Firestorm Books

A photo of a stack of books, "Anarchy Works" by Peter Gelderloos, inside Firestorm Books. The books are flanked by other titles, including "Fascist Yoga" by Stewart Home and "The Handsewn Wardrobe" by Louisa Owen Sonstroem.

Looking good on our new releases table! ⛓️‍💥

A new print run of Anarchy Works just came out from @detritusbooks.bsky.social and it's on sale!

Capitalism and the State are dragging us into an abyss of multiplying catastrophes, telling us we can't exist without them. Guess what? We already have and we can do so again!

"Trans students in Asheville are under attack. Not from far-right vigilantes, anti-trans grifters or hell-slinging preachers, but from UNC Asheville, which claims to 'respect diversity' and 'work for inclusion.'” mountainx.com/opinion/lett...

You can read our co-op's Noncooperation Statement, outlining our commitment to resisting overreach by the criminal legal system, at firestorm.coop/noncooperati....

You Went to a Drag Show—Now the State of Florida Wants Your Name EFF has long warned about this kind of mission creep: where a law or policy supposedly aimed at public safety is turned into a tool for political retaliation or mass surveillance. Going to a drag show...

This is exactly why every bookstore should be undertaking a comprehensive review of data collection and storage. Cops and politicians can't seize what you don't have.

A promotional graphic for Rojava and Revolutionary Commitment, a virtual event hosted by Firestorm Books & AK Press on August 11th at 2pm ET. The image features the cover of Matt's book, decorated with a photo of a crowd of people in fatigues holding aloft flags of the YPG (People's Defense Units) and YPJ (Women's Protection Units). Beside the book are headshots for Matt and Azize over a photo of beautiful mountains in Syrian Kurdistan.

On August 11th we'll be hosting author Matt Broomfield for an online conversation with scholar Azize Aslan! They'll explore Rojava's fight against oppression and how the movement can help the Western Left relearn its commitment to hope in hopeless times. Register at firestorm.coop/events/3440-....

Zine Assembly Meetup prep list (cont.)
5️⃣ "What Does Earth Day Look Like in Gaza?: US-funded Bombardment Is Creating Mass Environmental Destruction" – this one doesn't appear to be online, but it was printed by our friends at Sumud Collective

It's Safer in the Front Faced with intensifying repression and state violence, there is an understandable inclination to seek safety by avoiding confrontation. But this is not always the most effective strategy.

Zine Assembly Meetup prep list (cont.)
4️⃣ "It’s Safer in the Front: Taking the Offensive against Tyranny" crimethinc.com/2025/01/28/i...

Why Misogynists Make Great Informants Zine Anarchist zine distro with PDF zines and pamphlets on anarchism, direct action, tactics, etc.

Zine Assembly Meetup prep list (cont.)
3️⃣ "Why Misogynists Make Great Informants: How Gender Violence on the Left Enables State Violence in Radical Movements" @sproutdistro.com www.sproutdistro.com/catalog/zine...

How to Form an Affinity Group You and your friends already constitute an affinity group, the fundamental building block of anarchist organization. Here’s how affinity groups work and the advantages they offer.

Zine Assembly Meetup prep list (cont.)
2️⃣ "Affinity Groups: Essential Building Blocks of Anarchist Organization" @crimethinc.com crimethinc.com/2017/02/06/h...

All Cocoons Are Temporary: Revisiting Leadership, Spontaneity, and Organization for Revolutionary Struggles in the 21st Century A new essay and zine from Blackbird Publishing revisiting how our movements define and think through problems of leadership, organization, and spontaneity. Zine PDF for Printing (B&W) HERE Zine PDF fo...

What we're prepping for this morning's Zine Assembly Meetup (a thread):
1️⃣ "All Cocoons Are Temporary: Revisiting Leadership, Spontaneity, and Organization for Revolutionary Struggles in the 21st Century" @igd.bsky.social itsgoingdown.org/all-cocoons-...

Your Guide on How to Support Mutual Aid Groups in Palestine as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens As we speak, up to two million people in Gaza are being threatened with starvation, as the state of Israel, backed by the US government, continues to blockade humanitarian aid into Gaza, attack basic ...

A guide to direct ways that people can help mutual aid groups on the ground–both by donating to them and spreading the word about the work they are doing. #FreePalestine

A promotional graphic for Mindful Storytime & Yoga, an in-person event taking place at Firestorm on August 7th at 4pm. The image includes the cover of "I Found My Piece," a children's book decorated with an illustration of a anthropomorphized egg sitting in a lotus position among wildflowers with eyes closed and a wide smile. Next to the book cover is Rahmi's headshot over a photo of a serene sky with fluffy clouds.

Next Thursday, we'll be hosting children's author and mindfulness coach Rashmi Kumar Shah alongside local yoga instructor Brooke Sullivan for an all-ages afternoon workshop! Details at firestorm.coop/events/3411-... 🪷

A promotional graphic for "A Cultural History of the Purse in America," an in-person event taking place at Firestorm Books on August 9th at 3pm. The image includes the cover of the book, which has a purple tinted photo of three Black women in their "Sunday best" with small purses that are highlighted in white. Beside the book are headshots for Kathleen and Emily.

Next month we're hosting Kathleen B. Casey to discuss her book "The Things She Carried: A Cultural History of the Purse in America"—exploring how purses provided the methods and materials for activism, allowing carriers to transgress critical boundaries. Learn more at firestorm.coop/events/3413-....

A promotional graphic for an "Abolish Rent" author event at Firestorm Books on July 31st at 6pm ET. The image features the cover of the book, which has an illustration of a pair of keys attached to a ball and chain. The chain is breaking. Beside the book cover is a headshot for Tracy Rosenthal over a photo of a many stories tall apartment building.

At the end of the month, we're teaming up with Asheville DSA up to host "Abolish Rent" co-author Tracy Rosenthal for a conversation on tenant organizing! Locals can join in-person while remote participants should register for access at firestorm.coop/events/3431-....

Summer reading recs from local bookstores + libraries Keep the summer reading going by finding your next page-turner, including recommendations from local bookstores.

Local librarians and booksellers (including us) weigh in on what you should be reading this summer!

(Spoiler: we suggested @mskellymhayes.bsky.social, @prisonculture.bsky.social, @shanehawk.com, @tvayyyy.bsky.social, and #MargePiercy 🔥📚)

The organizers of the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair (9/27-9/28) are seeking session proposals! Priority will be given to regional topics and speakers, but anyone can make a pitch. acabookfair.noblogs.org/post/2025/07...

A promotional graphic for Before & Beyond Hurricane Helene, an in-person event taking place at Firestorm Books on July 22nd at 6pm. The image features the cover of Michael's "Story of Asheville's Water: Before and Beyond Hurricane Helene" alongside an author headshot over a photo of the Bee Tree Reservoir.

One week from today, we'll be hosting author Michael Holcombe for a presentation on his new book, "The Story of Asheville's Water"—the first history of our municipal water, from the 1797 incorporation of the city to post-Helene recovery! 🌊 firestorm.coop/events/3430-...

The recording from Saturday's conversation with Dr Ronica Mukerjee is now available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYd9.... Check it out! (The audio is a bit rough for the first two minutes and then clears up.)

An image of text that says "Monday July 14th: PHONE ZAP! HORRIFIC ABUSE OF PRAIRIELAND DEFENDANTS AT JOHNSON COUNTY JAIL!" The text appears over a photo of storm clouds and is flanked by lightning. Below is the web address https://givesendgo.com/supportdfwprotestors".

An image of text that says "We've received reports that the Johnson County Jail is mistreating and abusing the Praireland Defendants and refusing to follow their Constitutional rights. The defendants have been denied access to public defenders, medicine, visits and calls by loved ones, vegetarian / vegan food, and appropriate placement based on their sex. They are being held in solitary confinement including medical cells and punished for exercising constitutional rights. This is unacceptable."

An image of text that says 'CALL AND EMAIL: Johnson County Judge Boedeker (817) 556-6360 judgeboedeker@johnsoncountytx.org. WHAT TO SAY "Hello. My name is (insert a name). I am calling in response to the violation of the Praireland Defendants' constitutional rights. Their treatment is unacceptable. The Prarieland defendants have a right to counsel, remain silent, to speedy trial, and to not be abused or coerced. People across the United States are watching how Johnson County handling this case."

Call in action today for the Dallas–Fort Worth anti-ICE arrestees!

Asheville was amazing tysm for asking😌🏔️📚

Thank you to @firestorm.coop for hosting and @shes-allison.bsky.social and @bia0821.bsky.social for being my ride-or-dies❤️

Despite Protests, Elon Musk Secures Air Permit for xAI Elon Musk’s xAI gas turbines get official approval, even as civil rights groups prepare to sue over alleged Clean Air Act violations.

Seems important to say that MechaHitler is being powered by turbines that are poisoning Black people in Memphis

www.wired.com/story/xai-da...

A screenshot of the calendar at firestorm.coop, showing events on Saturday, July 12th. Activities include Harm Reduction Kit Packing Party (12:00pm), Abolition and Health Justice with Dr. Ronica Mukerjee (3pm), Astrology Club (5pm), and Nicole Zelniker in Conversation with Mazey Eddings (6pm).

Preparing for the perfect anarchist bookstore day, including:
💉❤ harm reduction community action
🎤🖤 abolitionist author talk
✨💛 community-facilitated meetup
🌈💜 and a queer YA book launch!

A promotional graphic for Abolition and Health Justice, an in-person event at Firestorm Books on July 12th at 3pm. The image features the cover of the book, with an abstract pink and orange cover, alongside a headshot for Ronica Mukerjee.

Streaming today at 3pm ET! Appalachian Medical Solidarity and Asheville Bail Fund host a discussion with Ronica Mukerjee, author of "All This Safety is Killing Us," the first abolitionist anthology that focuses on healthcare! firestorm.coop/events/3398-...

Missing alt text: An image comprised of dark green text on a light green background. The word "urgent" is repeated seven times in all capital letters, below which is the text "Funds needed for protestors in TX facing serious repression" and the link givesendgo.com/supportdfwprotestors

Support DFW Anti ICE Protesters Español abajo Support DFW Anti ICE ProtestersOn the night of July 4th, local police arrested 10 people outside the ICE Prairieland detention facility in Alva...

Please donate to the GiveSendGo fundraiser. You can also help by holding local fundraisers and sharing this information with family, friends, coworkers and through social media. Updates will be posted on the fundraiser page. 6/6

IMMEDIATE ASK: Defendants have now been in jail for 5 days putting employment and housing at risk. We need to urgently raise at least $20k to cover legal fees and living expenses for all those arrested. Some defendants are still without legal representation because of their lack of funds. 5/

The 10 people arrested on July 4th face severe state and federal charges aimed not only at ruining their lives but criminalizing dissent and protest against ICE. Police have continued investigating and harassing defendants' loved ones and friends. 4/