Printers Row Lit Fest has been bringing all things literary to the streets of Printers Row for 37 years. The festivities return for the second weekend of September with a packed schedule of events.
The festival is many things to many people: a tribute to the publishing industry, a trade spree for book lovers, a postal celebration for Bookstagrammers, and perhaps, above all, a place for publishers, journalists, writers, poets and agents. . Specifically, it’s where every writer in the Midwest can see and be seen, or, better yet, hear and be heard.
Two days of live events, spoken words, readings, workshops and panel discussions will cover the rugged former industrial area and over 100 booksellers will line the streets with their tents full of real paper books, while the latest tweets from fade in summer. Best of all, programming is free! What could be more attractive than that? Maybe simple sweater weather and a nicely positioned coffee truck on Polk Street can turn it into rom-com heaven?
If you plan to take a stroll through the outdoor festival and take advantage of the book stands and writer events, take a moment to look up at the sky to see some of the historic architecture as well. Located on the south loop, most of the old printers’ buildings have been converted into fancy lofts and shops. But you can still see some remnants of the glory days of Chicago’s printing center (which peaked in the 1880s) in the architecture. The Franklin Building (720 S. Dearborn) features a mural of Gutenberg’s Bible being printed and plaques of books and printers along the building’s facade.
The entire area is so unique that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the “Printing Row Historic District” is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Stroll to Printers Row Park’s fountain and community garden (0.38 acres of hidden greenery in the Loop at 632 S. Dearborn) and take a moment to rest in this discreet nod to the area’s printing history, with concrete benches that resemble blocks printers and a kaleidoscopic fountain that would make Frank Lloyd Wright blush in death. If you need to escape the elements all together, you can wander into Sandmeyer’s Bookstore (714 S. Dearborn) for an authentic atmosphere and browse the many titles on display (since 1982).
Printers Row Lit Fest juggles over 100 author appearances and coordinates entertainment for all levels of the publishing industry—from romance writer to political activist—while also offering children’s programming (including a Latin American-style puppet show in Spanish and English presented by Carlos Theater Productions). As of this writing, a full schedule of the weekend’s events has yet to be released, but a steady stream of updates is available on the festival’s Instagram (@printersrowfest).
Printer Row Lit Fest
Sat 9/10-Sun 9/11, 10am-6pm, S. Dearborn by Ida B. Wells Dr. on Polk and Polk from State to Clark, free, complete schedule at printersrowlitfest.org
Even without the full timeline to pour over, the popular highlights of this year’s Printers Row Lit Fest are enough to draw a crowd. The emphasis on recognizing Chicago writers is strong and also includes diverse voices that focus on social justice and activism. Daniel Smith, the first black editor of Billboard magazine, will talk about her latest book Shine Bright: A Very Personal Story of Black Women in Pop. Jamie Ford will discuss his current New York Times best seller Many daughters of Afong Moyand will lead the Emcee Skool organization a workshop of spoken words and open friendships.
The festival does not give short shrift to Chicago journalists or satirists; perhaps Chicago’s best-known boosters of social justice characters and causes. of Sun-Times and WBEZ will host a series of panels reflecting on two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a conversation between Dr. David Ansell (author of The Gap of Death: How Inequality Kills) and Dr. Thomas Fisher (author of Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER).
Chicago Public Library will host “Voices for Justice: Natalie Moore’s Billboard,” including a staged reading of excerpts from Moore’s play. of Sun-Times also hosts a personal episode of their series Environmental Justice Exchange dedicated to Hazel M. Johnson. Johnson started a movement when she noticed her South Side neighbors were suffering from physical ailments related to pollution, toxins and poor living conditions and founded People for Community Recovery in 1979 to advocate for environmental justice. of Sun-Times and Chicago Public Media also host a discussion titled “Social Justice in Chicago: The Mexican Community’s Fight to Stay in the City” hosted by Elvia Malagón (a Sun-Times reporter focusing on social justice topics) with guests Mike Amezcua, author of The Making of Mexican Chicago: From Postwar Settlement to the Age of Gentrification.
Other journalists featured at Lit Fest include Neil Steinberg on his book Every damn day: a highly selective, undeniably opinionated, and alternately humorous and heartbreaking historical tour of Chicago AND Ray Long continues The House That Madigan Built: Illinois’ Velvet Hammer’s Record Run.
Our city’s library pulls its weight in the festival, donating their prestige Harold Washington Literary Award to Evanston-based Natasha Trethewey (Pulitzer Prize Winner and Poet Laureate of the United States for two terms).
The Poetry Foundation is erecting a dedicated poetry tent (in North Dearborn, south of Ida B. Wells) that will host a stream of emerging and award-winning poets. On Saturday at 2 p.m., the panel titled “Our City: Chicago’s Poetic Landscape” will be moderated by scholar Carlo Rotella. Panelists include Daniel Bortzutzky, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Elise Paschen and Sara Salgado.
Of course, works of fiction set in Chicago will be highlighted at Lit Fest, like Toya Wolfe’s. Last summer on State Street, Joe Meno’s The book of extraordinary tragedies, AND Chicago Public Library “One Book, One Chicago” The Honorable Eric Charles May (Basic faith). Numerous authors whose books have recently been reviewed by reader recently will be present, especially Adam Levin (Chicago Mt) and Adam Langer (Cyclorama).
Apt examples of Chicago’s earnest heritage of audience participation and spoken word run rampant at Lit Fest. Some great samples include a literary deathmatch, where four local authors will verbally duel each other in front of a panel of judges. Winners from the Moth’s live storytelling competition will read their work. An exciting skills exchange with the public will take place as staff from onions will work on satirical news writing (scheduled for the festival’s main stage on Saturday at 3 p.m.).
Printers Row Lit Fest is one of the major triumphs of the city of Chicago. It’s as Chicago as the Bud Billiken parade and as timeless as a Quimby’s bookstore full of zines. If you attend, you will be a part of Chicago’s literary scene! Welcome to the glitterati.
