By Donald G. Evans

It was in March that the emails starting trickling in: from Shakespeare Theatre Company, Oak Park Festival Theatre, First Folio, and others from whom I’d purchased tickets and eagerly awaited the scheduled live performances. The news was bad: there would be no live performances for the foreseeable future. I most regretted that some of the performances, such as Emma, would not…

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Wednesday, October 14, 2020
6-7 p.m.

Via YouTube Live
Sponsored by the Chicago Public Library

Chicago author Michele Morano, whose new "memoir in essays" Like Love was recently released, will join a discussion on the essay via the Chicago Public Library's YouTube Live channel. Moderator Karen Babine (Assay Journal editor) will faciliate a conversation about the storytelling form…

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The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park has started a fundraiser to help keep the famous author's Oak Park birthplace open to the public.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/keep-the-hemingway-birthplace-doors-open

www.savehemingway.com

By Donald G. Evans

By the time Ernest Hemingway killed himself in Ketcham, Idaho on July 2, 1961, he had secured his legacy as one of the 20th century's best and most fascinating…

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By Della Leavitt

StoryStudio Chicago's three-day Writers Festival moved this year to a covid-necessary virtual format. I was pleased to participate Oct. 1-4 as a guest of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. While “In-a-Year” StoryStudio students had the opportunity to meet individually with editors and agents, there were many interesting options for a general attendee like me.

I must confess I am…

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On Monday, Oct. 5, beginning at 7 p.m., Rachel Swearingen will read from her debut story, How to Walk on Water, and discuss it with author Kate Wisel, whose own short story collection Driving in Cars with Homeless Men just came out in paperback. Host The Book Cellar requires pre-registration for this virtual event.

by Donald G. Evans

The short story,…

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by Patty Kelsey

The murder of George Floyd on May 25th of this year was, sadly, nothing new. American history before and since reflects the systematic and consistent social injustices waged against powerless people, particularly, as in this case, People of Color. This murder did not happen in Chicago, but Chicago reacted, as did the rest of the country, with various protests across the city and…

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By Donald G. Evans

In the course of his tireless advocacy of literature and writers—a frenzied, decades-long career in which he has taught young writers, published great books, run literary festivals, and so much more—Jotham Burrello stole some hours to create his own novel. For the past ten years, as Jotham kept all his appointments, accepted still more projects, became a flower farmer, raised three…

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By Donald G. Evans

Dusty did not want to do it, I could tell. He is 16 and until this past spring his days were packed—academic work, rigorous soccer training and games (often playing on two teams simultaneously), the ping pong club, babysitting gigs, outings with friends. Sunup until sundown activity. But the health crisis shut down everything for Dusty as it did for all…

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By Donald G. Evans

Volumes Bookcafe hosts award-winning writer, rapper, educator, and editor Nate Marshall this Thursday, Aug. 27, in celebration of his new poetry collection, Finna. Nate will be joined by his friend and fellow poet, José Olivarez.

This night of poetry and discussion will be on Zoom and FB live. Details are on the Volumes website. Copies of…

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