This south-side neighborhood is recognized as a politically-savvy literary center. Characterized by classic Chicago bungalow homes and a history of strong community groups, Chatham helped give voice to writers and activists during the Civil Rights Movement.  The spirit of that era lives on through the continued works of local organizations.

Down the Street from A Street in Bronzeville
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Illinois poet laureate (1968), Gwendolyn Brooks could be featured in several neighborhood columns–her influence and presence is felt throughout Chicago. From her intimate poetry readings in Blaylock’s Bar in Chatham, to writing for the Chicago Defender, to teaching in universities around the city (Columbia College, Northeastern Illinois, Chicago State, Northwestern, to name a few), her poetry and activism have made their mark. Third World Press, which published several of Brooks’s works, developed a strong tie to the Chatham neighborhood and with members of the African-American literary community of Brooks’s time.

Discovering Third World
With the tagline “Progressive Black publishing since 1967”, Third World Press has been publishing literature by African-American writers of all genres for over 40 years. With a focus on local and national Black arts empowerment movements, the press has helped to articulate important narratives regarding the cultural and economic realities for African-Americans and minorities. Third World Press was built by heavy hitters in the south-side literary scene, making their mark on the political landscape and the literary arts community alike. Today, Third World publishes such noted writers as Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, and Margaret Walker.

Chicagoans! Have you been craving South Side small-press consensus-based poetry readings, without knowing where to turn? You’re in luck–next week on May 24, the Virtual Artists Collective and Timberline Press are taking on Hyde Park with an evening reading at 57th Street Books. Intrigued? Here’s the scoop:

The Press

Clarence Wolfshohl founded Timberline Press in 1975, with the hope of producing beautifully-designed books at affordable prices that could help bring poetry to a larger audience. The first few publications were Wolfshohl’s own, in which he experimented with letterpress and bookbinding techniques he was teaching himself. The press remained under Wolfshohl’s direction for thirty-five years, and in that time  published seventy-five books by a variety of poets nationwide. Two of Timberline’s authors would become state poets laureate—Larry D. Thomas (Texas, 2008) and Walter Bargen (Missouri, 2008-2009). The press has also published William Heyen, David and Judy Ray, Emily Borenstein, Rochelle Holt, William Hart, Wally Swist, Howard Nelson, Walt McLaughlin, Charles Fishman, and James Bogan.

The Collective

In 2010, Timberline transferred from Wolfshohl’s command to a music/art/poetry group called the Virtual Artists Collective. The organization, originally inspired by the tradition of guilds and craftsman communities, operates the press through a consensus-based editorial committee. Handmade books continue to be produced, but the VAC is also exploring print-on-demand and other digital publishing tools. By publishing no more than five manuscripts per year, they hope to maintain the level of attention and care of the original letterpress publications. “We are absolutely convinced that anything worth doing is worth doing slowly,” explains the group’s website.

Publishing Cocktails

In the age of digital marketing, Publishing Cocktails is the best kept, invite-only, secret on the Internet. Uncover the mailing list, find the Tumblr, follow the Twitter feed and you just might find an invitation in your inbox to a night of publishing, conversation and martinis. Founded by Javier Ramirez, bookseller to the stars, and Keir Graff, novelist, children’s book author and Booklist Online editor, Publishing Cocktails just might be the night that begets your Great American novel.

Kaye Publicity

Making an appearance at this year’s Printer’s Row Lit Fest on June 9 and 10, Kaye Publicity is a full-service public relations agency in Chicago. The publicity group was founded by Columbia College alumnus Dana Kaye to address key needs for building networks and cross-promoting Chicago’s thriving publishing community. The group specializes in creating large-scale publicity packages – such as event booking and promotion – as well as one-on-one individual consultations for book tours and social media utilization. Under the name Chicago Literati, Kaye Publicity also hosts quarterly networking events that allow for great conversation as well as the wisdom of several guest speakers.  The next Chicago Literati Networking Event is tentatively scheduled for June 26, 2012.

Chicago Literary Alliance

Founded in 2009 as a small networking circle, the Chicago Literary Alliance (CLA) is gaining speed. Now a member collective of more than fifty literary organizations, book stores, writing centers, universities, publishers, and spoken word performance series, the Alliance is currently building a large scale networking community through shared resources and collaboration. Keep an eye on the website in 2012 for updates on directories, community-based organizations, booksellers, and more.