Special event: Fiction Contest Party

Writing fiction is a solitary sort of art, often requiring hours alone at a secluded desk or lonely cafe table. So getting a room filled with such reclusive artists letting loose can be an unusual and unpredictably fun event – especially when we're in charge. In honor of Creative Loafing's latest Fiction Contest, we're throwing our eighth annual FICTION CONTEST PARTY and inviting contest winners, aspiring authors and admiring readers to join in the festivities Thurs., JAN. 8. Highland Bakery will provide refreshments, local band Night Moves Gold will play smooth party jams, and contest winners will read their stories. Don't forget a little cash, as co-sponsors Wordsmiths Books, Oxford Comics and Eyedeology will sell their worthy wares. Free. 7 p.m. Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 8. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.