The City of Big Stanzas: Poetry, Open Mics & Creative Writing in Chicago

Whether you're a seasoned slam poet, an indie press publisher, or a writer looking to connect with the Midwest's most storied literary community, Chicago and its near northern suburbs—Evanston and Skokie—offer an unmatched poetry infrastructure. From the birthplace of the modern poetry slam to historic indie bookstores, prestigious MFA programs, and community art centers along Lake Michigan, this region is brimming with opportunities to write, perform, and get published.

Curated by The Poetry Movement, this directory details recurring and upcoming literary opportunities in Joliet and the surrounding Will County region. If you find inaccurate information and can provide correction, or if you are aware of other opportunities and can provide details regarding the day/time/dates, cost, frequency, location, and contact person(s), along with links to any relevant websites, social media profiles, media coverage and ticketing websites, please email complete information to info@thepoetrymovement.org

🎙️ Recurring Poetry Events & Open Mics

1. Tangible Books Poetry Series Hosted by Vito Carli, the Tangible Books poetry series brings local and visiting poets together for intimate, community-centered readings inside Tangible Books (3327 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608), a beloved independent bookstore in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood. Carli curates featured readers from across the Midwest, offering an eclectic mix of contemporary verse, micro-press authors, and spoken word performers. Each event typically includes a curated reading followed by a brief Q&A and community mixer among the shop’s stacked shelves. Search upcoming lineups, event dates, and shop hours on the Tangible Books Facebook Page.

2. Windy City Words Hosted by Chiron Kingfish, Windy City Words is a dynamic Chicago-area literary series and open stage designed to showcase emerging poets, storytellers, and prose writers. Emphasizing inclusive, community-rooted storytelling, the series brings writers of all experience levels together in neighborhood cafes and arts venues across the city. Each gathering features a roster of open mic performers alongside featured regional voices. Follow event announcements, open mic sign-up rules, and performance schedules on the Windy City Words Social Channel.

3. Beach Poets at Loyola Beach Meeting along the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, Beach Poets is a free, grassroots summer poetry gathering that meets at Loyola Beach (near the bench circles and park grounds near 1230 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60626). Running outdoors during the warmer months, this community-led open air circle invites local poets, neighbors, and visiting writers to share original verse, read favorite poems, and perform spoken word against the backdrop of the lake. The informal, open-forum setup welcomes participants of all skill levels to bring a lawn chair or blanket and join in the open sharing. View seasonal event updates, weather announcements, and meeting dates on the Beach Poets Facebook Group.

4. In One Ear Open Mic & "Tethered" Virtual Series 

In One Ear bills itself as the second-longest continuous running Chicago performance series offering both an in-person open mic and a dedicated virtual reading space titled "Tethered." The in-person open mic gathers monthly at neighborhood venues, providing a welcoming stage for poetry, flash fiction, and acoustic performances. Complementing the live shows, the "Tethered" virtual series connects Chicago writers with international and remote poets via live-streamed readings and online open mics, ensuring accessible community spaces regardless of geographic location. Connect with organizers, submit performance requests, and view upcoming stream links on the In One Ear Event Page.

5. Uptown Poetry Slam, 3-5pm, Every third Sunday. Hosted at the legendary Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, 4802 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, the Uptown Poetry Slam  is the birthplace of the modern poetry slam, founded by Marc Smith in 1986. An open mic followed by the competitive poetry slam and a featured guest poet at 8:00pm. Admission is $10, cash only (21+). Read venue guidelines on the Green Mill Jazz Club Calendar.

6. Open Books Community Open Mic & Reading Series, 6:30-8:00pm, Monthly Thursdays Hosted at Open Books West Loop, 651 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, this free community evening invites local poets to read original work surrounded by floor-to-ceiling used books. Proceeds from store sales support literacy programs across Chicago. Explore dates on Open Books Events.

7. Evanston Public Library Open Mic & Writer Write-Ins, 6:30-8:00pm, Monthly Weeknights Held at the Evanston Public Library Main Branch, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, these sessions offer local North Shore poets prompt-driven writing time followed by an open share circle. Check the calendar at Evanston Public Library.

8. Skokie Public Library Poetry Circle, 7-8:30pm, Second Tuesdays Meeting at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077, this community group brings together local poets and readers to share original verse, discuss contemporary collections, and receive constructive peer feedback. Search event details on Skokie Public Library Events.

🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs

1. Printers Row Lit Fest, Annual September Festival Held in historic Printers Row along South Dearborn Street in Chicago, this is the largest free outdoor literary festival in the Midwest. Featuring hundreds of booksellers, major poetry stages, panel discussions, and publisher booths, it is a cornerstone event for Chicago's writing community. Details available at Printers Row Lit Fest.

2. Poetry Foundation Spring & Fall Festivals Located at 61 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654, the Poetry Foundation building hosts free seasonal festivals, exhibition openings, book launches, and multi-day poetry symposia featuring international and local poets. View schedules at the Poetry Foundation Calendar.

3. Chicago Book Expo & Midwest Small Press Fairs, Seasonal Weekend Dates Rotating across city venues and university centers, these annual expositions highlight independent presses, zine creators, chapbook publishers, and regional literary magazines from Chicago and Evanston.

📚 Independent Bookshops, Libraries & Visual Art Galleries

Poetry Foundation Library (61 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654): The Midwest's only library dedicated exclusively to poetry, housing over 30,000 volumes, listening stations, rare chapbook collections, and quiet reading rooms open to the public.

Unabridged Bookstore (3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657): A Lakeview neighborhood institution since 1980, famous for its hand-written yellow staff recommendation tags, extensive LGBTQ+ literature, and broad poetry inventory. Visit Unabridged Bookstore.

Women & Children First (5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640): Located in Andersonville, one of the nation's premier feminist indie bookstores hosting regular poetry readings, chapbook releases, and author conversations. Explore Women & Children First.

Myopic Books (1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622): Wicker Park's iconic used bookstore carrying thousands of poetry volumes across floor-to-ceiling shelves, historically hosting experimental poetry reading series.

Bookends & Beginnings (1712 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201): Downtown Evanston's vibrant independent bookshop stocking contemporary poetry, international literature, and small-press releases. Phone: (224) 999-7722. Visit Bookends & Beginnings.

Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077): Offering state-of-the-art community spaces, creative writing workshops, and poetry month celebrations. Phone: (847) 673-7774.

Harold Washington Library Center (400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605): The flagship branch of the Chicago Public Library, featuring extensive poetry archives, special collections, and community writing forums.

✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations

The Poetry Foundation (61 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654): Publisher of Poetry magazine, this independent arts organization celebrates and advocates for poetry through grants, reading series, a public library, and national awards. Connect via Poetry Foundation.

Chicago Poet Laureate Program: Administered through the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Public Library, honoring local poets who compose civic verse and lead community poetry projects citywide.

Guild Literary Complex: A long-standing Chicago non-profit arts organization presenting diverse, cross-cultural literary programming, the Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Award, and community reading series. Visit Guild Complex.

Chicago Writers Coalition & Off Campus Writers Workshop (Winnetka/Evanston): Connecting North Shore and Chicago writers for weekly craft lectures, critique groups, and publishing workshops.

🎓 University Creative Writing Programs, Workshops & Classes

University of Chicago Program in Creative Writing (5801 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637): Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate tracks, home to the Chicago Review, and host to international visiting poets. Explore UChicago English.

Northwestern University Department of English & MFA Program (1880 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208): Northwestern offers world-class MFA and MA programs in Creative Writing, featuring distinguished faculty in poetry, the TriQuarterly journal, and frequent public readings. Phone: (847) 491-7294. Visit Northwestern Creative Writing.

Columbia College Chicago Department of English and Creative Writing (600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605): Known for its dynamic MFA program in Poetry, offering coursework in chapbook production, performance poetry, and literary editing. See also this entry for Columbia College Chicago at the Academy of American Poets.

StoryStudio Chicago (4043 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613): A non-profit creative writing center providing multi-week adult writing classes, poetry masterclasses, and weekend craft intensives. Explore StoryStudio Chicago.

📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines, Journals & Small Presses

Poetry Magazine Founded in Chicago by Harriet Monroe in 1912, Poetry is the oldest monthly magazine devoted to verse in the English-speaking world. Submit work and read issues at.

TriQuarterly, based out of Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL)is the prestigious international journal of literary art edited by faculty and students at Northwestern University. Explore.

Chicago Review: Published continuously since 1946 at the University of Chicago, printing contemporary poetry, fiction, and critical essays.

Haymarket Books (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago, IL 60613): An independent, non-profit book publisher based in Chicago specializing in poetry collections, social justice literature, and spoken word anthologies. Visit Haymarket Books.

Curbside Splendor: Local collectives publishing Midwestern poetry chapbooks, zines, and experimental literature

Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose: A student- and faculty-edited journal from the English and Creative Writing Department at Columbia College Chicago. It releases two online issues and one print issue each year, focusing on diverse, traditional, and experimental voices. 

Needs Validation

Chicago Poetry Center Reading Series: Historical non-profit series presenting poetry in public schools and galleries. Past archives available via Chicago Poetry Center Archives.

The Guild Complex Prose & Poetry Awards: Annual competition archives searchable through local library databases.