Tom Lynch

The eleventh annual Story Week Festival of Writers, presented, as always, by Columbia College, hits the streets this week with a variety of events that boast impressive lineups. On Sunday, the fest opens with readings by John Schultz and Betty Shiflett, and then later features readings by Todd Dills ("Sons of the Rapture") and Marcus Sakey ("The Blade Itself"). Both events are at Smart Bar. On Monday, author Anchee Min ("Red Azalea") and "Open Books" radio host Donna Seaman hold court at Harold Washington Library, while Tuesday sees readings from authors Andrew Allegretti, John McNally, Lisa Schlesinger and Shawn Shiflett. On Wednesday, in perhaps the fest's biggest event, "Motherless Brooklyn" author Jonathan Lethem (see Feature) discusses his process along with "Shalimar the Clown" scribe and general literary genius Salman Rushdie at Harold Washington, followed, later, by a Rushdie reading and book-signing. Plus a bunch more next week, including a stacked publishing panel and literary rock `n' roll event (Lethem appears again).

Columbia College's Story Week Festival runs March 11-16 at various locations including the Harold Washington Library Center, Smart Bar and Columbia College. See listings for details, visit www.colum.edu/storyweek or call (312)344-7611.

(2007-03-06)

Also by Tom Lynch

NONFICTION REVIEW
John Sellers' irritating, funny, beer-soaked, self-deprecating memoir of melody, "Perfect from Now On," his documented history of his personal relationship with indie rock--the book's subhead is "How Indie Rock Saved My Life"--is written in the spirit of Nick Hornby and is surely intended for already-groomed fans of the genre
(2007-02-27)

Tip of the Week
School of the Art Institute instructor Beachy-Quick has already published three fine books of poetry--three works of art--most notably last year's "Mulberry" on Tupelo Press
(2007-02-27)

Sea Dogs
Though she had been making music all her life, Assbring was never entirely satisfied with her creations, so she went back to basics, as it were, and wrote new songs, as El Perro Del Mar, with an emphasis on simplicity and honesty, putting all the chips on the table
(2007-02-27)

Soundcheck
While "Living Well" sounds indeed like it could be an offshoot of a Pinback member, the bedroom-like recording quality--which oddly, somehow, lends itself to Crow's low-end hum of a voice and sometimes sudden attack of complicated guitar work--adds a more personal layer to the artist's delivery
(2007-02-20)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-20)

The Unreal World
(2007-02-20)

Syked Out
(2007-02-13)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-13)

State of Grace
(2007-02-06)

Dead Calm
(2007-02-06)

Bowlshit
(2007-02-06)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-06)

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