The Guardian's "Fiction '06" reception and reading

READING Dorothy Parker said it best when she proclaimed brevity to be "the soul of lingerie." Honestly, is there anything more provocative than, well, something that is barely there? The key here is barely, and each year the Guardian holds a short-fiction contest and encourages the Bay Area's finest writers to submit stories that are short in length but far from lacking in brilliance. This year's three winning authors — Alexandre Mas (first prize), Randall Osborne (second prize), and S.Y. Huff (third prize) — read from their work at a reception held in their honor at 826 Valencia and hosted by poet and literary impresario Sean Finney, whose recent book of poems, The Obedient Door, was published by Meritage Press. Join the Guardian, 826 Valencia, and three of the Bay Area's talented literary souls for a night of tantalizing terseness, plus refreshments provided by Café Arguello. Attendees will be entered into a drawing to win two seats at a writing seminar, courtesy of 826 Valencia. (Jenny Miyasaki)

826 VALENCIA Thurs/2, 7–9 p.m.

826 Valencia, SF. Free. (415) 642-5905, www.826valencia.org