Books & Books will host a unique blend of poetry, performance, and public dialogue this Sunday, July 13, as part of the American Fantasy Pop-Up Workshop, a one-hour generative poetry event led by writer and political storyteller Steven James Faviano. Scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. at the bookstore’s flagship Coral Gables location, the gathering is free to attend and invites poets, artists, and activists to share their stories in an open mic setting designed to foster connection, reflection, and expression.

The event marks a departure from traditional literary readings, placing the creative process front and center. Participants will not only hear excerpts from American Fantasy, Faviano’s latest book, but will also be encouraged to write their own responses, share aloud, and engage in collective reflection about life in contemporary America.

A generative workshop meets social salon

What sets this event apart is its structure. It is both a poetry workshop and a cultural dialogue—a hybrid format that emphasizes participation as much as presentation. Using “generative poetry,” attendees will draft original pieces in real time, shaped by prompts that explore themes of identity, exhaustion, hope, and resilience.

Faviano, a graduate of Florida State University with a background in political storytelling and international human rights, developed the concept out of his own disillusionment with traditional forms of civic engagement. His writing urges readers to examine how systems of media, government, and inequality shape the American experience—and how art can disrupt those patterns by creating space for shared truths.

“The power of the people comes from our individual strength to shed the past, heal, empathize with each other today, and fight for an inclusive tomorrow,” Faviano writes in American Fantasy, a book that critiques complacency while championing collective imagination. Attendees can purchase the book during the event, but registration does not require a purchase.

A safe and open space for creative dialogue

In keeping with the tone and message of the book, organizers have clearly outlined the event’s expectations: conversation must be respectful, inclusive, and open-minded. Views or works promoting racism, misogyny, transphobia, or other forms of hate will not be tolerated. The goal, according to organizers, is to create a space where diverse voices can be heard without fear of dismissal or derision.

That sense of psychological safety is a key ingredient in the workshop’s design. Attendees are invited to share from their own experiences—whether personal, political, or poetic—without the pressure to perform for approval. Whether an experienced spoken word artist or a first-time writer, all participants are welcome to take the mic or simply listen and connect.

Coral Gables as a cultural incubator

While Books & Books is known for hosting best-selling authors, public intellectuals, and literary festivals, the American Fantasy Pop-Up taps into a different kind of energy—grassroots, experimental, and participatory. It joins a growing number of events in Coral Gables that aim to engage residents in deeper cultural conversations beyond passive entertainment.

With the city’s Aragon Avenue corridor already home to regular programming like Family Day on Aragon and screenings at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, the bookstore’s latest offering contributes to an increasingly vibrant ecosystem of public cultural life. The focus here is not just on books, but on voice—who gets to speak, and how their stories resonate in a broader civic context.

The author behind the message

Steven James Faviano brings both international perspective and personal vulnerability to his work. During his undergraduate years, he studied human rights in Europe, interned in Cambodia, and developed a restless curiosity about how to support others. But like many of his generation, the social upheavals of the past five years left him searching for something more enduring.

His breakthrough moment came when an old acquaintance messaged him, unprompted, after reading one of his poems. That brief exchange reminded him of what art can do: not solve systemic issues overnight, but open a door, make someone feel seen, or change the course of a conversation. American Fantasy was born from that belief.

Event details

The American Fantasy Pop-Up Workshop takes place Sunday, July 13, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue. Admission is free, and seating is first-come, first-served. All ages and experience levels are welcome, and books will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early if they wish to participate in the open mic.

For those seeking community through creative expression—and a space to wrestle with modern America’s contradictions—the invitation is open.