Join us at Giovanni’s Room on Sunday, July 6 from 6–7:30 PM for a queer coming-of-age evening with Ryan Schulte, author of I Dreamed I Saw Augustine, his debut novel from Rebel Satori Press.

Schulte’s self-described “masc disaster novel” follows Calvin, a young gay man navigating isolation, community, Brooklyn, 2015 political consciousness, queer dating, and the grumpy musicians of a Rolling Stones cover band. Funny, tender, and sharply observant, I Dreamed I Saw Augustine asks what it means to want a better world before you fully know how to live in one.

The evening will feature a book reading, live music, and an interactive conversation between Ryan Schulte and longtime friend and collaborator Jessica McNamara. Having survived high school drama productions and a high-stakes literary magazine together, Jess and Ryan will reunite for a wide-ranging discussion about fiction, theater, stage management, hometown politics, queer college loneliness, creative friendship, and the cultural supremacy of Derry Girls.

The event will also include a special live performance by Waltz Whitman, rounding out the night with music, conversation, and queer literary community.

Come for a reading, discussion, and performance celebrating queer storytelling, memory, friendship, drama, and the messy beauty of becoming.

Ryan Schulte is a community gardener with NYC Parks. His poetry and fiction have appeared in Oyez Review 51, Blood Orange, and elsewhere. He is a graduate of Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College and lives in Washington Heights, New York. I Dreamed I Saw Augustine is his first novel.

Jessica McNamara is a queer disabled producer and stage manager. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, they have worked at Goodspeed Musicals, Madison Lyric Stage, off-Broadway, and the Philly Fringe Festival. They are passionate about fostering a diverse and accessible artistic community and can likely be found at Tattooed Mom or Marsha’s.

Ryan Schulte: I Dreamed I Saw Augustine
Reading, Discussion & Live Music
With Jessica McNamara and a special performance by Waltz Whitman

July 6
6–7:30 PM
Giovanni’s Room
345 S. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA