Exclusive: The Rumpus Launch Party

Despite the Arctic chill and recessionary budgets, more than 300 New Yorkers attended the launch party for The Rumpus–a star-studded event with a $20 ticket. Founded by author Stephen Elliott, the brand new literary web magazine has enlisted a crack team of writers.

A number of literary figures performed at the party, including James Frey, Andrew Sean Greer, Jonathan Ames, and Starlee Kine. Comedy was provided by Kristen Schaal from the Flight of the Conchords and Michael Showalter. Music was provided by Will Sheff from Okkervill River and Timothy Bracy of The Mendoza Line.

In this exclusive video, GalleyCat recorded the highlights and caught up with Elliott, Greer, and the site’s book editor, Andrew Altschul. Just like The Huffington Post and many literary journals, The Rumpus contributors are unpaid.

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