Main Character Syndrome

Dearest readers, This is actually the second time we've run Kale Choo Hanson's class, “Tackling NaNoWriMo Together.” So, what's different this time around? Firstly, the class is 3 weeks longer — even though the eponymous writing period is still 30 days, we found that students needed more time to prep and debrief. Secondly, we're offering the class in 2 distinct sections. The in-person section is more interactive and community-oriented, whereas the asynchronous/online section is self-paced with optional community-building activities. Both sections share the same curriculum and culminate with private readings, as well as including regular check-ins with Kale along the way. Here's what a couple of last year's participants had to say: "This class had exactly what I was looking for: access to an encouraging and talented writing community, an introduction to new writing processes I was not familiar with, and an avenue for additional study/resources!" “I tend to be private about my writing, and I was surprised by how accountable having a weekly class made me — enough to finish writing a novel in a month, which I truly don't think I would have done otherwise.” Registration closes on 9/29, and seats are filling quickly. As of this moment, there are still a few financial aid seats available in both sections of the class, but don't wait too long — aid is first-come, first-serve. Payment plans are available to everyone. BROWSE FALL CATALOG In solidarity, Julian Shendelman Co-Director We need your help keeping classes and programs accessible — tap the button below to make a one-time or recurring donation of any amount. SUPPORT BLUE STOOP ON THE STOOP Wednesday, 9/17, 3:30 – 5:30pm ET: Creative Coworking. Drop-in coworking with peers over Zoom. Write, edit, read, daydream, or whatever best serves your literary life. (FREE/VIRTUAL) Thursday, 9/18, 4:00 – 5:00pm ET: Thursdays on the Stoop: Main Character Syndrome — Owning Our Flawed Selves in Memoir, with Erica Vanstone. One of the most complex facets of writing memoir is finding ways to portray ourselves authentically — flaws and all. In this free hour-long session, participants will encounter a series of questions and exercises designed to foster more depth, realism, and honesty when casting oneself as the main character. (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 Event title Free generative writing workshop with Dilruba Ahmed @ 12 Gates Arts / Philly Start time 9/16/2025 7:00pm Location 12 Gates Arts 106 N 2nd St.Philadelphia, PA 19106 Description Join us for the next POETS' STUDIO session with Dilruba (Ruba) Ahmed, who will give a short reading followed by a generative writing workshop. Doors open at 6:30 PM and close at 7:00PM. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-poets-studio-september-workshop-at-12gates-tickets-1656827087419?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Curated by Sanam Sheriff, THE POETS' STUDIO is a monthly gathering for local poets who are interested in writing, sharing, and connecting through poetry. This event is free and open to all who are interested in engaging more deeply with lyric and the written word. Link https://www.twelvegatesarts.org/programs-and-events-calendar/2025/7/1the-poets-circle-writing-workshop-september-deztw Contact info ahmed_ruba@yahoo.com Cost FREE ~~~~~ Event title Seeing Better: A Conversation Start time 9/18/2025 6:00pm Location Athenaeum of Philadelphia. 219 S 6th St Description To write her novel Housemates about a young queer Philly photographer, which won The Athenaeum of Philadelphia’s Literary Award for Fiction, Eisenberg shadowed expert large-format photographer Jade Doskow. Housemates asks questions about Philadelphia visual and queer culture, the possibilities and dangers of artistic mentorship, what photography can offer as an art form, and what large-format photography specifically can teach us about how to see the world better. Doskow's photographic work and practice is deeply engaged with these questions and others pertaining to the built environment and questions considering humanity’s current relationship to concepts of wilderness and nature. Join us for a reading from Housemates, a presentation of Doskow's recent work, as well as a far-ranging conversation with Eisenberg and Doskow about novels, photography, and how both forms can offer us better ways of seeing our current moment. Doskow will also demonstrate her modern large-format camera on site. The program will be followed by a book signing and reception. Link https://philaathenaeum.org/event-detail/?event_id=34307 Contact info events@philaathenaeum.org Cost Free ~~~~~~ Event title Wild Indigo Poetry 1st Anniversary with Roque Raquel Salas Rivera & Tongo Eisen-Martin Start time 9/21/2025 5:00pm Location Allens Lane Art Center, 601 Allens Lane, Philadelphia Description Poet-curators Raina León and Sarah Browning are proud to announce the first anniversary of the monthly poetry series, Wild Indigo, to take place Sunday, September 21, 2025, 5-7 pm, at Allens Lane Art Center, 601 Allens Lane, Philadelphia. Allens Lane is co-sponsoring. Featured poets are former Philadelphia Poet Laureate Roque Raquel Salas Rivera and former San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin. An open mic will follow the features. Sign up is first come, first served. Open to the public with a suggested donation of $5, Wild Indigo is co-sponsored by Young American Hard Cider & Tasting Room and the progressive organization Reclaim Philadelphia. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Link https://bit.ly/25wildindigo26 Contact info wildindigo.poetry@gmail.com Cost $5 suggested donation - more if you can! ~~~~~ Event title Jeannie Vanasco on tour for A Silent Treatment Start time 9/23/2025 6:30pm Location Head House Books - 619 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Description Jeannie Vanasco with Athena Dixon Link https://www.jeannievanasco.com/events.html Contact info https://www.headhousebooks.com/events Cost free ~~~~~ Event title Hannah Grieco & Samuel Ashworth: Craft Fight! Start time 9/23/2025 7:00pm Location The Head & The Hand Bookstore, 2230 Frankford Ave Description It's a literary (but not literal) throwdown at H&H Books when debut authors Samuel Ashworth (THE DEATH AND LIFE OF AUGUST SWEENEY) and Hannah Grieco (FIRST KICKING, THEN NOT: STORIES) face off. Everyone wins! Hannah and Sam will discuss their respective debuts and writing crafts on Tuesday, September 23 at 7 PM at H&H Books. Both of their books will be for sale and are also available to preorder at the links above. Hannah and Sam will answer audience questions and sign their books after their conversation has concluded. This is a free event, but registration is highly recommended. Questions? Email events@theheadandthehand.com. Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hannah-grieco-samuel-ashworth-craft-fight-tickets-1505966910569?aff=oddtdtcreator Contact info events@theheadandthehand.com Cost FREE BROWSE COMMUNITY CALENDAR 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences