A Mixer and Panel Discussion Featuring: John Vercher, Kristen Martin, Eshani Surya, Michael Ivory, Maya Afilalo, and Alexandra Naughton. Moderated by Taylor Townes and Julian Shendelman, Blue Stoop’s Co-Directors
The path from emerging novelist to published author can be winding and mysterious. In this lively panel discussion, writers at various stages of their careers will unpack the strategies, pitfalls, and surprises one might encounter on the way to literary “success,” however you define it. Attendees will witness the power of mentorship in real time, as early career writers get candid answers to key questions about the writing life from those who have made their journey. Before the panel discussion begins, attendees will have the chance to network and connect with other debut and seasoned writers; learn more about local resources, opportunities, and organizations; and enjoy a truly immersive literary experience. Books will be available for purchase.
Michael J. Ivory, Jr. is a Miami, FL native whose journeys have led him to Philadelphia. He explores the magic of Black folks in his work, and alchemizes his queer church boy upbringing into power for himself and others. His work can be read in Waterproof: Evidence of a Miami Worth Remembering and heard in the Audio-Anthology: Who We Are is Made, both published with O, Miami. You can also read his work with Duke and Iansá Magazine. Michael holds an MFA in Fiction from North Carolina State University and is currently writing his debut novel.
Maya Afilalo is a queer writer living in Philadelphia. The recipient of the 2022 James Hurst Prize for Fiction, her stories and essays appear in New Ohio Review, The Rumpus (Funny Women), Porter House Review, Bayou Magazine, The /tƐmz/ Review, and elsewhere. Maya has an MFA in fiction from North Carolina State University and is working on a short story collection and a novel.
Alexandra Naughton is a writer, publisher, and events producer based in Philadelphia. She is the author of two published novels and at least eight poetry collections. Her latest collection, Sick of Being Inside Myself, was published by House of Vlad Press in September 2025.
Kristen Martin is a writer and critic. Her work has appeared in The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Republic, and elsewhere. She received an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University. The Sun Won’t Come Out Tomorrow is her first book. She lives in Philadelphia.
Eshani Surya is the author of RAVISHING, out in November from Roxane Gay Books/Grove Atlantic. A disabled South Asian writer, Eshani is a 2025 Publishers Weekly Writer to Watch, a 2023 Finalist for the A.C. Bose Grant for South Asian Speculative Literature, a 2022 Asian Women Writer’s Workshop mentee, a 2022 Kenyon Review Writers Workshop scholarship recipient, and a 2021 Mae Fellowship recipient. Her short stories and essays have appeared in The Rumpus, DIAGRAM, [PANK], Catapult, and Joyland, among others, and she holds an MFA from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Find her online at @eshanisurya or at http://eshani-surya.com.
John Vercher is the author of three novels. His most recent, Devil Is Fine, was named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 Books of 2024 and was longlisted for the Aspen Literary Award, The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, and named a Finalist for the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Literary Award. John serves as returning faculty at Randolph College’s low-residency MFA program and is an Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing in the graduate and undergraduate programs at Monmouth University, where he also served as the ’24-’25 artist-in-residence.
Founded in 2018, Blue Stoop provides high quality classes, inspiring events, and transformative professional opportunities to creative writers in the greater Philadelphia area. Blue Stoop envisions a radically inclusive literary community where Philadelphia readers and writers are thriving and supported. Learn more about their work at bluestoop.org
Special thanks to The Author’s Guild for supporting this event. Learn more about their work at authorsguild.org
