Events
Writing the Boomtown: Chicago Literature from the Civil War to Haymarket
Tuesdays, from February 11 through March 11
6:30-8 p.m.
Zoom
Enrollment is now open for a seminar with Chicago literary expert Jesse Raber. Over the course of five Tuesdays evenings online via Zoom, Raber will explore with students the important authors and books…
read moreThe Man with the Golden Amaretto
Saturday, February 8, 2025
7-9:30 p.m.
Colvin House
5940 N. Sheridan
Chicago, IL 60660
Registration is now open. For the fifth straight year, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will host a cocktail fundraiser. We return to the Colvin House, where we'll split time between the opulent art…
read moreThe Gift of Freedom: Glennette Tilley Turner Discusses Her New Book
Saturday, February 22, 2025
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Zoom
Glennette Tilley Turner discusses her new book, as well as her other work as an author, historian, and educator. The prolific and distinguished author is our foremost authority on the Illinois Underground Railroad. During…
read moreSouth Side Literary Bus Tour
Saturday, March 29, 2025
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Douglass Park Cultural and Community Center
1401 S. Sacramento Drive
Chicago, IL 60623
(Bus leaves and returns here)
On this five-hour tour of Chicago, we’ll visit sites associated with events like The Great Chicago Fire and the Leopold & Loeb Murder Trial; places like “Millionaires Row” and Camp Douglas; institutions like the old…
read moreTravelers in the Mist: A Celebration of Poet Elise Paschen
Friday, April 11, 2025
6 p.m.
Cliff Dwellers
200 S Michigan Ave #1600
Chicago, IL 60604
Elise Paschen, one of Chicago's most important writers, releases her sixth poetry collection, Blood Wolf Moon on April 10, 2025. The following night, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will help celebrate her…
read moreIndependent Bookstore Day 2025
Saturday, April 26, 2025
All Day
On this day, we celebrate Chicago's many wonderful indie bookstores. Leading up to the day, we'll feature several bookstore profiles on our blog. On the day of, we'll report via social media on the happenings…
read moreFilm Screening of Mary Livoni’s Adaptation of Stuart Dybek’s The Apprentice
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
7 p.m.
American Writers Museum
180 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
Artist Mary Livoni's short film, The Apprentice, is based on Stuart Dybek's short story by the same name. The atmospheric, vibrantly shot film tells the story of a boy and his uncle.…
read more2025 Randall Albers Young Writers Award
Saturday, May 17, 2025
2 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State Street
Reception Hall (Lower Level)
Chicago
The Randall Albers Young Writers Award returns for its third year. On Saturday, May 17, we will present awards to young writers of both prose and poetry and listen as they read aloud from their…
read moreAs part of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Board Secretary Jane Hseu will lead a showcase of Chicago's finest Asian American writers. Registration will open soon.
read moreUptown Literary Walking Tour
Saturday, June 28, 2025
1-4 p.m.
Margate Park Field House
4921 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
(Tour begins and ends here)
This three-hour walking tour takes us to the former residences of notable Chicago writers, as well as institutions and streets with literary associations. We’ll learn a bit about authors George R.R. Martin, Margaret Anderson, John…
read more2025 Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, July 12, 2025
1 p.m.
Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60628
Our newest induction class will be honored at a ceremony at the glorious Woodson Regional Library. A reception will follow. In just about a week, we will officially announce the three writers selected for…
read moreNuestra Corazones Literarios (Our Literary Hearts): A Latin Chicago Writers Showcase
Thursday, October 2, 2025
7 p.m.
18th Street Casa de Cultura
2057 W 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Join Carlos Cumpián and a host of other Latino and Latina authors as they share their stories, poems, and novel excerpts. Registration will open soon.
read more2025 Fuller Award Ceremony
Monday, October 20, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Black Ensemble Theater
4450 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
We'll announce this year's Fuller Award recipient in about one week. Details of the ceremony will follow. Our Fuller Award is given to Chicago's finest living writers for their lifetime achievements.
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