Philadelphia Stories Cultivating a community of writers, artists, and readers in the Philadelphia region since 2004.
Since 2004, Philadelphia Stories has published writers and artists from the Greater Delaware Valley in its free magazine, reaching more than 5,000 readers every quarter. Philadelphia Stories is the ONLY publication that specifically supports Philadelphia-area writers, building its mission on Philadelphia’s long history of literary tradition. Philadelphia was home to famous authors that include Ben Franklin, Louisa May Alcott, Pearl S Buck, and James Michener. Now, thanks to Philadelphia Stories, readers can discover new local authors all year long by picking up a free copy of the magazine at their local library, bookstore, cafe, or any one of Philadelphia Stories’ hundreds of locations.
“Since issue #1 this magazine has presented superb writing in a variety of genres, and it's done a wonderful job of showcasing the diverse and widespread writing talent in Philly.” -- Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning horror and thriller author
In addition to connecting writers to readers, Philadelphia Stories also offers professional development opportunities to writers by hosting affordable workshops where writers can fine-tune their craft. Philadelphia Stories also promotes writing and art from the Greater Delaware Valley regionally and nationally through events like art exhibits, festivals, contests, book release parties, and more.
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The mission of Philadelphia Stories is to cultivate a community of writers, artists, and readers in the Delaware Valley by offering the following programs: Free magazine: The primary vehicle for this mission is the free print magazine, which publishes work by local writers and artists. Five thousand copies of the free print magazine are distributed each quarter to more than 200 locations throughout the Delaware Valley, including all 52 branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
PS Junior and PS Teen: PS Teen is an annual magazine published each Fall featuring local writers and artists aged 13-18. Philadelphia Stories also publishes the annual magazine, PS Junior, for local writers and artists aged 12 and younger, which will be published each Spring. The publication release is celebrated at a free event co-hosted by Mighty Writers.
National Writing Contests: Inspired by the work of two local writers who served on the editorial board of Philadelphia Stories, the goal of these named national prizes is to introduce the great culture of Philadelphia to writers throughout the country. The Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction is an annual national short fiction contest with a 2,000 prize. The Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry offers a $1,000 cash award. Both prizes are celebrated at an award reception and dinner.
Workshops and conferences: Philadelphia Stories hosts affordable writing workshops each year, including the Push to Publish conference for emerging and established writers, the Writers at Work conference for published authors, and the LitLife Poetry festival in partnership with the Montgomery County Poet Laureate program.
This books division of Philadelphia Stories showcases local writers through book-length works. Titles include 50 Over 50, a collection of poetry, essays, and fiction by women over age 50. This anthology features work by notable authors like Robin Black, Bonnie Jo Campbell, J.C. Todd, Vickie A. Carr, and Rachel Pastan.
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Reach our sophisticated audience in print and in person with a Philadelphia Stories sponsorship. Options include: •
Advertise in Philadelphia Stories magazine and reach 5000+ readers each quarter: Your ad appears in 5,000 copies of the free magazine, distributed at hundreds of locations throughout the Delaware Valley including cafés, bookstores, and library locations-places where people sit and read, leading to longer views of your advertisement.
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Sponsor an event: Event sponsors receive an exhibit table, two free conference registrations, a logo on all event promotions, and a promotional item to be included in the registration packet.
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Sponsor PS Junior/Teen magazine to support young writers and artists: Sponsor an issue of this free magazine and reach 2,000+ readers each quarter. Exclusive sponsors will be recognized in the magazine, on the website, and at all PS Junior/Teen events.
Show Your Support for the Local Arts: Your brand appears with beautiful artwork and writing from the Delaware Valley, showing your customers that you believe in and support the local arts community. For information about sponsorships, contact Christine Weiser at christine@philadelphiastories.org 4
Philadelphia Stories
What Do Writers and Readers Have to Say About Philadelphia Stories? Being part of the quarterly publication has made me feel more a part of the Philadelphia literary community both as a contributor and a reader. -Phylinda Moore It’s good for me and for my students to have a journal that publishes the best of Philadelphia writers and artists. It’s good for Philadelphia, too, to show the talent that is here to the world. I consider Philadelphia Stories my partner in growing that talent. -- Alison Hicks, Founder & Director of the Greater Wordshop Studio
When things have seemed particularly dire for the arts, having a publication like Philadelphia Stories publish my work in print and online has sustained me and my writing. -- Lisa Asta
It is a matter of pride as a native of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to have such a fine literary magazine devoted to furthering the careers of Pennsylvania writers. I was a reader of Philadelphia Stories before I was ever published in it, and it was with great pride that I shared the issue containing my story with friends and family. -- Stephen Graf
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Philadelphia Stories
I love being a part of this event. The fact that the conference draws so many people who care about writing every year is a testament to PS's positive and affirming style! -- Janet Benton, author and writing teacher All of the agents were super supportive during the speed dates and gave me so much excellent advice on how I could both improve my writing and better market myself to agents and publishers. -- Push to Publish Attendee
This was a fabulous workshop -well organized & so informative. Perfect for authors who are looking for answers about the world of publishing and promotion! - Writers at Work attendee I've had the pleasure of speaking at a number of conferences but have to tell you that your event boasted one of the most informative and diverse line-up of contributors. Each breakout session packed unique and critical information that should help everyone who was in attendance approach their writing with more confidence. -- Writers at Work speaker
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Where to Pick Up A Copy You can pick up a free copy of Philadelphia Stories at any of the locations below. CENTER CITY & SURROUNDING AREAS **Free Library of Philadelphia – all branches Welcome Center, LOVE PARK, 16 & JFK Boulevard A House of Our Own, 3920 Spruce Street Bean Exchange, 7th & Bainbridge Da Vinci Art Alliance Dirty Frank's Fleisher Art Memorial Headhouse Books, 2nd (b/w South & Bainbridge) Hinge Street Kaffa Crossing, 4423 Chestnut Street Kelly's Writers House, University of Pennsylvania campus La Colombe, 19& Walnut and Manayunk Mercer Café Milk & Honey, 518 S. 4th St Milkboy, Center City Mt Airy Read & Eat Musehouse Literary Arts Center, 7924 Germantown Avenue Night Kitchen, Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill OCF Cafe, 21st & Fairmount Penn Book Center, 130 S. 34th Street Philadelphia Java Company, 2nd & Christian; 7th & Bainbridge; 4th (b/w Lombard/South) Read & Eat, Mt. Airy Rosenbach Museum Saxbys Coffee, University City Spiral Bookcase, 112 Cotton Street, Manayunk Temple University Student Center The Green Line Café, 43 and Baltimore The Last Drop, 1300 Pine Street The Last Word, 3925 Walnut Street Weavers Way Co-op, Carpenter and Greene Streets PENNSYLVANIA Ardmore, Saxbys Coffee Bally’s Gym in Cedarbrook Mall Ardmore Milkboy Cafe Camp Hill: The Crimson Frog Coffeehouse Camp Hill: Betsy’s Bakery Chester, Widener University Bookstore Elkins Park Library Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, The Cornerstone Coffee House Harrisburg, The Midtown Scholar Bookstore Hershey - Cocoa Perk Coffee Shop Doylestown Book Store King of Prussia, Maggiano's Little Italy Lancaster, Dog Star Books, 529 W. Chestnut St. Lancaster, Central Penn College Lititz, Aaron's Books Media, Seven Stones Café, 22 S Plum Street, Media, Koffee Korner, 15 S Jackson Street Media, Coffee Beanery, 100 W State Street
**Montgomery County Libraries - all branches Mt. Airy, Infusion New Hope, Farley's Bookstore Norristown : Greater Norristown Art League Open Book, Elkins Park Philadelphia Java Company Phoenix Village Art Center, Phoenixville Pittsburgh, Tazza D'oro Pittsburgh, 61C Cafe, 1839 Murray Avenue Swarthmore, Hobbs Coffee, 1 Park Ave The Swarthmore Campus & Community Bookstore, 4 South Chester Road, Swarthmore (by the Swarthmore Train station) Summerdale: Central Pennsylvania College Upper Merion Township Library Wayne Art Center West Chester, Chester County Book and Music West Reading Wissahickon Valley library (Ambler and Blue Bell) Seven Stones Café, 22 S Plum Street, Media Koffee Korner, 15 S Jackson Street, Media Coffee Beanery, 100 W State Street, Media Starbucks Coffee Co., 443 East Baltimore Pike, Media Media-Upper Providence Free Library, One East Front Street, Media The Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford Trappe Book Store, Phoenixville York, The Rooted Arts Collective NEW JERSEY Cherry Hill Library, 1100 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill Collingswood Library Collingswood, Grooveground
Expressit Cafe, 18 Haddon Ave, Westmont Haddon Heights Public Library, 608 Station Ave.
Rowan University, Hawthorn Hall and Barnes & Noble DELAWARE The Arden Library, Arden Between Books, Claymont Brandywine Hundred Library Claymont Library Dagsboro Library Lewes Library Millsboro Library Ninth Street Book Shop, Wilmington Rehoboth Art League Rehoboth Library Middletown, The Gibby 7
Find out how your company can benefit from a Philadelphia Stories Sponsorship by emailing info@philadelphiastories.org Visit www.philadelphiastories.org for more information.