For regular readers of this column, Saturday’s Independent Bookstore Day is likely as highly anticipated as the Super Bowl (if not more so). If you haven’t made your game day plans yet, information about the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl (April 26) is available on the Chi Love Books website. The site includes a list of the more than 50 participating indie bookstores, transportation options, and the popular passport program offering year-round discounts for book lovers who visit 10 or 15 stores that day. Additional programming and book-themed merch will be offered by bookstores across the city.
Once you acquire your book haul, other free events celebrating established and emerging writers are just around the corner! Here are several author readings, workshops, and award celebrations worth adding to your literary to-do list.
Celebrate the Authors Shortlisted for the Carol Shields Prize
Thursday, May 1, 11:30am, at Women & Children First, 5233 North Clark Street, Chicago
Free registration here; masks strongly encouraged for this event
The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction is the first major prize to celebrate creativity and excellence in fiction by women and nonbinary writers in Canada and the United States. This year’s shortlisted authors—Dominique Fortier (Pale Shadows, translated by Rhonda Mullins), Miranda July (All Fours), Canisia Lubrin (Code Noir), Sarah Manguso (Liars) and Aube Rey Lescure (River East, River West)—will read from their nominated works in a free event hosted by Women & Children First on May 1, prior to the announcement of the $150,000 prize winner later that day. Books will be for sale and a signing will take place at the conclusion of the reading.
Preview an Operatic Adaptation of Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street
Wednesday, May 7, 7pm, at Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
Free registration here
Celebrated author and Chicago native Sandra Cisneros—recipient of this year’s 2025 Harold Washington Literary Award—is working with composer Derek Bermel to adapt her acclaimed bestseller The House on Mango Street into an opera. During this program, the two will discuss their unique collaboration, excerpts from the opera will be performed, and Cisneros will offer a poetry reading. Bookends & Beginnings will sell signed copies of Cisneros’ books on-site. This free event is presented by Northwestern’s Litowitz MFA+MA Program and the Bienen School of Music. Advance registration is recommended.
Support New Writers with the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
Saturday, May 17, 2pm, at the Harold Washington Library’s Reception Hall, 400 S. State St, Chicago
Free registration here
The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame presents its third annual Randall Albers Young Writers Awards Ceremony & Open Mic, recognizing talented young writers of prose and poetry. The free event at Harold Washington Library celebrates this year’s student prize winners, selected by National Book Award winner Daniel Borzutzky (poetry) and acclaimed bestselling journalist Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan (prose) from nearly 150 entries. The winners will read from their works during this event.
Write Poetry with Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young
Sunday, May 18, 1pm, at the Chicago Public Library’s Edgewater Branch, 6000 N. Broadway
Thursday, May 22 at 4:30pm, at the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W. Fullerton Ave.
Free registration for Edgewater here and Lincoln Park here
During National Poetry Month, Chicago announced a call for applicants to be the city’s next Poet Laureate. (Interested poets can check out the requirements here in advance of the May 29 deadline.) Meanwhile, writers of all abilities from beginners to experienced scribes can join inaugural Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young for a Chi-Soul Workshop in May, focused on creating poems inspired by the Chicago's times and tales. The workshops will be held at the Edgewater and Lincoln Park branches of the Chicago Public Library and advance registration is required.
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