Here are a handful of literary events happening this month in Chicago and beyond. No fooling.
Reading to Support the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
April 3, 2026, 7 pm
Haymarket House
800 West Buena Avenue, Chicago
Join the Chicago Poetry Center, Haymarket Books, and Lit for Chicago for a reading in support of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR). Readers include José Olivarez, Mayda del Valle, C. Russell Price, Juan Martinez, and the Borderless Poets. To attend, contribute $20 to the ICIRR and print out the receipt. Cash donations are accepted at the door.
Children's & Family's Storytime Celebrating National Poetry Month
April 12, 1 to 2:30 pm
Ravinia Elementary School
763 Dean Avenue, Highland Park
To celebrate National Poetry Month, the Highland Park Poet Laureate program will offer a program presented by Leaf Town Forever authors and sisters Kathleen Rooney and Beth Rooney, as well as a haiku reading, a talk on writing haikus, postcard drawing, and other activities.
Allium Journal Release Party
April 14, 12:30–1:30 pm
The HIVE, 3rd floor, 618 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Allium journal is hosting a release party. Third Coast Review writer Binx Perino is a contributor.
After Hours Press Reading
April 19, 2–4 pm
Printer's Row Wine Shop
719 South Dearborn Street, Chicago
After Hours Press will host a reading of works published in their latest issue.
Green Hills Public Library District to Hold Author and Book Fair
April 22, 5:30–7:30 pm
10331 South Interlochen Drive Palos Hills
(708) 598-8446
The Green Hills Public Library District of Palos Hills will host an author and book fair in its first floor meeting room. Local and regional authors for all ages and from all genres will be present, including Amy Gail Hansen, Pat Camalliere, Trevor Mueller, Shirley King, Victoria Hamel, Dr. Leslie K. Best, Becky Spratford, Karla Clark, Justin Castaneda, Bibi Belford, Sara Shacter, Dana Marie Miroballi, Mariam Shahzad, Adi Alsaid, Beata Matlosz, Lourdes Suero, Sara Fujimura. Author Amy Gail Hansen will present a short keynote on the publishing process and getting a book published. Free books, crafts, and photo ops with Winnie the Pooh will also be offered. No registration required.
20x2 Chicago
April 26, Doors 6:30 pm / show at 7 pm
Gman Tavern, 3740 North Clark Street, Chicago
20x2 is an ongoing live performance project supported by writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and others. Twenty participants are given two minutes each to answer the question posed by the event, any way they like. This time the question is "Was it worth it?" For more information visit the website.
American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library Announce 2026 American Writers Festival
Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m (at American Writers Museum, 180 North Michigan Avenue),
and Sunday, June 7 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (at Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street)
The American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library announced this year’s American Writers Festival line-up. The event takes place over two days, and features appearances by writers Lauren Groff, Reza Aslan, John Fugelsang, Maggie Smith, Tananarive Due, Bill Kurtis, and Chicago’s Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle. All festival programs are free to the public.
Are you an author, publisher, organization, bookstore, library, or other group planning a literary event for May? Reach out to Lit Editor Dan Kelly at dan@mrdankelly.com.
