Our next reading is on August 26 at The Book Passage in the Ferry Building. See you there!

The readers! Annie, Indiana, Kevin and Amanda.

WritersCorps teaching artist Aracely Gonzalez was the MC for the evening.

Amanda Davidson from Instant City.

WritersCorps apprentice Annie Yu.

To see more photos, visit our Flickr set here.

“‘City of Stairways’ is your treasure map to a San Francisco seen though the eyes of young visionaries who are willing to give you a rare glimpse into what most passers-through pass right by.” — LJ Moore, San Francisco Examiner

“As you take in the poetry, sights, and local treasures this book offers, let yourself be shepherded by one of San Francisco’s most vital resources: its young people.” — Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco

“City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco” offers an intimate look at some of the most memorable sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco. Written by students in WritersCorps, and edited by Milta Ortiz, it is both a travel guide and a literary anthology, giving residents and visitors alike new ways to see to San Francisco.

Buy “City of Stairways”

• Buy the book from our online store.
• Wholesale: Order from Small Press Distribution, spd@spdbooks.org, 800.869.7553 or buy directly from WritersCorps by calling 415-252-2546

Proceeds from the sale of “City of Stairways” go towards free student programming at WritersCorps.

Read the review here. And buy the book from our store. All proceeds go toward our free writing workshops.

One of our students, Annie Yu, recently wrote a great little piece about being a resident of San Francisco on I Live Here: SF. She writes about some of her favorite places in San Francisco, include the Wave Organ, where she and fellow WritersCorps apprentices went on a field trip. Read Annie’s piece here.

City of Stairways: Book Launch from New America Media on Vimeo.

Youth Outlook came to our reading for “City of Stairways” back in June. Here’s an interview they conducted with WritersCorps teaching artist Milta Ortiz (also the editor of the book), and several of our students: Robin, Geoffrey and Nicole.

Photo of Robin Black by Trey Bundy, San Francisco Chronicle

A San Francisco Chronicle reporter, Trey Bundy, came to our reading for “City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco” last week at Get Lost Books and interviewed us about the book, the writing process, and our favorite places in San Francisco. Now we’re in the paper! Meet our students Robin, Annie, Indiana, and Nicole — and their teacher Milta Ortiz. Read the story here.

A lot has happened in the month since we’ve posted an update on “City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco.” First, you should know that THE BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED! They are here! They are here!

Thank you so much to everyone who made this book a reality. The feeling you get from opening up a box and seeing your published book is priceless — it is a one-of-a-kind moment we will cherish forever.

We are preparing packages with the books to mail out to those of you who gave at the $25 or more level. The WritersCorps Apprentices got together this past Friday to write thank you postcards to you. (See below.)

Also, we are planning many readings and events for the book in venues around San Francisco. The first one is this Thursday, at Get Lost Books in San Francisco.

Here are the dates we have planned:

July 15: Get Lost Books, San Francisco, 7 pm,
August 5: The Green Arcade, San Francisco, 7 pm
August 26: Book Passage, San Francisco, 6 pm
September 23: Red Poppy Art House, San Francisco, 7 pm
October 9: LitQuake, Venue TBD

If you are in the area, we hope you can stop by one of these events. Thank you so much for your support!

Join the young authors of “City of Stairways” at our events, which take place at a variety of bookstores and arts venues:

Part travel guide and part literary anthology, “City of Stairways” was written by students in WritersCorps, a creative writing program for youth.  This 7×7 inch book is packed with original poetry, photography, artwork, maps, and tips on the places to see and be seen in San Francisco. “City of Stairways” offers an intimate look at some of the most memorable sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco, and gives residents and visitors alike a unique, vibrant perspective on being a youth in an urban environment.

Events

July 15: Get Lost Books, San Francisco, 7 pm

August 5: The Green Arcade, San Francisco, 7 pm

August 26: Book Passage, San Francisco, 6 pm

September 23: Red Poppy Art House, San Francisco, 7 pm

October 9: LitQuake, Lit Crawl Phase 2, Serendipity, San Francisco, 7:15 pm

WritersCorps Apprentices with guest readers from Instant City at The Green Arcade reading, August 5

Join the young authors of “City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco” as they read from this new book about San Francisco. “City of Stairways” was written by students in WritersCorps. Part travel guide and part literary anthology, this 7×7 inch book is packed with original poetry, photography, artwork, maps, and tips on the places to see and be seen in San Francisco. “City of Stairways” offers an intimate look at some of the most memorable sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco, and gives residents and visitors alike a unique, vibrant perspective on being a youth in an urban environment.

Aside from the authors of the book, tonight’s event includes guest writers Amanda Davidson and Kevin Thomson from local literary journal Instant City. Instant City publishes fiction, non-fiction, and art generating an ongoing psychogeographic exploration of San Francisco.

About the guest writers:

Amanda Davidson is a San Francisco-based writer and multimedia artist. In 2009 she spent time as a writer-in-residence at the MacDowell Colony as well as the Art Farm Nebraska. She is currently working on her first novel. Visit her online.

Kevin Thomson is author of the book “Hot Rod Kings,” wrote the text for the book “Speedseekers,” and has contributed to numerous books and magazines. He tours and records with his bands Enablers, and BunBunBun.  Kevin enjoys breaking skin on vintage cars and acquiring bruises in empty swimming pools.

WHAT: “City of Stairways” Reading

WHEN & WHERE: August 5, 7-8 pm
The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street

COST: Free