ChicagoWriter

September 25, 2023

AROUND TOWN: Literary High Life

Stories are how we make sense of life — and our town has a rich literary past, present and future.

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame celebrates it all. Robert Charles and I were thrilled to participate in the organization’s February 2023 party, “The House on Margarita Street.” Hosted by Rita Dragonette at her Streeterville home, the evening featured acclaimed bartender Ryan Prindle, who generously answered questions, offered tips, and shared some cocktail history as he concocted and served three refreshing beverages.

The drinks were inspired by the stories of literary giants Luis Alberto Urrea, Fanny Butcher, and Ernest Hemingway. Donald G. Evans, founder of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, got us organized. Kathy Wolter Mondelli and Ryan’s wife, Liz, helped with a couple of the brief literary readings. Michelle E. Moore, accompanied by her usual arm candy, Mark Weissburg, offered some impromptu reflections on Fanny Butcher’s contributions to the world of literature. Robert Charles capped the night with a few magical treats.

“The House on Margarita Street” was our first in-person party after two virtual cocktail parties, “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” in 2021 and “The Martini Chronicles” in 2022.

What’s up next? Stay tuned.

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Michael Burke's new short story collection, "What You Don't Know About Men," is now available for purchase. The book tells the funny, heartbreaking stories of 20 sometimes shy, sometimes sexy, often sentimental men who march through life as punch-drunk fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, friends and lovers. (Book design and cover photograph: Sheila Sachs)

I am the author of the short story collection, "What You Don’t Know About Men," and the plays "Wama-Wama Zing Bing" and "Let’s Spend Money." I occasionally appear as a guest lecturer in English and fiction-writing classes (most recently: Columbia College Chicago, College of DuPage and Northeastern Illinois University) and as a performer at various literary readings. I was born in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood and now live in Edgewater with my husband, the magician Robert Charles. (Author photograph: Michael Caplan) I am a past chairman of the Board of Directors at Public Narrative, which annually honors Chicago-area journalists with Studs Terkel Awards.In 2011, I served on the Nominating Committee for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. In 2006, I was inducted into the Northern Star Hall of Fame at Northern Illinois University. Contact me at poetsknow@yahoo.com.

Watch the new book trailer for Michael Burke's short story collection, "What You Don't Know About Men." The book can now be ordered at your local bookstore -- The Book Cellar in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood is my favorite -- and online. (Many thanks to Ilene Slonoff for her careful and caring editorial suggestions for the book.) My stories, poems and essays have been published in TriQuarterly, American Way (the American Airlines in-flight magazine), Sport Literate, The Mid-American Poetry Review, Private Arts, Tartts 3, The Linking Ring, Third Wednesday, The Rockford Review, Rambunctious Review and other literary journals. My plays have been produced by Strawdog Theatre, OverBored Productions and From Page to Stage. The magician and scholar Eugene Burger was kind enough to include Robert Charles, Jack Gould, Ricardo Rosenkranz and me in a conversation with Eugene, which appears in the new, expanded second edition of Magic and Meaning, which Eugene wrote with Robert E. Neale for Hermetic Press. Chicago Tribune article on Anti-Trump protests:Chicago Tribune article. Christine Sneed blog: Q&A with Michael Burke. Christine Sneed blog. Huffington Post: Sally Duros interviews Robert Charles and me regarding President Obama's historic call for equality.Huffington Post. And here's our audio interview on Sally's website Sally Duros. Windy City Times: Tracy Baim reviews "What You Don't Know About Men." Windy City Times review. Chicago Tribune: Katie Fretland on the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. Chicago Tribune article. Chicago Tribune: Jon Anderson on the Bloomsday reading organized by Steve Diedrich at the Cliff Dwellers Club: Bloomsday article. Demo magazine: Micki Leventhal on the Community Media Workshop: Workshop profile. Telescope: A blurb noting "What You Don't Know About Men" is a Book of the Year finalist (see pg.7). Telescope. NIU: Michael Burke inducted into Northern Star Hall of Fame: News release Third Coast Press: C.J. Laity on the future of poetry: Poetry outlook. I began posting book reviews, writing tips and social commentary at ChicagoWriter in February 2004. In addition to pieces of advice shared under "Writing Tips," special features include "Around Town," "Appreciation" and "Commentary" essays and interviews as well as "Chicago Voices" excerpts and brief "Postscript" asides. Your comments are always welcome. Founded in 1999, Polyphony Press promotes the diverse voices of emerging and established writers. Robert N. Georgalas, Joanne Pepe, Jo-Ann Ledger, Mark Wukas, David McGrath and I have so far published three Polyphony Press anthologies: "The Thing About Love Is...," "The Thing About Second Chances Is...," and our most recent release, "The Thing About Hope Is..." All Polyphony titles are available at amazon.com.