Dearest pen pals, 95 degrees or not, Blue Stoop's summer semester is coming to an end. But there are still a few ways to get involved this week: - Purchase a $2 raffle ticket (or several!) and you could win literary coaching sessions, sticker packs, a bookplate signed by Carmen Maria Machado, or a signed copy of one of these books: The Days of Afrekete (Asali Solomon), Long Bright River (Liz Moore), Housemates (Emma Copley Eisenberg), We Both Laughed in Pleasure (Zach Ozma and Ellis Martin), Summonings (Raena Shirali), The School for Good Mothers (Jessamine Chan), The Stone Home (Crystal Hana Kim), Devil is Fine (John Vercher), and True Biz (Sara Nović).
A confession: We made a mistake when we first added raffle tickets to the website, and Squarespace didn't allow people to purchase more than one ticket. This problem has since been fixed, and you are now able to buy as many raffle tickets as you want. May the odds be… something something, Hunger Games reference, something something.
- Join us on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube for a live raffle drawing on Thursday, 8/29, 5:00-6:00pm ET. Taylor and I will make it worth your while, with bonus prizes and a top secret mascot reveal. Think Gritty, but make it Dollar Tree. This is a really prime opportunity to watch us get very silly.
- Got FOMO? You can [insert Cher voice] “turn back time” with our pre-recorded summer sessions, starting at just $10. Learn about writing compelling stories with static settings with Carmen Maria Machado. Reclaim those pesky digital traces with Neil Bardhan. Dive into the world of lit mags with Andrea A. Firth. Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the curation of Lou Sullivan's diaries with Zach Ozma. I could keep going, but you should really just browse the whole store.
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Speaking of turning back time: Over the last three months, we delivered 20 classes on the art and business of writing, 10 drop-in Creative Coworking sessions, and fundraised to support our leadership transition. We also launched applications for our new Jennifer Weiner Fellowship program, receiving nearly 1000 applications from emerging writers, as well as proposals for our fall classes, which garnered 4x the typical level of interest. The gap between semesters is a critical time for us. Because grant-making is a slow process, we are currently relying on revenue from classes to keep the lights on. Individual fundraising is also an important part of the equation. We had aimed to raise $20,000, and got nearly halfway there — $9,124. The goal was admittedly… optimistic. But with your help, we can still hit $10,000 over the next few weeks. To close this gap, we'll need $876, which works out to roughly $30 from 29 donors. Are you one of those 29 people? If so, click the link below to get started. Can't do $30? Any amount helps! |
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In solidarity, Julian Shendelman
Co-Director P.S. Looking for literary fun this week? Be sure to check out our community calendar and resource pages. |
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- Thursday, 8/29, 5:00-6:00pm ET: LIVE RAFFLE EVENT! Tune in as we announce the winners of all the exciting prizes including signed books, coaching sessions, stickers, and more. Enter the fundraiser raffles here. FYI, Creative Coworking will resume the following week.
- Friday, 8/30, 11:59pm ET: Working on a novel and looking for feedback? We have partnered with Molly's Bookstore and The Literature Department at the Philadelphia Free Library to curate the fall series of Novels in Progress. Learn more and apply here by the end of the day on 8/30.
- Rolling submissions: We are seeking proposals for Thursdays on the Stoop, a longstanding series of free, virtual workshops for and by our community. Topics range from poetic forms to journaling prompts, performance skills, and more. No formal teaching experience required! We'll start booking these workshops on a rolling basis over the next few weeks, so get your applications in as soon as possible for the best chance at selection.
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Advertise with us: Got an event, organization, business, or book to promote? Blue Stoop is now offering affordable ad space here and on our website. Barter is also available on a case-by-case basis. |
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BEYOND THE STOOP Here's a quick excerpt from our community calendar. If you've got an upcoming literary event, we invite you to add it to the page. It's free! |
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~~~~~ Event title You Can't Kill a Poet Palooza Start time 9/1/2024 5:00pm Location Pentridge Station, 5110-5120 Pentridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19143 Description A marathon poetry reading and dance party. 21+ Link Contact info https://www.instagram.com/youcantkillapoet/?hl=en Cost Free ~~~~~ Event title Book Launch: We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado, in conversation with Diana Rodriguez Wallach Start time 9/4/2024 7:00pm Location Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133 Description Join Julia de Burgos Bookstore on Wednesday, September 4 at 7pm to celebrate the launch of We Came To Welcome You with local author Vincent Tirado in conversation with Diana Rodriguez Wallach. We Came To Welcome You is spine-chilling psychological thriller about a multiracial lesbian couple who are thrilled to move into their dream home in a gated community–until strange things start happening and the pressure to assimilate becomes life or death. This event is free with a free on-site parking lot. RSVP recommended. Link Contact info shop@tallerpr.org Cost Free ~~~~~ Event title Book Launch: Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma, in conversation with Ali Hazelwood Start time 8/28/2024 5:00pm Location Barnes & Noble, Philadelphia Description Join Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on August 28, 2024 at 5 PM ET as we welcome local romance author NishaSharma for a discussion and signing to celebrate the release of MARRIAGE AND MASTI, the third and final installment in Sharma’s beloved Shakespeare-inspired rom-com trilogy. Nisha will be in conversation with Ali Hazelwood, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis. Link Contact info (267) 234-9790 Cost Purchase of one book by signing author |
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WANT MORE LOCAL EVENTS? Explore and contribute to our community calendar! |
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1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States |
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