Bookish Events in Philadelphia: November 14th – 21st

Posted by Lillian Dunn

Most curious bookadelphians! You well-read librariquarians! Your bookish events for the week include afrofuturism, prize money, and erotic nonagenarians. Yep, only Philadelphia could offer you all of those in one sentence. 

On Saturday, November 15, the Afrofuturist Affair presents Black Holographic Memory at the A-Space on Baltimore Ave.,  offering experimental workshop and reading experiences to take you time-traveling, Sun-Ra style. The afrofuturist literary movement in Philly is offering some of the most creative and liberatory education and inspiration in the city, so go check it out! 7-10 p.m.

The 15th of November is also the deadline for the Sandy Crimmins Poetry Prize, hosted by Philadelphia Stories magazine, with $1000 going to the first prize poem! Visit their website to learn more. 

On Sunday, November 16, "Young Philly Writes"  is an afternoon of conversation  celebrating the thriving literary community in our city at the home of The Head & The Hand Press. Come at 3 p.m. for an hour of writing time; then enjoy a panel discussion with Tamara Oakman, co-founder and co-editor of APIARY Magazine; Nic Esposito, founder of The Head & The Hand Press; and Stephanie Feldman, author of the debut novel The Angel of Losses. And then an hour to hang out and chat after. 2011 Frankford Ave, 3-6 p.m. 

Tuesday, November 18 brings the eve of the monthly Erotic Literary Salon, where attendees can share erotic poems, stories, and rants. These salons offer a unique space in the city for anyone over 21 to openly explore sensuality and sexuality —and Frances, the resident nonagenarian (97 years young) occasionally recites her original erotica! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. TIME (The Bohemian Absinthe Lounge), 1315 Sansom Street.

If you like writing of the epistolary form, head over to the Temple Contemporary gallery for a rare night of paper making and letter writing on behalf of currently incarcerated men and women. The People's Paper Co-op, a group of artists who have been impacted by incarceration themselves, will lead a workshop in creating handmade holiday cards from discarded paper. Attendees will then work with Decarcerate PA to send notes and blank cards to prisoners, who can in turn send them to friends and family. 2001 N 13th St, 6:00-8:00 p.m.