Lake Forest College presents Literary Festival, March 25–29

Lake Forest College presents the annual Lake Forest Literary Festival, March 25–29, featuring readings by emerging and established fiction writers, poets, comedians, and essayists under the theme of “Dialogues.” The College is located at 555 N. Sheridan Road in Lake Forest. All events will take place on Middle Campus; admission is free.

Monday, March 25:
• 4 p.m.: Reading by poet E’mon Lauren, Lillard Science Center
E’mon Lauren, Chicago’s first Youth Poet Laureate, uses poetry and playwriting to explore a philosophy of hood womanism. A 2016 finalist for The Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Award, her first chapbook, Commando, was published by Haymarket Books in fall 2017.
• 7 p.m.: Reading by fiction writer Roddy Doyle, McCormick Auditorium, Lillard Science Center
Roddy Doyle is an award-winning Irish novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter. He is the author of 11 novels for adults, eight books for children, seven plays and screenplays, and dozens of short stories. Several of his books have been made into films. A screening of The Commitments, based on his novel, will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22 in McCormick Auditorium.

Tuesday, March 26:
• 4 p.m.: Reading by emerging fiction writer J.D. Scott, Meyer Auditorium in Hotchkiss Hall
J.D. Scott, the 2019 Lake Forest College Plonsker Writer-in-Residence, has published their fiction and poetry in several literary magazines and seen their work anthologized in the Best American Experimental Writingand Best New Poets anthologies.
• 7:30 p.m.: Performance by comedian and essayist Samantha Irby, Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel
Samantha Irby is a comedian, author, and blogger. Her 2013 memoir Meaty, which details the author’s struggles with race, sex, and body weight, is currently being adapted into a television series by FX, called Guts and Glory.

Wednesday, March 27:
• 7 p.m.: Reading by poet Sandra Simonds, Meyer Auditorium in Hotchkiss Hall
The author of six books of poetry, Sandra Simonds’ poems have been included in the Best American Poetry—2015 and 2014 editions—and have appeared in The New York Times, as well as many literary journals.

Friday, March 29:
• 7 p.m.: Reading and open mic, Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel
This open mic event is sponsored by the members of INK, the Department of English and Creative Writing student literary club.

Lit Fest events are sponsored by the Department of English and Creative Writing, the Print and Digital Publishing Program, the Center for Chicago Programs, and the Department of Theater.

For more information, go to lakeforest.edu/litfest or call 847-234-3100.