About Us

The Evanston Literary Festival, now in its fifth year, celebrates the literary culture of Evanston. In partnership with a variety of local cultural institutions and businesses, ELF brings a variety of free readings, workshops, and live lit events to Evanston. It is run by Lynn Haller and John K. Wilson, the organizers of the Chicago Book Expo, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that celebrates Chicago's literary community.

Transportation and Parking: For public transportation, downtown Evanston locations are near the Davis purple line or Metra stop, and most Northwestern locations are within a half-mile walk from the Foster purple line stop. See the Evanston city site for parking information. All Northwestern garages and parking lots (except spaces that say reserved 24/7) are free after 4pm and all day weekends. In addition, street parking in city streets around Northwestern is typically free for two hours, 9am-6pm Mon.-Sat. For events in the Main Street area (such as events at Booked and Squeezebox), the Main Metra or El stop is close by, and the area abounds with free parking.

Press

“Timuel Black Jr. discusses his new memoir chronicling his decades-long civil rights career in Chicago,” Daily Northwestern, May 20, 2019.

“Vote her in: author Rebecca Sive on getting America a female president,” North By Northwestern, May 20, 2019

“Journalists discuss how to cover refugees, asylum seekers,” Daily Northwestern, May 14, 2019.

‘Vote Her In’ author to discuss women in politics at Evanston literary event." Daily Northwestern, May 9, 2019.

“Evanston Literary Festival to return for fifth year.” Daily Northwestern, May 8, 2019.

Roz Varon features the Evanston Literary Festival in the ABC7 Weekender report for May 10, 2019 (starts at 1:21).

The Chicago Tribune’s Adam Lukach includes the Festival in the top ten things to do this weekend, May 10, 2019.

“Fifth Annual Evanston Lit Festival to be Held at Locations Around the City.” Evanston Roundtable, May 1, 2019.

Co-founder John K. Wilson interviewed about the Festival on May 1, 2019 by Joan Esposito on WCPT-820AM (segment starts at 1:47:35)

“Local Authors Take Note The Evanston Literary Festival Needs You.” Evanston Roundtable, March 20, 2019.

North by Northwestern recap of Renee Engeln/Megan Stielstra event

Daily Northwestern recap of Charles Johnson event

Splash Magazine preview of 2018 event

Daily Northwestern preview of 2018 event

After Hours With Rick Kogan interview with Evanston Literary Festival cofounders Lynn Haller and John K. Wilson (starts at 42-minute mark)

Preview of 2018 Festival from Evanston Magazine

Evanston Literary Festival cofounders Lynn Haller and John K. Wilson, Evanston Lit partners Nina Barrett and Jeff Garrett named to the 2017 Newcity Lit 50 list

Daily Northwestern article about the 2017 Mary Barr event

Chicago Magazine picks 2017 Evanston Literary Festival as top thing to do

Daily Northwestern article about the 2017 Robin Ellis/Chris Jones event

Daily Northwestern article about the 2017 Northwestern Spring Writers' Festival

Splash Magazine interview with Dina Elenbogan about 2017 Poets Resist event

Daily Northwestern article about 2017 Alex Kotlowitz/Jennifer Lackey event

Neil Steinberg recap of 2017 Bill Savage talk

Evanston Public Library blog post about Aozora Brockman

Daily Northwestern overview of the 2017 Festival

Splash Magazine about the 2017 Festival

Daily Northwestern article about the 2016 Festival

Chicago Review of Books interview about the 2016 Festival