A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: June

by Kayleigh McNamara

We have made it once again to another illustrious Chicago summer. In the words of Maud Hart Lovelace, “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold…” I’m of the opinion that Chicago is at its peak in June—outdoor concert series, time on the lakefront, the city offers boundless opportunity. The literary calendar is no exception. Read on for a sneak peak of the exciting month ahead. 

Gwendolyn Brooks would have been 109 this year and to celebrate her birthday, Third World Press Foundation will be giving a tour of their historic publishing house on June 2. Order Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti’s book Honoring Genius, Gwendolyn Brooks: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice and learn more during the experience described as “a guided cultural experience grounded in history, storytelling, and public scholarship.” 

Later that same day, the Chicago Review of Books will be presenting the Chicago Writers Showcase, featuring many talented authors, one being Kathleen Rooney of our very own Advisory Council! Kathleen will be reading from her forthcoming novel, Man Overboard which can be pre-ordered here. The event will take place at Haymarket House at 6:30 p.m. RSVP here. 

Saturday, June 6, the Chicago Public Library will be kicking off their summer season with Chapters of Chicago. The festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Legler, Sulzer, and Woodson Regional Libraries. Each branch has something unique to offer, so don’t limit yourself to one. Legler on the West Side has a train journey, a foam party, and tastes of Chicago’s classic cuisine. Sulzer on the North Side has a parade, live music, and storytelling. Woodson on the South Side has an immersive Yellow Brick Road experience, building and designing zones, and an arcade space. 

The American Writers Festival will be taking place the weekend of June 6 and 7. On Saturday the American Writers Museum is granting free admission with events taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday takes place at the Harold Washington Library with events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will be participating in the festival with two events; The Spiritual Essence of Storytelling will be on the Third Floor Stage at 11 a.m. and the 90-Second Newberry Film Festival will be in the Video Theater at 4 p.m. with James Kennedy. See the full schedule here. 

Tuesday, June 9, see Cynthia Pelayo in conversation with Christina Henry at Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records. They’ll be discussing their respective dark fantasy novels, It Came From Neverland and Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook. 

Friday, June 12, LIFE IS A CABARET with the Poetry Brothel Chicago. This is a special production for Pride, taking place at Chicago Theater Works from 8 to 11 p.m. C. Russel Price is the featured poet and they will be joined by award-winning host Dandy. Be sure to buy your tickets for this one. 

Bookends & Beginnings Bookstore is turning twelve years old! Check out their limited edition merch by June 11. You can also celebrate their birthday with festivities in the store on June 13. 

Terry Tempest Williams will be at the Harold Washington Library on June 15 to discuss The Glorians. The event will take place in the Multipurpose Room with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served, but you can also live stream from the Chicago Public Library’s Youtube or Facebook pages. Learn more here. 

Thursday, June 18, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will be presenting the Fuller Award for Lifetime Achievement to Ed Roberson for his contributions to the landscape of Chicago literature. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at the Poetry Foundation. The event is free and open to the public but you’re encouraged to reserve a spot here. 

The Queer Letters to America initiative takes place that same evening. This is one opportunity to participate in a larger citywide project by the Chicago Public Library for the 250th anniversary of the United States. In partnership with the Chicago Public LIbrary, Fathom invites you to stop by the bar and join them in their effort to preserve the perspectives of LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. “The letters collected during this program will become part of a permanent archival collection at Chicago Public Library's Northside Neighborhood History Center, safeguarding queer voices for future generations.”

Sadly, Let’s Just Write: Chicago Writers Association Conference is sold out. However, if you didn’t snag your tickets in time, you can still attend the cocktail party at Steppenwolf Theatre from 5 to 8 p.m. June 20. Registration is $45 and includes two drink tickets as well as appetizers and a live lit event. 

Unabridged is hosting their Queer Book Club on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. They will be discussing A Place for Us: Gay Life at Chicago's Belmont Rocks by Owen Keehnen. “Drawn from interviews with more than 100 firsthand witnesses and illustrated with more than 115 photographs, this powerful oral history captures the humor, heat, music, codes, courage, and everyday humanity of a beloved gay beach that helped shape queer Chicago long before the wider world caught up.”

June 26, Pilsen Community Books will be hosting Radical Book Buzz in partnership with Library Freedom Project and Library Futures. This is an event for library workers to meet and discuss with publishers. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Learn more and RSVP here.