Into the Language Lab

Dearest readers, Anndee Hochman has been teaching for us since 2022, but her career as a writer, educator, and storyteller started well before that. A longtime contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer and Broad Street Review, Anndee's storytelling prowess has landed her work in Oprah Magazine, Poets & Writers, and the Best Short Stories of Philadelphia. She's also an 11-time Moth Story Slam winner with a forthcoming book from Temple University Press: Parent Trip: Unexpected Roads to Form a Family. At Blue Stoop, Anndee has mostly taught nonfiction classes. But this semester, she's offering something new: With New Eyes: Deep Revision in Any Genre. This 9-week course is great for those with revision-ready projects in hand, but it's also open to those who want to write and revise something fresh. Anndee's open-genre approach makes this a supportive and inclusive environment for any writer looking to deepen their revision skills and give their work that professional polish. Here's what past students have said about working with Anndee: “Anndee is a great instructor — knowledgeable, encouraging, thoughtful, and empathetic.” “I am incredibly appreciative for Anndee's strength- and values-based approach, incredible thoughtfulness, and openness to share her multitude of knowledge, talents and experiences with us.” “This class made me realize that revision requires fortitude and the belief that I can always improve if I'm willing to accept feedback and put in the work.” This virtual class is already half-full, so don't wait to register. Financial aid and payment plans are still available; enrollment closes on 10/6. 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. SUPPORT BLUE STOOP ON THE STOOP Wednesday, 9/24, 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, 9/25, 4:00 – 5:00pm ET: Thursdays on the Stoop: Into the Language Lab, with Kristen Kelly. Experimental writing techniques can give us enough distance from our drafts to revise with fresh eyes. In this free hour long session, we'll explore Oulipo-inspired creative constraints and translate between languages. Through these experiments, participants will break out of their comfort zones and discover new entry points into their own poetry. (FREE/VIRTUAL) Sunday, 9/28, 4:00 – 6:00pm ET: Delco Writers and Friends: A Reading, Reception and Open Mic. Two of our board members — Amy Beth Sisson and Carla Cain-Walther — and co-director Julian Shendelman collaborated to organize this multi-genre reading in Swarthmore. The lineup features talent from the extended Blue Stoop community: Dilruba Ahmed, Zach Ozma, Avitus B. Carle, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, and Liz Moorhead. (FREE/IN-PERSON) 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 Temple University Poets & Writers Series, Featuring Saretta Morgan Start time 9/25/2025 5:00pm Location Temple University, Mazur Hall, Room 821 Description Saretta will be reading from her recent collection, Alt-Nature. The Poets & Writers Series is sponsored by the Temple University MFA Program in Creative Writing, with the assistance of the Department of English and the Richard Moyer Fund. Each year a number of poets and fiction writers are invited to read from and discuss their work to members of both the Temple community and the local Philadelphia arts scene. All events are free and open to the public. Link https://events.temple.edu/poets-writers-series-saretta-morgan-poet Contact info @hyphenlitmag Cost Free ~~~~~ Event title The Other Tree Launch Start time 9/25/2025 7:00pm Location Zoom (Eventbrite) Description You're cordially invited by Alison and Small Harbor Publishing to attend the virtual launch of Alison Lubar's second full-length poetry collection, The Other Tree (winner of the 2023 Harbor Editions Laureate Prize), on Thursday, September 25th at 7pm ET. Join us for an evening of poetry & community with honored guests Brandon Shimoda, Su Cho, Mandy Moe Pwint Tu, and MT Vallarta. The evening will culminate in a reading from The Other Tree and a Q&A, time permitting. We look forward to celebrating with you! Look forward to purchasing Alison's book at: https://www.smallharborpublishing.com/books/the-other-tree-by-alison-lubar Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alison-lubars-the-other-tree-2023-laureate-prize-winner-release-reading-tickets-1617705413439?aff=oddtdtcreator Contact info aslubar@gmail.com Cost Free! ~~~~~ Event title Poetry Open Mic Night Start time 9/27/2025 7:00pm Location Flashpoint Gallery, above Nutmeg Bar and Market, 1835 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 Description Come share work you've been fiddling with lately, or something exciting you just finished, or some good old shit you miss reading, or, if you aren't in the mood to share, come out to listen to others read at this free lowkey community poetry night. Link https://luma.com/15t8f14s Contact info mocfowler@gmail.com Cost Free ~~~~~ Event title Poetry is for Everyone Book Club Start time 9/28/2025 2:00pm Location Valerio Coffee, Fishtown, 2331 Frankford Ave Description We get it: it can be daunting to dip your toes into poetry. You may not be sure where to start. That’s why H&H Books started a new book club: Poetry is for Everyone. Our next meeting is Sunday, September 28th at 2 PM at Valerio Coffee Roasters (2331 Frankford Avenue). We’ll discuss The Beauty of the Husband by Anne Carson. Participants are highly encouraged to read the book before the meeting in order to participate fully. H&H staffer Kristen will ask questions & facilitate discussion, and participants will share their thoughts and impressions of the month’s selection. There’ll be a brief writing exercise, too, so bring a pen or pencil and paper. Attendance is free, but registration on Eventbrite is recommended. Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/poetry-is-for-everyone-september-book-club-meeting-tickets-1598735854979?aff=oddtdtcreator Contact info events@theheadandthehand.com Cost $0 – $23.13 (paid ticket includes copy of the book club pick) ~~~~~ Event title Dustin Thao with guest Chloe Gong Start time 9/30/2025 6:30pm Location Main Point Books, 116 N. Wayne Ave, Wayne PA 19087 Description Main Point Books welcomes YA Romance author Dustin Thao and his new novel, "You've Found Oliver." He'll be joined by special guest Chloe Gong! This is a ticketed event via Eventbrite. Each ticket includes one signed book. Extra copies may be purchased via Eventbrite or at the store. The event will be in our lower level. Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dustin-thao-with-guest-chloe-gong-tickets-1528034545459?aff=BlueStoop Contact info events.mainpointbooks@gmail.com Cost $24.09 BROWSE COMMUNITY CALENDAR 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences