Westward Words in the 'burbs: 

Poetry in Chicagoland’s Western Corridor

Whether you are looking to step up to an open mic stage along the DuPage River, study under acclaimed poets at liberal arts colleges, or browse curated chapbook collections at independent bookstores, Chicago's western suburbs offer a rich, interconnected literary community. From Oak Park and Berwyn to Naperville, Wheaton, and Aurora, writers across the western corridor find no shortage of places to hone their craft, perform, and connect.

Curated by The Poetry Movement, this directory details recurring and upcoming literary opportunities in Chicago's West Suburbs. 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

The Moth StorySLAM at FitzGerald's Nightclub (Berwyn)

Hosted regularly at FitzGerald's Nightclub (6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402), The Moth StorySLAM brings open-mic narrative storytelling and performance poetry to a historical musical venue. Doors open at 6:00pm, with 5-minute personal story and performance slots running from 7:00pm to 9:30pm on selected weeknights throughout the year. Tickets are generally $20 with advance registration recommended due to high demand. Contact FitzGerald's by phone at (708) 788-2118 or via email at info@fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. View event dates and ticket releases on the FitzGerald's Nightclub Calendar.

Oak Park Public Library Open Mic & Writer Circles (Oak Park)

Held at the Oak Park Public Library Main Branch (834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301), these free monthly community sessions run from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on selected Thursday evenings. Hosted by library staff and guest community poets, the series offers a prompt-driven creative workshop followed by an open stage for original poetry, spoken word, and prose sharing. Reach the library by phone at (708) 383-8200 or via email at library@oppl.org. Explore upcoming schedules and register on the Oak Park Public Library Events Calendar.

🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs

Oak Park Public Library Friends Book Fair. 

Main Library: 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301

 708.383.8200
Website https://www.oppl.org/about/friends-of-the-library/annual-book-fair/

Wheaton Public Library Local Author Fest

Annually in April. Visit local author tables on the library's main floor from 1-4pm. Authors will have copies of their books to sell. Features a Keynote Speaker 

225 N. Cross St.

Wheaton, IL 60187

(630) 668-1374

See map: Google Maps

Contact Info

Name: Courtney Tedrick

Email: courtney@wheatonlibrary.org

Phone Number: (630) 868-7560

Oak Park Area Arts Council.

📚 Independent Bookshops

East City Bookshop & Local West Suburban Indies

• Anderson's Bookshop (123 W Jefferson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540): A legendary suburban indie bookstore serving Chicagoland readers for decades. Anderson's regularly hosts national poet readings, local author spotlights, and writing workshops. Contact Anderson's at (630) 355-2665 or visit Anderson's Bookshop.

• The Book Table (1045 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301): Located in downtown Oak Park, The Book Table offers an extensive poetry section, small-press titles, and local author displays. Contact the store at (708) 386-9800 or explore The Book Table.

• Prairie Path Books (302 E Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187): A charming downtown Wheaton indie hosting book clubs, poetry appreciation evenings, and author visits. Phone: (630) 765-7455. Connect at Prairie Path Books.

✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations

TallGrass Writers Guild & Out of the Chicagoland Suburbs Network

Operating across Oak Park, Berwyn, and Glen Ellyn, local chapter writers groups provide bi-weekly peer critique sessions, open write-ins, and annual anthology submissions for poets and prose writers. Connect with regional writing networks through the Illinois State Poetry Society.

🎓 University & College Creative Writing Programs

North Central College Visiting Writers Series (Naperville)

The English Department at North Central College (30 N Brainard St, Naperville, IL 60540) hosts its acclaimed Visiting Writers Series, bringing award-winning poets and authors to campus for public readings, craft lectures, and Q&A sessions. Students also edit 30 N., a nationally recognized undergraduate fine arts literary review. Reach the English Department at (630) 637-5350. Learn more on the North Central College English Department Page.

Elmhurst University Department of English & MiddleWestern Voice (Elmhurst)

Located at 190 Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126, Elmhurst University offers robust creative writing tracks in poetry and fiction. The university publishes MiddleWestern Voice, an undergraduate literary and arts journal publishing student and regional poetry. Reach the department by phone at (630) 617-3134 or explore the Elmhurst University Department of English.

Wheaton College Creative Writing Program (Wheaton)

Wheaton College (501 College Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187) offers undergraduate creative writing concentrations and hosts visiting poet readings, student workshops, and the student-led literary publication Kodan. Contact the department at (630) 752-5051 or visit Wheaton College English.

📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses

30 N. Literary Review (Naperville)

Published out of North Central College in Naperville, IL, 30 N. is a student-edited fine arts journal printing contemporary poetry, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art from writers across the country. Check submission guidelines and past issues at 30 N. Literary Journal.