What happens at the intersection of poetry & music? Join poets Sadie Dupuis, Anni Liu, and Jimin Seo as they discuss craft & process; stay for their readings and performances. We’ll have their books for sale & available to be signed. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Born in the year of the metal goat, Anni Liu is the author of Border Vista (Persea Books), which won the Lexi Rudnitsky Prize and was a New York Times Best Poetry Book of 2022. She’s the recipient of an Undocupoets Fellowship, a Djanikian Scholarship from the Adroit Journal, and residencies at Civitella Ranieri, the Anderson Center, and University of the Arts. She’s an editor at Graywolf Press and lives in Philadelphia.

Sadie Dupuis is the guitarist, songwriter & singer of rock band Speedy Ortiz, as well as the producer & multi-instrumentalist behind pop project Sad13. Sadie heads the record label Wax Nine, edits its poetry journal, and is a regular contributor to Spin, Tape Op, Talkhouse, and more. She holds an MFA in poetry from UMass Amherst, where she also taught writing. Mouthguard, her first book, was published in 2018 (Gramma); Cry Perfume, a second poetry collection, was released in 2022 (Black Ocean). She is an organizer with United Musicians & Allied Workers and its local UMAW Philly.

Jimin Seo was born in Seoul and immigrated to the US to join his family at the age of eight. He is the author of OSSIA, winner of The Changes Book Prize, and the forthcoming chapbook A - 1982 (mercury firs). His most recent projects were Poems of Consumption with H. Sinno at the Barbican Centre in London, and a site activation for salazarsequeromedina's Open Pavilion at the 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting evening in conversation with local authors Xio Axelrod and Kristen Callihan. The two will explore themes of redemption, romance, and rock music in their books Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod and Idol by Kristen Callihan. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insight into their creative processes, as well as participate in a signing and Q&A session.

RSVP here!

About the authors:

USA Today bestselling author Kristen Callihan is a writer because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Book Reviews‘ Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publishers Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Xio Axelrod [she/her] is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary fiction and romance. Growing up in the music industry, Xio began her recording career at a young age. Her experiences bring a lyrical quality to her writing and vibrancy to her characters, offering a unique perspective that adds depth and authenticity to the worlds she creates.

Xio’s award-winning novels have earned both critical acclaim and a passionate readership. Her Lillys series, including The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes and Girls with Bad Reputations, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The “Lillyverse” extends beyond the books with merchandising, music, and art that her readers can enjoy.

A completely unapologetic, badge-wearing, fic-writing fangirl, Xio actively connects with her readers through social media, fostering a dedicated and supportive community. Xio is also a passionate advocate for various causes, including human rights issues and mental health awareness, and that is reflected in her stories.

When she isn’t behind the keyboard, Xio can be found behind the mic in a studio, writing songs or performing as her fictional band, The Lillys. A native of Philadelphia, Xio lives in complete denial of the last five minutes of Buffy with one very patient, full-time indoor husband and two part-time, supremely pampered outdoor cats.

Join us for a workshop on publishing at Head & the Hand with Hilary Plum and Joseph Earl Thomas, designed primarily to inform newer writers of the publishing landscape, how they might get involved, and the social relations of difference--class, sex, race, etc.--governing expectation and possibility in this field.

This workshop is free and open to all, but primarily serves the mission of the Spring Writing in Place Projects and its participants. The discourse will be built in large part from Hilary's writings, which can be read here:

Reading in the Conglomerate Era: Or, Do Small Presses Even Exist? and Small Press Economies: A Dialogue .

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Story time is back! Come join us for a fun-filled event with Claire Abribat, the talented illustrator of The Adventures of Lucy G. Bohannan. For children ages 3-103, The Adventures of Lucy G. Bohannon tells the humorous story of a circus dog turned elusive stray on the run to discover her own special purpose and place in the world. Through rhyme and lyrical verse, authors Cindi Abribat and Kathleen Bohannon bring us Lucy's heartwarming epic, full of rich emotion. Colorful, hand-painted gouache illustrations will delight readers both young and old and bring the tale to life. Her story highlights the enduring bond between humans and their beloved pets.

After the story, Claire will introduce us to a collaborative art project she has shared with the libraries and schools toured so far entitled, "The Traveling Library of Dogs.” Kids will make inky puppy portraits inspired by Lucy using orange gouache paint and black ink. Next it's time to give their pup a special name and then they can choose to donate their creation to the Traveling Library or they can take it home to introduce to any pets that might be waiting for them. Makers choice! Ideal age range for craft: 4-8.

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"Personal Velocity" organized by Katie Bennett. The series will feature personal stories (creative nonfiction/ memoir) by Philadelphia-based writers who identify as women, nonbinary, and trans.

The Readers:

Alyssa Songsiridej

Alyssa Songsiridej is the author of Little Rabbit, shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Edmund White Award. She is a 2022 5 under 35 National Book Foundation honoree, and has been supported by institutions such as the Corporation of Yaddo, the Ucross Foundation, and Lighthouse works. She lives in Philadelphia.

Sofie Wise

Sofie Wise is an MFA candidate at Rutgers-Camden. Her poetry and prose have appeared in Passages North, HAD, Hobart and others. She lives in Philadelphia with her two cats, Mia and Toni.

Farwa Zaidi

Farwa Zaidi (she/her) is an urbanist and writer living in Philadelphia. She is a Master of Science in urban strategy, and a Drexel University alum. Farwa published a thesis titled “Disinvesting in Food: How Philadelphia's History of Redlining and Food Apartheid Has Contributed to Mass Incarceration.” Farwa's degree, background, and research have all been with the focus and aim to increase the quality of life of low-income and immigrant communities. She is passionate about using urbanism to create more equitable societies for all, especially people like herself: a brown Muslim first-generation woman from Queens, NY.

Annie Liontas

Annie Liontas is the genderqueer author of Let Me Explain You and the memoir Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery, which was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. They helped secure a Mellon Foundation grant on Disability Justice to bring storytelling to communities in the criminal justice system. Annie co-hosts the literary podcast LitFriends and lives in Philadelphia with their wife, dog, and Email the rabbit.

Monthly Fishtown book club hosted by Taylor and Melissa Rodriguez. For this inaugural club meeting, we’re reading The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan.

Reach out on Instgram for more info and to inquire about membership.

Join us in celebrating what would be Etel Adnan’s 99th birthday with a group reading of her work, followed by a group discussion of her novella, Sitt Marie Rose, organized by Fani Avramopoulou. There will be tea and baked goods to share.