On April 24 and 25, The UChicago Program in Creative Writing will host its annual Literary Arts Lab Festival, this year featuring writers Andrea Long Chu, Teju Cole, Richard Siken, and Jamila Woods for two days of panel discussions, craft talks, and readings. Staff from Pilsen Community Books will be on site both days to sell a selection of titles by this year’s guests, with each book offered at half the usual price.
On Friday, April 24, the festival will kick things off at 3:30 p.m. with a welcome from Prof. Robyn Schiff, Director of Creative Writing, followed by a writers roundtable discussion featuring all four guests and moderated by Creative Writing and English Prof. Jen Scappettone.
Later that afternoon, from 5-6 p.m., literary critic and essayist Andrea Long Chu will read her work, followed by a reading by novelist and critic Teju Cole from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
The readings continue on Saturday April 25, with poet and musician Jamila Woods performing her poetry from 5-6 p.m., followed by a poetry reading by Richard Siken from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
LitLab 2026 concludes at the closing reception on Saturday night from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.
All events will take place at the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637) and are free and open to the public.
