Blue Stoop

Love getting snail mail? Need new inspiration? In this free, hourlong skill share with Mary Zhou, we'll explore short-form writing styles as a means to find inspiration and create brief yet punchy work. Together we'll examine powerful letters, microfiction, and poems before generating short (but meaningful) work of our own. Bring postcards of your own, or write from the provided visual art prompts. There will be an optional sign-up to email or mail your postcards to each other after the session! All genres and levels of experience encouraged.

Learn more and RSVP at bluestoop.org/events.

Thursdays on the Stoop is a series of free, virtual skill shares led for and by writers in our community. With topics ranging from generative prompts to editing strategies, these informal sessions are sure to shake up your Thursday routine.

Time is running out to RSVP for Saturday's Community Showcase! Join Blue Stoop at one of the most beautiful venues in Philly for a literary celebration that's sure to inspire.

Saturday, 6/13, 3-5pm. Doors at 2:45, reception to follow. The reading will feature our talented Fall '25 and Spring '26 students and instructors, sharing works from a wide array of genres and styles. Details and $2 tickets at givebutter.com/tlws26

Is your unfinished manuscript crying out for attention? We can help! Join Blue Stoop today, 6/10, from 3:30-5:30pm ET for a free, virtual coworking session. RSVP at https://www.bluestoop.org/events/creative-coworking-26-06-10

Registration is OPEN! Blue Stoop's virtual masterclasses are an affordable to way to learn the craft of poetry, fiction, and songwriting from the experts: Danez Smith, Chen Chen, N. K. Jemisin, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, and Sadie Dupuis. Tune in live, or enjoy the recording later. Learn more at bluestoop.org/classes

The mixer following Wednesday night’s publishing panel will feature tablers from New Door Books, Lanternfish Press, Multiverse, The Soapbox, and The Authors Guild Foundation.

Doors open at 5:30pm; be sure to arrive before the panel starts at 6pm!

Learn more and RSVP at bluestoop.org/events

This summer, revive your love for writing (and reading) with Blue Stoop’s free and low-cost classes, meetups, and skill shares for adults of all experience levels — throughout Philadelphia and online.

FYI: Some events listed here aren’t open for registration yet; subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates: bluestoop.org/news

Book clubs are awesome, but it can be tough to find time to actually read the book before the meeting. If you’re short on time this summer, we’ve got your back: Instant Book Club is a homework-free discussion group centered on short texts.

Led by fan favorite Kale Choo Hanson, June’s meeting is all about flash fiction. Tune in on 6/9 from 6-7pm on Zoom for a fast-paced discussion about a surprise piece of fiction. RSVP for free at bluestoop.org/events

Be sure to check out July and August to dig into short form poetry with Alison Lubar and flash nonfiction with Andrea A. Firth!

P.S. this won’t be recorded, so don’t miss your chance!

The path from emerging writer to published author can be mysterious and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this lively panel discussion, indie and self-published writers and representatives from small- to mid-sized presses will discuss the publishing journey for those who prefer the path less traveled. Attendees will learn about viable alternatives to Big Five publishing houses and get candid answers to common publishing questions. After the panel discussion, attendees can network and connect with other debut and seasoned writers, booksellers and publishing professionals; learn more about local resources, opportunities, and organizations; and enjoy a truly immersive literary experience.

RSVP (free!) at bluestoop.org/events

Featured panelists: M. Téllez, Christopher Rogers, Warren Basla, Josh Dale, and Anni Liu.

Tabling organizations: Lanternfish Press, The Soapbox, New Door Books, and Multiverse.

Doors: 5:30pm
Panel: 6:00-7:15pm
Mixer: 7:15-8:00pm

Step into the art of live storytelling in this free, hour-long skillshare with the creators and producers of Philly Story Fest. Perfect for writers, performers, and anyone interested in bringing personal narratives to life, this session will teach you how to use voice, presence, pacing, and narrative structure to transform written works into compelling live performances. Attendees will also learn about pitching Story Fest, with the potential to bring their work to the stage at the fourth annual festival later this year.

Learn more and RSVP at bluestoop.org/events.

Thursdays on the Stoop is a series of free, virtual skill shares led for and by writers in our community. With topics ranging from generative prompts to editing strategies, these informal sessions are sure to shake up your Thursday routine.