FOMO? I don’t know her.

Dearest readers, Summer classes have wrapped! We are so grateful to Isle McElroy, Rebecca Makkai, and Alexander Chee for sharing their wisdom, and to all of you who took part in the live sessions. No need for FOMO — if you missed the classes, you can still watch the recordings. Tap the images below to get started. Perhaps you're wondering what's next: I'm currently working with our fall instructors to finalize syllabi and class descriptions. Expect a variety of genres, class lengths, and formats. We're aiming to open enrollment sometime in September, so stay tuned! One last note for our teacher friends: We're working on a new proposal process for 2026 classes, and will update you here when the call for pitches opens. Our goal is to build more runway into the planning process, which means expediting our usual process for the fall of 2025. “Pardon our dust,” as they say! 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. ON THE STOOP Wednesday, 8/6, 3:30 – 5:30 pm ET: Creative Coworking. Drop-in coworking with peers over Zoom. Write, edit, read, daydream, or whatever best serves your literary life. (FREE/VIRTUAL) Thursday, 8/14, 4:00 – 5:00 pm ET: Thursdays on the Stoop: Who Let the Dogs Out? Writing About Pets, with Yasmine Ameli. In this free hour-long workshop, we'll take inspiration from our domesticated companions. After digging into examples by writers like Margaret Atwood, we'll "paws" to write our own pet poems using a series of generative prompts. (FREE/VIRTUAL) Wednesday, 8/20, 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET: Pours + Prose: Happy Hour & Creative Coworking at the W Hotel. Join us for a happy hour and coworking session with the Blue Stoop community members and friends. (FREE/IN-PERSON) Tuesday, 8/26, 6:30 – 7:30pm ET: Poetry Club. A peer-led poetry reading & discussion group, powered by Blue Stoop volunteers. This month's readings will be announced soon. Is this your last chance to join Poetry Club? Only time will tell! (FREE/VIRTUAL) CLASSIFIEDS Got an event, organization, business, or book to promote? Blue Stoop offers affordable ad space here and on our website. BEYOND THE STOOP Here's an excerpt from our community calendar. Adding an event is easy and free! ~~~~~~~~~ Event title Philly Queer Book Club – THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS Start time 8/7/2025 6:00pm Location Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Description Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. Hallmarks of Ocean Vuong’s writing–formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness–are on full display in this story of loss, hope, and how far we would go to possess one of life’s most fleeting mercies: a second chance. Link https://www.queerbooks.com/event/philly-queer-book-club-the-emperor-of-gladness-2/?sd=1754604000 Contact info https://www.phillyqueerbookclub.com/book-club-selection Cost $0 ~~~~~~~~~ Event title PRIMER volume 1: Launch party and reading Start time 8/8/2025 6:00pm Location Arch Enemy Gallery, 109 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Description A launch party for the first issue of PRIMER magazine. At this happy-hour style event, we'll introduce the volume, thank our contributors, encourage people to pick up a copy and enjoy the work, and toast with a glass of sparkling water or wine. Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepPWma1T2vzc4IjyX_owdfkO6ccgBZCnC52nq5F_CR_W5OJg/viewform Contact info info@primer.press Cost $0 ~~~~~~~~~ Event title Debaucheri: A Night of Poetry and Burlesque Start time 8/9/2025 7:30pm Location Philadelphia Small Works Gallery: 1609 North Delaware Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125 Description Welcome to Debaucheri: A Night of Poetry and Burlesque! Join us at the Philadelphia Small Works Gallery for a night of sultry performances and captivating words. Immerse yourself in the art of seduction as poets and burlesque dancers come together to create an unforgettable evening. Get ready to be enchanted by the power of words and the allure of movement. This event is not to be missed! Featuring: Alison Lubar, Dev Kiyo, Lauren Yates, and Kirwyn Sutherland. 18+ only. Doors at 7, show at 7:30. Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/debaucheri-a-night-of-poetry-and-burlesque-tickets-1426100066689?aff=oddtdtcreator Contact info @cinnamon.cheri (instagram) Cost $20 ~~~~~~~~~ Event title Mariah Rigg Presents EXTINCTION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD: STORIES at H&H Books Start time 8/12/2025 7:00pm Location The Head & The Hand Books Description We're delighted to welcome Mariah Rigg to H&H Books to celebrate the release of her debut short story collection, EXTINCTION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD: STORIES, described as "a stunning portrait of Hawai'i--and a powerful meditation on family, queer love, and community amid imperialism and environmental collapse." This short reading and conversation will take place on August 12 at 7 PM, followed by a brief Q&A and book signing. Questions? Email events@theheadandthehand.com with any questions and follow us @theheadandthehand on Instagram. Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mariah-rigg-presents-extinction-capital-of-the-world-stories-at-hh-books-tickets-1493621806029?aff=oddtdtcreator Contact info events@theheadandthehand.com Cost Free ~~~~~~~~~ VIEW MORE EVENTS 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences