About This Blog
I started this blog in October 2002 because I couldn’t find any listing, online or off, that focused on literary events in Chicago. By literary events I mean literary fiction, poetry, and related non-fiction (literary criticism, literary biography, etc.). So I decided to publish one myself.
I don’t include any of the non-fiction or self-help authors that dominate most lists of “author appearances.” I don’t include genre works (mysteries, thrillers, etc.) unless for some reason they appeal to me. I don’t include plays or other performance art. Where an author is new to me, I do a little research before I add them to the list to make sure they belong here. My ultimate screening criteria are a) does this fit within my definition of “literary,” and b) is this an event I would attend?
I hate listing events whose relevant details – time, place, etc. – aren’t listed elsewhere on the web, preferably by the publisher or author or event host. That can only end in tears, when I inevitably get the time wrong and you arrive early or late or on the wrong day and then blame me. Let’s not spoil this great relationship we’ve developed over the last five years, or five seconds, as the case may be.
I kind of think that putting your details on the web is the least you can do to advertise your events. All else is vanity, as the good book says. Meaning something entirely different, but I think you understand my point.
The posts on Golden Rule Jones are secondary to the events listing. Sometimes they highlight new event series or sponsors, or flag articles about writers coming to town, or talk about my impressions of those writers and their appearances. More often they just reflect random literary matters that catch my attention, Chicago-related or (more often) not. At a minimum, by revealing my tastes and preferences, they should help you determine whether the events I list might be of interest to you as well.
In the old days I would keep this list just for my own benefit. Now, with a tiny amount of added effort, I can share it with you. You gotta love the web.
May 17th, 2006 10:30
May we send you our catalogues or e-newletters?
We think you’d probably be interested in our books.
Thanks,
Bruce McPherson
McPherson & Co.
July 20th, 2006 13:20
http://www.Realbook.com is a website for book reviews and book/poetry
commentary from every day readers. We would love for you to link
http://www.realbook.com on your blog.
Thanks for your time!
Helena Jeffrey
http://www.realbook.com
November 21st, 2006 08:23
Dear Sam,
This past June, I published Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee. Now I’m beginning work on the first authorized biography— the first biography at all, actually— of Kurt Vonnegut. I’d like to hear from any of your readers about their experiences with Vonnegut, either personally or with his novels. Thanks!
Charles J. Shields
Cjs1994@earthlink.net
(434) 985-9063
July 16th, 2007 12:50
Dear Samuel,
I represent a number of independent publishers (Serpents Tail, BlueBridge, Marion Boyars,Bitter Lemon and more) and authors. I am working on a new book, a literary memoir about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in the 1950′ and ’60s by Joanne Jacobson, a prof. of English at Yehsiva U. in NCY. Where can I send you a review copy (the book comes out in November – and there will be a number of events in Chicago I will invite you too as well.) I need an email and postal address. Many thanks, Meryl Zegarek, publicist, Meryl Zegarek Public Relations, Inc. NYC (If you need a reference ask Mark Sarvas, An Elegant Variation, I see him on your link list and he knows me!)
September 25th, 2007 14:14
Sam,
Of course I Google myself. Having done so today, I found my name on your site as scheduled for a reading/signing at 57th Street Books in October.
Thank you for posting this!
Thank you for creating this blog! I’ll be back.
All the best,
Lawrence Santoro
October 2nd, 2007 15:35
Hi Sam,
I thought you might be interested in New York Times best-selling author, Kevin Mills and his new book, Darkness Falls. It has nothing to do with Chicago, and I know you don’t include genre works unless they appeal to you in some way, but this thriller deals heavily with subjects we all should be concerned about – eco-terrorism, energy crisis, bacterial outbreak, etc. While it is a work of fiction, Kevin really did his homework for this novel, and the plot is actually a very real threat. If you like what I’m saying, let me know, and I’ll send you a copy. Thanks!
February 24th, 2008 11:34
[...] I’ve been at this blogging thing since 2002. You can read about why I created this blog here. These days, I spend much of my time over at Wandering with Robert Walser, where you can enjoy [...]
March 7th, 2008 16:23
There is an event taking place this Sunday, March 9th that would be of interest to you, so wanted to pass along the word.
The Studio Theater at the Cultural Center has Red Tape Theatre Company’s Pugilist Specialist by playwright Adriano Shaplin. This Sunday there will be a panel discussion with experts who will discuss the following book:
March 9 – War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges
There is a second panel discussion on Sunday, March 16th with a panel of experts that will be discussing the following book:
March 16 – The Gulf War Did Not Take Place by Jean Baudrillard
Enjoy!
April 16th, 2008 13:53
Five Weeks of Conversations Within Communities as part of Great Chicago Places and Spaces April 16 – May 14
Free and Open to the Public
The University of Chicago Press, in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Special Events, announces the launch of a new lecture series–Great Chicago Places and Spaces: Conversations Within Communities. With a goal of fostering dialogue between Chicago citizens and Chicago writers, and supported with a generous grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Conversations Within Communities brings award-winning authors to the public square. Each author will be featured in free noontime lectures in the Millennium Room at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington, Washington Room (5th Floor) followed by free evening readings at community sites throughout Chicago. All evening readings begin at 6:30 P.M.
Authors include: Stuart Dybek, Mary Pattillo, Ronne Hartfield, Sally Kitt Chappell, and Louise Knight.
Please contact me for a more information or visit http://www.press.uchicago.edu/News/0803CWCprs.html to view a full press release and schedule.
August 24th, 2009 09:44
Dear Sir
I wondered if you might like a mutual link to both my Foreign word site http://www.themeaningoftingo.com and my English word website http://www.thewonderofwhiffling.com ?
with best wishes
Adam Jacot de Boinod