CHICAGO (Oct. 8, 2014) - Columbia College Chicago’s Department of Creative Writing hosts another enticing season of its Poetry and Nonfiction Reading Series Oct. 8 – Dec. 4. As one of the most dynamic, aesthetically diverse events of its kind in the city, the series attracts prestigious, award-winning writers who perform, engage and educate on a myriad of topics and traditions.

The series is also committed to curating critically engaged contemporary works that challenge traditional discourse and embraces culturally relevant, diverse voices. The college’s unique connection to the vibrant cultural and educational district in the South Loop also sets the stage for some of the most fascinating, inspiring and influential conversations on the literary arts.

The series began Sept. 11 with a nonfiction reading by author Chris Offutt and Sept. 17 by poets Douglas Kearney and Ruth Ellen Kocher. The series continues Oct. 8 through Dec. 4 with the events below:

Oct. 8:      Lee Ann Roripaugh & Tony Trigilio* poetry reading
                   5:30 p.m. at Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., Second Floor

Oct. 21:    Chuck Klosterman nonfiction reading and conversation with Sam Weller
                   5:30 p.m. at Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., Second Floor

Nov. 18:    Lisa Samuels nonfiction reading
                   5:30 p.m., Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., Second Floor

Nov. 19:    Adrian Matejka &Matthew Shenoda* poetry reading
                   5:30 p.m., Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., Second Floor

Dec. 4:     Charles D’Ambrosio nonfiction reading
                   7 p.m., Hokin Hall, 623 S. Wabash Ave., Room 109

*Special Note - additional readings at The Poetry Foundation:
Tony Trigilio will be reading at The Poetry Foundation's Open Door Reading series on Oct. 21 with MFA poetry student Natalia Kennedy.

Matthew Shenoda will be reading at The Poetry Foundation's Open Door Reading Series on Dec. 16 with MFA poetry alumna Abigail Zimmer.

For more information on the writers, visit: www.colum.edu/readingseries.

For more information on the Department of Creative Writing, visit: www.colum.edu/creativewriting.

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