On Sunday, May 7, Joel L. Fletcher offers local readers a special signing opportunity for his book Ken & Thelma : The Story of A Confederacy of Dunces from 7 till 9 PM at FAB - FAUBOURG MARIGNY ART & BOOKS, 600 Frenchmen Street.

The author returns to 600 Frenchmen Street, the site of the former Faubourg Marigny Bookstore, where he joined Thelma Ducoing Toole and room full of her Faubourg Marigny neighbors for a signing of A Confederacy of Dunces shortly after it was finally published.

The author, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, was educated at Tulane and Stanford. He currently resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where is a partner in Fletcher/Copenhaver Fine Art, specializing in nineteenth and early twentieth century American and European fine art.

Ken & Thelma provides an insider's view of the tragic life story of the gifted but mysterious writer and his dominant mother. Joel Fletcher crafts a personal tale of his friendship with Ken Toole in the 1960's when Ken completed and tried to have his masterpiece published. He includes accounts of the submission and long review of his manuscript by Robert Gottlieb who ultimately rejected it. Then he turns to the story of the mother's classic perseverance that resulted in the publication of her son's work that earned him the Pulitzer Prize after his untimely suicide. Joel includes unique stories about his acquaintance, Bobby Byrne, the apparent inspiration for Ignatius Reilly, and other equally enlightening views and quotes from Ken and Thelma Toole's associates.

Join us after Jazz Fest in the evening for this reading/signing and tribute to Ken and Thelma. Take a trip to FAB in the heart of the Faubourg Marigny and enjoy a special outing of shopping, eating, drinking, music, art, books and great times with friends along funky Frenchmen Street. Come see New Orleans largest selection of GLBT books and art at FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books- celebrating its 28th year as one of New Orleans most unique neighborhood bookstores. FAB is open daily from Noon till 7 PM. Tel: 504.947.3700