Eugene‑based podcaster Brendan O’Meara is set to host a live episode of The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with celebrated author and cultural commentator Chuck Klosterman on Saturday, Oct. 24. The conversation will take place at Gratitude Brewing, located at 540 E. Eighth Ave., and will begin at 1 p.m.
Local host, national author
O’Meara, who has produced more than 550 episodes of his long‑running show, says he knows when to step back and let a heavyweight guest shine. “He’s operating on a different level,” O’Meara told the Lookout. “His brain has a different kind of firepower — a different kind of horsepower — than mine. The worst thing you can do is try to go punch for punch with a heavyweight like him.”
Klosterman’s latest project
Klosterman, a Portland‑based writer known for his deep dives into pop culture, recently released Rock*, a speculative history that imagines what popular music might have looked like if Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground had achieved the same commercial success as The Beatles. O’Meara described the book as “fictional nonfiction,” noting that it asks readers to consider an alternate six‑decade music timeline. The project was initially slated for Penguin, but after the publisher passed, Da Capo issued the title in September.
What listeners can expect
The live recording will focus on the writing and publishing process, the inevitable rejections every author faces, and the day‑to‑day grind of creating a book. “It’s getting into that headspace of a very well‑established writer and how he’s dealing with some of the hiccups and the grind of writing and the rejection that we all deal with,” O’Meara said. He added that hearing a successful author discuss these challenges helps “normal people” see that even titans of the industry wrestle with the same obstacles.
Free admission, RSVP encouraged
Attendance is free, though the venue asks that interested participants RSVP in advance to help manage capacity. Gratitude Brewing will provide the space for the live taping, and audience members will have the opportunity to hear the dialogue and possibly submit questions during the session.
Why this matters to Eugene
Events like this highlight Eugene’s vibrant cultural scene, bringing nationally recognized talent to a local stage and offering residents a chance to engage directly with creators. The gathering also underscores the city’s support for independent media and the arts, aligning with the community’s long‑standing emphasis on creativity, faith, and family values.
For more information or to RSVP, visit the event page on the Lookout Eugene website.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
