Patti Smith revealed to Niteside that she is working on a sequel to her critically hailed memoir, "Just Kids," chronicling her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
"The people's response to the book gives me an impetus to publish more," Smith said Thursday night. "I’m working on a sequel [to 'Just Kids']. I've been working on a mystery novel for a couple of years, but I'm working on multiple books — smaller books, books of poetry. I think I'll spend most of 2011 writing."
Smith spoke to Niteside on the red carpet for the premiere of Gioachino Rossini's 1828 comic opera, "Le Comte Ory," at the Metropolitan Opera House.
She admitted she loves fashion but doesn't consider herself "exactly fashionable."
But the godmother of punk looked decidedly glamorous, dressed in an inky, velvet Yves Saint Laurent cape lined with delicate silk.
The YSL-sponsored gala and dinner reception attracted a consortium of A-list celebrities, from Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy to Lou Reed and Rufus Wainwright.
In addition to writing, the prolific singer-songwriter said she will also spend the immediate future dedicating her voice to bringing relief to disaster-struck Japan.
On March 29, she performs with Yoko Ono and Antony of Antony and the Johnsons at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge for a benefit show.
"I think just like Haiti or any of the countries that are struck by natural disaster ... people are going to need years and many, many benefits,” said Smith. “And not just money — we need to show we feel confident visiting and supporting the people, and make them not feel isolated.”
