Past Events

Chicago Lit Walking Tour: Nelson Algren

Saturday, May 7, 2022
3-5 p.m.

Meet at the Nelson Algren Memorial Fountain
Intersections of Milwaukee Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Division Street, Chicago
Polonia Triangle

Join the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame as we join up with several Algren afficionados, including filmmaker Michael Caplan, biogapher Mary Wisniewski, teacher John Lillig, and DePaul University lecturer Salli Berg Seeley, on a walking tour of the author’s old neighborhood. Stops will include his old longtime residence, several of his favorite…

Independent Bookstore Day 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022
Noon–1 p.m.

via Zoom

Join Billy Lombardo as he leads the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame's roundup of Chicago bookstores. Independent Bookstore Day is a tradition meant to celebrate and support our local stores, and it always is a special and fun-packed day. Our live correspondents, including Beth Doyle, Jarrett Neal, and YA author Riley…

Shel Silverstein illustration of a kid catching an apple from his book, The Giving Tree.

Shel Silverstein Forever Stamp: First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony

Friday, April 8, 2022
11 a.m. CST

Darwin Elementary School
3116 W. Belden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame inductee Shel Silverstein (Class of 2014) is getting his own postage stamp. CLHOF Founding Executive Director Donald G. Evans will serve as Masters of Ceremonies for a lineup that includes Air Force Academy High School (Honor Guard), USPS Letter Carrier Khalid Haynes, (National Anthem), USPS VP of…

The Martini Chronicles

Friday, April 1, 2022
7 p.m. CDT

via Zoom

For the second straight year, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, with hosts Michael Burke and Robert Charles, put on a virtual cocktail clinic and party featuring Chicago literary-themed drinks. After the great success of last year’s Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, we were inspired to dust off the blenders and shakers and have another…

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Presents Ana Castillo with our Fuller Award for lifetime achievement

Thursday, March 24, 2022
7 p.m. CDT

American Writers Museum
180 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601

and via Zoom

Acclaimed author Ana Castillo was awarded the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s Fuller Award for her lifetime achievement as an author, activist, educator, and scholar. The ceremony was live at the American Writers Museum on Thursday, March 24, at seven p.m. It was also live streamed. The event was free and open to the public with registration.…

Life Celebration and Book Launch: Scott Jacobs

Wednesday, March 2, 2022
5-7 p.m.

The Cliff Dwellers
200 S. Michigan Ave.
Penthouse
Chicago, IL 60604

Scott Jacobs, a gifted video and print journalist and a prolific writer, died suddenly of a heart attack on October 21, 2021. At the time of his death, Scott was in the latter stages of pushing out, I Told You So!: Donald Trump, The Awful Years, that he considered his finest work to date. As was his habit, Scott was doing this book on his own,…

Open Heart Chicago: An Anthology of Chicago Writers: Virtual Reading

Thursday, February 17, 2022

via Zoom

Buy the book here.

On Thursday, February 17, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame teamed up with contributing authors from Open Heart Chicago: An Anthology of Chicago Writers to present a special virtual reading. The lineup, emceed by editor Vincent Francone included Joe Mallon, David Matthews, Dipika Mukherjee, Nancy Werking Poling, Steve Trumpeter, and Cyn…

Chicago Classics: Black History Month

Thursday, February 3, 2022
6-7 p.m.

via Zoom

Our Chicago Classics series continues with a themed program celebrating Black History Month. Ronne Hartfield, Claire Hartfield, and Tracy Clark will join host Jarrett Neal in sharing excerpts from their own work plus the work of a favorite Chicago author. Ronne’s memoir, Another Way Home The Tangled Roots of Race in One Chicago Family, tells…

2021 Online Auction Fundraiser

Friday, December 10, 2021
7 p.m.

via Zoom

Thank you for joining us at our 2021 Virtual Fundraiser! Bidding started with nearly 50 items. The fundraiser helps us out while at the same time treating yourself to a night at the symphony or theatre, a collectible book, a literary consult, sports memorabilia, or the like. The fundraiser culminated in the live event on Friday, Dec. 10.…

Fuller Award: Luis Alberto Urrea

Thursday, October 28, 2021
6-7:30 p.m.

National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608

Anyone can join us virtually by clicking here at the time of the event.

Luis Alberto Urrea became the 11th Chicago author to receive the prestigious Fuller Award for his lifetime achievements as an author, teacher, and activist. The event was free and open to the public, with live attendance at the National Museum of Mexican Art and livestreamed. Live audience was limited to 150 fully vaccinated, masked people; proof…