The 25th anniversary celebration of the Lit Fest on June 6-7, which is the largest free literary event in the Midwest, features new, used, antiquarian and specialty books for sale, author readings and signings, panel discussions, storytelling for kids and more.
Come enjoy the Midwest’s largest literary event! This outdoor festival offers the opportunity to hear authors speak and debate their works. It also features unique booksellers, poetry readings, exhibitors, kids activities, cooking demos, wine tastings, and much more.
Hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 6-7.
Highlights include Aleksandar Hemon (“Love and Obstacles”) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Chris Ware (“The Acme Novelty Library”) at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Elizabeth Berg (“Home Safe”) at 1 p.m. Sunday and Adam Cohen (“Nothing to Fear”) at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Events also take place at the Harold Washington Library Center.
- When:
- June 7 : 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Price:
- Free. Events at Harold Washington Library Center require advance registration: printersrowbookfair.org
Sunday schedule
Chicago Tribune Kids Corner Stage presented by Shedd Aquarium
10:30 a.m. Young Authors Award Ceremony presented by W. Nikola-Lisa
11:45 a.m. JUSTIN ROBERTS and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform
1 p.m. Live Lizards presentation from Shedd Aquarium
1:45 p.m. BARBARA JOOSSE, author of “Roawr!”
2:30 p.m. JUSTIN ROBERTS and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform
3:15 p.m. Live Lizards presentation from Shedd Aquarium
Center Stage
11 a.m. GREG KOT, author of “Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music” in conversation with Jane Hirt
noon Playwrights TRACY LETTS and MARY ZIMMERMAN in conversation with Richard Christiansen
1 p.m. ELIZABETH BERG, author of “Home Safe” and ELIZABETH STROUT, author of “Olive Kitteridge” in conversation with Mary Schmich
2:15 p.m. The American Heritage Dictionary Define-A-Thon hosted by David Kipen
Good Eating Stage presented by Jewel-Osco
10:30 a.m. Cooking demo with MARCIA SCHURER, author of “FitDelicious” Arts & Poetry Stage
11:15 a.m. Cooking demo with MARIA LIBERATI, author of “The Basic Art of Italian Cooking”
noon MOLLY O’NEILL editor of “American Food Anthology with Classic Recipes” in conversation with Leah Eskin
1 p.m. ANTHONY TERLATO, author of “Taste: A Life in Wine” and GRETCHEN NEUMAN, editor of VinoVerve in conversation with Bill Daley
2 p.m. Cooking demo with THE HEARTY BOYS
2:45 p.m. JOE MCFARLAND and GREGORY MUELLER, co-authors of “Edible Wild Mushrooms of Illinois and Surrounding States” in conversation with Monica Eng
Arts & Poetry Stage
10 a.m. TallGrass Writers Guild
11 a.m. NewTown Writers
11:30 a.m. After Hours Press
1 p.m. Gwendolyn Brooks’ Birthday Bash presented by Third World Press
2 p.m. Poetry reading with ELISE PASCHEN, author of “Bestiary” and DON SHARE, author of “Squandermania” presented by The Poetry Foundation
3 p.m. DINA ELENBOGEN, HELEN DEGEN COHEN, DEBORAH NODLER ROSEN and JULIE PARSON-NESBITT read from “Where We Find Ourselves”
4 p.m. Poetry reading with JAMES SHEA, author of “Star in the Eye”
University Center/River Room
10:30 a.m. BRYAN GRULEY, author of “Starvation Lake” in conversation with David Heinzmann
11:45 a.m. ROBERT OLMSTEAD, author of “Far Bright Star” in conversation with Richard Babcock
1 p.m. Young and Restless: JACQUELYN MITCHARD, JAMES KENNEDY, SAUNDRA MITCHELL and SALLY NEMETH moderated by Amy Alessio
2 p.m. MICHAEL DAVIS, author of “Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street” in conversation with Kevin Moore
3 p.m. Culture Clash: THRITY UMRIGAR, CRISTINA HENRêQUEZ and ALIZA SHEVRIN moderated by Mary Schmich
University Center/Loop Room
11 a.m. 2 p.m. Book TV “In Depth” interview with BILL AYERS and a special appear- ance by BERNARDINE DOHRN (limited seating available)
University Center/Park/ Fountain Rooms
10:30 a.m. PAUL BUHLE and HARVEY PEKAR present “THE BEATS: A Graphic History”
11:45 a.m. JOE STARITA, author of “I Am A Man”
1 p.m. Sporting Lives: MELISSA ISAACSON, JONATHAN EIG, and GARY ANDREW POOLE moderated by Dan McGrath
2 p.m. The Natural World: JOEL GREENBERG, JONATHAN ROSEN and OLIVIA GENTILE moderatred by Owen Youngman
3:15 p.m. Page to Pixel: The Future of Reading Christopher Booker, Owen Youngman, Amy Guth and David Kipen, moderated by Elizabeth Taylor
University Center/ Multimedia Room
10 a.m. Poetry workshop with REGINA BAIOCCHI, author of “Urban Haiku”
11 a.m. BRIAN EULE, author of “Match Day” and MICHAEL COLLINS, author of “Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs” in conversation with Cybele Ghossein and Rod Passman
noon Memoir writing workshop with BETH FINKE, author of “Hanni and Beth”
1 p.m. Open Books Poetry writing workshop
3 p.m. Writing the College Essay workshop presented by Polyphony H.S.
Books & Media Stage: University Center/Lake Room
10 a.m. BERYL SATTER, author of “Family Properties” in conversation with Eric Arnesen
11 a.m. ELLIOT J. GORN, author of “Dillinger’s Wild Ride” and JOHN HALLWAS, author of “Dime Novel Desperadoes” in conversation with Rick Kogan
noon Land of Lincoln: ORVILLE VERNON BURTON, TOM CAMPBELL, DAVID O. STEWART and EILEEN MACKEVICH moderated by Gary Johnson
1 p.m. PAUL BUTLER, author of “Let’s Get Free: A Hip Hop Theory of Justice” in conversation with Geoffrey Stone
2 p.m. MAXWELL TAYLOR KENNEDY, author of “Danger’s Hour” in conversation with Rick Kogan
3 p.m. THERESA AMATO, author of “Grand Illusion” and RICK PERLSTEIN, author of “Nixonland” in conversation with Bruce Dold
4 p.m. ADAM COHEN, author of “Nothing to Fear” in conversation with Elizabeth Taylor
*T Main Stage Harold Washington Library Center
2 p.m. “Waging Peace” presented by Lookingglass Theatre Young Ensemble
*T Harold Washington Library Center Multi-purpose room
1:30 p.m. Funny Tales: ROBERT RODI, author of “Dogged Pursuit” and AMY SUTHERLAND, author of “What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage” in conversation with Jen Lancaster
3 p.m. Murder She Wrote: LAURA CALDWELL, CATHERINE O’CONNELL, TASHA ALEXANDER and GILLIAN FLYNN moderated by Libby Hellmann
*T Harold Washington Library Center Reception Hall
2:30 p.m. RACHEL SHTEIR, author of “Gypsy: The Art of the Tease” in conversation with Gioia Diliberto
Hotel Blake, Burnham Room
11 a.m. Female Persuasion: JANELLE BROWN, THERESE FOWLER, KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY and KRISTINA RIGGLE moderated by Barbara Brotman
noon Family Secrets: SALLY KOSLOW, MARIA SEMPLE, KATIE CROUCH and VALERIE LAKEN moderated by Alicia Eler
1 p.m. JONATHAN MILES, author of “Dear American Airlines” and STEVE AMICK, author of “Nothing But a Smile” in conversation with Valerie Laken
2 p.m. CHARLES BAXTER, author of “The Soul Thief” in conversation with Billy Lombardo
3 p.m. WENDY DONIGER, author of “The Hindus”
*T – Free tickets required
