Chicago's top literary networking event is back for 2013...

Writing is a solitary practice, but the process of being published, selling a script, and expanding your name recognition still requires schmoozing. This unique networking event aims to bring the people of Chicago’s literary world together for an evening of mingling, brainstorming, and collaborating.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet people in the community, swap business cards, and make connections to further their literary career.

Featured attendees include:

Jonathan Eig - New York Times Bestselling author and editor and co-founder of ChicagoSide Sports.

Charles Blackstone - Author of the forthcoming Vintage Attraction and managing editor of Bookslut

Registration is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. There will be a cash bar with drink specials, appetizers will be served, and the first 30 people to register will receive a swag bag.

Chicago Classics 
Host Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune journalist and WBEZ radio host, presents guests from Chicago’s literary community reading works by their favorite Chicago authors.

Chicago Cultural Center
Preston Bradley Auditorium
78 E. Washington

Somm Showing @ Music Box

SOMM, a documentary that follows four people in their journey to become a master sommelier, ends a nearly weeklong run at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave., tonight at 6:30pm. Master sommelier, restaurateur and local media personality Alpana Singh, Master sommelier Douglas Marello, and author Charles Blackstone will be on hand to answer questions about the love of the wine beforehand; you'll even get a glass to enjoy during the film. Admission $20.

September's Salon Splendor features: Charles Blackstone, author of VINTAGE ATTRACTION, managing editor at BOOKSLUT Lee Sandlin, author of THE DISTANCERS, STORM KINGS, and WICKED RIVER, former writer for THE READER & Dmitry Samarov, author of HACK, ex-cab driver

Celebrate the rich diversity of literature in the Chicago area, featuring approximately 15 authors and complimentary copies of their forthcoming books.

Reading and conversation with English Department students.

Reading: Charles Blackstone/Wesley Stace

"AM Tri-Cities with Dave Light" program, east Tennessee, southwest Virginia region.

Reading and discussion with advanced-level creative writing students

Come to The Book Cellar tonight to sample some wine (!) and listen to Charles Blackstone discuss his new book, Vintage Attraction.

CHARLES BLACKSTONE will attend the OCTOBER 30 WRITERS AT LUNCH session to discuss his new novel, Vintage Attraction, and genre-bending prose. Don’t miss it! 

Writers at Lunch

Wednesday, October 30 11:00-2:00 PM

Stage Two, 618 S Michigan 

Charles Blackstone, author of VINTAGE ATTRACTION, along with Douglas Trevor, author of GIRLS I KNOW.

Charles Blackstone will talk to Brian and Molly about Vintage Attraction.

11:15am-12:00pm

A Million Years Old in Internet Time: The Enduring Legend of Bookslut

When Jessa Crispin began Bookslut in 2002, there were few voices on the Internet, and fewer critics blogging about books. Over the next decade, as the site expanded to an acclaimed book review publication that’s read across the world, the world of online criticism grew alongside. Today, there are many sites dedicated to books, and hundreds of thousands of book aficionados reading—and often commenting themselves. But has this influx of voices benefitted readers or made it more difficult for them to know whom to trust? Join Bookslut’s founder and editor-in-chief, Jessa Crispin, and managing editor, Charles Blackstone, as they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of blogging and the Internet and all things book criticism. 

12:00-12:45pm

The Art of Friction: Where Autobiographical Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Come Together 

Charles Blackstone’s first novel, The Week You Weren’t Here, followed an English major protagonist who was looking for love and meaning during his final weeks of undergrad at UIC. Blackstone was also an English major about to graduate at UIC while he wrote the first draft. Ten years after that book’s publication comes Blackstone’s second novel about a recovering English major and adjunct professor who meets a celebrity sommelier and falls into love and wine at the same time after discovering her popular TV show. It’s no small coincidence that Blackstone is married to Master Sommelier Alpana Singh, former host of PBS’s hit Check, Please! and current Food Network regular and Chicago-area restaurateur. Join Blackstone as he reads from his new novel and discusses its hybrid creative nonfiction-and-autobiographical fiction genre he’s dubbed “friction” with Bookslut’s editor-in-chief, Jessa Crispin.

Join Charles Blackstone for drinks, light bites, words, and holiday merriment at one of Chicago's coziest wine shops. 

Barbara's Bestsellers in O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, IL 60606
phone:773.686.1281

Terminal 3 Gate H1
Terminal 3 Gate G1
Terminal 3 HK Apex

Guest bookselling with Bookslut's editor-in-chief, Jessa Crispin. Tarot readings available. 

Reading, signing, and wine tasting

2523 North Kedzie Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60647
FREE PARKING IN BACK!
(773) 235-2523
http://www.citylitbooks.com

Signing books! Selling other books!

The Interview Show, a talk show in a bar, features comedy, music and guests from every walk of life sharing their stories, worldviews and talents in a laid-back, intimate setting. Since the show began in February 2008, the show has featured such guests as actor Brian Dennehy, WTF podcaster Marc Maron,The Style Rookie Editor Tavi Gevinson, and more. Called one of the “40 Reasons to Love Chicago” by Chicago magazine, The Interview Show is held the first Friday of every month at The Hideout, as well as twice a year at Union Hall in Brooklyn.

Discussing Vintage Attraction, pouring Greek wine, laughter, mirth, tears of joy.

Signing, sighing, singing. Not really singing.

Food, drinking, and readings.