The evening's star was author and University of Pittsburgh professor Gary Lutz, whose live interview with Believer editor Ross Simonini had the otherwise reserved listeners in stitches.
"He was exactly what I expected him to be in person, based on our emails and secondhand encounters through friends, " said Mr. Simonini, smiling and refusing to elaborate.
Ross Simonini, who interviewed Mr. Lutz at the event, had conducted an email interview with Mr. Lutz throughout the summer of 2006 but had only met him in person five minutes before their interview.