Firestorm Books

Firestorm Books Founded in 2008, Firestorm Books is a worker-owned bookstore cooperative in Asheville, NC. Ⓐ Ⓔ Ⓥ
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Firestorm Books & Coffee is a worker-owned and operated enterprise dedicated to the creation of a world in which individuals have the autonomy, knowledge and resources to create fulfilling lives and communities free of oppression. Our mission is to demonstrate the feasibility and desirability of a workplace based on free cooperation. We seek to sustain and nourish our collective through fulfilling

work, personal empowerment and equitable compensation while providing a hub for anarchist thought and culture in WNC.

Have you zine these incredible upcoming Firestorm events? 👀TODAY @ 6pm – Drop-in Community Notary ServiceHave documents ...
06/03/2026

Have you zine these incredible upcoming Firestorm events? 👀

TODAY @ 6pm – Drop-in Community Notary Service
Have documents that require notarization, like advance care directives, name change paperwork, custody arrangements, etc.? Stop by Firestorm on the first Wednesday of each month for free, friendly, no-judgment Notary Public services!

Saturday @ 10am – Neighborhood Trash Pickup
Showing our neighborhood some love with a trash pickup. Supplies and snacks provided, just bring yourself (and a friend or two!)

Saturday @ 3pm – "Of Water Never Ceasing" Book Launch
A community-centered book launch that invites conversation around disability, care, access, and how art can hold these realities with honesty.

Sunday @ 10am – Asheville PFLAG
A monthly coffee support group open to all parents, families, friends and allies of gay, le***an, bisexual, and transgender youth

Sunday @ 12pm – Tranzmission Prison Project Packaging Party
An open, monthly volunteer event to help prepare books and zines for mailing to prisons across the United States

Sunday @ 3pm – Political Prisoner Letter Writing
Letters save lives! Join Blue Ridge ABC each month for an evening of solidarity with incarcerated comrades. Celebrate their birthdays by sending words of encouragement and support.

Monday (6/8) @ 6:30pm – Neurodivergent Reading Group
The Neurodivergent Reading Group is a welcoming and inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals to come together and connect through shared reading and conversation.

Tuesday (6/9) @ 5:30pm – Weekly Trans Writing Circle
A creative writing and co-working group for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people with independent long and short form projects.

Tuesday (6/9) @ 6pm – Zine Assembly
A drop-in space to have conversations while assembling free zines for community distribution.

***rBookstore (-Esmé) https://firestorm.coop/calendar.html

Cover image description: A photo of a Firestorm collective member posing behind a felt event board. Next to them is a rack full of radical zines.

Additional image description: All other images are promotional graphics for the Firestorm events this week.

Have you zine these incredible upcoming Firestorm events? 👀TODAY @ 6pm – Drop-in Community Notary ServiceHave documents ...
06/03/2026

Have you zine these incredible upcoming Firestorm events? 👀

TODAY @ 6pm – Drop-in Community Notary Service
Have documents that require notarization, like advance care directives, name change paperwork, custody arrangements, etc.? Stop by Firestorm on the first Wednesday of each month for free, friendly, no-judgment Notary Public services!

Saturday @ 10am – Neighborhood Trash Pickup
Showing our neighborhood some love with a trash pickup. Supplies and snacks provided, just bring yourself (and a friend or two!)

Saturday @ 3pm – "Of Water Never Ceasing" Book Launch
A community-centered book launch that invites conversation around disability, care, access, and how art can hold these realities with honesty.

Sunday @ 10am – Asheville PFLAG
A monthly coffee support group open to all parents, families, friends and allies of gay, le***an, bisexual, and transgender youth

Sunday @ 12pm – Tranzmission Prison Project Packaging Party
An open, monthly volunteer event to help prepare books and zines for mailing to prisons across the United States.

Sunday @ 3pm – Political Prisoner Letter Writing
Letters save lives! Join Blue Ridge ABC each month for an evening of solidarity with incarcerated comrades. Celebrate their birthdays by sending words of encouragement and support.

Monday (6/8) @ 6:30pm – Neurodivergent Reading Group
The Neurodivergent Reading Group is a welcoming and inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals to come together and connect through shared reading and conversation.

Tuesday (6/9) @ 5:30pm – Weekly Trans Writing Circle
A creative writing and co-working group for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people with independent long and short form projects.

Tuesday (6/9) @ 6pm – Zine Assembly
A drop-in space to have conversations while assembling free zines for community distribution.

***rBookstore (-Esmé) https://firestorm.coop/calendar.html

Cover image description: A photo of a Firestorm collective member posing behind a felt event board. Next to them is a rack full of radical zines.

Additional image description: All other images are promotional graphics for the Firestorm events this week.

Bringing back the sustainer stack highlight! 📚Our Community Sustainers Program offers different tiers at which to suppor...
05/30/2026

Bringing back the sustainer stack highlight! 📚

Our Community Sustainers Program offers different tiers at which to support our co-op and snag some very snazzy perks. Previously, our highest tier was the "Magnum Opus" tier, which comes with a book (of your choice!) from our collection every month. By popular demand, we recently added a new tier,"The Future is Unwritten," which includes both a free book as well as a radical zine hand-picked by our collective each month. Check out all the different tiers and their associated perks at https://www.patreon.com/firestormcoop ✨

I love getting to see what books move our sustainers each month. And if we're honest, most months include something by friend of the collective and witch about town Margaret Killjoy. "A Country of Ghosts" is part of the AK Press "Black Dawn" series, which honors anarchist traditions and follows Octavia E. Butler’s legacy of speculative fiction which imagines how to bring forth a just and free world.

***rBookstore (-Esmé)

Image 1 description: 11 books are stacked on a counter in front of a blurred background of bookshelves. The faced book is "A Country of Ghosts" by Margaret Killjoy. Next to the stack is a vase of poppies. Flower petals litter the counter artistically.

Image 2 description: A graphic with the title "Firestorm Sustainer Perks!" above a list of the various perks. Please see all of them at patreon.com/firestormcoop/membership

This month's community book recommendation showcase: "Beasts of A Little Land" by Juhea Kim!https://firestorm.coop/produ...
05/29/2026

This month's community book recommendation showcase: "Beasts of A Little Land" by Juhea Kim!
https://firestorm.coop/products/23197-beasts-of-a-little-land.html

A friend of Firestorm says "This book explores life in occupied Korea—sex work, heartbreak, family trauma, and Japanese military occupation. 10/10"

More from the publisher, Ecco: "An epic story of love, war, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Korean independence movement, following the intertwined fates of a young girl sold to a courtesan school and the penniless son of a hunter....

Immersive and elegant, Beasts of a Little Land unveils a world where friends become enemies, enemies become saviors, heroes are persecuted, and beasts take many shapes."

This month is also when the Guangju Uprising happened in South Korea in 1980. Students and workers stood up to a military dictatorship taking over a city momentarily, and the government viciously suppressed this movement with violence, murder, and torture. So we're also showcasing a staff pick, "Human Acts," a historical fiction by Han Kang depicting many of the ordinary people who stood up in this uprising, and the consequences of doing so, based on extensive research. This book deeply, painfully, and beautifully explores the meaning of standing up to an atrocious power. It's an apt read in this moment when many states are turning on their own people with violent oppression.
https://firestorm.coop/products/22118-human-acts.html

Thank you so much for sharing your community book recommendation! If you are so inclined, find a physical recommendation card in-store or email us at [email protected] to share us your review (keep it around 50 words) 🖤 (K)

Image description: a hand is holding two books against a background of bookshelves. The book on the right is "Beasts of A Little Land" by Juhea Kim, with a colorful cover with a drawing of tigers, a landscape with water and mountains. The book on the left is "Human Acts" by Han Kang, with an illustration of a small bird sitting atop a rib cage　adorned with yellow ginkgo leaves.

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Firestorm's 18th birthday with us! A special shout out to Street Creature ...
05/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Firestorm's 18th birthday with us! A special shout out to Street Creature Puppet Collective and Mesa Montenegro, y'all really brought the party!!!

***rBookstore (-Esmé)

Image description 1: Three people in costume pose in front of the mural outside of Firestorm. The person on the left is wearing green overalls and a green insect head. The person in the middle is dressed as a jellyfish and is holding a banner that reads "rooted in community." The person on the right is wearing grey overalls and a possom head.

Image description 2: Three insect heads are placed on the sidewalk. They look to be handmade out of paper mache or something similar.

Image description 3: A sign leaned up against a bush lists a schedule for the Street Creature puppet strut, puppet stroll, and puppet dance.

Image description 4: A very delicious looking plate of tacos against a black background is at the bottom right of the photo. There are metal tins of garneshes at the top of the photo.

Image description 5: A close up of a black and tan dachshund wearing an orange boa. They look to be at peace.

It's Gemini season baybee 😈Saturday @ 11am – Skeletons in the Closet: Q***r Horror Book ClubOur q***r horror book club e...
05/27/2026

It's Gemini season baybee 😈

Saturday @ 11am – Skeletons in the Closet: Q***r Horror Book Club
Our q***r horror book club explores q***rness from the magic to the truly macabre! This month we'll have a virtual Q&A with contributors to the "Trans Voices in Horror" collection!

Monday (6/1) @ 6pm – Unions of Our Own
Join author Daniel Gross in a dynamic exchange with members of Asheville Food & Beverage United using the 8 building blocks to visionary and sustainable unions in his new book, followed by open discussion with attendees.

Tuesday (6/2) @ 5:30pm – Weekly Trans Writing Circle
A creative writing and co-working group for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people with independent long and short form projects.

Wednesday (6/3) @ 6pm – Drop-in Community Notary Service
Have documents that require notarization, like advance care directives, name change paperwork, custody arrangements, etc.? Stop by Firestorm on the first Wednesday of each month for free, friendly, no-judgment Notary Public services!

***rBookstore (-Esmé) https://firestorm.coop/calendar.html

Cover image description: A photo of a collective member kneeling outside next to a felt event board. Behind them is a tree and a cloudy sky.

Additional image description: All other images are promotional graphics for the Firestorm events this week.

Next Monday, Firestorm is teaming up with Asheville Food & Beverage United to host Daniel Gross, author of "Unions of Ou...
05/25/2026

Next Monday, Firestorm is teaming up with Asheville Food & Beverage United to host Daniel Gross, author of "Unions of Our Own: Eight Building Blocks to Change Work... and the World." Together we'll discuss the state of labor organizing in Asheville and how workers can build unions that are led by members, powered by direct action, and aimed at fundamental change!

"Unions of Our Own" (Haymarket Books, 2026) is about maximizing our chance of victory: unions where workers are fully meeting needs, honoring their values, and advancing a transformational vision of the world.

(- L)

Image description: A promotional graphic for "Change Work... and the World" an in-person event taking place on June 1st at 6pm at Firestorm Books. The image features the cover of Daniel's book alongside logos for Firestorm, AFBU and the Solidarity Union Network.

Hey, you! 🫵 You're invited to Firestorm's 18th birthday party TODAY! 🤠🎈We're hoping the weather cooperates but rain or s...
05/24/2026

Hey, you! 🫵 You're invited to Firestorm's 18th birthday party TODAY! 🤠🎈

We're hoping the weather cooperates but rain or shine we're going to enjoy a community puppet parade and feast on delicious things to eat!

Street Creature Puppet Collective () is bringing beautiful insect puppets to revel in this sweet spring afternoon. There will also be a station to create your own butterfly puppet (bring the kiddos!)

Mesa Montenegro () is slinging eats and we truly can't decide what sounds the most delicious. One of everything please??? And no birthday is complete without a sweet treat. For one day only, Firestorm is bringing back a cafe recipe from the vault: our Ooey Gooey Chocolate Brownies! Come indulge in nostalgic chocolatey goodness but please be warned, we are not reopening the cafe no matter how much you beg. 😤

Bonus: scroll through to help Julius pick an outfit for the party! Should they bring some drama to highlight the magnitude of the occasion? Or opt for a more casual, garden party fit? Comment below!

***rBookstore (-Esmé) https://firestorm.coop/events/3604-firestorms-18th-birthday-party.html

Image description 1: A black and tan dachshund stands in a flower bed. They are wearing a tan cowboy hat and trying to catch a treat. They don't have teeth, only a terrifying maw.

Image description 2: An event graphic has text on a photo of the outside of our bookstore. The large text reads "Happy 18 Birthday Firestorm" with the "18" looking like candles. Smaller text reads "Sunday, May 24th at 3:00pm/ Puppets! Games! Food!"

Image description 3: The all-vegan menu for the food pop up from Mesa Montenegro.

Image description 4: A black and tan dachshund wearing an orange feather boa.

Image description 5: A black and tan dachshund wearing a dramatic black fascinator

Image description 6: A black and tan dachshund wearing a tan cowboy hat and smizing at the camera.

Image description 7: A black and tan dachshund peering out under the rim of a straw fedora with feathers.

This Sunday our birthday party kicks off at 3pm, but we hope you'll come early for a conversation with local author and ...
05/21/2026

This Sunday our birthday party kicks off at 3pm, but we hope you'll come early for a conversation with local author and activist Clare Hanrahan!

Clare will present her new book "Elder & Sage Community Gardens: An Urban Uprising," which tells the story of the tenacious group of wayside gardeners who turned a vacant lot at 33 Page Avenue in Downtown Asheville into a community garden. Clare has been a fixture of local social justice movements for the better part of four decades and we so appreciate the way she has lovingly documented the community work she's been a part of. Let's celebrate our gardens and our co-ops this weekend!

Additional information and book purchasing can be found at https://firestorm.coop/events/3605-the-elder-sage-community-gardens.html.

FirestormCoop (- L)

Image description: A promotional graphic for the author event with Clare on May 24th at 1pm at Firestorm Books. The image features the cover of “Elder & Sage Community Gardens” alongside a headshot for the author. The book cover includes an illustration of a red fist emerging from a leafy seedling over a photo of wildflowers, including Echinacea and Rudbeckia hirta.

Fight the AI creep by supporting books written by real human authors!Saturday @ 6pm – Romantasy Novel ReleaseWren Greyso...
05/20/2026

Fight the AI creep by supporting books written by real human authors!

Saturday @ 6pm – Romantasy Novel Release
Wren Greyson's new romantasy novel "Technicolor Messages" will launch with a book signing and free zines!

Sunday @ 1pm – The Elder & Sage Community Gardens
Local author and activist Clare Hanrahan presents her new book and the story of a tenacious group of wayside gardeners who turned a vacant lot in Downtown Asheville into a community garden.

Sunday @ 3pm – Firestorm's 18th Birthday Party
Help us celebrate 18 years of anarchy, community, and good books. There will be puppets, food, and games!

Sunday @ 4pm – Abolitionist Reading Club
A monthly discussion of topics of incarceration, repression and liberation framed by writings from, about and against prisons!

Monday @ 6:30pm – Neurodivergent Reading Group
The Neurodivergent Reading Group is a welcoming and inclusive space for neurodivergent individuals to come together and connect through shared reading and conversation. This week will not focus on a reading, but rather a film screening of "Mary and Max (2009)."

Tuesday 5/26 @ 5:30pm – Trans Writing Circle
A creative writing and co-working group for trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people with independent long and short form projects.

Tuesday 5/26 @ 6:30pm – LGBTQ Health Services in Asheville
Join us to learn more about how WNCCHS delivers whole-person health services for the LGBTQ community. We invite you to come with your questions, your ideas, and your feedback.

***rBookstore (-Esmé) https://firestorm.coop/calendar.html

Cover image description: A photo of a collective member standing with one foot on a bench and with one fist raised to the air. They are holding a felt event board. In the background of the photo are shelves of books.

Additional image description: All other images are promotional graphics for the Firestorm events this week.

Address

1022 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC
28806

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+18282558115

Website

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