As one half of Everything But The Girl, Ben describes himself as "a sometime pop superstar, full time DJ-producer and occasional mogul". Patrick Neate, his partner in crime novels, is a prize-winning author, poet and so on.

What is the plot again? "Create a regular literary event in London that doesn't make sane people want to stab themselves with rusty cutlery. Hence the Book Slam recipe of novelists, poets, singer-songwriters and the like doing their thing in bite-sized canapés of taste punctuated by mujik and dlinking." I like the sound of mujik and dlinking.

Book Slam has attracted writers including Nick Hornby, Monica Ali, Hari Kunzru and Jake Arnott.

Thursday, 31/03/05
Book Slam @ Cherry Jam
58 Porchester Road, London, W2
Bookings on 020 7727 9950
Free before 8pm, then £5.

Guests this month include: -
- DJ, writer, founder of the legendary Blacktronica and all round renaissance dude, CHARLIE DARK
- One time New Puritan and booker-listed novelist MATT THORNE
- Griot genius CRISIS
- Soul princess and rising star NATALIE WILLIAMS
- Plus resident DJ ILS, playing recordes from ye olde schoole

No-brow literature and under-the-counter culture kicks off around 8.30 pm. There'll be words, music and prizes including T-shirts in several sizes.

Book Slam takes place @ Cherry Jam on the last Thursday of every month.
web: www.bookslam.com
email: info@bookslam.com