We are thrilled to bring you the latest in literary events and writings that have caught our attention. These events encompass a range of free and ticketed registration and are not affiliated with AWP. All times are in ET.
 

Tuesday, December 7

7 p.m.—Quickie Reads with Dunnion & Quinn

Please join us for a fast and furious live literary event featuring poet Shannon Quinn, reading from her new collection Mouthful of Bees, published by Mansfield Press (Nov 2021), and author Kristyn Dunnion, reading from the ReLit Award winning Stoop City, published by Biblioasis (2020).

7 p.m.—SpoFest Poetry and Prose

The next must-watch SpoFest features: Patrice Melnick, Ryan Quinn Flanagan, and Alise Versella. Joining us is special cohost Robert L. Dean, Jr. Includes open mic, Q&A with the writers, Word of the Day, Did You Know?, book raffle, and after-party. Open mic takes place after featured readers. Sign up begins at 6:45 p.m. Three minutes per reader. One long selection, or two shorter selections.

7:30 p.m.—Ann Patchett in Conversation with Amor Towles| These Precious Days

Join author Ann Patchett in conversation with Amor Towles about her new book of essays, These Precious Days! This ticketed event will be streamed live via Crowdcast. Your ticket can be included with a purchase of the book or with a donation to our nonprofit, The Noble Neighbor.

9 p.m.—Readings by Poets Raúl Sánchez and Katerina Canyon

Two excellent poets who call Seattle home read from new collections in this virtual joint reading. A 2019 and 2020 Pushcart Prize nominee, Katerina Canyon will be highlighting her new full-length book of poems, Surviving Home (Kelsay Books). Raúl Sánchez/Tlatecatl will be reading from his beautiful new book of poems, When There Were No Borders— the beauty including cover artist Fulgencio Laza and illustrations within by René Julio.

Wednesday, December 8

7:30 p.m.—Lost Modernist Classic: Gertrude Beasley's My First Thirty Years

You’ve certainly heard of Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck—literary giants who dominated the portrayal of the American experience. But have you heard of Gertrude Beasley? Editors Nina Bennett and Marie Bennett discuss the process of rediscovering Beasley, researching her life, and bringing her work back into publication. They are joined by Dr. Celia Marshik, professor of English at Stony Brook University.

7:30 p.m.—The Perishing: Natashia Déon in Conversation with Scott and Shaté Hayes

Charis welcomes Natashia Déon in conversation with Scott and Shaté Hayes for a celebration of The Perishing: A Novel. A Black immortal in 1930s Los Angeles must recover the memory of her past in order to save the world in this extraordinarily affecting novel for readers of N. K. Jemisin and Octavia E. Butler. This event is cohosted by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History.

8 p.m.—Pour One Out: A Monthly Storytelling Series

Pour One Out, produced and hosted by Ada Cheng, features strong and unique voices. We build community through intimacy and vulnerability. We are committed to cultivating and developing new tellers as we bring tellers of all experience levels together. We strive for equitable inclusion. We consistently give space to new talents. We have a great lineup that includes Tia Ng Groce, Rogelia Lily Ibarra, Julie Ming Liang, Kai Love, Aidan McCormack, Leeann Sit, and Amanda Suckow. Register to attend.

Thursday, December 9

10:30 a.m.—Alice B. McGinty—The Psychological Connection: Emotional Power in Writing

The books we love best are the ones that touch something deep within us. Why do these books move us? Explore the elements which give writing depth and power by uncovering the psychological elements below the surface. This program examines what psychologists have learned about human emotion and behavior and applies that knowledge to the art of children’s literature and writing.

7 p.m.—Neel Patel: Tell Me How to Be with Saumya Dave

From rising star Neel Patel ("consistently surprising" —New York Times), a darkly funny and emotionally wrought debut novel about an Indian American family struggling with deeply buried secrets.

8 p.m.—The 2021 CHIRBy Awards Ceremony

Stories Matter Foundation presents the 6th Annual CHIRBy Awards, a virtual fundraising ceremony honoring the “literary gold” writers of Chicago. Join us for a night of cocktails and fundraising with special host Jenn White, an award-winning journalist and host of NPR’s podcast 1A. All donations from the evening will go to support the Chicago Review of Books. 

Friday, December 10

7 p.m.—Inger Burnett-Zeigler—Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen—Candice Norcott and Sonya Dinizulu

Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler will discuss her book Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women. She will be in conversation with Candice Norcott and Sonya Mathies Dinizulu. This event is presented in partnership with Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture at the University of Chicago.

7 p.m.—Paul Eprile and Joyce Zonana—The Open Road, with Alison James

Join us for a conversation on Jean Giono's The Open Road with translators Paul Eprile and Joyce Zonana. They will be joined in conversation by Alison James. Presented in partnership with France Chicago Center at UChicago and Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Register to attend.

Saturday, December 11

12 noon—Reading for Young People: Janet Wong

Join the Poetry Foundation for a special reading for young people with Janet Wong.

Monday, December 13

8 p.m.—CWA Presents... Zoom Edition: Author Interview with Kathleen Rooney

Join us for CWA Presents... Zoom Edition as CWA Board member Sandra Colbert interviews Kathleen Rooney. Kathleen is the author of Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, and O, Democracy, just to name a few of her many works. She is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press and a founding member of Poems While You Wait. This event is free and open to the public.

8 p.m.—Traveling Mollys Open Mic Featuring Virginia Konchan & Darius Simpson

You can read in the Traveling Mollys Open Mic by replying through Facebook Messenger; ten people will be selected for the open mic. Let us know if you want to read and make sure to tell us your name and email (email addresses do not always tell us who you are). Open mic readers are limited to five minutes each which includes the poems and/or prose piece, introductions, jokes, quips, life stories, etc. If you don't make it into the open mic, please join us for our YouTube Live Stream.

Tuesday, December 14

7 p.m.—Writers Discuss #DadWriter in Open Forum

Everyone knows the hashtag #momwriter or #writermom, but what about the other genders? The groundbreaking downtown literary nonprofit Pen Parentis closes its twenty-sixth season with three diverse and prolific dad authors in an engaging discussion about gender identity and how that affects one’s identity as a parent who writes in every permutation.

8 p.m.—Open Door: Lillian Gardner, Saleem Penny, Precious Musa & Hayley Kolding

The Open Door series presents work from new and emerging poets and highlights writing instruction and poetic partnerships. Each event features readings by two Midwest based writers and two of their current or recent students or writing partners.

Wednesday, December 15

7:15 p.m.—Chicago Poetry Center's Blue Hour Reading Presents Elana Bell & Rich Villar

The Chicago Poetry Center presents BLUE HOUR, a free monthly online reading series and generative writing workshop hosted and facilitated by Marty McConnell. Each event features two readers from Chicago and beyond, followed by an optional, limited-space workshop focused on a poem by one of the featured readers and including guided generative writing time. Reading room opens at 7:15 p.m., reading begins at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 8:15 p.m. Workshop begins at 8:30 p.m. and ends at 9:15 p.m. Registration is free and you can sign up for one or both portions of the event, but each registration must be completed separately.

Thursday, December 16

7 p.m.—Celebrating the Poets of Forms & Features

Join us for a reading and celebration of the diverse voices, rich experiences, and powerful words of poets from around the country, and the world. Poets working in the online poetry workshop and discussion, Forms & Features, will share work created in this online creative community.

7:30 p.m.—Come Clean: Joshua Nguyen in Conversation with Wo Chan

Charis welcomes Joshua Nguyen in conversation with Wo Chan for a celebration of Come Clean. Joshua Nguyen's sharp, songlike, and often experimental collection compartmentalizes past trauma—sexual and generational—through the quotidian. This event is cohosted by Lambda Literary. Lambda Literary nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve our legacies, and affirm the value of our stories and our lives.

Saturday, December 18

11 a.m.—December Write-In

Join StoryStudio for our monthly write-in! This month's event will be hosted by Melanie Jones. Register to attend.