Hey bestie! Are you busy after work on Wednesday? You're not? Omg! You should totally come to Pours + Prose at the W Hotel for a refreshing happy hour bev and some communal writing/reading time. There are indoor and outdoor seating options, alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, and a live DJ spinning up the perfect summer vibe. … Yes, that was my best attempt at sounding hip and outgoing. In truth, I spend most of my nights at home watching reality TV, eating salad kits, and folding laundry. It's fine, really. But it's also repetitive. Working for Blue Stoop has forced me to shake up my routine and start showing up to more in-person events. Honestly, it's been transformative — I recognize more and more people when I go to readings, and my nights at home feel more like a treat and less like a depressing default. So, if my aging millennial sales pitch didn't do it for you, maybe this candid plea will: If you've been wanting to get out more, this is your chance. Tap the flyer below to learn more. |
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In other news, we spent the weekend celebrating our inaugural Jennifer Weiner Fellowship cohort. The out-of-towners joined the locals for a stay at a cute hotel near Head House Square, several fabulous meals, lots of time with the fellowship's namesake and mentor, and an incredible showcase at Head House Books. When we started planning the fellowship, we weren't sure what it'd look like. We knew we had funds to distribute and mentorship to offer, but much of what came to be evolved in real time. The initial 30 day fellowship period blossomed into 8 months of peer support, ongoing mentorship, meetings with agents, and an all-expenses paid capstone weekend. Since last November, the cohort formed close bonds, started several new writing projects, and birthed two extremely cute fellowship babies — both named after Jennifer Weiner (just kidding). We are so proud of the cohort's accomplishments, and are honored to have had the opportunity to steward this project. Thank you so much to the fellows for their hard work and devotion, and to Jennifer Weiner for her trust and generosity. We can't wait to do this again. Speaking of which, we've gotten a couple questions about the next round of fellowships. I don't have any concrete info yet, but we're considering a biannual schedule to give ourselves enough time to properly debrief and plan. I'll be sure to update you and our website once we have more specific details to share. |
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One last thing: time is running out to register for next Monday's class with award-winning novelist Alexander Chee. Join us in-person at the Asian Arts Initiative or online via Zoom — or just watch the recording after. Details and registration here: The Stories You've Never Seen Before, with Alexander Chee. General admission is $50 ($30 with financial aid). Payment plans are available. If you already registered, we'll be sending you all the logistical details later this week, probably after registration closes on Friday for maximum efficiency. Thank you for your patience. |
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In solidarity, Julian Shendelman
Co-Director P.S. Is your car's bumper looking a little… blah? We can help! Suitable for any flat-ish surface, these mini bumper stickers are the perfect way to let strangers know that you own (and occasionally read) books. |
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- Tuesday, 7/29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm ET: Poetry Club. A peer-led poetry reading & discussion group, powered by Blue Stoop volunteers. This month's meeting will focus on works by legendary local poet, Sonia Sanchez. (FREE/VIRTUAL)
- Wednesday, 7/30, 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET: Pours + Prose: Creative Coworking and Happy Hour. We're collaborating with the W Hotel to bring you a very special happy hour and creative coworking session. Enjoy a fancy cocktail or mocktail in the cozy lounge or out on the patio while admiring the view. (PAY AS YOU GO/IN-PERSON)
- Thursday, 7/31, 4:00 – 5:00 pm ET: Thursdays on the Stoop: Writing News-Style Satire. In this free hour-long workshop, humor writer Jeff Bender will break down the key elements of satirical news stories, from headline to punchline. Participants will leave with a few headlines of their own and concepts for future articles. (FREE/VIRTUAL)
- Friday, 8/1, 5:00 pm ET: Registration closes for Alexander Chee's masterclass, The Stories You've Never Seen Before. Join in-person, or watch it online on Monday, 8/4, 6:00 – 8:00 pm ET. ($30 – 50/HYBRID)
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Got an event, organization, business, or book to promote? |
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~~~~~~~~~ Event title Littérateur Libations & Risqué Readings Start time 7/30/2025 6:00pm Location Tattooed Mom Description Congregate for drinks and conversation with those who either create or enjoy reading sensual, sexual, romantic, erotic writings. Come early at 6 p.m. to take advantage of the affordably priced Hemingway Happy Hour for good drinks and good food, including the famous Smash Burger Wednesday special! After a few libations, if you are an erotica writer of short stories or novellas or novels or poems or any other form – whether amateur or professional or somewhere in between – feel free to take the stage around 7ish p.m. to read and share with all attendees your titillating creativity. Or indulge as an audience member by listening to the impassioned words of others. Expect to hear some steamy stories and poems on a September evening. This is a 21+ event. Showing valid ID will be required to enter and participate. Link Contact info 215-238-9880 • tattooedmomphilly@gmail.com Cost $0 ~~~~~~~~~ Event title Poetry Open Mic, ft. Mauricio Novoa and M L Mutrux Start time 8/2/2025 4:00pm Location Making Worlds Books, 210 S. 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Description Join us for a reading from poets Mauricio Novoa and M L Mutrux and a poetry open mic at Making Worlds Bookstore & Social Center. M L will open the evening with poetry from their in-progress chapbook Bender Poems. We’ll then have 45 minutes for open mic poetry MC’d by M L and Mauricio, followed by a special reading from Mauricio of work from his chapbook Memories From The Beltway as well as new works. We will provide some beverages and snacks, and poetry books will be available for 10% off! If you are a sustainer of Making Worlds, that’s additional to the 15% discount you receive on all purchases. Link Contact info events@makingworldsbooks.org Cost $0 ~~~~~~~~~ Event title Open Mic & Art Show: Metamorphosis Start time 8/2/2025 6:30pm Location The People's Gallery, 1034 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Description Each month, we are theming our mic around a different word. This month we ask participants to bring work relating to METAMORPHOSIS. This can be a poem, a song, a piece of visual art, or any creative project that resonates with this theme in your life or someone else’s. Come ready to share with a supportive group of creatives who will celebrate the journey of your work without any pressure for it to be completed or polished. Open mic signups are first come, first serve. Sign up at the door when you arrive to participate, or relax and enjoy the show. What to Expect: - An interactive pop-up style art gallery in a unique studio setting
- Live music
- A new selection of beverages including specialty teas and NA cocktails
- A polaroid photo booth
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- ........and more!
RSVP to reserve a spot today! Open mic performances start at 7pm. Link Contact info @collidezinephilly (instagram) Cost $5-10 donation suggested ~~~~~~~~~ |
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1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States |
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