Today is my 39th birthday. Not quite as big a deal as 40, I realize, but at least I know that, at least by current presidential standards, I can be this age and still be considered “a good boy” and “a kid.”
On this special day, I know I have much to be thankful for, starting with my family. They inspire me and wow me, every single day. I am also very thankful that I get to do what I do for a living.
I departed FRG back in May and have been a relatively busy freelance writer throughout the summer. I am looking to add even more freelance work in the short-term, while also hopefully returning to a staff position at some point in the fall. If you’re interested in hiring me for either, or anything in between, contact me at stephensilverwriter at gmail.com.
I’ve long had two goals for my “age 40 season,” so to speak: Run a marathon, and write a book. On the former, I’ve been running again and will be doing the Philly 10K at the end of the August. As for the former, I have three really good ideas, and hope to have some work done on at least one of them by the end of the year.
In the meantime, since I’ve gotten away from the weekly updates lately, some things I’ve been working on:
- First of all, I am proudly the cofounder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC.) I had long wondered why Philly is the only major city without an organized critics group, so my friend Rich Heimlich and I have launched it, here. We’ll be doing year-end awards, and eventually a podcast, live events and various other stuff. Follow us on Twitter.
- This fall I’m going to be hosting a couple of movie nights at local synagogues, where I show a Jewish-oriented film and launch a discussion on it. I’ll provide more information as they get closer, but in the meantime, contact me if you’re interested in having me host one.
- I was published for the first time recently on RogerEbert.com, a huge honor. The piece was on the 25th anniversary of “A League of Their Own”; thanks to Matt Zoller Seitz and Brian Tallerico for the editing help.
- I wrote for Broad Street Review a few months ago on the lack of movie screens in Philadelphia; you can read that piece here.
- I’m continuing to write frequently for the Culture section of Philly Voice. In recent months I’ve interviewed wrestling’s Brother Love, Bruce Prichard, as well as the actor in the Dirty Dancing travelling stage show who proposed to his co-star on stage.
- I’m still reviewing movies every week at Splice Today and sometimes elsewhere: You can read all my reviews here, and at my Rotten Tomatoes page.
- I’m still writing for Screenrant nearly daily too. A couple of recent essays: On the future of The Muppets, and on the Wonder Woman Wars.
- If you want to see all my writings, check out my Muckrack page, or my Twitter feed.
Thanks for your support everyone!
Stephen Silver, Writer 