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Chicago Writer Resources Guide

Writing Groups

• Chicago Writers Association
• The Guild Complex
• Neighborhood Writing Alliance 
• New Town Writers
• Teen Writers and Artists Project
• DuPage Writers Group
• Illinois Woman’s Press Association
• Sisters in Crime Chicago Chapter
• Neighborhood Writing Alliance
• Chicago North Chapter of Romance Writers of America
• Independent Writers of Chicago
• Society of Midland Authors
• Midwest Writers Association
• Chicago Women in Publishing
• Young Chicago Authors
• TallGrass Writer’s Guild
• The Poetry Center of Chicago
• Guild Complex
• Poetic License Writers Group
• Chicago Screenwriters Network
• Director/Playwright Alliance of Chicago
• Authors Marketing Group
• The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Illinois Chapter
• Naperville Writers Group
• Schaumburg Scribes
• Chicago Dramatists
• Author! Author! Chicagoland Book & Author Marketing Network
• Off Campus Writers Workshop

• Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
• Chicago Publishers Gallery
• Open Books 
• 826 Chicago
• Printers Row Lit Fest & Blog
• The Cliff Dwellers
• Chicago Book Clinic
• Unscene Chicago
• Global Alliance of Artists
• PeteLit
• Chicago Underground Library
• TriQuarterly
• Literacy Chicago
• Chicago Literary Scene Examiner
• Gapers Block Book Club
• STOCKYARD Magazine
• The Writers Workspace
• Uptown Writers Space
• The Book Cellar
• Twilight Tales
• Quimby's Book Store
• Independent Bookstores of Illinois
• Chicago Reader's Lit & Lectures Listings
• The Week Behind
• Literago
• Make: A Chicago Literary Magazine
• Literary Chicago
• Publish Chicago
• ChicagoPoetry.com
• Chicago Literary Club
• Drinking & Writing Brewery

Recurring Chicago Reading Series

• READING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, first Wedneday/month, 7:30PM, $3, Sheffields
• ESSAY FIESTA, third Monday/month, 7 PM, FREE, The Book Cellar
• UPTOWN POETRY SLAM, Sundays 7PM, $6, The Green Mill 
• TWILIGHT TALES, most Mondays,7:30, $4 (suggested), Red Lion Pub 
• THE RECONSTRUCTION ROOM, first Wednesday/month, 8PM, FREE, Black Rock Bar
• 2ND STORY, second Sunday/month, 7PM, $10, Webster's Wine Bar
• QUICKIES! second Tuesday/month, 7:30, FREE, Innertown Pub
• LITERARY GANGS OF CHICAGO, third Tuesday (October-May), 6:30, FREE, Musuem of Contemporary Arts
• WINDY CITY STORY SLAM, last Tuesday/month, 8PM, $5 (suggested), Quennect 4 Gallery
• SUNDAY SALON CHICAGO, last Sunday/month, 7:30, FREE, The Charleston Bar
• Moth StorySLAM, last Tuesday/month, 8 PM, $7, Martyr's
• Danny's Tavern Reading Series, Wednesdays, 7:30 P.M., Danny's Tavern 

Promotional Tips for Writers

• Promoting Yourself as a Writer by CWA President Randy Richardson (PDF)
• Building an Online Audience by Jen Wilding (PDF)

Advertising/Promotional Items:  Business cards, bookmarks, postcards, t-shirts, etc.

• Earthly Charms: Specializing in Promotion for Writers
• VistaPrint  
• Iconix: Affordable Printing and Design Services
• CafePress   

Promoting Your Book/Manuscript

• Chicago Media Quick Contact Sheet (PDF)
• Submit Your Events to Chicago Community Calendars
• Submit Press Releases and Story Ideas
• BookConnector: connects authors and publishers with people and resources that promote your manuscript. 
• Book Catcher: a free website for book writers, book authors, book publishers, and book readers who need how-to information and expert advice to excel in all stages of book development. 
• PRWeb: a free press release service
• Bookhitch: a free book listing service
• BookTour
• Vocalo.org
• How to make a book trailer

Book/Library Locators

• WorldCat.org: world's largest library catalog
• BookCrossing: find books, share books, and meet fellow book lovers.
• Chicago Underground Library 
• Newberry Library
• The Great Books Foundation

Self-Publishing Tips

• Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing
• How to Make an eBook

Book Design Services

•  TLC Graphics    

Watchdog Groups

• Predators & Editors
• SFWA's Writer Beware