Wouldn’t this look cute under a tree? In a gift bag? Stuffed awkwardly into a stocking? You can make it happen!
I’ll be selling Rust Belt Chicago and other Belt books at a few holiday sales and other events around town in the coming month. They’re listed below — but if you can’t make it out to one of these fairs, but still would like to give copies of Rust Belt Chicago to everyone on your list, please get in touch. I have copies on hand and would be happy to hand deliver, and even sign if you like. Bulk sales discounts available; let’s make a deal! (And for the non-readers with empty walls out there, I’ve got SIGNED POSTERS of Tony Fitzpatrick’s beautiful cover art for sale as well.)
A refresher: Rust Belt Chicago is “a lively grab bag of essays, fiction and poetry that reads at times like a who’s who of contemporary Chicago writers/residents. … What emerges is not a tired love letter but a portrait of a city of complex promise, simultaneously part of the Rust Belt and removed.” That’s Chris Borelli in the Chicago Tribune.
WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan called Rust Belt Chicago, “One of the best books to come across my desk that I can frankly remember.”
And Third Coast Review won my heart by calling the book “the neighborhood cookbook taking the pulse of post-industrial Chicago right now [that] seems like required reading as well.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sat. December 2 Revival Holiday Market + Book & Record Fair at Revival Food Hall, 125 S. Clark, 11 am-3 pm.
A pop-up shop with Curbside Books & Records along plus a market featuring talented local women artists. The Revival Café-Bar will be serving coffee, hot chocolate, and signature cocktails to accompany chicken pot pies, customizable biscuits, and delicious pies from our friends at Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits.
Later that same day I’ll be at the Bloodshot Holiday Pop-Up Shop, 3039 W. Irving Park. It starts at noon and runs til 7 pm, with music, refreshments, and of course lots of merch for sale. Bring a stuffed animal for the toy drive (or just a warm piece of clothing) and get a free Bloodshot gift.
Thurs. December 7 A Celebration of Chicago Writing at the Writers Studio at the University of Chicago Graham School, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr. 6:30 pm.
A Celebration of the Rust Belt Chicago Anthology and an open mic of Chicago writing. Speakers include Bill Savage, Toni Nealie, Aleksandar Hemon, Eileen Favorite, Ola Faleti, and Dina Elenbogen. THIS EVENT IS ALMOST AT CAPACITY, SO REGISTER NOW.
Sun. December 10 Aloft Annual Holiday Market at Aloft Circus Arts, 3324 W. Wrightwood. 5-8 pm.
Aloft’s Holiday Market last year was a blast; we are so excited to return. Where else can you shop for books and gifts in a beautiful old church AND watch people dangle from a trapeze? Plus: Karaoke, hot cider, and activities for kids to boot.
Weds. December 20 19th Annual Hideout “Last Chance” Holiday Sale at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6-9 pm.
Tons of great vendors this year – some familiar faces, some new, many of whom work at or have worked at the Hideout. This last-minute holiday event will help shoppers wrap up (or start!) their holiday shopping and will offer edibles, hand-knit, books, artwork, jewelry, home goods, wearables and more, in all price ranges. Celestial Kitchens will have on hand a wide assortment of cookies from which you can customize your holiday platters. They will also be taking orders for frozen scones and sticky buns. To keep shoppers fortified, Puffs of Doom will be cooking up fresh gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Hot chocolate & hot coffee by Metropolis will also be available.