| « Parenthood is Scary | Volunteers still needed for Printers Row Lit Fest » |
Events Wed May 22 2013
Mark your Calendars: Summer Literary Events
The summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy the comforts of a good book. But for something a bit more social, here are a few upcoming events and festivals scheduled you should know about:
1. The city's most recognized literary event Printers Row Lit Fest will be held June 8 and 9 in the historic Printer's Row section of the South Loop. Along Dearborn Street, tents and tables of vendors line up from Harrison to Polk Streets. The weekend is filled with panels, demonstrations, live readings, and discussions.
Some of the Saturday highlights include a conversation with newscaster Walter Jacobson and writer Keith Koeneman, hosted by Rick Kogan. Also check out a conversation with author Irvine Welsh, and a cooking demonstration with chef Rick Bayless.
Sunday's highlights include a panel on graphic novels with Anders Nilsen, Laura Park, Zak Sally, and Jeffrey Brown. Get there early to check out a conversation with notable children's book author Judy Blume at the Harold Washington Library. Events are free and open to the public, with some requiring advanced registration. Check the schedule for more details.
2. The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) on June 15 and 16 brings together creators and publishers of underground and alternative comics. In its second year, the expo will be held from 11am-6pm at the Center on Halsted, located at 3656 N. Halsted St. The expo will have over a hundred independent and self-published authors and artists selling their work. This year's special guests include Chris Ware, Phoebe Gloeckner, and Deb Sokolow.
3. The Chicago Writers House and Curbside Splendor will host a summer Pop-up Book Fair on July 7 at the Empty Bottle, located at 1035 N. Western Ave. Dozens local presses and organizations will show up to sell publications and literary ephemera. The afternoon will be rounded out with a few musical acts. More information on invited organizations will be released closer to the event.
4. The annualNewberry Library Book Fair will be help on Thursday July 25 through Sunday July 28 at the Newberry Library, located at 60 W. Walton St. Browse more than 120,000 used books in myriad categories and genres including cookbooks, paperback mysteries and romances, histories, biographies, travel books and more. Most books are priced at $2 or under. Everything for sale at the Book Fair is generously donated. If you are interested in donating, check their website for more details.
5. Into its second year, the Chicago Writer's Conference returns to support writers of all levels and all genres. The two day conference, September 27 through the 29, will take place at the Harold Washington Library, located at 400 S. State St. Programming showcases various panels and workshops with a range of topics such as how to get published, working with an agent, and using social media to promote your work. Attendees get the opportunity to network with other writers, editors, agents, publishers and social media experts. Registration will go live later this month.
