November Events

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November 7th - Derek Haas - Signing & Reception for the author (also co-creator of Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med)

 

Join us on November 7^th at 6pm to celebrate Mr. Haas' new novel with a reception and signing here at after-words.

 

What happens when an elite assassin becomes a father? Acclaimed author and screenwriter Derek Haas explores the answers in A Different Lie, a unique and thrilling twist on a family story. 

 

Now a new dad, Columbus, the infamous “Silver Bear,” finds himself staying up late for feedings and changing diapers—all while leading the double life of a contract killer.

 

The struggle is not with his conscience. He enjoys his gig. But a child forces him to weigh selfishness versus safety: continue his line of work, and he’ll always wonder if he’s putting his child’s life at risk. His wife, Risina, serves as his fence, and like Columbus, she’s good at her job and likes doing it—an unusual take on working motherhood.

 

When the next assignment comes in, both Columbus and Risina are surprised to find that the mark is another assassin: a brash, young killer named Castillo, an assassin on the rise. Even Columbus is impressed with Castillo’s tenacity and talent. And as he closes in on his target, Columbus realizes that Castillo is a younger version of himself. It’s almost like looking in a mirror. Castillo, for his part, has even studied Columbus’s work.

 

But Columbus’s assignment is clear and there is no turning back. Then, Castillo learns that his hero and unwitting mentor has a family—a revelation with enormous ramifications.

 

Mr. Haas is currently the lead writer on “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Fire,” and the forthcoming “Chicago E.R.” Additionally, he and his screenwriting partner Michael Brandt are the force behind such kinetic screenplays as the blockbuster hit Wanted, the critically acclaimed 3:10 to Yuma, and The Double. Haas and Brandt also created and executive produce the hit show Chicago Fire, currently airing on NBC.  He is also the author of The Assassin trilogy, the best-selling Silver Bear trilogy novels, Columbus, Dark Men, and The Right Hand, which was recently optioned by Universal Pictures. Derek currently lives in Los Angeles and is the editor of Popcornfiction.com, which promotes genre short fiction from top screenwriters and authors.

 

 

November 14th - Live Performance of Henry IV Part I

November 14th - The Commission Theatre Company will be giving us a live performance of Shakespeare's Henry IV Part I. 

"House" opens at 6pm, "Curtain Up" at 7pm.

Henry IV Part I is the second play in Shakespeare's series of histories covering the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V. Shakespeare muses on the consequences of actions, the role of princes and the realities of wielding power.

All are welcome to attend.  There will be a 15 minute intermission. 

 

November 18th - Author Talk and Book Signing, White Collar Girl

November 18 at 6pm - Author Renee Rosen will be in conversation with former Chicago Tribune editor Marion Purcelli, model for the lead character in Rosen’s novel, White Collar Girl

In White Collar Girl, bestselling author Renee Rosen explores the Chicago Tribune newsroom of the 1950’s.  Meet Jordan Walsh, a woman from a family of esteemed reporters—and with connections to luminaries like Mike Royko, Nelson Algren, and Ernest Hemingway.  The novel chronicles her struggles to be taken seriously as a society reporter at The Chicago Tribune.

Praised for her ability to bring history to life, Rosen’s fascinating novel captures the inner workings of a 1950’s newsroom and the essence of living in a time when career-minded women were not taken seriously and men dominated the workplace. Packed with moments of palpable tension, excitement, and a hint of romance, White Collar Girl is an extraordinary tribute to an important time in Chicago’s history and one of the Windy City’s most illustrious institutions.

Former Tribune editor Marion Purcelli was one of the employees Rosen consulted with (and was inspired by) when creating Jordan Walsh.  Rosen and Purcelli will speak about Purcelli’s experiences as a woman breaking through the glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry informed Rosen’s book.

This event is organized by the Chicago Book Expo, a free celebration of all things local and literary, with over 90 local presses and authors selling their books and over a dozen readings, workshops, and panel discussions. It happens Saturday, November 21, 2015, from 11am to 5pm at Columbia College Chicago; find out more at www.chicagobookexpo.org.

Renée Rosen is the bestselling author of What the Lady Wants and Dollface, as well as the young adult novel, Every Crooked Pot. Her acclaimed novels expertly combine Chicago’s rich history with remarkable storytelling. She lives in Chicago. Visit her online at ReneeRosen.com, Facebook.com/ReneeRosenAuthor, and @ReneeRosen1.

Marion Purcelli began working for the Chicago Tribune the day after she graduated from high school.  She spent the next 27 years there.  She started her career as a copy girl, before moving to the Radio-TV department. She began doing the program listings and soon graduated to editing the work of others.  She did the layout, design, and makeup of the Sunday TV pages, and, ultimately, all the spade work for creation of the TV Week - for which she also wrote. After her success in writing news stories for the daily paper about television coverage of the Kennedy assassination, she became an associate editor of the Sunday Magazine, focusing on entertainment stories. In the early 70s she became assistant to the Sunday Features editor, and shortly thereafter was appointed editor of the Sunday Lifestyle section. In late 1976 she left the Tribune to become vice president of corporate communications for a large real estate firm whose main business was condominium conversion.

 

 

November 21st - Chicago Book Expo

November 21st 11am -5pm - Chicago Book Expo - Columbia College 1104 S. Wabash

This celebration of Chicago independent presses and authors will, as always, feature an expo floor where you can buy books from local presses and authors, as well as over 15 programs, readings, and workshops. after-words will be on hand to sell book from these authors.  Come joins us, admission is free!