Friends of American Writers

08/25/2026

Our September meeting will feature
Chicago photographer, author, and architectural storyteller Ronnie Frey. Due to some scheduling confusion, the date really should be September 16, not the 9th.

We will be treated to a fascinating look at Chicago through a perspective we often overlook—its doorways. Frey has spent the past five years wandering the city's neighborhoods, documenting its most expressive doorways. His new book, Doorways of Chicago, gathers more than 140 of his images into an fabulous architectural display of Chicago wonders and the stories behind them. He also hosts walking architectural tours of Chicago and is a great storyteller. Come join Friends of American Writers for this special program.

FAW, Friends of American Writers, Literary Organization, Literature Programs, FAW is the premier Literary Organization in Chicago. Come join us.

05/07/2026

We did it again! FAW members donated generously to the FAW Children's Book Project. Since 2020, Friends of American Writers strives to extend our excitement for reading to the youngest in our society. This year fifty students at Carver Elementary took home a copy of Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora. Oge Mora is one of FAW’s Young People’s Award recipients. Her book is an excellent example of what it means to live life with a giving and open heart. The value of books and the messages they send is immeasurable. “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” - Stephen King

We received a heart-felt thank you with artwork from the students who received a book from the FAW Book Project, as well as a formal letter from the Juvenile Protective Association. The smiles those books created are beyond words. Thank you to all who donated to this project.

05/07/2026

The awards ceremony has always been a highlight of the FAW year. Currently, the authors are invited to join the luncheon and receive their monetary award at the Fortnightly of Chicago scheduled on May 6. We hope you will share in congratulating our 2025-26 Award Winning Authors.

The FAW 2025 - 2026 Literature Award Winners
Adult Literature Awards

JENNIFER ELI BOWEN for The Book Of Kin (Milkweed Editions) $2,500
ANIKA FAJARDO for The Many Mothers Of Dolores Moore, (Simon and Schuster) $2,500
JAMES STEWART III for Defiant Acts, (Acre Books) $2,500

Young People's Literature Awards

BRIANNE FARLEY for Worm Makes a Sandwich, (G.P. Putnam’s Son) $2,500
LAURIE SCHNEIDER for Gittel, (Fitzroy Books) $2,500
T.L. SIMPSON for Cope Field, (Flux) $2,500

01/29/2026

Friends of American Writers Feb 11, 2026 meeting features Natalie Y. Moore, Journalist and Author. Reservations due by 6:00 pm Feb 3.

Natalie Y. Moore, a Chicago award-winning journalist, is known for her reporting on race, housing, economic development, food injustice and violence. She writes a monthly column for the Chicago Sun-Times and has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. Her book, The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, received the 2016 Chicago Review of Books award for nonfiction Natalie’s work has helped shift the way Chicagoans today think about segregation in the region. Come hear this sought after speaker.

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FAW, Friends of American Writers, Literary Organization, Literature Programs, FAW is the premier Literary Organization in Chicago. Come join us.