Monday the 16th of May is today. This very day! Come down to The Book Cellar Cafe at 7pm, and stay (until they close.) We’re giving 826CHI all of the money you can pay. This lineup will put on an essay display that shines even brighter than the milky way:
Lily Be is Chicago’s very own Chingona. An accidental artist living a life of purpose. Lily exists to bring people together to own and share their stories as host and producer of The Stoop at Rosa’s Lounge every last Thursday of the month. She is the first Latina to win a Moth GrandSLAM championship. Lily is also a Teacher at Second City and resident artist at Free Street Theater. In short, Lily Be is magic. Check her out @Queenlilybe on everything.
Ted Wesenberg abandoned honest work in Shanghai and moved to Chicago for art school. His work has been published in magazines such as Midwestern Gothic and Superstition Review. He lives in Rogers Park, where he’s at work on a novel.
Naomi Huffman is the editor-in-chief at Curbside Splendor and the managing editor at featherproof books, and co-host of two monthly shows: The Marrow, and Lies! She is also the director of Book Fort, a roving interactive book fair that this year will appear at Printers Row Festival, Logan Square Arts Festival, and Pitchfork.. Her essays, book reviews, and interviews have been published in the Chicago Tribune, Newcity, Bookslut, and elsewhere.
Elizabeth Gomez is a Chicago-based comedian, storyteller, writer, and experienced napper. She is a founder of the Windy City Rollers (Chicago’s premier all female roller derby league; founding writer at Drinkers with Writing Problems; cast member of the Kates; associate producer of Story Club Southside; and has performed at The Laugh Factory, Drop Comedy Club, Zanies, Beast Women Rising, and two years running at The Chicago Women’s Funny Festival. She is very tired.
Katie Pecho is a writer and blogger from Chicago, who studied Creative Writing at the University of Illinois and who makes her living in the totally related field of cyber security. Her blog, Fill This Out Later, is a collection of goofy stories about smashing her bike into a parked car fully sober and the time she accidentally tripped on cold medicine, and has been followed by such prolific Tumblrites as her mother and several spambots. She is thrilled to be back at Essay Fiesta for her third time.
Essay Fiesta 