Uptown Writers Space

Community News story posted on 6/25/07:

New Space for Writers Opens on Northside

Confessions of love, lust and loss opened the first-ever Chicago Lions and Typers Festival earlier this month on the Northside.

About 100 people attended the three-day festival, which organizers hope to make an annual affair. The event was hosted by and held at the Uptown Writers Space, at 4802 N. Broadway Ave., where area writers hang out to work, collaborate and socialize.

"Diary Night" began with Uptown Writers Space member Marianna Swallow sharing her teenage crush on pop star Rick Springfield, which filled up much of her dreams as well as a diary she began writing at age 10. Swallow also shared stories of real life loves, as a 20-something living in Oakland who had feelings for a co-worker while involved with another man.

Swallow said she "pestered" the organizers to let her read from her diaries, and other writers agreed to participate and kick off the first festival at the space. Over the three days, 26 pre-selected writers from a variety of backgrounds read from their work, including short stories, plays, monologues, poetry and some very personal journals.

Two area writers, Susan Karp and Julie Saltzman, joined forces in September 2006. They rented office space above the famous Green Mill Jazz Club, redesigning and decorating it to create an inviting space where writers - who can be members for one month, six months or a year - can work and drink free coffee.

Full story:
http://chicagotalks.org/wiki/new-space-for-writers-opens-on-northside
(c) Keri Lynch 2007