Friday 4/25: Seminary Co-op Bookstore celebrates the release of new books from four Chicago writers. In conjunction with Switchgrass Books, Curbside Splendor, and McSweeney’s, the Bookstore hosts Joe Peterson, Bill Hillman, Ben Tanzer, and Alexai Galaviz-Budziszewski. Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5:30-7 p.m.
Guild Literary Complex teams with Facets Multimedia in Lincoln Park to screen two short films at part of Poets of Protest, a documentary focusing on six Middle-Eastern authors and the relationship between their work and their plight for social justice across the Middle East. Readings from two of the writers follow the screening. Facets, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday 4/26: Curbside Splendor takes its writers to Logan Square for Author Night at City Lit Books, featuring readings and book signings from local writers Kevin Sampsell, Russ Woods, and James Tadd Adcox. City Lit Books, 5 p.m.
Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Pritzker Auditorium of the Harold Washington Library. Chicago Public Library presents Poetry Fest, with Sonia Sanchez, pioneer of the Black Arts Movement. Harold Washington Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday 4/27: Violet Law is at Seminary Co-op Bookstore in Hyde Park to discuss Voices from Tibet: Selected Essays and Reportage. Law edited and translated the text written by Tsering Woeser and Lixiong Wang. Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 12:30 p.m.
April is the official anniversary of Story Sessions, and they celebrate with music and stories on the theme “Around the World,” with Paulette McDaniels, Bill Hillmann, Mark Schab, Jeff Miller, JH Palmer, Karen Shimmin, and Robyn Okrant. Mahoney’s, 6 p.m.
Tuesday 4/29: The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts Poetry Scarf, where poets respond to the work of visual artists. This month, Hannah Gamble, Anthony Madrid, and Nate Marshall respond to the work of William J. O’Brien. MCA, 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday 4/30: A.K. Summers appears at Women and Children First in Andersonville to promote Pregnant Butch: Nine Months Spent in Drag, a graphic memoir some are calling an ironic response to What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Women and Children First Books, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 5/1: Story Club Chicago presents another night of live lit on the theme “Sprung,” in Uptown with Keith Ecker, Scott Whitehair, and Katie Prout. Three open mic slots are available, with sign-ups beginning at 7:30. $10 suggested donation. Holiday Club, 7:30 p.m.
