Thursday, December 16, 2010

Merry F***ing Christmas: December 17 and 18 at Quig's Pub

Merry fucking Christmas
I was sitting in a Locust Bar booth a few years ago, perhaps three places into an ambitious dive bar tour of Center City, trying to explain to a visiting English friend that particularly Philly attitude --- friendly, sure, but with a healthy dose of no-bullshit grittiness. At a bar stool near us, a barfly was railing the familiar refrain against politically correct festive greetings, complaining having to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." An attractive young businesswoman came into the bar, too well dressed for the place, and walked toward a booth at the back at the room. The barfly greeted her: "Merry f***ing Christmas," he said. "You got a problem with that?"

"That," I said to my friend, "is what I'm talking about."

With that same festive Philly sentiment, Josh McIlvain, editor of Don Ron Books, is presenting a seasonal theater event, Merry F***ing Christmas and other short plays about holiday cheer . Produced by SmokeyScout Productions, the production company run by Josh and his wife Deborah, Merry F***ing Christmas is an irreverent, shocking, and hilariously disturbing antidote to the holiday season. Written and directed by Josh, the eight short plays are performed by an ensemble of Philadelphia's finest theater artists: Chris McGovern and Domenick Scudera of the Waitstaff (The Real Housewives of South Philly), Jennifer Summerfield of Curio Theater (The Iliad) and SmokeyScout (Boat Hole), Anna Watson of Theatre Inbetween (Teenager: Anne Frank), and John Rosenberg of hellafreshtheater (Cheap Guy Hall of Fame).

It was hilarious in rehearsals, so make sure you catch one of the two performances this Friday and Saturday (Dec. 17th and 18th) at Quig's Pub, upstairs at Plays and Players Theatre. Doors open at 6:30, plays begin at 7pm sharp. See Jesus and Santa Claus battle for Christmas supremacy, a wholly inappropriate secret Santa, and the unholy origins of Christmas II. Plus, you won't believe what Jesus does to the poor lamb!---cpm

Details:
Merry F***ing Christmas and other short plays about holiday cheer
written and directed by Josh McIlvain
SmokeyScout Productions
December 17 + 18, 2010
Doors (and bar) open at 6:30. Plays begin 7pm (45-60 minutes running time)
Quig's Pub Stage, above Plays and Plays and Players Theatre
$10 advance and at door
click here for tickets (no fee)

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Philly Fact: DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mayor Nutter perform Rapper's Delight

Er, this really happened. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter was at the opening party for local retro sportswear maker Mitchell & Ness at their new flagship store on Chestnut Street. Hugh Dillon of PhillyChitChat filmed him performing a section of hip hop classic "Rapper's Delight" with Philly legend DJ Jazzy Jeff. The result is pretty special. This is not Philly Fiction, it's Philly fact.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Collingswood Book Festival

Join Don Ron Books this Saturday, October 2nd, 10am to 4pm, as we cross the Delaware and take Collingswood, New Jersey by storm. It's the 8th annual Collingswood Book Festival, the culmination of a week of literary activity in this pleasant suburban enclave.

As the brochure says:
Festival-goers will have an opportunity to stroll more than six blocks of the main street filled with nationally recognized authors/speakers for adults and children, as well as booksellers, storytellers, poetry readings, workshops, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, and entertainment for all ages. All events are free.


We will be selling the critically acclaimed Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2 books, and some related volumes.

The festival takes place from 10am to 4pm along Haddon Avenue in Collingswood (or in Collingsood High School in case of rain). Philly residents can take the PATCO to Collingswood (Haddon is one block from the station), or follow directions on the festival site.
collingswood book festival

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Reading South Philly stories and Martin Amis

Martin Amis book of essaysWe’re in the middle of wading through the submissions for South Philly Fiction, a forthcoming collection of short stories highlighting South Philadelphia as a literary backdrop. There’s some real gems in the bunch, should be a good and surprisingly varied collection. We’ll start letting selected (and, unfortunately, rejected) authors know “soon.”

This editor has been alternating South Philly Fiction submissions with essays and articles by British novelist Martin Amis (favorite books include Time's Arrow and Dead Babies). Came across a quote, the conclusion of “Short Stories, From Scratch,” a 1983 article from the Observer newspaper about his experiences judging the Whitbread Price for short stories (reprinted in Visiting Mrs Nabokov and Other Excursions). It nicely captures the joy of reading submissions, even ones that won’t make it into the finished book:

For me the biggest surprise was how rarely I was bored by these fragments, how little I disliked the work, and how fixedly I followed every story to the end . . . often, certainly, it was human interest, not literary relish, that compelled. I was reminded how astonishingly intimate the business of fiction is, more intimate than anything that issues from the psychiatrist’s couch or even the lovers’ bed. You see the souled, pinned and wiggling on the wall. And you see a very personal view of South Philly, in all its gritty glory.

Well, maybe Amis didn’t write the last sentence, but it’s true. Check back here or visit phillyfiction.com for updates on the forthcoming book.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Phyllis Carol Agins website

Phyllis Carol Agins, who wrote the touching story "Black and White" in the first Philly Fiction, has a new writing website now online. "Black and White" told the story of Edward, son of a Jewish immigrant, selling postcards of Philly and reminiscing about his father's photography. Phyllis Carol AginsAgins is also the author of two novels, Suisan (a post-modern retelling of Snow White) and Never the Same River Twice, as well as numerous essays and short stories. Her website, phylliscarolagins.com, features excerpts from her work, some glowing reviews, photos, and other thoughts.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Bad Poetry Slam

Philly Fiction editor Josh McIlvain and his wife Deborah Crocker, the combined force behind SmokeyScout Productions (inside knowledge: it's named after their cats, Smokey and Scout), are hosting a bad poetry slam on Wednesday, August 18 from 7-9PM at Quigs Pub on the third floor of Plays & Players Theater (1714 Delancey Street). Write some bad poetry (or dig out that high school journal you thought was oh so deep) and read it onstage (2-minute limit—--bad celebrity poetry also allowed) for the chance to win an extra-special secret prize!

The slam is part of an evening of fun, comedy, music, and beer ($2 lagers) to support Josh's bar tab and some diapers for their new baby a new SmokeyScout production set to run as part of the 2010 Philly Fringe. Boat Hole, another evening of outrageous short comedies by Josh McIlvain will be on stage Sept 15-18 at the Performance Garage (1515 Brandywine Street). Visit the Live Arts website for tickets and info. Entrance to the sneak peak party and poetry slam is $10 in advance (click to purchase) and at the door.

To win you'll have to beat this gem by fellow PF editor Christopher Munden:


To My Brown Eyed Baby Frog

Not ocean eyes yours,
blue and deep;
nor lake eyes,
calculating cold.
Your eyes are like a pond
muddy and opaque
your pupils are two tadpoles
whose tails were removed
before they grew legs.
You're my deformed, legless, brown-eyed baby frog.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Philly Fiction: top summer read

It's almost August, and this hot Philadelphia summer is hitting it's peak, with many residents fleeing for the relative comfort of the Shore, the Poconos or the "camps" of Maine. Looking for a summer read to remind you of home, with a fondness you can only get when you're far away? Look no further: Uwishunu recommends Philly Fiction as a perfect summer read, along with Jeffrey A. Cohen's The Killing of Mindi Quintana, a legal thriller set in the city.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Punk Rock Flea Market

Join Don Ron Books at the Summer Punk Rock Flea Market, this Sunday July 25th, 10:00am to 5:00pm, at the new "Punk Rock Flea Market Dome" (461 N 9th St, at Spring Garden across from the Starlight Ballroom).

Punk Rock Flea MarketWe'll, of course, be selling Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2, with perhaps some other works featuring Philly writers, but there are many more reasons to show up to this cool Philadelphia institution.

As host R5 Productions puts it: "There will be 250+ vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, food, junk, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and lots of other stuff! All proceeds go to support all-ages shows at the First Unitarian Church! It's all going down at THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET DOME, the biggest location yet for this biannual event. Do not let the "name of the event" lead you to believe that it's just punk records, clothes etc. - it's a full-on flea market with everything from furniture, to laptops, to stereo equipment, to handmade apparel, to vegan treats, information from various non-profit groups, book stores, artists selling their work, bicycles & skateboards and whatever else they can fit onto the floor at this brand new location."

So there, come, drink and buy something cool, like Philly Fiction.

Friday, May 7, 2010

The Next Page --- Grand Opening

One of our favorite Philly bookstores, the Book Corner, is opening up a new sister store near Washington Square. Already open to the public, The Next Page celebrates its birth with a Grand Opening Party tonight, 5 to 9 pm, featuring food, drink, and live music.

Book Corner and the Next Page are operated by the Friends of the Free Library, a not-for-profit organization advocating for library services for city residents. Proceeds from sales benefit the organization.

Book Corner has sold Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2, and the Next Page will be stocking Don Ron Books in the near future. Join them tonight for a book-y good time. And if you can't make it, be sure to stop by soon for a great selection of new and lightly used books and other media.

The Next Page, Philadelphia

The Next Page
722 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 19106
215-925-0722
Grand Opening Party
May 7, 2010, 5-9pm

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Join Philly Fiction at Fishtown's Shadfest

Once upon a time, Fishtown was a center for... fishing, and the fish they mostly fished was the shad fish. This Saturday (April 24), Penn Treaty Park will celebrate this tradition with a festival of music, food, and art and crafts along the banks of the Delaware. With sponsorship by XPN, the second annual Shadfest promises to be a rad fest!

Don Ron Books will be there, promoting Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2 and selling other books by top local authors. Join us.

The full events line-up runs:
11am Festival Kick-off
11am Scavenger Hunt
11:30am The Lara and Joe Show- Rock n Roll for the little ones
noon Kenzinger Run
12:00-4pm Moon Bounce for kids
12:00-1pm Drumming for kids with Julius Riveria
12:45-1:30pm Birdie Busch
1:30-3pm Matt Cadabra's Magic Show
2:00-2:45pm Buried Beds
3:15-4pm Shaking Through presents The Strapping Fieldhands
4:30-5:30pm Blood FeathersFishtown Shadfest

Monday, April 19, 2010

South Philly Fiction: Deadline Extended!!!

We've received lots of great submissions for South Philly Fiction, a forthcoming collection of stories highlighting South Philadelphia as a source of literary inspiration. But if you didn't make it in time for our April 15, deadline, don't despair: we've decided to give you a little more time. The new extended deadline is June 1, 2010. Get your piece finished or pull a tale out of your archives and send it over to Don Ron Books: phillyfiction@yahoo.com.

All stories must be written by authors who are from, have lived in, or currently live in the Philadelphia area. Submitted stories must be substantially set in South Philadelphia. That's pretty much the only requirement. Fiction only, no poetry. Unpublished and unknown writers welcome; any genre, no language restrictions. Previously published stories are okay with permission to republish. There is no fee for submission.

Write: “SPF, your last name, story name” in the subject line (e.g., “SPF, Franklin, Poor Richards Almanac”). Provide your name, address, phone number, and email, and enclose a brief bio that includes your affiliation with the city of brotherly love. Authors whose stories are selected will be expected to work with editors to fine tune their submissions. Selected authors will receive $20 and a copy of the published book. Don Ron Books reserves the rights to republish the stories in subsequent reprints, authors otherwise retain rights to their works. ee phillyfiction.com for more details.

We look forward to reading your stuff.

See and print a PDF of the call at: www.donronbooks.com/South_Philly_Fiction_Call_Deadline_Extended.pdf. Visit the Don Ron Books submissions page for more info.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Free Library Book Festival

Free Library FestivalJoin Don Ron Books and a host of other booksellers, publishing companies, and authors this Saturday and Sunday (April 17 and 18) at the annual Book Festival and Street Fair at the Philadelphia Free Library. We were there a few years ago at the first annual festival promoting the original Philly Fiction and had a great time. This year we'll be selling the new Philly Fiction 2, the first Philly Fiction, and other books by top Philly writers.

We are one of more than 70 exhibitors who will spread along 19th Street and Vine Street outside the Central library. Meet your favorite Philly authors and publishers, grab food from Starr catering, hear special music performances, and bring kids for a bunch of kid-type activities. On stage, hear readings and talks by such authors as Sapphire (author of Push, basis for the award-winning film Precious), Man Booker Prize winner Yann Martel, Edgar Award-winning mystery author Harlan Coben, biographer Kitty Kelley, and many, many more. Visit the Free Library website for a full listing of events and activities. And don't forget to stop by Philly Fiction distributor Book Corner (311 N. 20th St, behind the free library) for a 30% off sale on used books.

Hope to see you there.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Deadline Approaching for South Philly Fiction submissions!

Tax day is just around the corner, and with it the submission deadline for South Philly Fiction, a collection of stories highlighting South Philadelphia as a source of literary inspiration. Get your piece finished or pull a tale out of your archives and send it over to Don Ron Books.

All stories must be written by authors who are from, have lived in, or currently live in the Philadelphia area. Submitted stories must be substantially set in South Philadelphia. That's pretty much the only requirement. Fiction only, no poetry. Unpublished and unknown writers welcome; any genre, no language restrictions. Previously published stories are okay with permission to republish. There is no fee for submission.

Stories should be sent by April 15, 2010 to phillyfiction@yahoo.com.

Write: “SPF, your last name, story name” in the subject line (e.g., “SPF, Franklin, Poor Richards Almanac”). Provide your name, address, phone number, and email, and enclose a brief bio that includes your affiliation with the city of brotherly love. Authors whose stories are selected will be expected to work with editors to fine tune their submissions. Selected authors will receive $20 and a copy of the published book. Don Ron Books reserves the rights to republish the stories in subsequent reprints, authors otherwise retain rights to their works. ee phillyfiction.com for more details.

We look forward to reading your stuff. Good luck with that tax stuff too.

See and print a PDF of the call at: www.donronbooks.com/South_Philly_Fiction_Call.pdf.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Story by Philly Fiction 2 author in Stickman Review

Benjamin Matvey is the author of Philly Fiction 2's "Piece of Mind," a hilarious story of dysfunctional courting set in Philadelphia's Mutter Museum. We have been lucky enough to read several other of Ben's tales and can testify to their lively prose and unorthodox plot lines. You can read one of his new tales, "Forewarned," in Stickman Review, an online literary journal. In this enjoyable short story, a similarly strange couple deals with life changes and animal murder. You are forewarned.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Philly Fiction author releases new collection of horror tales

Seven Deadly Pleasures, Michael AronovitzMichael Aronovitz, who contributed the father/son piece "The Big Picture" (noted for its "genuine emotion" by Philadelphia Magazine) to the original Philly Fiction (Don Ron Books, 2006), recently released a selection of horror-fantasy tales. Seven Deadly Pleasures (Hippocampus Press, 2009) is Aronovitz's second collection of supernatural stories, following 2002's Twisted Campfire Tales.

Seven Deadly Pleasures is available through Hippocampus or online retailers and can be ordered through independent Philadelphia bookstores.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Philly Fiction 2, "as heard on WXPN"

xpn Live at the Writers House
The podcast for WXPN's LIVE at the Writers House featuring authors from Philly Fiction 2 is now online. It is episode 80 of the LIVE series and can streamed for free through the website of the Kelly Writers House. Hosted by XPN DJ Michaela Majoun, the show features excerpts of stories by Christine Flanagan, Elise Juska, John Carroll, Kelly McQuain, and Benjamin Matvey, and a musical performance by Flora Lee.

philly fictionMany thanks to the Writers House, WXPN, and all the audience members, live and on the airwaves. Enjoy the show!

Go to phillyfiction.com for more about Philly Fiction 2 and the stories heard on this show.

Link: writing.upenn.edu/wh/involved/series/live/

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Philly Fiction 2 Hits the Airwaves

WXPN
Many thanks to everyone who packed the Kelly Writers House on January 25th for a special recording of XPN's LIVE at the Writers House featuring authors from Philly Fiction 2. The show will be aired on WXPN on Monday, February 1st, at 8pm. Listen in the Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM or tune in around the world at xpn.org.

Michaela MajounLIVE at the Writers House is hosted by Michaela Majoun (host of the XPN Morning Show) and featured excerpts from five stories in the acclaimed Philly Fiction 2. Authors Christine Flanagan ("Return to Ithaca"), Elise Juska ("Northeast Philly Girls"), John Carroll ("Baby Blue"), Benjamin Matvey ("Piece of Mind"), and Kelly McQuain ("Erasing Sonny") were on hand to talk to Michaela and read excerpts from their PF2 stories.

The show will later be posted at writing.upenn.edu/wh/involved/series/live/.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Philly Authors Showcase at the CCP featuring Philly Fiction 2 writers, Feb. 1

Join Don Ron Books and the Community College of Philadelphia at a special Philly Authors Showcase featuring writers from the acclaimed Philly Fiction 2. This special event will kick off the 2010 POETS & WRITERS FESTIVAL at the CCP. It will be held on at 6pm on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, in C2-5, CBI Building (CCP Center for Business and Industry) at 18th and Callowhill Sts., 2nd Floor. The full schedule of all the 2010 PWF events is at:
http://www.ccp.edu/site/academic/creativewriting/writers_festival.html. All events are free and open to the public.

Tattoos, cheese steaks, and the Rocky statue: Philly Fiction 2 has it all. Contributors Elise Juska, Kelly McQuain, and Rachel Toliver as well as series editors Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden will read from the second installment in their anthology series and discuss the editing and publishing process.

"What I love about all of these stories is that they could be happening to anyone, anywhere. But there is also something uniquely Philadelphia about them and the fact that their stories take place here make them that much richer." —Autumn Konopka, Philly2Philly.com For more on the Philly Fiction books, go to phillyfiction.com.

Details:
Philly Authors Showcase
Featuring Kelly McQuain, Rachel Toliver, Elise Juska, Christopher Munden, and Josh McIlvain
Community College of Philadelphia, CBI Building, C2-5
Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, 6pm

Update: Due to a scheduling conflict, author Marc Bookman cannot read as originally planned. Welcome aboard Elise Juska, a terrific local writer, who will be substituting for him. Thanks, Elise!

Directions:
CBI is the Center for Business and Industry Building at Community College of Philadelphia, corner of 18th and Callowhill Streets. Parking is available at the CCP parking lot between Callowhill and Spring Garden Sts. If you head north on 18th, the CCP lot is just north of the CBI building on the right. Take a ticket as you pull in. There is also street parking. C2-5 is on the second floor of the CBI building.

Don't forget:
You can get your Philly Fiction fix even sooner at the Kelly Writers House on Jan. 25th, with a special XPN LIVE at the Writers House recording. See below for more details.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

XPN's Live at the Writers House featuring Philly Fiction 2

Kelly Writers HouseJoin Don Ron Books, XPN (88.5 FM) DJ Michaela Majoun, and the Kelly Writers House for this exciting broadcast and reading event!

On January 25th at 7pm, LIVE at the Writers House presents the authors of Philly Fiction 2, a live taping featuring John Carroll, Christine Flanagan, Elise Juska, Benjamin Matvey, and Kelly McQuain in the Arts Cafe at the Kelly Writers House. Hosted by Michaela Majoun and produced by Erin Gautsche.

XPNLIVE at the Writers House is a long-standing collaboration between the Kelly Writers House and WXPN FM (88.5). Six times annually between September and April, Michaela Majoun hosts a one-hour broadcast of poetry, music, and other spoken-word art, along with musical guests, all from our Arts Cafe onto the airwaves at WXPN. You can listed to previous broadcasts at: http://writing.upenn.edu/~wh/involved/series/live/. This month features excerpts from the acclaimed anthology Philly Fiction 2, a collection of short stories highlighting Philadelphia as a city of literary inspiration.

John Carroll Philly Fiction 2John Carroll was born and raised in Philadelphia, lives in the East Passyunk Crossing area, and works at the Kelly Writers House. John's work has appeared in the Battered Suitcase, 34th Street Magazine, and Dragonfire, as well as the websites Phillyist and CHUD. In 2006 John won the Kelly Writers House Junior Fellows Award, which funded his yearlong experimental mail project, A Place to Stand Productions. In his story "Baby Blue," Phil bumps into his old high school American lit teacher in a Northeast bar watching an Eagles game. The teacher begins to force a bond between them over sports, and despite Phil's wariness, the two go to a Phillies game, where the teacher's uncomfortable antics fuel Phil's desire to escape.

Christine FlanaganChristine Flanagan's recent work has appeared in Philadelphia Stories, the Pisgah Review, and Burning Leaf. She will be reading from “Return to Ithaca”, which was nominated for a 2008 Pushcart Prize. Her other writing awards include the James D. Bartolomeo Prize from the Drexel Online Journal, Kumu Kahua Theatre Award, Chameleon Theatre Circle New Play Prize, and South Florida Writer’s Contest (drama) First Prize. Her fiction and plays have been produced at InterAct Theatre’s Writing Aloud, the Riant Theatre, the Actor’s Center, and the Northwest Playwright’s Guild. She teaches writing and literature at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
In "Return to Ithaca," An ad executive who can't control his anger must move back home with his aging parents when his wife issues a restraining order against him. In his efforts to rebuild his relationship with his wife with date nights and by not drinking, her sister—who is also his business partner—stands perversely in his way.

Elise JuskaElise Juska will read from her story "Northeast Philly Girls." Elise is the author of the novels The Hazards of Sleeping Alone, Getting Over Jack Wagner, and One for Sorrow, Two for Joy. Her short stories and essays have appeared in many publications, including the Harvard Review, Seattle Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, Calyx, Salmagundi, Black Warrior Review, the Hudson Review, American Literary Review, Esquire.com, and the first Philly Fiction. She teaches fiction writing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Read more about Elise at elisejuska.com. "Northeast Philly Girls" is about a teenage girl from the suburbs who visits her aunt's family in Olney for the holidays and is struck by her young cousin's worldliness.

Benjamin Matvey's fiction has been featured in Sunday Salon, Generation X Journal, and twice in InterAct Theatre's Writing Aloud series. His story "Big Secrets" was named one of Cynic Magazine's "Best of 2008." His play Brie! The Musical Dissertation was produced in Philadelphia in the summer of 2005 and he hopes to bring it back for an extended run. He is currently working with a producer to bring his first screenplay, No Regrets, to the big screen, and has completed his first novel. "Piece of Mind" details the story of two kooky students falling for each other in the least likely of places.

Kelly McQuainKelly McQuain, a native of West Virginia, has lived in Philadelphia more than half his life. He holds an MFA from the University of New Orleans and an MA from Temple University. He has twice won fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, as well as Philadelphia City Paper writing awards in both fiction and poetry. His stories have appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rough Trade, Obsessed, the James White Review, Skin & Ink, the Harrington Gay Men’s Fiction Quarterly, Wilma Loves Betty, Best Gay Erotica, and elsewhere. He is an associate professor of creative writing at Community College of Philadelphia. In his story, "Erasing Sonny," a boy growing up in South Philly is betrayed by his sister's boyfriend who tattoos something obscene on his back. After the boy's efforts at concealment fail, his visits to the doctor's office to get the tattoo removed coincide with his awakening sexuality and the disintegration of his family.

Details:
XPN Live at the Writers House
Featuring authors from Philly Fiction 2
Host: Michaela Majoun
Kelly Writers House
3805 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
tel: 215-746-POEM
Jan 26th, 2010
7pm

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Call for Submissions: Short Stories Set in South Philly

Don Ron Books (publisher of Philly Fiction & Philly Fiction 2) is seeking submissions for a new book titled South Philly Fiction, a collection of stories highlighting South Philadelphia as a source of literary inspiration. All stories must be written by authors who are from, have lived in, or currently live in the Philadelphia area. Submitted stories must be substantially set in South Philadelphia. (Boundaries: South Street and south, the Schuylkill, and the Delaware.) We’re not just looking for Italian Market tales; we want to hear about life in Gray’s Ferry, Passyunk Ave hipsters, Laotian immigrants, etc. Stories cannot exceed 7,500 words; there is no lower word limit. Unpublished and unknown writers welcome; any genre, no language restrictions. Fiction only, no poetry. Previously published stories are okay with permission to republish. There is no fee for submission. Stories must be received by April 15, 2010.

Send submissions to: phillyfiction@yahoo.com.

Write: “SPF, your last name, story name” in the subject line (e.g., “SPF, Franklin, Poor Richards Almanac”). Provide your name, address, phone number, and email, and enclose a brief bio that includes your affiliation with the city of brotherly love. Authors whose stories are selected will be expected to work with editors to fine tune their submissions. Selected authors will receive $20 and a copy of the published book. Don Ron Books reserves the rights to republish the stories in subsequent reprints, authors otherwise retain rights to their works. Email phillyfiction@yahoo.com with any questions. We look forward to reading your stuff!

See and print a PDF of the call at: www.donronbooks.com/South_Philly_Fiction_Call.pdf.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Philly Fiction 2 Reading at Head House Books, Jan. 12!

Come one, come all, to the charming Head House Books (619 S. 2nd Street, just south of South St.) on January 12, 2010. Philly Fiction 2 authors will read from their stories, plus reveal their favorite "strange" Philadelphia spots. The night will also feature an exciting "identify that local UHF advertisement" quiz for hardcore Philly folks with special prizes!

Elise JuskaElise Juska will read from her story "Northeast Philly Girls." Elise is the author of the novels The Hazards of Sleeping Alone, Getting Over Jack Wagner, and One for Sorrow, Two for Joy. Her short stories and essays have appeared in many publications, including the Harvard Review, Seattle Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, Calyx, Salmagundi, Black Warrior Review, the Hudson Review, American Literary Review, Esquire.com, and the first Philly Fiction. She teaches fiction writing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Read more about Elise at elisejuska.com. "Northeast Philly Girls" is about a teenage girl from the suburbs who visits her aunt's family in Olney for the holidays and is struck by her young cousin's worldliness.

Bruce LangfeldBruce Langfeld grew up in Whitemarsh and spent most of his life in Philadelphia. He was a diehard fan of the city as well as a keen observer of all its problems. Bruce’s creative output was wide ranging — he was a guitar player, a songwriter, a fiction writer, a poet, and a contributor of scathing responses to poorly informed political bloggers. He taught at Temple’s intellectual heritage program, and was an enormous Flyers fan. He died in 2007, proud to have never read Ayn Rand. His story, "Give and Take," will be read by Don Ron Books publisher and Philly Fiction 2 editor Josh McIlvain. In the tale, everyone from the neighborhood thinks that Vic, a South Philly housing contractor, will always land on his feet because he's hardworking and honest. But when he can't pay back the local loan shark the money he borrowed to stave off his debts, he sinks into a world of darkness and sleazy underworld dealings.

Christine FlanaganChristine Flanagan's recent work has appeared in Philadelphia Stories, the Pisgah Review, and Burning Leaf. She will be reading from “Return to Ithaca”, which was nominated for a 2008 Pushcart Prize. Her other writing awards include the James D. Bartolomeo Prize from the Drexel Online Journal, Kumu Kahua Theatre Award, Chameleon Theatre Circle New Play Prize, and South Florida Writer’s Contest (drama) First Prize. Her fiction and plays have been produced at InterAct Theatre’s Writing Aloud, the Riant Theatre, the Actor’s Center, and the Northwest Playwright’s Guild. She teaches writing and literature at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
In "Return to Ithaca," An ad executive who can't control his anger must move back home with his aging parents when his wife issues a restraining order against him. In his efforts to rebuild his relationship with his wife with date nights and by not drinking, her sister—who is also his business partner—stands perversely in his way.

Joshua RobertsJoshua Roberts, author of "Well Liked," was born and lives in Philadelphia. His writing has appeared in Agni, Pindeldyboz, Eyeshot, Blue Mesa Review, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and other publications, and has earned Finalist rankings in the Heekin Group Foundation Fiction Fellowship and the Utah Writers at Work Fellowship Competition. He works for the School of Public Health at Drexel University. Bumping into his college girlfriend ten years after the fact, the narrator of "Well Liked" battles his obsession to find out all the details of her life that might cast her in a bad light. Is it his anger at his own lack of confidence or true indignation at her evident cluelessness or her own lack of artistic talent? His only solution to go to the art film she has made to determine whether or not her only success is in her mind.

Details:
Philly Fiction 2 reading
Featuring stories by: Elise Juska, Bruce Langfeld (read by Josh McIlvain), Christine Flanagan, Joshua Roberts
Hosts: Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden (editors)
Head House Books
519 South 2nd Street, Phila. 19147
Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 7:30 p.m.

Email phillyfiction@yahoo.com or visit phillyfiction.com for more information. You can buy Philly Fiction 2 and the original Philly Fiction at Head House Books at anytime or go to phillyfiction.com for a complete list of where you can purchase these great books.