The Columbia College Chicago Fiction Writing Department presents its 14th Annual Story Week Festival of Writers from Sunday, March 14, through Friday, March 20. Affectionately known as the “Lollapalooza of literary events,” Story Week 2010 offers a feast of free readings, free conversations with authors, panels, performances, and free book signings at venues across the city.
On Monday, March 15, there will be two free events featuring literary icon Joyce Carol Oates at the Harold Washington Library (400 S State St), who has penned more than a hundred books in every genre imaginable, including Oprah Book Club selection We Were the Mulvaneys, 
National Book Award finalists Blonde and The Gravedigger’s Daughter, New York Times best seller The Falls, and her latest suspense thriller, A Fair Maiden.
At 2:30 pm, there will be an author discussion and question and answer time with Joyce Carol Oates, which is hosted by Gavin Cologne-Brookes, and entitled Dark Eyes on America: The Novels of Joyce Carol Oates.
At 6 pm, the literary icon Oates reads and discusses her work with Donna Seaman, host of Booklist on Chicago Public Radio. There will also be a book signing period.
Other headliners at the 14th Annual Story Week Festival of Writers include award-winning authors Aleksandar Hemon, Love and Obstacles; Bonnie Jo Campbell, American Salvage; Achy Obejas, Ruins; David Morrell, The Shimmer; Maggie Estep, Alice Fantastic; Australian writer John Dale, Leaving Suzie Pye; and local crime novelist Marcus Sakey, The Amateurs. Also meet David Morrell, the award-winning author of First Blood, the 1972 novel in which the character Rambo, a Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was created. The host school will also present many other distinguished writers, panelists, artists, and performers throughout this jam-packed week.
