Something new! Join us for our first Online Open House. 

Written By Chris Fraser
 

A chalkboard sign that reads, “Welcome Please Come In.”

 

Hey, do you want to come over? 

For hearts like ours, the itchy part of running a business is the need to think about money. We all pour ourselves into this work would love to do it for free, but the world requires us to pay for many things, so we need to be mindful about our capacity or we’ll sink.

Sometimes we give ourselves a break, and offer something just for the love of it. This is one of those times.

This is a new idea that our wonderful new operations lead Sydney came up with. We’re calling it an “Online Open House.” It’s your chance to try out some Firefly-style writing experiences and enjoy a fun, free evening of creating and community.

And, it’s our chance to get to know you better, and find out a little bit about your creative longings, so that we can keep planning our work with you close in our hearts.

We’ll be on Zoom, but we’re imagining it like a real house – we’ll gather in the “living room” for some big group time, and then twice, we’ll break off into smaller rooms of your choosing.

  • Mari will be “in the den” to lead sessions about opening your imagination wide, and having fun with fiction.

  • Sophia will be “on the wrap-around porch” to lead writing sessions about using poetry to find new flow and inspiration in your work.

  • Britt will be “around the campfire” to lead writing sessions on using your own life as material, and writing true stories.

In between times, I’ll be hosting some tiny open-mic-style shares to hear some of what happened in the small rooms, and Sydney will be leading us in asking you questions about your creative yearnings.

Questions like…

  • What are the main things that hold you back from writing these days?

  • What kinds of programs do you wish Firefly ran more of?

  • What are your ideas for how Firefly should move into the future? 

It will be Tuesday, July 8 from 7–9pm Eastern Time.

We’re capping enrollment at 100 — we have no idea how many people will want to come, but sign up soon if you want a spot.

This is free, but we’re warmly inviting everyone to join us in donating to a project we love — Creation Grants, by Indigenous Youth Roots.

We’ve been lucky to work with this Indigenous-led organization several times now, and we are in awe of their clarity, vision and hard work. One of the things they do is to fund passion projects led by Indigenous youth across Canada, and set them up with mentoring and support to see them through.

You can read about it here.

There’s no requirement to donate — this is simply an invitation to stand with us in our vision, through the beautiful community work of this beloved organization.

And if you’re able, go on to donate any amount to Creation Grants. (Tell them in the comment bar it’s connected to the open house and they’ll know how to allocate it.)

If you’re looking for a more creative structure this summer, read on…

Small group Workshops (with discounts!)

These four workshops are filling a little slowly this summer, so we’re releasing some 30% off spots!

Use the discount code MAGIC for the discount.

BIPOC Writing Space

This is one of our sacred spaces — twice-monthly writing sessions run for and by People of Colour. Sliding scale. So much love.

Here are some more details.

Teen Summer Camp

Teen summer camp is back! We’ll run this 5-day program at the lovely and accessible St Matthew’s Clubhouse late this summer, culminating in an open mic night at the end. Send us your teenagers!

Here’s all the info.

Seven Swimming Pools

This is our annual large-group program (less sharing, and less price than our small group workshops) where we each run 1 session about something about writing we’re currently obsessed with.

Check it out here.

And, of course — a poem.

Just for the title alone, this has my vote: “When I Die, No One Will Remember My Zodiac Sign”

Read or listen here.

I’m one of those people who always wants to walk around an open house in my neighborhood.

Even though I like where I live.

Even though I’ll most likely never be able to afford a house in my neighbourhood.

I’m just curious about everything. 

I hope this scratches that same itch for you — a chance to walk through a door, find something interesting, some something beautiful, and then carry it in your pocket for a while.

In it with you,

 
 

P.S. Our next community event will be a bonfire in Withrow Park, Toronto on Saturday, September 13th.

P.P.S. That lovely photo up there was taken by Aaron Burden, shared on Unsplash.

Chris Fraser
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