Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Logo
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Logo

Introducing the Randall Albers
Young Writers Award

Randall Albers

With the start of the new year, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame (CHLOF) institutes a new award: the Randall Albers Young Writers Award.

The award has the dual value of both honoring one of Chicago’s most beloved literary dignitaries, Randall Albers, as well as recognizing, supporting, highlighting, and celebrating the literary gifts of Chicago’s youth.

The Randall Albers Young Writers Award is open to all Chicago-area students currently enrolled in grades 9–12. This year’s inaugural awards will honor young writers of fiction and nonfiction.

A $500 prize will be awarded to the 2023 1st Place winner, with finalists receiving the following amounts:

  • 2nd Place: $250
  • 3rd Place: $150
  • 4th Place: $100

Each winner will also receive a writing consultation with one of the editors for DePaul’s Blue Book: Best American High School Writing 2023, and their winning pieces may be eligible for inclusion in the publication. The winner and finalists will be listed on our website and will have the opportunity to read from their entries during the award ceremony.

Learn How to Enter

Wherever I'm At book cover with large fanciful butterfly

Wherever I’m At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s first major publication, launched on Monday, June 13, 2022. The collection features outstanding work produced by more than 150 poets and artists, telling a story of Chicago not found in the guidebooks. Events celebrating the book will be announced here: you can order Wherever I’m At now.

Thursday, January 19, 2023 — Midwest Modern Language Association  The MMLA has selected Wherever I’m at: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry for its prestigious 2022 Book of the Year prize. “…readers move, with the poets and artists, through many neighborhoods, travel to legendary (sometimes lost) establishments, pop into the great cultural institutions, dive into historical moments, even ride the famous Ferris Wheel … a story of a city that is different things to different people, with interests and ideas that sometime overlap and sometimes diverge, but always come from a place of deep love.” Read more

Vote Now for Reader's Best of Chicago

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 — Wherever I’m at: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry has been nominated for the Reader’s poll: Best of Chicago. Vote for Wherever I’m At as “best new poetry collection” under Arts and Culture.

The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor and preserve Chicago’s great literary heritage.
The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame is a federally registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

ChicagoLiteraryHoF.org © 2022 Chicago Literary Hall of Fame

Hannah Jennings Design