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I've been meaning I've been meaning

Ronald L. Fair’s Hog Butcher

Monday, June 16, 2025

by Robert Loerzel Ronald L. Fair (1932–2018), an African American writer born and raised in Chicago, is best known for his excellent 1966 novel Hog Butcher, which tells the story of a Black youth killed by Chicago police when he’s mistaken for a burglary suspect. Booklist…

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Writuals Writuals

Me’Lo The Generation Hero

Friday, June 6, 2025

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.     Me'Lo The Generation Hero is anything but mellow. Full of upbeat, motivational Hip-hop, she has an…

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A Look Ahead A Look Ahead

A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: June

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

by Allison Manley I find that some of my favorite activities – theatre/shows, and campus lectures – take a break this time of year. Fortunately, this summertime pause doesn’t seem to affect the lit scene. June is full of things to do in the Chicago literary community, and many of…

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Chicago’s Asian American Literary Scene

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

By Jane Hseu The East and West Coasts may get more attention for Asian American literature, but Chicago more than holds its own in terms of literature about and by Asian Americans.   CLHOF Zoom Reading on Thursday, May 29th, 7 p.m. As part of the celebration of Asian/Pacific American…

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I Be’s An Act of Grammar in Black Literature

Friday, May 2, 2025

I Be’s An Act of Grammar in Black Literature              (for Patricia Smith)   by Ed Roberson   Ask for your taste    your tongue   about to get a workout  …

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A Look Ahead A Look Ahead

A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: May

Thursday, May 1, 2025

by Allison Manley  We are well into Spring, which means that the hours of sunlight during the day – and my TBR list – are getting longer. I’ll probably add even more books to my to-read pile after our event Celebrating Chicago’s Asian American Literary Community: A Zoom…

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Writuals Writuals

Deana Dean Anderson

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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.    Deana "Dean" Anderson has been a powerful voice for sisterhood since 2001, when she first began performing…

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I've been meaning I've been meaning

Willard Motley’s Knock on Any Door

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

by Dmitry Samarov Willard Motley (June 14, 1909–March 4, 1965) used to be read by many. He grew up in a middle-class African-American household in the then primarily-white neighborhood of Englewood in Chicago. The prominent painter Archibald Motley was his uncle, cousin, or brother (according…

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A Look Ahead A Look Ahead

A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: April

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

by Allison Manley Were you at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference last month? I wasn’t! Although I’m jealous of everyone who enjoyed their time in LA, I attended some interesting lit events in Chicago in March. William Brashler stopped by the Music Box…

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Writuals Writuals

Maggie Andersen

Friday, March 28, 2025

By Jasminum McMullen Writuals explores how our city’s rich literary heritage, cultural diversity, and iconic spaces inspire routines that fuel local authors’ work.   Maggie Andersen has published in the Coal Hill Review, CutBank, Grain, Southern California Review, Knee-Jerk,…

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