American Writers Festival

American Writers Festival

Attend the American Writers Festival on May 19, a free literary event, presented the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library.

By American Writers Museum

Date and time

Sunday, May 19 · 11am - 5pm CDT

Location

Harold Washington Library

400 South State Street Chicago, IL 60605

About this event

  • 6 hours

RSVP for Festival updates! Registering for this free event does not guarantee you a seat at any program.

The second American Writers Festival on May 19, 2024 in Chicago is presented by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library. The free literary festival will be held at multiple stages inside the Harold Washington Library Center and feature a number of leading contemporary authors, poets, artists, and playwrights.

The Festival will feature in depth conversations with diverse writers including sci-fi authors, game writers and designers, journalists and poets. From labor history to true crime thrillers to jazz music, the Festival will celebrate the past, promote the present and inspire the future of American writing. Children’s storytimes, photo booths, literary crafts and mini writing workshops get adults and kids into the written word, and authors will sign books for sale.

As a special bonus, the AWM will waive Museum admission fees on Sunday, May 19 to encourage more people to experience the literary works of the greatest American writers.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Program seating, book sales, author signings and everything else at the Festival is first come, first served. Registering for this event does not guarantee you anything.

Check out highlights below from the 2022 American Writers Festival!

Frequently asked questions

When is the American Writers Festival?

The Festival is on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. CT and the first program begins at 12:00 p.m. CT. Programs end at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Where does the American Writers Festival take place?

Harold Washington Library Center 400 S. State Street Chicago, IL 60605

Do I need tickets? If I sign up for updates, does that guarantee me a seat?

The American Writers Festival is free and open to the public. It is first come, first served. No tickets are required. When you register for updates, this does not guarantee you admission to any program.

Where can I see the schedule?

The full lineup and schedule will be released soon. Sign up for Festival updates to be notified when announcements regarding this are made.

How can I get involved with the Festival?

If you would like to volunteer at the American Writers Festival, please email volunteer@americanwritersmuseum.org.

Will books be available to purchase?

Books will be sold by Seminary Co-op Bookstores, the exclusive bookselling partner of the Festival. Select books by writers featured in the Festival will be available.

Will writers be signing books?

Signings will be determined based on the writers’ availability on the day of the Festival. Some writers may pre-sign books for purchase. Writers’ signing time will be limited, so please limit the number of books to sign to no more than three per person.

Can I bring children?

Children are welcome at the Festival, and some of the programming will focus on children’s and young adult authors.

Tags

Organized by

American Writers Museum

The mission of the American Writers Museum is to excite audiences about the impact of American writers - past, present and future - in shaping our collective histories, cultures, identities, and daily lives.