Author Talks: I Hope You Know How F*n Cool You Are
April 7, 2026
Tony Fletcher’s books
April is National Poetry Month — and it’s a good month to celebrate authors of all types! Today my Ventura College students are sharing presentations about the Book Clubs they’ve been a part of since March, and I thought I’d start by sharing some news from one of our frequent book club authors, Tony Fletcher. Students often choose to read his memoir Boy About Town which is about his early teen years growing up just outside of London and coming in by train for music — and soccer matches. Coming soon is the followup to his memoir where he recounts what happened next; I’ve seen the cover and WOW! More about the new book soon.
Fletcher’s Dear Boys
His interactions with the London music scene led to Tony’s career as a music journalist; his 1998 book about Kieth Moon has been continuously in print for almost 30 years and is about to be reissued. Tony is also a musician, and the new single from “The Dear Boys” — “I Hope You Know How Fucking Cool You Are”– is having significant success due to its catchy beat and lyrics and certainly assisted by this memorable video.
Tony has spoken to students at Ventura College several times in person (and once via ZOOM) during Earth Day one year and during the Diversity in Culture Festival other years.
This year’s Festival has several authors in attendance including a student Poetry Slam and comic book and graphic artist Henry Barjas who will be at VC on Thursday, April 9th, from 11:30 am—12:45 pm in ASC 150. Henry’s comic book on Dolores Huerta, which he wrote for the New York Department of Education as part of their Civics For All Comics Group, actually opens at Ventura College.
According to organizer David Carlander, Henry’s latest project, Death to Pachuco, is a noir tale set in Los Angeles that takes place during the Zoot Suit Riots and the Sleepy Lagoon Murder. On April 9, Henry and David will talk “noir, history, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and what it’s like to earn a living in comics. Henry’s always great for a memorable and engaging conversation, so please consider dropping by. And, if things work out as planned, Henry will have some of his books available for purchase following our chat. Great time to pick up a book and support a local author!”
Instead of going to regular class that day, my students will drop off their papers and be free to attend events or otherwise participate, and they will write a note about what they did and learned. I’m using the time to meet with students in individual conferences.
What good books are you reading right now? What fun events are you attending this spring?
PS Guess who was just elected a co-chair of the English Department? That’s write– the Art Predator Gwendolyn Alley! And guess who was voted in as a finalist in this year’s Wine Travel Awards? Yep! Art Predator aka Wine Predator! Read more here.
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