Novels in Progress - December 2024

This fall, join us for one, two, or all three events of the series, a salon-style reading and conversation featuring the work of two writers deep in the process of a long project. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Masks are strongly encouraged!

This event is presented by:

Blue Stoop, a nonprofit "Home for Philly Writers"

Molly's Books and Records

The Literature Department at The Free Library of Philadelphia

December 7 | 2PM | Parkway Central Library - Heim Center (1901 Vine Street)

Featuring:

Who Disturbs My Peace This Lovely Evening? by Chandler Myer and Planet Surrey by Maya Afilalo

Who Disturbs My Peace This Lovely Evening? by Chandler Myer

Who Disturbs My Peace This Lovely Evening? is the story of two women, Wendy and Gladys, who have been best friends for 50 years. They live across the hall from one another in a dilapidated New York apartment building and make ends meet working in cheap real estate as they approach 70 years old. Wendy begins receiving mysterious bags of cash outside her door just as she unwittingly becomes involved in an international crime syndicate. Will the two widows, with the help of some unlikely allies, foil the bad guys and find happiness in retirement? Maybe…if the subway didn’t have so damned many stops!

Chandler Myer published his first novel, Jayne and the Average North Dakotan, winner of the Literary Titan GOLD Award, at age 57, following a 35-year career as a professional musician. The book is based on his short story, “That Night I Ran the High Heel Race,” published in the Medium publication Prism & Pen. He has been published in Bear Creek Gazette and Medium publications Rainbow, An Idea, and Atheism101. Myer was born in Bryan, Ohio, and now lives in Philadelphia with his amazing husband of more than a quarter century. He loves to walk, travel, and make friends with every dog he sees.

Planet Surrey by Maya Afilalo

Sepi Halimi observes her Philadelphia suburb like Planet Earth’s David Attenborough—but when best friend drops her, she finds herself the object of her own observations, fallen through the cracks of her school’s social hierarchy, seeking connection and at times, survival. Amidst the 2008 financial crisis, Sepi’s father loses his job, while her older brother, the once-golden Persian son, spirals into reckless college partying. As Sepi struggles to hold her family together, she must navigate her first queer crush, and decide if a new friendship is worth risking for love.

Maya Afilalo’s stories and essays appear or are forthcoming in New Ohio Review, The Rumpus (Funny Women), Porter House Review, Bayou Magazine, The /tƐmz/ Review, and elsewhere. Her work has been nominated for a Best of the Net Prize, earned her a residency with Sundress Academy of the Fine Arts, and was awarded the 2022 James Hurst Prize for Fiction. She lives in Philadelphia. Read more at mayaafilalo.com.

Host or Publisher Blue Stoop