American Writers Festival

May 19, 2024

Free Literary Event

Presented by
The American Writers Museum & Chicago Public Library

The second American Writers Festival will take place Sunday, May 19, 2024 at the Harold Washington Library Center.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Full Guest Lineup

Marie Arana

Nicole Chung

Sara Paretsky

Jabari Asim

Jamie Loftus

Renée Watson

Darcie Little Badger

Mark Bowden

Diana Khoi Nguyen

Matthew Teague

Samira Ahmed

Keith Ammann

American Writers Festival

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.

Press Toolkit

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2022 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Community Agreement

The American Writers Festival is a community effort that includes our writers, presenters, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters who have created this event.

We are all responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming and respectful community free from abuse and harassment of any kind (verbal, physical or sexual). We are not tolerant of racism, discrimination, intimidation or any language or behavior offensive to any member of this community based on their identity, ability or role.

Anyone who experiences individuals not adhering to this community agreement should immediately notify an AWF stage manager or staff member. AWF and the American Writers Museum reserve the right to ask anyone to leave an event for violation of this agreement, and serious violations may result in a permanent ban from our events.

Thank you for participating fully in the American Writers Festival and for making it possible for others to do so as well.