by Donald G. Evans You don’t hear the terms “spinster,” or “Old Maid,” these days, much less read novels in which the heroines all fit the definition. You did and you did, though, in 1921, when Edna Ferber first published her novel, The Girls, a story that tracks three…

read more

By Jasminum McMullen Writuals explores how our city’s rich literary heritage, cultural diversity, and iconic spaces inspire routines that fuel the work of local authors.     Coquie Hughes is an award-winning independent filmmaker, writer, and director celebrated for pushing the…

read more

by Donald G. Evans Here’s what I want from a literary reading series. I want it to be in an interesting place—give me an excuse to experience my idealized version of Chicago, where you get to spend time in spots that brim with atmosphere and teem with interesting people. I want it to…

read more

by Dmitry Samarov I didn’t know Jasmon Drain when I read his first book back in 2020 but we’ve since become close friends. He’s one of the most intense, exacting individuals I know and sees our city as clearly as anyone. I’ve interviewed him and he’s interviewed me.…

read more

by Allison Manley I hope you were able to attend the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony last month. If you missed it, you can read more about our celebration of Timuel Black, Oscar Brown Jr., and Harriette Gillem Robinet in the Chicago Sun-Times coverage here. …

read more

By Jasminum McMullen Writuals explores how our city’s rich literary heritage, cultural diversity, and iconic spaces inspire routines that fuel the work of local authors.     Shontay Luna is a self-proclaimed goddess who lives in Chicago with her mix of pens, paper, and Sons of…

read more

by Ken Trainor Harriette Gillem Robinet’s life story comprises a long list of intriguing distinctions: She was the granddaughter of a slave. She grew up in an all-black neighborhood in Washington D.C. She traveled a long way, to the almost all- white College of New Rochelle near New York City…

read more

by Arthur Ade Amaker The word according to Oscar: “Here’s how it is: how I became a living legend I will never know. For 40 years, I’ve tried to make a public spectacle of myself with a paucity of publicity. This is interesting considering where I come from...I had a fairly…

read more

by Gerald R. Butters, Jr. In one fundamental way, Dr. Timuel Black, Jr. was similar to the fictional character of Forrest Gump and that was he seemed to be involved in virtually every major cultural and political event of his time. If someone was famous, Black knew him or her. If there was a…

read more