From the Editors

Dear Friends,

We started Philadelphia Stories with a simple mission: to publish the finest literary fiction, poetry, essays, and art from the Delaware Valley and provide it to the public free of charge. In the past five years, our mission hasn’t changed. We’re still proud to provide a venue for local writers and artists.

So, here we are, five years into this journey called Philadelphia Stories, and we’ve certainly come a long way since that first fundraiser back in April 2004. When we started Philadelphia Stories, we developed a five-year strategic plan that included the launch of a book division, the institution of affordable writing workshops, and other opportunities for professional development. We’re happy to say that we achieved all of these goals. The premiere issue debuted in Fall 2004.

We launched our first writer’s conference, Push to Publish, in the fall of 2007, and it has grown every year since. In June of 2008, we partnered with Rosemont College for the Rosemont Writer’s Retreat, a one-week event under Carla’s direction that brings together incredible writers and teachers from all over the country. We now also offer affordable writer’s workshops featuring terrific teachers like award-winning author Aimee LaBrie.

We also continue to host fun events that allow readers and writers to network and enjoy the local writing community. And, we are continually looking for new ways to raise enough money to keep the magazine in print and free. Our members and sponsors continue to pitch in, despite the economic hard times, and for this we are grateful. Without these folks we would not be able to continue publishing--it's just that simple. With help from our readers and supporters, our mission will continue for another five years.

We hope that you have a happy and productive fall. Watch our website for details about our anniversary and anthology launch party!

All the best,

Carla Spataro & Christine Weiser
Publishers