Don Ron Books blog

Give the gift of Philly Fiction this holiday season

2011-12-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

Know someone who likes to read and likes Philadelphia? What better gift than Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2, collections of short stories written by Philadelphians and set in Philadelphia. Order from our website by 17th for delivery by Christmas Eve (if there's still a postal service by then) or click below to purchase through Amazon.

Whatever a person's interests, a book makes a great gift. Check out this list of local bookstores who carried the Philly Fiction books upon release (and may still have the odd copy on their shelves) or use this Amazon link to shop and have a portion of your purchase support the printing of our next book, the soon-to-be-released (honest!) South Philly Fiction.

For ideas if you already have all the Philly Fiction books, read our article about other fiction related to Philadelphia.

Chester County Fiction

2011-10-31T22:14:00.000-04:00

The Philly Fiction series has shown how Philadelphia is blessed with talented writers and interesting stories, but the blessings don't end at the city's borders. Last month, start-up publishing company Oermead Press released an edited compilation of sixteen short stories by authors who live and work in suburban Chester County. According to the publicity text, Chester County Fiction "includes stories about people in transition, struggling to find their place and peace in the community they live in. They are tales about love and loss, violence and heartbreak. The collection features brand new stories by: Virginia Beards, Jim Breslin, Robb Cadigan, Wayne Anthony Conaway, Peter Cunniffe, Michael Dolan, Ronald D. Giles, Terry Heyman, Joan Hill, Nicole Valentine, Jacob Asher Michael, Eli Silberman and Christine Yurick."

Oermead press is headed by writer and editor Jim Breslin, author of Elephant: Short Stories and Flash Fiction. Thanks to Jim and the other editors for bringing out more of the region's great short story offerings. They've even made a cool video about it, check it out:

Help a Philly Fiction author travel to Africa to finish his novel

2011-10-27T17:48:00.001-04:00

David Sanders's story "Nothing Matters" was one of the highlights of the first Philly Fiction collection, a thoughtful piece with blended internal insights with big-picture thoughts. David is working on novel, Busara Road, which draws upon his experiences growing up on a Quaker mission in Kenya in the years after that country's independence (that's him at right in his days on the mission). He's finished a rough first draft, but to flesh it out he's travelling to Kenya next month as part of his research for the book. David has set up an IndieGoGo campaign to help fund this trip. With twenty-odd day remaining he's still a few hundred dollars short of his goal. Consider giving today. Head to the campaign page or his Busara Road blog for more information. Any amount is appreciated, but for $1,000 he'll even name a character in the book after you!

Best of luck to David on his trip; we look forward to reading the novel.

Watch a video about the project:

Philly Fiction author publishes new story collection

2011-09-27T13:06:00.001-04:00

Random House has released the first collection of short stories by author Sandra Novack, whose piece "Memphis" appeared in Philly Fiction 2 and also features in her new anthology. Everyone but You: Stories comes on the heels of Novack's first novel, Precious, published by Random House in February 2009 and in paperback in August 2010.

"Vividly tactile, funny, irreverent, and incisive, these stories of imperiled relationships are also richly plotted," says Booklist about Everybody but You, a description which certainly fits Novack's PF2 offering. "Memphis" tells the story of a couple on the outskirts of the City of Brotherly Love struggling to live with a schizophrenic brother-in-law who a irrational desire to drive to Memphis without hitting any pebbles.

Find out more about Sandra Novack and her writing at sandranovack.com.

Anthology examines the state of arts and arts education

2011-08-09T22:28:00.000-04:00

For months, New Yorker Edward P. Clapp traveled to and from Philadelphia to visit a girlfriend. The relationship ended, but he mined that experience to great effect in his story "Shanghai Ship to Love," published in the first Philly Fiction anthology. He's since moved on Massachusetts, where he completed a Ed.D. at Harvard University in Educational Policy Leadership and Institutional Practice.

Blending his writing and studies, Clapp has compiled, edited, and written an introduction to an anthology of critical discourse that addresses the impending generational shift in arts leadership. 20UNDER40: Re-Inventing the Arts and Arts Education for the 21st Century contains twenty essays about the future of the arts and arts education, written by young and emerging arts professionals under the age of forty. In a time of education cuts, the anthology brings the voices of young arts leaders out of the margins and into the forefront of our cultural dialogue. Find out more at 20under40.org.

“If Philadelphia had a soundtrack it wasn’t a Smiths song. There were no double-decker buses, no lights that never went out. Philadelphia was one long violent film in a foreign language with subtitles that didn’t make sense — and the hum of the bus, the thump and thud of that noxious: thud thud
....thud-thud thud-thud
....That was my lullaby, all twelve dollars worth — rock-shaking me to sleep.”
—Edward P. Clapp, “The Shanghai Ship to Love”

Catch a play this weekend by Philly Fiction author Walt Vail

2011-06-02T19:43:00.000-04:00

Walt Vail, author of "The Red Truck" in the original Philly Fiction anthology, is a well-produced local playwright. Catch one of his plays, "Neighbors," at the Walking Fish Theatre in Fishtown/Kensington. Running through June 19, the play is part of A Jeffrey James Repertory Production, Funny/Dangerous, presented by B. Someday Productions.

Directed by Kenneth McGregor, Funny/Dangerous features two one-act plays, Vail's piece and another, “Within the Skins of Saints” by Mark Borkowski. In “Neighbors," a couple with a new baby is having marital problems. Their neighbors have been watching through the curtains.

Walking Fish Theatre is a small neighborhood theater located on the Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor at 2509 Frankford Avenue. Shows run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm, now through June 19. Tickets are $9-$18. Visit WalkingFishTheatre.com for more information.

Read Benjamin Matvey's "Piece of Mind" on Fictionaut

2011-05-23T10:53:00.000-04:00

The story "Piece of Mind," a version of which appeared in Philly Fiction 2, is one of the top reads of the year at online community magazine Fictionaut. In Benjamin Matvey's touching and intriguing piece, set in Philly's Mutter Museum, two brilliantly dysfunctional young people are wondering that age-old question, "Is (s)he thinking what I'm thinking?" A couple people told us it was their favorite piece in the collection (but, then, we heard that about quite a number of the stories... Philly Fiction rocks!). We've had the privilege of reading some of Matvey's other fiction, and it's uniformly excellent. He recently finished his first novel; it is much anticipated. Check out "Piece of Mind." You'll like it.

Calling itself "a literary community for adventurous readers and writers," Fictionaut is an invite-only social media site for fiction authors. Reader responses make this a self-selecting magazine "highlighting the most exciting short stories, poetry, flash fiction, and novel excerpts".

A Brief History of Baseball in Philadelphia

2011-05-17T15:48:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, the Phillies wore the uniforms of the Philadelphia Stars, a successful team from the Negro Leagues (as the segregated all–African American baseball competitions were known). Read Philly Fiction editor Christopher Munden's story about the history of baseball in Philadelphia, which touches upon the Stars and other now-defunct Philly baseball teams.

The article includes links to some good books about baseball in the city, including Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America, by Daniel Biddle and Murray Dubin. Tasting Freedom is the first full-length biography of Octavius Catto, a star short-stop and baseball manager who was better known as a pioneering activist for voting rights and equal rights for African Americans in the years after the Civil War. Catto's struggles, which ended in his assassination on election day in 1871, closely mirror those which occurred in the American South a century later (Indeed, despite Pennsylvania's fight on the right side of the Civil War to end slavery, the racial climate in the state in the 1860s closely mirrors, and in many ways was worse than, that in the South 100 years later.) Catto is probably the only person who has been compared to both George Steinbrenner and Malcolm X. His is a great story and one which deserves to be more widely known.

A version of "A Brief History of Baseball in Philadelphia" previously appeared in the Where Guestbook Philadelphia 2010/2011 as "In the Swing". Rights reverted to the author in May 2011.

Lit Reading featuring PF2 author Kelly McQuain

2011-05-09T16:35:00.000-04:00

Kelly McQuain

Local lit mag Painted Bride Quarterly is hosting a reading Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm at the Black Sheep Pub in Center City Philadelphia. The reading will feature writing by Kelly McQuain, author of the story "Erasing Sonny" in Philly Fiction 2 and the piece "Blue Boy," recently selected for inclusion in the forthcoming South Philly Fiction.

Kelly McQuain holds an MA from Temple University and an MFA from the University of New Orleans. He is a two-time recipient of a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship and a winner of Philadelphia City Paper Writing Awards in both fiction and poetry. His work has appeared locally in the Fringe Festival and Writing Aloud. Recently he juried the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. He co-coordinates the Poets & Writers Festival at the Community College of Philadelphia.

The event will also feature work by local poet Jeff Markovitz.

Lit Reading -- Boo Ya
Featuring Jeff Markovitz and Kelly McQuain
Black Sheep Pub
247 South 17th Street, Philadelphia 19103
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
7:30pm-9pm

Shad Fest and Bad Poetry Slam, April 23

2011-04-21T17:38:00.000-04:00

It's an exciting weekend for the folks at Don Ron Books. After a long winter lay-off, we will be back on the sales path this Saturday at the 2011 Fishtown Shad Fest. Held at Penn Treaty Park along the Delaware from 11 am to 6 pm, the festival features live music, local arts & crafts vendors, environment education kiosks, kids activities, food, beer, the Kenzinger Challenge Run, shad sandwiches, and much more! Proceeds go the Friends of Penn Treaty Park. Last year was a blast; come out on Saturday and see us.

Stick around that area in the evening for some brilliantly bad poetry at the Highwire Gallery at 2040 Frankford Avenue (Between E. Norris & E. Susquehanna). Philly Fiction editors Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden are hosting a special Bad Poetry Slam. Write some bad verse or find some from your favorite celebrity and read it in-front of a captive audience. The night will also feature music by Josh and his band the Generals of SEXCOP and by Chris Munden, as well as a interactive choreography by Annie Wilson, whose story "Hoagie" was included in Philly Fiction 2. The Bad Poetry Slam is a free event, with free beverages/byob; socializing at 7:30pm, starts at 8pm, April 23, 2011. Visit highwiregallery.com for more details.

Philadelphia Noir, hardboiled Philly Fiction

2011-01-05T13:05:00.002-05:00

With the Philly Fiction series, Don Ron Books hopes to encourage Philadelphia writers to use Philly as the backdrop to their stories. We love reading short stories set in Philadelphia, so we're delighted with the recent release of Philadelphia Noir, a collection of 15 works of hardboiled fiction, all of which take place in neighborhoods around the city.

The anthology, edited by Inquirer writer Carlin Romano, is part of a series of mystery collections published by New York-based Akashic Books. It features the story "Your Brother, Who Loves You" by author Jim Zervanos, whose piece "Georgie" graced the pages of the first Philly Fiction and whose 2009 Philly-set novel Love Park received rave reviews (including in a post on this blog). (Find out more about Jim and his writing at JimZervanos.com.)

Philadelphia has a good pedigree in the field of hardboiled literature. The first part of the 20th century saw bestselling authors such as William P. McGivern, David Goodis, and John McIntyre use Philadelphia as a setting for their hardboiled prose. McGivern's The Big Heat was made into a classic film noir of the same name, while Goodis's Down There was the source material for the French new wave masterpiece Shoot the Piano Player. Even the master of noir, Dashiell Hammett (The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man), spent part of his childhood in Philly, though as Philadelphia Noir contributor Duane Swierczynski details on his blog, the stay was fairly brief and left little mark.

We welcome Philadelphia Noir into the growing canon of recent Philly-based fiction releases. Our own new entry, South Philly Fiction, is coming along nicely and should be out before too long. Let's hope the list continues to grow.

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

2010-12-16T13:45:00.000-05:00

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)

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

2010-11-24T13:50:00.004-05:00

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.

Collingswood Book Festival

2010-09-29T16:47:00.005-04:00

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.

Reading South Philly stories and Martin Amis

2010-08-17T14:59:00.001-04:00

We’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.

Phyllis Carol Agins website

2010-08-16T14:38:00.009-04:00

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. Agins 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.

Bad Poetry Slam

2010-08-11T01:28:00.007-04:00

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.

Philly Fiction: top summer read

2010-07-29T14:27:00.003-04:00

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.

Punk Rock Flea Market

2010-07-23T20:00:00.003-04:00

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).

We'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.

The Next Page --- Grand Opening

2010-05-07T16:08:00.005-04:00

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

Join Philly Fiction at Fishtown's Shadfest

2010-04-22T18:00:00.007-04:00

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 Feathers

South Philly Fiction: Deadline Extended!!!

2010-04-19T17:00:00.003-04:00

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.

Free Library Book Festival

2010-04-15T22:09:00.006-04:00

Join 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.

Deadline Approaching for South Philly Fiction submissions!

2010-04-10T20:34:00.003-04:00

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.

Story by Philly Fiction 2 author in Stickman Review

2010-03-20T17:54:00.005-04:00

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.

Click this link to read "Forewarned."

Buy Philly Fiction 2 today!

Philly Fiction author releases new collection of horror tales

2010-02-10T22:48:00.004-05:00

Michael 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.

Philly Fiction 2, "as heard on WXPN"

2010-02-09T21:16:00.007-05:00

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.

Many 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/

Philly Fiction 2 Hits the Airwaves

2010-01-27T18:07:00.007-05:00

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.

LIVE 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/.

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

2010-01-20T19:56:00.009-05:00

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.

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

2010-01-16T20:55:00.010-05:00

Join 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.

LIVE 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 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 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 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 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

Call for Submissions: Short Stories Set in South Philly

2010-01-13T17:41:00.003-05:00

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.

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

2010-01-06T23:16:00.010-05:00

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 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 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 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 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.

Phun Filled Philly Fiction weekend

2009-12-04T02:26:00.004-05:00

Don Ron Books will be out in force this weekend, promoting Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2, ideal gift books for the holiday season.

On Friday night, editor Josh McIlvain will be at the seasonal sale at Lynnewood Elementary School located at 1400 Lawrence Rd in Havertown from 6pm to 9pm, while Christopher Munden heads to Fishtown/Kensington for the Rocket Cat Cafe holiday craft fair, also 6-9pm. Rocket Cat is a hip coffee shop located just blocks from the Berks el stop and the fair promises to be a great place for holiday gift shopping. On Saturday, December 5th, Josh and Chris will be at the Trinity Memorial Church Holiday Bazaar and Café Noel at 22nd and Spruce from 10am to 3pm.

Stop by one of these great seasonal events to stock up on holiday gifts. What could be better for the Philly reader in your life than Philly Fiction, stories set in Philadelphia written by local writers!

Don't Forget: Philly Fiction 2 reading this Saturday

2009-11-12T15:41:00.006-05:00

Mark your calendars. Don Ron Books is hosting another reading of stories from their acclaimed new anthology. Philly Fiction 2 authors Susan Balée, Marc Bookman, John Carroll, and Rachel Toliver read selections from their stories and reveal their favorite "strange" Philadelphia spots. Come out and hear tales from the book Philadelphia Magazine calls, "A bunch of great short stories from local talent."

See post below or our press release for more information.

Reading at Double Shots Espresso Bar

2009-11-02T13:51:00.013-05:00

Enjoy a Saturday afternoon of coffee, stories, and good Philly fun. Come to the hip Double Shots Espresso Bar in Old City Philadelphia on Saturday, November 14th, 2009, at 3pm to hear three authors from the critically acclaimed Philly Fiction 2 anthology read from their stories. Double Shots Espresso Bar is a large, comfortable coffee shop in the heart of Old City. It is home to numerous writers groups and three-time winner of the City Paper Reader's Choice award.

The night will be hosted by Don Ron Books editors Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden. Four Philly Fiction 2 writers will read from their stories: Susan Balée from "Ineffable," Marc Bookman from "A Transcript of Auden Hope's Last Request Before Being Shot by the Police," John Carroll from "Baby Blue," and Rachel Toliver from "Soup's Last Stand."

Susan Balée reviews books for the Hudson Review and the Philadelphia Inquirer and has published articles in the Times Literary Supplement, the Weekly Standard, the Women’s Review of Books, and the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature, among other publications. She appears on audio programs for the National Endowment of the Arts’ Big Read and has published short stories in Silent Voices and the Wild River Review. She has a PhD in literature from Columbia University and teaches in the intellectual heritage program at Temple University. In her story "Ineffable," Norton's Ph.D. in classics has yet to get him beyond an assistant's job in the office of English Department at the University of Pennsylvania. When the hopelessly shy Norton gains the affections of a much younger and seemingly sexually adventurous grad student, he's convinced he will lose his spoils to his older, conquering boss.

Marc Bookman has published stories in various literary magazines and journals over the past twenty years. He has been a public defender in Philadelphia since 1983, and lives in Wyndmoor. In his story "A Transcript of Auden Hope's Last Request Before Being Shot by the Police," a hostage stand off is transpiring in Center City, but the hostage-taker is duping the police and the crowd with taped screams from old movies, and neither his child nor his ex-wife are with him.

John 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.

Rachel Toliver's work has been published in Cutthroat, Night Train, Alligator Juniper, Literal Latte, the King’s English, Thieves Jargon, and Geez. Toliver teaches English at the same Philadelphia public high school from which she graduated. She lives in West Philadel¬phia (though not in a squat) and disagrees with all the nasty things people say about Philly. Soup, a squatter in West Philly and the "hero" of her story "Soup's Last Stand," tries to get his sorry sac of a dog back from his ex-girlfriend so he can split the city. But when he gets the dog, his anger subsides and he starts to see the city as his home, while others see his presence in an entirely different light.

Details:
Philly Fiction 2 reading
Double Shots Espresso Bar
211 Chestnut Street, Phila. 19106
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 3pm

Email phillyfiction@yahoo.com or visit phillyfiction.com for more information.

Latest list of stores selling Philly Fiction 2

2009-10-28T16:29:00.007-04:00

The critically acclaimed Philly Fiction 2 is now available at stores all across the city. Check out this list to find a store near you:

Artist and Craftsman, 307 Market St

Bookcorner, 311 N. 20th St

Brickbat Books, 709 S. 4th St

Curiosity Shop, 529 S. 4th St

Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd St

Joseph Fox Bookshop, 1724 Sansom St

UArts Bookstore, 13th St between Spruce and Pine sts

Avril 50, 3406 Baltimore Ave (West Philly)

House of Our Own, 3920 Spruce St (West Philly)

Penn Book Center, 130 S. 34th St (West Philly)

Vix Emporium, 5009 Baltimore Ave (West Philly)

Germ Books, 2005 Frankford Ave (Fishtown)

Port Richmond Books, 3037 Richmond St (Port Richmond)

Jean-Jacques Gallery, 7118 Germantown Ave (Mount Airy)

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane (Mount Airy)

Carman's Shoe Repair, 8111 Germantown Ave (Chestnut Hill)

Hideaway Music, 8612 Germantown Ave (Chestnut Hill)

Or visit phillyfiction.com to purchase online or view other purchase options.

Photos from the Chestnut Hill Arts Festival

2009-10-21T16:27:00.007-04:00

Philly Fiction editors took to the streets of Chestnut Hill (er, Germantown Avenue) to sell the Philly Fiction books at the annual Chestnut Hill Arts Festival. Here is Josh McIlvain with our gorgeous book tables.

Another glowing review for Philly Fiction 2

2009-09-28T11:29:00.002-04:00

Charles Loudon of the Fox Chase Review has given his two cents on Philly Fiction 2, a second collection of short stories highlighting Philadelphia as a city of literary inspiration. He calls the anthology of short stories set in Philadelphia “a fast read that will keep you turning the pages,” picking out local writer Liz Kerr’s “The Summer of Dark Shadows” and its “stunning detail” about family divisions in wartime for particular praise. Click here to read the full review or go to the Philly Fiction site to see more praise for the book.

These writers bring us into the stories to witness homelessness and discrimination, complex family relationships and generational lines, mental illness, geographical discrimination and neglect. The volume is a fast read that will keep you turning the pages.
—Charles Loudon, foxchasereview.wordpress.com

Photos from the Reading at Moonstone

2009-09-25T14:17:00.013-04:00

The first event of the Philly Fiction 2 reading series was a resounding success. Held above the old Robin’s Bookstore at the Moonstone Arts Center, the reading featured four authors from Philly Fiction 2 reading excerpts of their stories. Hosted by Don Ron Books editors Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden, the event began with Beth Goldner reading from her piece “Ambrosia.” Jan Kargulewicz shared an anecdote about his favorite strange Philadelphia place, Harry’s Occult Shop on South St., then read a well-edited excerpt from “A Cormorant Dries its Wings.” Liz Kerr gave us a sampling from her “The Summer of Dark Shadows” before Annie Wilson closed out the evening with a selection from her hilariously raunchy love story, “Hoagie.”

Come out November 14 when Philly Fiction returns for its second reading at Double Shots Coffeeshop in Old City. Details to follow right here!

"Baby Blue" featured on UPenn alumni website

2009-09-14T15:22:00.004-04:00

The story “Baby Blue” by John Carroll from Philly Fiction 2 was featured on UPenn’s (I think unofficial) alumni website, Dueling Tampons. John graduated from Philly’s Ivy in ’05 and worked at the university’s Kelly Writer’s House before going to pursue an MFA at American University. His story in Philly Fiction 2, “Baby Blue,” takes place in the bars of Northeast Philadelphia, on the SEPTA orange and blue lines, and at a Phillies game. The main character, Phil bumps into his old high school American lit teacher during an Eagles game. The teacher begins to force a bond between them over sports, and despite Phil's wariness, they take an uncomfortable trip to see the Phillies.

Read an excerpt of John’s story on the Penn blog, then go to phillyfiction.com to purchase the acclaimed anthology.

Philly Fiction 2 in Philadelphia magazine

2009-09-09T11:58:00.010-04:00

Praise continues to come in for Philly Fiction 2!
Page 20 of the September issue of Philadelphia magazine features a photo and mention of Philly Fiction 2, the latest from Don Ron Books. The anthology is described as "a bunch of great short stories from local talent." Click here to read the complete article, which also recommends Wine Secrets from great Philly publisher Quirk Books and Fading Echoes by Bucks County Courier Times sportswriter Mike Sielski.

Another second of note: a bunch of great short stories from local talent in Philly Fiction 2 (Don Ron Books; $12).
—Victor Fiorillo, Philadelphia magazine

Praise for the first Philly Fiction in Philadelphia mag:

"The writing sings; in 'The Shanghai Ship to Love,' Edward P. Clapp hilariously describes a trip on the Chinatown Express. There’s genuine emotion in Michael Aronovitz’s 'The Big Picture' …. In Greg November’s 'Dinnertime at 42B,' a loser pays a hooker for her company, but the woman isn’t pretty, and the ending isn’t Hollywood. Welcome to Philadelphia."

Philly Fiction 2 Authors to Read at Moonstone Arts Center

2009-09-01T14:44:00.014-04:00

On Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009, Don Ron Books will host the first in a series of Fall/Winter Philly readings at the Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia. Moonstone Arts Center is the book-centered space on the second floor of the old Robin’s Books and run by Larry Robin, owner of the venerable but now sadly defunct store.

The night will be hosted by Philly Fiction editors Josh McIlvain and Christopher Munden. Four authors featured in Philly Fiction 2 will read selections from their stories: Beth Goldner, author of “Ambrosia”; Jan Kargulewicz, author of “A Comorant Dries its Wings”; Liz Kerr, author of “The Summer of Dark Shadows”; and Annie Wilson, author of “Hoagie.”

Beth Goldner was born and raised in King of Prussia, when Woolworth’s still sold parakeets and shotguns. Her fondest memories are of going to the Franklin Institute with her dad. She loved running through the worn-out giant heart that smelled of bacteria, urine, and candy wrappers. As a true filly from Philly, she still has her elephant key from the zoo. She is the author of Wake: Stories (Counterpoint Press, 2003) and The Number We End Up With (Counterpoint Press, 2005). In her story, “Ambrosia,” a Main Line car salesman finds his wife dead from a fall in the bathroom. Instead of calling the police, he joins the local block party. He wants to see his neighbors try his wife's ambrosia one last time and to confront the man who had been sleeping with his wife.

Jan Kargulewicz is a full-time sociology student and a resident of Roxborough. Before returning to school Jan worked as a bartender, television salesman, math tutor, freelance journalist, and reggae musician and wrote fiction in his spare time. An amateur urban geographer, he is available for free walking tours of center city. Jan is currently at work on his first nonfiction book. In his “A Cormorant Dries its Wings” a young slacker couple spend their days acting as prospective buyers of condos when they should be out looking for jobs. When the girl realizes she's pregnant it becomes clear just how lost and helpless the pair are.

Liz Kerr, a Philadelphia native, holds dual Irish and American citizenship. She is a registered nurse on the Heart Transplant Team at a Philadelphia hospital and is pursuing a master’s degree in English. She is a cofounder of Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund, a non-profit dedicated to building public skateboard parks in Philadelphia, and is an officer in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. She lives with her family in Jenkintown. In “The Summer of Dark Shadows,” set during the Vietnam War, Kerr portrays a large family leaving the city for the shore and trying to survive the tensions of having a son in the war, a rebellious daughter who often indulges in the vices she criticizes, a father who sells illegal cigarettes to help pay the family’s bills, and a young girl who sees life through the lens of bubble gum music and the vampire soap opera, Dark Shadows.

Annie Wilson came to Philly in 2004 to study dance and three-dollar hoagies. Since attending University of the Arts, she has performed in the Fringe and Live Arts festivals, and has directed an evening-length site-specific performance, in memory of the deathtrap. She is delighted to be living in the Italian Market section of a city she loves to bits. “Hoagie” is a modern love story about a hoagie-loving plumber who discovers a South Philly corner deli that makes an orgasmically good Italian hoagie. The hoagies take over his life, and his attempts to break his sexual sandwich fixation only end up unleashing all of his life's unhappiness.

Since its recent release, Philly Fiction 2 has already received some rave reviews, and this event is sure to be a great Philadelphia-themed time. In addition to the story excerpts, authors will reveal their favorite "strange" Philadelphia spots and be on-hand to sign copies of the acclaimed anthology.

Details:
Philly Fiction 2 reading
Moonstone Arts Center (Robins Books)
110A South 13th Street, Phila., 19127
www.moonstoneartscenter.org
Wednesday, September 23, 7pm

Email phillyfiction@yahoo.com or call 215-735-9600 for more information.

Featured Book

2009-08-31T12:23:00.005-04:00

Don Ron Books has been happy to use the expertise of local book publisher Keystone Press, located just outside Philadelphia in West Chester. This week their website features our latest book, Philly Fiction 2, with a link to our company website and some glowing reviews of the book.

Tonight at the Curiosity Shoppe

2009-08-28T17:12:00.004-04:00

Tonight is book night at the Curiosity Shoppe, a cool boutique on 4th Street just north of South Street. Several local authors will be there to read from their work and talk about the books. Don Ron Books will be there in the guise of Christopher Munden, editor and publisher of the Philly Fiction series. Come for some free literature, free drinks, and good people, plus take a second to browse the shelves and clothing racks and find out why the City Paper called the Curiosity Shoppe "the best place for last minute gifts."

Details:
Curiosity Shoppe
525 South 4th Street (4th and South)
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Friday, August 28th,
7pm to 8:30pm

Philly Fiction 2 plug on Cornslaw.net

2009-08-10T21:10:00.005-04:00

Cornslaw Industries is a cool web project dedicated to the inimitable task of "putting stuff on the web that wasn't there before." It has had some crazy writings, video, and forums in time, but is now mainly dedicated to releasing music of varied quality. A low-fi digital single release by Philly Fiction editor Chris Munden provided an excuse to promote Philly Fiction 2. Thanks to Colin and everyone (?) at Cornslaw.net.

Look out for the new seven-inch vinyl release by the related Uncle Nicky Records featuring two great Philly acts, Chris Kasper and Mason Porter. For now it's only available at the performers' concerts, but plans are underway for a digital store.

Philly Fiction at the Piazza

2009-08-06T14:40:00.004-04:00

Why go to Florence when Northern Liberties is so close? The new Piazza at Schmidt’s is getting a lot of press, for its old world-inspired layout; assortment of cool galleries, restaurants, and stores; and drug killings. It is home to all sorts of events — live music, Phillies screenings, movies, LOCALS Only parties — and it’s a pretty cool place to stroll through every weekend, when crafters and the like sell all sorts of stuff. This Saturday, August 8th, Don Ron Books will be out in force, selling Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2 and soaking the summer sun. Stop by, buy us a drink, watch some NoLibs hipsters, and get your own copy of these great anthologies.

Piazza at Schmidt’s Marketplace
North Second St., at Germantown Ave
August 8th, beginning 11am.

Philly Fiction First Friday

2009-08-06T12:06:00.003-04:00

First Fridays in Old City are one of the great modern traditions of Philadelphia. The galleries and boutiques stay open late, giving away or selling beer and wine and showing artwork of interest though perhaps mixed quality. The sidewalks are packed. Sounds from bands of musicians accompany the hum of conversation. Local artists, jewelry-makers, and clothiers hawk their wares. And tomorrow, as in months past, the publishers of Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2 will hit the streets to promote and discuss the books. Come find us somewhere around Second or Third streets, around Market, Arch, or Race. Great weather expected; great fiction assured.

LOVE Park by Jim Zervanos

2009-07-31T12:36:00.004-04:00

Don Ron Books has been very fortunate to publish 36 talented writers in the two Philly Fiction anthologies. A number of our authors are also out on the marketplace with published novels or short story collections of their own. Elise Juska, who contributed great stories to both Philly Fiction ("The Stoop-Sitters) and Philly Fiction 2 ("Northeast Philly Girls"), has several critically acclaimed novels. Beth Goldner, who wrote the closing piece of PF2, wrote a great novel set in Philadelphia and also has a short story collection out. Among other Philly Fiction authors Phyllis Carol Agins (“Black and White,” PF1) has published several post-modern reimaginings of fairy tales, Michael Aronowitz (“The Big Picture,” PF1) has released two collections of fireside tales, and Sandra Novack (“Memphis,” PF2) recently had a novel published by Random House.

Jim Zervanos is the newest Philly Fiction alum to gain independent critical success as a novelist. His story “Georgie” in the first Philly Fiction is a great tale about a Greek-American lawyer torn between his parent-approved “nice Greek girlfriend” and his attractive and fun blond bartender mistress. Jim’s first novel, LOVE Park (Cable Publishing, 2009), is also from the point of view of a young Greek-American whose parents would like him to find a nice Greek girl. The novel brilliantly portrays a Greek-American family living just outside Philadelphia, adeptly exploring their inner dynamics and family secrets. Philadelphia plays a major role as the backdrop to the story as Jim brings to life its streets and public art (this reader learned one or two things about the city from this book, adding to an already considerable trivial knowledge). Highly recommended to anyone who enjoyed “Georgie,” and to any fans of Philly Fiction in general.

You can learn more about Jim Zervanos and his new novel at jimzervanos.com.

PF2 Review on Philadelphia Stories website

2009-07-29T12:18:00.000-04:00

The good press continues to come in for Philly Fiction 2, the recently released second collection of short stories highlighting Philadelphia as a city of literary inspiration (Don Ron Books, 2009). Our comrades-in-arms over at Philadelphia Stories, the top regional literary mag, have posted a review of the new book. The reviewer, John Drain, is impressed, picking out “Piece of Mind” by Benjamin Matvey ("a wickedly bizarre and entertaining story"), “Northeast Philly Girls” by Elise Juska, “A Cormorant Dries its Wings” by Jan Kargulewicz ("a moving tale"), and “Return to Ithaca” by Christine Flanagan ("a well-told story"} for particular praise. You can read the full review here.

"Each story represents how the people, the buildings, and the spirit of Philadelphia have aroused the creative energy in all kinds of storytellers – but the reader does not have to be familiar with the city in order to enjoy the stories in Philly Fiction 2."
—John Drain, Philadelphia Stories

"Well worth the reasonable $12 price."
—John Drain, Philadelphia Stories

Selling at the Memphis Taproom

2009-07-24T00:09:00.000-04:00

Don Ron Books will be out in force (look for a possible appearance by Philly-bred but San Francisco-based editor Tracy Parker; it’s rumored Don Ron himself might even show up!) for the first Handmade Market at the Memphis Taproom, in Fishtown/Kensington. The market will feature over 50 other vendors selling everything from little book jewelry to stuffed bacteria toys. Read more about it here and come out for a drink at a cool neighborhood bar and a chance to pick up a copy of the acclaimed Philly Fiction 2.

Handmade Market at Memphis Taproom
Saturday, July 25th, 10am to 3pm
2331 E. Cumberland Street, Philly
(Corner of Memphis + Cumberland)
215.425.4460
www.memphistaproom.com

PMZ at the Philly Fiction 2 Book Launch

2009-07-23T23:25:00.000-04:00

The launch party for Philly Fiction 2 at Skylight 307 was a great time, and beautiful society reporter Kerri Schmanek was just one of several Philly media types in attendance. She was starstruck by the many talented editors and authors and had a generally good time, despite some complaints about the heat. Read her account of the evening on the PMZ website.

"If you want to feel connected to your city in a nostalgic way then I suggest you pick yourself up a copy of Philly Fiction or Philly Fiction 2. Hell, pick up both!"
---Kerri Schmanek, PMZ

Great Launch Party / City Paper Coverage

2009-07-23T10:29:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out last night and made the Philly Fiction 2 launch party such a success. It was great mingling with the authors, editors, designers, and readers who made this book and Philly Fiction possible. Thanks for your support: we sold dozens of books and drank all the Philadelphia Brewing Company–subsidized beer (thanks PBC!). Keep an eye out here and on our events page for more great Philly Fiction events.

The launch party was featured on the Philadelphia City Paper’s blog yesterday. Writer Holly Otterbein laments “Philly just isn't the setting of enough short stories, books or movies.” and hails the stories in the Philly Fiction books for combating this. She picks out one story, “Northeast Philly Girls” by Elise Juska, for particular praise, excerpting the entire (wonderful) first paragraph. Thanks to Holly and the City Paper for their coverage and support. You can read the full blog post here.

Philly Fiction 2 review on Philly2Philly.com

2009-07-21T13:26:00.001-04:00

Philly Fiction 2 got a book review from the new online newsmagazine, Philly2Philly.com. They just started a month or so ago, but they seem committed to covering a variety of events, groups, and people of interest in the city. Writing book (or play, or album, etc.) reviews is a good way for a fledgling publication to get its name out, as organizations (like Don Ron Books, for example!), will use an attributed quote from the article.

Like this:
“I’m generally apprehensive about writing focused on Philadelphia. It takes a skillful writer who really “gets” the city—deep down, under the surface and the stereotypes—to get it right. I am extremely impressed at the number of such writers collected in Philly Fiction 2.”—Philly2Philly.com

or this:
“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.” —Philly2Philly.com

The author, local poet Autumn Konopka, has a lot more good things to say about Philly Fiction 2. She picks out a few stories for particular praise: “Erasing Sonny” by Kelly McQuain, of which she says “this story alone is worth the price of admission”; “Atlantic City” by Justin St. Germain, which she says is “full of wonder and surprise”; and “Memphis” by Sandra Novack which “delivers believable, sympathetic characters.”

The great thing about Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2 is the variety of stories reviewers picked out for praise. A piece one reader hates may be another reader’s favorite. So it is that Konopka slams one of my favorite tales, “Give and Take” by Bruce Langfeld, a brilliant hard-boiled story reminiscent of Philadelphia writer David Goodess and Philly-raised Dashiell Hammett. I guess you get it or you don’t. Read this excerpt and make up your own mind.

More peculiar are the comments by this “life-long Philly girl” that she’s never heard anyone call Northeast Philadelphia “the Northeast” or the Philly suburbs “the suburbs.” Ah well, she nitpicked and so am I. Many thanks to Autumn and Philly2Philly.com for their kind and positive coverage. You can read the full review here.

Philly Fiction 2 in today's Metro

2009-07-21T11:03:00.001-04:00

Philadelphia METRO, the city’s favorite free daily, had an article on Philly Fiction 2 today. We were above an article on Paula Abdul and American Idol, which I think is a fair and just editorial decision. It’s written by Monica Weymouth, METRO’s entertainment editor and a former City Paper writer.
Read the full text here: www.metro.us/us/article/2009/07/20/23/5519-77/index.xml.

Excerpt: ‘A collection of 19 tales, “Philly Fiction 2” is as varied as the city it’s set in: Elise Juska pays quiet tribute to some of the most exotic residents in “Northeast Philly Girls”; Kelly McQuain’s “Erasing Sonny” explores sexuality in South Philly; and Justin St. Germain rightfully claims the Shore in “Atlantic City.” ’

The article also makes note of our launch party, which is tomorrow, July 22nd, 7-9pm, at Skylight 307 (307 Market Street). Should be fun.

Philly Fiction 2 Review on Small Press Books

2009-07-15T18:24:00.000-04:00

The first Philly Fiction received rave reviews, and we expect the second volume to garner a similar response. Media response has started to trickle in --- Philly Fiction 2 is going to be featured in next Tuesday's (7/21) Metro, and we've had calls from a couple of other outlets. Our first review comes courtesy of Marc Schuster (author of The Singular Exploits of Wonder Mom & Party Girl [PS Books, 2009]) on his blog Small Press Books.

Excerpts:

"The good folks at Don Ron Books have recently followed up their highly-praised Philly Fiction anthology with a sequel: Philly Fiction 2. This collection does a wonderful job of gathering some of the area’s finest writers to conjure a vision of Philadelphia that is both realistic and touching. . . . These stories are all told with loving attention to the details that make Philadelphia all that it is — a city, a people, a home, and a character in its own right. A must-read for anyone who loves the City of Brotherly Love."

Click here to read to full review

Philly Fiction on Facebook

2009-07-14T23:01:00.000-04:00

Become a friend or fan of Don Ron Books (we have our own facebook and myspace pages) and interact with us via the internets.

Philly Fiction on Facebook

Philly Fiction 2 Launch Party!

2009-07-12T17:34:00.001-04:00

Please come out to the Philly Fiction 2 launch party on Wednesday July 22 from 7 to 9 pm at Skylight 307 (307 Market St, 2nd Floor, above Artist and Craftsman Art Supply Store). Philly Fiction 2 is a collection of short stories all set in Philadelphia by 19 Philly writers.

Meet the authors, buy a book, drink a complimentary beer, listen to the sounds of Philly music through the ages. Free. Bring your friends.

Philly Fiction 2 is now out!

2009-07-02T12:13:00.001-04:00

Don Ron Books is excited to announce the release of our second publication, Philly Fiction 2. This is the second volume of stories, all by writers affiliated with Philadelphia, which draw upon the city for inspiration, showing it in all its grit and glory. We were very fortunate to receive such a positive response to the first Philly Fiction—from writers, from critics, and from Philadelphians in general. Thanks to everyone who made a second Philly Fiction possible.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the writers who contributed to Philly Fiction 2, both those whose works are published within and those whose stories we were unable to publish. The 19 authors range from first-time writers fresh out of Philadelphia colleges to established authors with several novels in their catalogue. The stories are equally diverse, set in neighborhoods across the city and touching and topics both uniquely Philadelphian (Italian hoagies, the Phillies) and intrinsically universal (love, alienation, the Philllies).

Two authors from the first Philly Fiction return with contributions to the second: celebrated local novelist Elise Juska revisits the Great Northeast with her story “Northeast Philly Girls,” the setting of Jon Petruschke’s “560 Degrees” is a little more sinister—most of the action takes place at the old Byberry mental hospital. We welcome the following authors to the Don Ron Books family: Benjamin Matvey, Marc Bookman, Jan Kargulewicz, Christine Flanagan, April Dobbins, Susan Balee, Kelly McQuain, Lizz Kerr, Annie Wilson, John Carroll, Joshua Roberts, Emily Brochin, Sandra Novack, Rachel Toliver, Justin St. Germain, and Beth Goldner. See phillyfiction.com/pf2 or click on the names for bios of all the authors and more on their stories.

We are particularly honored by the presence of Bruce Langfeld’s story, “Give and Take,” which kicks of the collection. Bruce passed away in 2007 before we had a chance to tell him we had accepted his wonderful—and wonderfully Philly—tale. Philly Fiction 2 is dedicated to Bruce. Although he lives on in his stories and songs and in our memories, his presence his sorely missed by anyone who had the pleasure to meet this generous-hearted Philly stalwart.

Amazing local artist Theron Warren is back with another great cover. The cover of the first Philly Fiction depicted artistic representations of Ben Franklin and a Septa train, the new volume displays some more Philadelphia icons in the Rocky statue and the LOVE sculpture. Local graphic designer Bill Horan contributed little Liberty Bells as section breaks and story markers to bring even more Philly to your fiction. Freelance designer Jeff McKay assisted with layout.

Thanks to the crack editorial team: Josh McIlvain, Christopher Munden, Greg November, and Tracy Parker. They were assisted by Christine Ma, who gave valuable insights as we selected the stories for this volume. Proofreader Scott Wiser gave the manuscript his close attention and language wiz Savannah Cooper-Ramsey shared her unique knowledge with the editors.

Philly Fiction 2 is on sale at the following establishments:
Joseph Fox Booksellers, 1724 Sansom St (www.foxbookshop.com)
Penn Book Center , 34th & Sansom, (www.pennbookcenter.com)
Head House Books, 619 South 2nd St (www.headhousebooks.com)
Artist and Craftsman, 307 Market St. (www.artistcraftsman.com)
Book Corner, 311 North 20th St (next to the Free Library and Whole Foods) (www.libraryfriends.info)
Germ Books, 2005 Frankford Ave (Fishtown) (www.germbooks.com)
Hideaway Music, 8612 Germantown Ave (Chestnut Hill)
and others, just ask at your favorite store.

Pick up a copy of Philly Fiction 2 at one of these great stores or online at phillyfiction.com. We hope you enjoy this book even more than the first.

Hair of the Dog Craft Sunday

2009-06-26T10:55:00.000-04:00

Don Ron Books will be out in force this Sunday at the Hair of the Dog Craft Market, sponsored by the Philadelphia Independent Craft Market. There are over 30 other vendors, great music by Bevin Caulfield and others, and free beer courtesy of PBR. Entrance is just $2. We'll be there selling pre-publication copies of the brilliant new Philly Fiction 2.

Rain won't stop Philly Fiction

2009-06-21T15:05:00.000-04:00

After the Clark Park Festival was rained off, Don Ron Books switched neighborhoods and headed to the 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties to check out some music, drink a beer or two, and promote the new Philly Fiction 2. Weather did not cooperate, but even before the rain broke and it turned into a pretty nice day, we were there, with a borrowed umbrella from 2nd Street Pizza. Here is a Channel 29 news report featuring Don Ron Books' own Josh McIlvain.

What the reviewers said about Philly Fiction

2009-06-16T01:29:00.001-04:00

With the release of Philly Fiction 2 fast approaching, we look back at what the reviews said about the first Philly Fiction. Taken from: http://www.phillyfiction.com/more/philly_fiction_press.html

"I liked every one of the tales in this anthology... Philly Fiction rocks: Buy your own copy and see." —Philadelphia Inquirer

"[t]he writing sings; in 'The Shanghai Ship to Love,' Edward P. Clapp hilariously describes a trip on the Chinatown Express. There’s genuine emotion in Michael Aronovitz’s 'The Big Picture' …. In Greg November’s 'Dinnertime at 42B,' a loser pays a hooker for her company, but the woman isn’t pretty, and the ending isn’t Hollywood. Welcome to Philadelphia." —Philadelphia Magazine, Best of Philly issue

"Delish"—Philadelphia City Paper

"If you feel that indescribable sense of Philly pride, then this book is a must read. If others, maybe living outside the city, don’t understand your feelings, then this book is a must gift." —Play magazine
Read the entire Play article here.

"Stories that use the Philadelphia landscape, not only to highlight Philly’s literary talent … but also for the enjoyment of Philadelphians." —Chestnut Hill Local

"Philadelphia stories, themes, and concerns can only be told by local writers." —Gloucester County Times

"I recommend this book to both Philadelphia residents and people who don't live in Philadelphia."—Zoe Strass, http://www.zoestrauss.blogspot.com/

"Philly Fiction covers all the bases in an eclectic collection that exposes the city at its worst and its best. A friend of mine recently said that Philadelphia hasn’t found its soul. I will send him this collection as Philly Fiction reveals the city's soul with all its bumps and bruises."—G. Emil Reutter, blog360

Philly Fiction 1

2009-06-10T02:06:00.000-04:00

"Their first volume was delish!"
---Philadelphia City Paper

Philly Fiction, a collection of nineteen short stories set in Philadelphia written by Philadelphia authors, was the first publication from Don Ron Books.

Whimsical, inventive, and profound, the tales are as vibrant and diverse as the city whose stories they tell.

These must read pieces from established and up-and-coming writers will captivate and delight you, whether you grew up in Philadelphia or have yet to make your first visit.
Buy Philly Fiction 1 now

A Brief History of Early Publishing in Philadelphia

2009-06-08T21:10:00.001-04:00

by Philly Fiction editor Christopher Munden
taken from: http://www.phillyfiction.com/more/brief_history_of_early_days_of_philadelphia_publishing.html

Early publishing in Philadelphia has a rich and storied history. William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682; within three years the nascent town had its first printing press. The first American publication was printed in Massachusetts in 1639, so in publishing — unlike in many other endeavors in America — Philadelphia cannot claim precedence. Nevertheless, it did not take long for the city to establish itself as a major printing center.

Publishing in Philadelphia began as an enterprise of Quaker meetinghouses, which printed mainly religious texts. The city’s first printer, William Bradford, was forced out of town when he published a tract critical of the Quakers. Bradford relocated to New York and began a successful printing career there, but sent his son Andrew back to Philadelphia in 1713 to set up the city’s first independent press. At first, the younger Bradford printed theological works using equipment rented from the Quakers, but he soon acquired his own press and began to publish secular works. The American Weekly Mercury, the newspaper Andrew Bradford began in 1719, was Philadelphia’s first and the third in the colonies. The Bradford family continued to publish newspapers and other texts for generations, and their operations in New York and Philadelphia made them one of the most distinctive and influential families of printers on the continent, but it was a young printer and editor from Boston who established Philadelphia as the premier city for publishing. . . .
to read more go to http://www.phillyfiction.com/more/brief_history_of_early_days_of_philadelphia_publishing.html.

Rich in History, Rich in Stories: An Introduction to Philly Fiction

2009-06-06T17:23:00.001-04:00

Taken from http://www.phillyfiction.com/more/introduction.html)

From the correct viewpoint at the corner of Fifteenth and Market streets you can see Claes Oldenburg’s forty-five-foot tall pop art sculpture of a clothespin against the backdrop of City Hall, an elaborate building in the architectural style of the French Second Empire. This unapologetic juxtaposition typifies Philadelphia, a city with both a shadow and a pulse. We still walk the streets mapped out by William Penn—along cobblestone alleys, past Georgian-style homes, through lively public squares—but we do so to get to the latest BYOB restaurant, our office in a towering Center City skyscraper, or a pumping hip hop club. The city’s history contributes to its vitality, but its people and their stories bring Philadelphia to life.

The first novel printed in North America came from the printing press of Philadelphia’s most famous resident, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is best known as a scientist and Founding Father so it may seem unusual for a fiction book to put his much-seen visage on the cover, but it was the printed word that enabled him to retire at forty-two and dedicate his remaining years to the science and public activism that helped make this city great.

Philadelphia was once the center of American publishing, and many famous authors spent all or part of their lives in the area. Edgar Allen Poe wrote many of his best works here. Louisa May Alcott and the father of the American novel, Charles Brockden Brown, called Philadelphia home. James Michener and John O’Hara, two of the twentieth century’s best American novelists, lived little more than a stone’s throw from the City of Brotherly Love.

In literature and publishing, as in so much else, Philadelphia has a proud and storied history. But a newcomer to the city may well ask: “If it stopped commemorating events that occurred more than two-hundred years ago, what would Philadelphia celebrate?” We put together these collections because we believe the answer is: “Much.”

Philadelphia’s beautiful streets are rich in history but also ripe with life. The stories in this book draw their inspiration from the city and its diverse inhabitations, highlighting the metropolis in all its grit and glory. Our deepest gratitude goes to the Philadelphia-affiliated writers who contributed to Philly Fiction and Philly Fiction 2, both those whose stories are featured in the book and those whose stories we were unable to publish. We would also like to thank everyone who supported this project, and everyone who read the book.---The editors.