Yesterday, we posted a contest in which we're giving away a copy of Matt Silady's "The Homeless Channel," a new graphic novel. Matt, a Berkeley resident, was both the writer and artist of this creative yet grounded fiction about the woman behind a 24-hour broadcast network devoted to covering the homeless. This Friday, the Isotope turns into party central (as it often does) to celebrate the book's launch, which anyone can attend.
We had a chance to ask Matt a few questions about his book his future plans:
1) Your book, 'The Homeless Channel,' obviously focuses on the problem of people living on the streets. What do you think about the measures being taken in the Bay Area to address the issue? (Not sure how familiar you are with "Care not Cash" over here in the city, but it's a very polarizing topic.) How are things looking over in your neck of the woods, in Berkeley?
I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to the issues surrounding homelessness. I am smart enough to know there are no easy answers to the problem and I think that's reflected in the book.
On both sides of the Bay, the issue is always going to be about money and the battle over who gets to decide how that money is best spent. Unfortunately, I think there's often more energy used up fighting for control of that power than on actually helping those in our communities who are really in need. I think that's what appealed to me about The Homeless Channel. The people starting the network decide to simply side-step the political system and get to work.
After the jump: What's with celebrities in fiction (Tegan and Sara?); and what's next on his agenda . . .
