Chicago Literary Hall of Fame

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame At the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame we honor the past, celebrate the present, and are building the future

New blog 📝Nelson Algren’s South Side Rootsby John LilligChicago author Nelson Algren (1909-1981) is usually associated w...
08/21/2026

New blog 📝
Nelson Algren’s South Side Roots
by John Lillig

Chicago author Nelson Algren (1909-1981) is usually associated with the north side neighborhoods of Bucktown and Wicker Park, where he lived during the mid-20th Century (first at 1523 W. Wabansia and later at 1958 W. Evergreen) and where much of his fiction is set. However, his Chicago roots are actually on the South Side.

The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s recent Far South Side Literary Bus Tour gave tour participants the opportunity to visit several sites important to Algren’s early life in the Park Manor neighborhood and nearby.

Read the full blog on our website:
https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/blog/entry/nelson-algrens-south-side-roots

Join us!📖Great Chicago Books Club: Elizabeth Marino’s AsylumThursday, August 27, 2026 6:30 p.m.📍18th Street Casa de Cult...
08/19/2026

Join us!
📖Great Chicago Books Club: Elizabeth Marino’s Asylum
Thursday, August 27, 2026 6:30 p.m.

📍18th Street Casa de Cultura

Elizabeth Marino is a Chicago poet, performer. and educator. Her book Asylum (Vagabond, 2020) is a hybrid poetry/memoir collection. According to a Femficātiō review, “What stands out most is how seamlessly Marino blends narrative drive with lyric intensity. Even when the work shifts away from overt political themes and into intimacy and longing, it never loses focus or purpose. This is especially striking given that Asylum is also a memoir. The reflective prose pieces at the end are raw and unsettling, grounding the poetry in lived experience and moral urgency.”

The Pushcart Prize nominee’s previous work includes chapbooks Debris (Puddin’head Press) and Ceremonies (dancing girl press), as well as more than 20 print anthology contributions. Chuck Kramer wrote of Asylum, “...great images and lines throughout…poems blend personal experience, history, art and politics…’Sonic Projections’ is a wonderful, lyric ode to joy.” Marino will be in conversation with Yolanda Nieves at 18th Street Casa de Cultura on Thursday, August 27. The discussion will focus on Asylum but range into related territory. Registration is free. Registration is now open.

https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/events_entry/great-chicago-books-club-elizabeth-marinos-asylum

Chicago has never been short on literary talent. But what happens when the people creating that work can’t afford to kee...
08/13/2026

Chicago has never been short on literary talent. But what happens when the people creating that work can’t afford to keep doing it?

In “Big Shoulders, Small Paychecks. Let’s Fix That,” Sharon Woodhouse takes a closer look at the economics of Chicago’s literary community and asks why we’re so uncomfortable talking about money.

From writers’ fees and speaking rates to funding, publishing, and building sustainable creative careers, this is a conversation about more than books. It’s about making sure Chicago’s writers and literary organizations can actually afford to thrive.

Read our recent blog and join the conversation:
https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/blog/entry/big-shoulders-small-paychecks-lets-fix-that

While we’re talking about it, after you’ve read the blog you can navigate to the “donate” button on our website to see ways you can support CLHOF if interested.

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame is excited to be returning as an exhibitor to the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest in 202...
08/13/2026

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame is excited to be returning as an exhibitor to the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest in 2026!

The event is Sept 12 + 13. We will share our tent location and any programs we’re involved with soon.

Looking forward to this year’s event!

08/10/2026

See us in August!

From the newsletter “August is the last true summer month. September, we have school starting up again and the weather dipping, just a bit. The big block stores will haul out their Halloween wares before the month ends. I’ve been putting off this and that—too busy, too hot, too expensive—but feel like action is now required.

What’s not expensive?
1. Our Great Chicago Books Club meeting with Elizabeth Marino and Yolanda Nieves—it’s free to register and free even if you just show up.
2. The South Asian American Lit Fest (SAALF) 2026 is also free to register.”
3. Printers Row Lit Fest FREE all weekend

Register for any of our upcoming events on our website ChicagoLiteraryHOF.org/Events

Discover a fascinating chapter of Chicago history you may have never heard before.Our latest blog explores Hugo Martinez...
08/06/2026

Discover a fascinating chapter of Chicago history you may have never heard before.

Our latest blog explores Hugo Martinez-Serros and the early 20th-century Mexican Southeast Side, highlighting the stories, culture, and resilience of one of Chicago’s vibrant communities. Learn how Mexican immigrants helped shape the Southeast Side, the challenges they faced, and why these histories deserve to be remembered today.

Whether you’re passionate about Chicago history, literature, or uncovering overlooked voices, this is a story worth reading.

Read the full blog on our website: https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/blog/entry/hugo-martinez-serros-and-the-early-20th-century-mexican-southeast-side

A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: AugustBy Kayleigh McNamara “August rain: the best of summer gone, and the new fall not yet ...
08/03/2026

A Look Ahead at Chicago Lit: August
By Kayleigh McNamara

“August rain: the best of summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
—Sylvia Plath

From the first annual South Asian American Lit Fest, to StoryStudio’s StoryBoard Festival, and the Great Chicago Books Club, August is packed with incredible literary events across Chicago.

Read the blog 🔗
https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/blog/entry/a-look-ahead-at-chicago-lit-august2026

Address

4043 N. Ravenswood Avenue , #222
Chicago, IL
60613

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+1 773-414-2603

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chicago Literary Hall of Fame posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Chicago Literary Hall of Fame:

Shortcuts

Share

Category