Thank you so much to everyone who participated and shared their work for the 2nd iteration of the Graduate Reading Series on Thursday, April 2, and to those who came out to support! It was such a special evening with readings in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. Stay tuned for information on the next reading!
Join us for another Graduate Reading Series at Uncommon Ground (3800 North Clark Street) on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. The event will feature seven graduate writers in the MAWP/MFA programs, who will share their works of poetry or short prose. It’s a wonderful opportunity for fellow writers and readers to come together and celebrate creative storytelling! The reading is free and open to the public, but requires registration here to secure a seat. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the reading will begin at 7 p.m. Contact Kendall Polidori at kpolidor@depaul.edu with any questions or for information… Read Article →
“Poets for Chicago” is hosting another benefit reading for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICRR) on Friday, April 3 in Uptown. The event will feature poets José Olivarez, Maya del Valle, C. Russell Price, Juan Martinez and The Borderless Poets. See below for more details:
Join us for another Graduate Reading Series at Uncommon Ground (3800 North Clark Street) on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. The event will feature seven graduate writers in the MAWP/MFA programs, who will share their works of poetry or short prose. It’s a wonderful opportunity for fellow writers and readers to come together and celebrate creative storytelling! The reading is free and open to the public, but requires registration here to secure a seat. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the reading will begin at 7 p.m. Contact Kendall Polidori at kpolidor@depaul.edu… Read Article →
Becky Wills, a 2016 graduate of the English Department, is celebrating the release of her new book Stun: A Novel in Pieces via Tortoise Books at Uncommon Ground on Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. Wills received a BA from DePaul University, an MFA from The New School, and a PhD from University of Surrey, where she teaches creative writing.
In celebration of his new memoir, And You Will Call It Fate, MAWP alumni Timothy J. Hillegonds will be in conversation with Graduate Director and author Michele Morano at The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square on Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. Click here for more details. About the Book:In And You Will Call It Fate, Tim Hillegonds explores an eight-year relationship with Sean Dempsey, a charismatic yet volatile former NFL player turned entrepreneur who profoundly reshaped the trajectory of Hillegonds’s life. Set against the backdrop of Chicago’s financial district, the memoir follows Hillegonds—a high school dropout, struggling addict,… Read Article →
Join the Poetry Foundation on March 12, 2026 at 6 p.m. for a celebration of Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle and Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte! Both poets will read their work. The event is free but requires register. For more information and to register, visit the Poetry Foundation.
Thank you SO much to everyone who came out last night to support our first grad reading series at Uncommon Ground! It was so special to get together, share our work and support each other. We hope to host a monthly series, so stay tuned for more information on upcoming readings, and how to get involved.
Award-winning author Janet Burroway will be in conversation with Miles Harvey, DePaul professor and English Chair, about Janet’s new novel, Simone in Pieces at Bookends & Beginnings in Evanston on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 4 p.m. Janet is also the author of Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, (a bestseller through 10 editions) and has written eight previous novels, as well as a memoir, plays, short fiction, children’s books, and more. Recipient of the Florida Humanities Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Writing, she is Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Emerita at Florida State University… Read Article →
Professor and Fiction Editor for Wildhouse Publishing Rebecca Johns-Trissler will be in conversation with Kaethe Schwehn, the author of The Gospel of Salome on Sunday, January 25 at the International Museum of Surgical Science from 3-4 p.m. The discussion will center on researching for historical fiction, the erased histories of female physicians in ancient times, and the novel itself, which was reviewed in the Chicago Review of Books. The event is free but requires registration, and guests who attend will receive free access to the International Museum of Surgical Science!
From the Poetry Foundation: Join DCASE, Chicago Public Library and the Poetry Foundation as we celebrate Chicago’s new Poet Laureate, Mayda A. del Valle! The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Public Library and Poetry Foundation are pleased to invite you to an evening celebrating Chicago’s new Poet Laureate, Mayda A. del Valle. The event is free but requires registration here. Chicago Cultural Center, G.A.R. Hall 5:30 p.m. – Doors open 6 – 7:30 p.m. – Program 7:30 – 8 p.m. – Informal Reception & Mingling The night will feature remarks from City leaders,… Read Article →
Join us at Uncommon Ground for a reading featuring DePaul graduate writers! If you are a graduate student in the MAWP or MFA program and are interested in reading your poetry or short prose (can be an excerpt of a longer piece), email Kendall Polidori at kpolidor@depaul.edu for a spot. Reading spots are limited, so please reach out ASAP! When: Thursday, January 29 from 6-8 p.m. Where: Uncommon Ground (3800 N Clark St) The event is free and open to the public, so even if you aren’t reading, please come out and support!