Filed under Reading Series …

Help the Fullmers: Special Book Cellar Event

Like the binding on your favorite book, the Chicago literary community is tightly woven together. Not in an annoying cliquish sort of way. More in that lean-on-me kind of way, where we can all depend on one another for support, usually just emotionally but sometimes in more tangible ways. This is one of those times. … Continue reading →

So You Think You Can Lie: The Biggest Liar Contest

A lying contest in a funeral home?! Who wouldn’t want to see 10 of Chicago’s biggest and best liars (and storytellers) go head to head in a usually somber setting? That’s exactly what’s going down at the 43rd Annual Chicago’s Biggest Liar Contest! Produced by Essay Fiesta alumni Scott Whitehair, the show will feature a variety of … Continue reading →

Chicago Readings in December

‘Tis the season for fabulous and fun readings! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there are an abundance of great lit shows to attend. Here’s what’s on Essay Fiesta’s list: Story Club will feature Shannon Cason and Scott Whitehair. The show is  Thursday Dec. 1 at Uncommon Ground on Clark. It starts at 8:15 p.m. and is hosted … Continue reading →

Essay Fiesta Anniversary: What You Missed

If you didn’t get a chance to see the Essay Fiesta 2-year anniversary spectacular, here’s what you missed: Alyson Lyon still loves Matt Dillon. Will Matt Dillon love Alyson Lyon? Ian Belknap wants to kill James Franco. More prizes than you could carry home in your arms. BIG THANKS to Southport Grocery and Cafe, Dabble, … Continue reading →

Essay Fiesta by the Numbers

Hello Essay Fiesta fans! It’s just 4 more days until our 2-year anniversary. And because we are so fond of numbers today (as you can tell), we thought we’d give you some cool Essay Fiesta facts…in number form!   60+ That’s the number of artists we’ve welcomed as readers at Essay Fiesta. 24 That’s the … Continue reading →

Essay Fiesta Anniversary Raffle Prizes

As you probably know, Essay Fiesta holds a raffle  that benefits 826CHI. Raffle prizes have included everything from a Threadless gift certificate to a student-penned novel (from 826, of course) to a home-knitted scarf (thanks Alyson’s aunt!). Our prizes are indeed awesome and raffle tickets are only a dollar, but the biggest win of them … Continue reading →

Essay Fiesta Goes Back To School

Essay Fiesta is donning our sports coats (with patches) and pretending to smoke out of our stately pipes. Why? Because we must look scholarly. Because we are going back to school! In celebration of the National Day on Writing (this Thursday Oct. 20), Essay Fiesta’s Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon have teamed up with DePaul … Continue reading →

This Week’s Lit Events!

Hey Essay Fiesta folks! We’ll be unveiling our October line-up on Thursday. But today, to satiate your appetite for literary information, we are sharing with you a couple shows that are not to be missed. First, tonight marks the anticipated return of Write Club. Hosted by overlord Ian Belknap, Write Club pits to writers against each other to debate … Continue reading →