocks a bedazzled Sleep No More mask.

Hannah Tinti slays in a scarlet kimono replete with skulls and roses beside Libby Flores, who floors onlookers in a lacy corset.

Ask Jaya Saxena about the fringe benefits of being an Electric Lit contributor (sorry).

Electric Lit contributor Monique Laban rocks a fierce face veil (that is also an homage to Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer album cover).

We can’t believe Ariana Grande came to our little party! Bunnies get one negroni per ear, sorry, we don’t make the rules.

The dazzling Nina St. Pierre beams beneath this ornate headpiece.

Posthumous Photography

It seems there were equal parts tricks and treats in the photo booth.

Paul W. Morris and Libby Flores find glee amid the spine-chilling solemnity.

A beguiling coven! (From top left: Deirdre Coyle, Michael Seidlinger, Cecilia Corrigan, Megan DelBianco, Rae DelBianco, John Maher, Angeline Rodriguez, and Tiffany Kelly)

Amy Brill, Catherine LaSota, Yorick, and Marie Helene Bertino pucker up with a duo of dapper ravens.

Lit Hub makes an appearance. So does Didion; she always seems to sneak her way into spaces without announcing her presence.

Electric Lit’s resident astrologer Jeanna Kadlec (far right) along with (from left) Lilly Dancyger, EL contributor Deena ElGenaidi, and Nina St. Pierre.

EL movie columnist Manuel Betancourt (top), his husband, and their human son.

Electric Literature interns Frances Yackel and Hannah Seidlitz just really love their job.

The People Who Made It Possible

Thanks to our partners at Knopf and Grove and our friends at FSG and Catapult for stocking our book table with such a wonderful assortment of literary gems. Hope you snagged copies of your favorites from Tommy Orange, Eileen Myles, Ling Ma, and many more.

The whole Electric Literature team (top from left: executive director Halimah Marcus, associate editors Jo Lou and Erin Bartnett, marketing and membership manager Cristina Marcelo; bottom from left, editor-in-chief Jess Zimmerman, social media editor Brittany Allen, contributing editor Jenn Baker) had a ball, and adopted two new feathered friends! Edgar and… Allen.

Thank you to our sponsors and attendees for supporting us in our endeavor to make literature more exciting, relevant, and inclusive. We hope to see you next year!

To see all the photos from the evening, check out the full albums from Andrew Janke and the photo booth.

Welcome to Electric Literature’s Reddest, Deadest Party Ever was originally published in Electric Literature on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.