On Monday October 14th we proudly welcome San Francisco writer Fran Moreland Johns, reading from and discussing her new book "Perilous Times: An Inside Look at Abortion Before - and after- Roe V. Wade".

"Perilous Times" gives a unique perspective on the days of back-alley abortions-- one of which the author experienced in 1956 following what would today be known as workplace rape-- and includes contemporary stories that indicate those grim days are returning. It is written for lay readers, making a strong case for reproductive choice and a plea for informed dialogue. Author Fran Moreland Johns' comments on abortion rights have appeared recently in The New York Times and New Yorker magazine. Perilous Times expands on the issue through true stories of women and men whose lives have been impacted by unplanned pregnancies, and comments from leaders in the field of reproductive rights.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Fran Moreland Johns is the author of Dying Unafraid (Synergistic Press), a nonfiction book telling of people who did just that, and of essays, articles, columns and short stories published since the 1950s. Inspired by her personal experiences, Dying Unafraid led to other published work on end-of-life issues – including contributions to Beliefnet.com beginning with its initial issue – and activism in that field including offices on the board of Compassion & Choices of N.CA and the San Francisco Bay Area Network for End of Life Care. A native of Virginia who spent much of her adult life in Atlanta, she now lives in San Francisco where she is also active in interfaith and arts causes.

Until its purchase by Forbes in August, 2010, Johns wrote a paid blog, Boomers & Beyond, for news aggregate Web site True/Slant; she currently blogs on Open Salon, the Red Room authors’ site and elsewhere online.

A graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and long-time newspaper and magazine writer, Johns later earned her MFA in Short Fiction from the University of San Francisco and began publishing short stories, including prize-winning stories in Literal Latte and the Cape Fear Mystery Festival’s 2006 contest and chapbook. Her fiction and nonfiction works have appeared in USA Today, Grit, Parenting, online sites and elsewhere; an autobiographical feature will appear in the February, 2011 issue of More Magazine. She is the author of several nonfiction books, including the biographical memoir Never In Doubt, and recipient of a California Senior Leaders award.

The mother of three, Johns lives in San Francisco with her husband, writer Bud Johns.