Friday 8/1: Start your weekend at Women and Children First Books for the BYOB event “Written in Chicago,” in celebration of the Northwestern Summer Writers’ Conference. Faculty Peggy Shiner and Christine Sneed are joined by Simone Muench and Sarah Hollenbeck. 7 p.m.
Saturday 8/2: Paper Machete is a live magazine every Saturday at The Green Mill. Christopher Piatt hosts an array of journalists, comedians, and storytellers. Website has the podcasts of past shows. 3 p.m.
You’re Being Ridiculous returns to Mary’s Attic in Andersonville for another week of live true stories. This month’s theme is Fear, featuring Julie Cowden, Ryan Duke, Keith Ecker, Brenna Kearney, Karie Miller, Dana Norris, and Jeremy Owens. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 8/3: Here, Chicago is a potluck dinner, followed by live true stories. This month come hear Esperanza Gama, Mike Holman, Rahmann Statik Barnes, Keith Ecker, and Lily Be. Theater Wit, 7:30 p.m.
Truth or Lie is a storytelling series in Bucktown that leaves the audience wondering if they’ve heard a true story or they’ve been lied to. This month features founder Sarah Terez-Rosenblum, Kathleen Rooney, Erin Judge, Guy F. Wicke, Alicia Swiz, and Senior Editor for The Onion, Jason Roeder. Firecat Projects, 7:30 p.m.
Monday 8/4: Fictilicious presents writers reading original short stories on a theme. This month is The Stuck Show with Scott Onak, Chelsea Voulgares, John Gallagher, Anna Scott, and Micki LeSueur. The Hideout, 7 p.m.
Litmash is a monthly, cross-genre slam competition at Haymarket Pub & Brewery. Cash awarded to the winner. This month’s competitors are Dana Norris, Robbie Q Telfer, Britteney Black Rose Kapri, TJ Medel, and Katie Bock. 8 p.m.
Tuesday 8/5: The Wit Rabbit Reading Series is back at Quenchers Saloon for more live poetry and prose. This month features Alix Anne Shaw, Colleen O’Connor, Wesley Chu, and Amelia Beamer. 7 p.m.
Tuesday Funk is back at the best lit bar in the city, Hopleaf. Readers this month are Hannah Gamble, David Daskal, Christine Simokaitis, Britt Julious, and Leah Thomas. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8/6: Reading Under the Influence presents original short stories, plus short-short excerpts of published work. The theme this month is Attitude Adjustment with Liz Grear, Jacob Hall, Darwyn Jones, and Jael Montellano. Sheffield’s, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 8/7: Story Club North Side is on the theme Hot Hot Hot and features Debbie Capone, Julie Marchiano, and Erin Lane. Open mic follows. Holiday Club, 7:30 p.m.
Super indie publisher, Curbside Splendor, takes its writers to Cole’s Bar in Logan Square for a night of readings featuring Simone Muench, Daniela Olszewska, Marvin Tate, and Coya Paz. 8 p.m.
