The Actors Training Center
Performance, noon-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Lil’ Lit Park.
The Actors Training Center offers professional classes year-round for actors of all ages. Class topics include musical theater, on-camera technique and master classes taught by casting directors.
actorstrainingcenter.com
After Hours Press
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
After Hours is a literary and arts journal published twice a year featuring Chicago area writers and artists.
afterhourspress.com
Imran Ahmad
Telling Our Stories, with Margaret Overton, David Finch, and Deni Bechard, moderated by Brian Bouldrey, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Imran Ahmad was born in Pakistan, grew up in London and went to university in Scotland before pursuing a corporate career, mainly in finance and information technology.
perfect-gent.com
Amy Alessio
Moderator, Elementary, My Dear Watson, with Marianne Malone, Ilene Cooper, Keir Graff and David Lubar, 1:45 p.m. Sunday, The Mash Stage.
Amy Alessio is a teen librarian at the Schaumburg Township District Library. She has written reference books, and her young-adult mystery, “Taking the High Ground,” will be published in 2013.
amyalessio.com
Carolyn Alessio
Moderator, Young and Restless, with Stephanie Hemphill, John Coy, Daniel Kraus and Barry Lyga, 11:45 a.m. Saturday, The Mash Stage.
In conversation with Jian Ping and Wenuang Huang, 4 p.m. Saturday, University Center/River Room.
Carolyn Alessio is prose editor of Crab Orchard Review, a recent guest editor of Fifth Wednesday, and the translator/editor of The Voices of Hope/Las Voces de la Esperanza. She recently completed a novel, and teaches at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Caroline Alexander
Poetry reading, noon Sunday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Caroline Alexander is the author of “The War That Killed Achilles” and “The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.”
Joe Allen
In conversation with Gary Krist and Elizabeth Taylor, 10 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Lake Room.
Joe Allen is a frequent contributor to the International Socialist Review and a long-standing social justice fighter. He is also the author of “Vietnam: The (Last) War the U.S. Lost” and “People Wasn’t Made to Burn.”
Michael Austin
Poetry reading, 11 a.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Michael Austin has written for Esquire, GQ, the Chicago Tribune magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times, where he contributes the regular column “The Pour Man.” He collaborated with chef Art Smith on the cooking and lifestyle book “Back to the Family.”
M. Molly Backes
Panelist, Just Get Me Started workshop, with Keith Ecker, Kate Harding
and Sarah Rosenblum, moderated by Jill Pollack, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Multimedia Room.
M. Molly Backes is the author of “The Princesses of Iowa” and the assistant director of StoryStudio Chicago, where she teaches creative writing classes to adults and teens.
Natalie Bakopoulos
Panelist, with Marisel Vera and Samuel Park, moderated by Brigid Pasulka, 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Wyndham Blake/Burnham Room.
Natalie Bakopoulos teaches at the University of Michigan. Her work has appeared in Ninth Letter and Tin House. She is a contributing editor for Fiction Writers Review. “The Green Shore” is her first novel.
Chris Ballard
In conversation with Tim Wendel and Tim Bannon, 11 a.m. Saturday, Trib Nation Stage.
Chris Ballard, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, is the author of “One Shot at Forever.” He lives in Berkeley, Calif.
Blue Balliett
Panelist, The Growing Pains of Children’s Literature, with Linda Sue Park and Quraysh Ali
Lansana, moderated by Steve Edwards, 3 p.m. Saturday, Grace Place/2nd Floor.
Blue Balliett’s first book, “Chasing Vermeer,” won the Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction and was a New York Times best-seller. Her latest book is “The Danger Box.”
Stacey Ballis
Starting Fresh, with Sara Pekkanen, Lauren Fox and Ann Bauer, moderated by Mairead Case, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
Stacey Ballis is the author of six novels, including “The Spinster Sisters” and “Good Enough to Eat,” and a contributing author to two nonfiction anthologies. She was an educator for more than 15 years in Chicago.
staceyballis.com,
@staceyballis
Eric Banks
In conversation with Alyson Hagy and Susan Nusser, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, University Center/River Room.
National Book Critics Circle, with Elizabeth Taylor, Donna Seaman and Art Winslow, 11 a.m. Sunday, Center Stage.
Eric Banks is president of the National Book Critics Circle. He is the former editor-in-chief of Bookforum, which he relaunched in 2002. He has written on books for a range of newspapers and magazines, including the Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times Book Review, the Financial Times, Slate, the Los Angeles Times, and the Chicago Tribune.
In conversation with Chris Ballard and Tim Wendel, 11 a.m. Saturday, Trib Nation Stage.
is the Chicago Tribune’s sports editor. Previously, he was the Tribune’s entertainment editor.
Dan Barden
Panelist, Desperate Characters, with John Warner and Joseph Peterson, moderated by Frank Tempone, 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Wyndham Blake/Burnham Room.
Dan Barden is the author of “The Next Right Thing” and “John Wayne: A Novel.” A native of Southern California, he teaches at Butler University and lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Elizabeth Houghton Barden.
danbarden.com
James R. Barrett
In conversation with John Jentz, Richard Schneirov,
and Mark Jacob, 11 a.m. Sunday, Wyndham Blake/Burnham Room.
History professor James R. Barrett of theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignis the author of “The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multi-Ethnic City.” He also wrote “William Z. Foster and the Tragedy of American Radicalism.”
Ann Bauer
Starting Fresh, with Stacey Ballis, Sara Pekkanen and Lauren Fox, moderated by Mairead Case, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, University Room/Park Fountain Room.
Ann Bauer’s latest novel, “The Forever Marriage,” is due out soon. She also is author of the novel “A Wild Ride Up the Cupboards” and co-author of a culinary memoir, “Damn Good Food.” Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Elle, Redbook and The Sun. She lives in Minneapolis.
theforevermarriage.com
Rick Bayless
Cooking demo, 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Good Eating Stage.
Award-winning Chicago chef Rick Bayless is the author of seven cookbooks, including “Fiesta at Rick’s.”
rickbayless.com
Deni Y. Bechard
Telling Our Stories, with Margaret Overton, David Finch and Imran Ahmad, moderated by Brian Bouldrey, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Deni Y. Bechard is the author of “Vandal Love” and “Cures for Hunger.” His articles, stories and translations have appeared in National Post, the Harvard Review and the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, among other publications.
Ian Belknap
Panelist, Listen Up! How Chicago’s Live Lit Scene Is Changing the Literary Landscape, with Robbie Q. Telfer, Scott Whitehair and Dana Norris, moderated by Keith Ecker, 10 a.m. Saturday, Center Stage.
Ian Belknap is the founder of Write Club, a live lit event that pits two literary performers against each other to discuss opposing topics. He currently is establishing Write Club showcases in other cities.
Gina Bellisario
1 p.m., Saturday, Jones College Prep High School/Student Learning Center.
Gina Bellisario is the author of several forthcoming picture books, including “The Twelve Days of Christmas in Illinois” (Sterling Children’s Books), which will be published in October.
ginabellisario.com/picture-books.html
Christopher Benfey
In conversation with Eric Banks, 12:45 p.m. Sunday, University Center/River Room
Christopher Benfey is an English professor at Mount Holyoke College and a frequent contributor to The New York Times Book Review, The New Republic and The New York Review of Books. He lives in Amherst, Mass. His latest book is “Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay.”
Raymond Benson
Moderator, Female Protagonists in Thrillers, with Julie Kramer, Jamie Freveletti, Libby Hellmann and David Ellis, 4 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
Raymond Benson is the author of more than 25 books. “The Black Stiletto” and “The Black Stiletto: Black & White” are the first entries in his new thriller series featuring a female-costumed vigilante.
raymondbenson.com
,
theblackstiletto.net
Rachel Bertsche
In conversation with Jenny Lawson and Rachel Shteir, 2 p.m. Sunday, Harold Washington Library Center/Multipurpose Room.
Rachel Bertsche is a Chicago-based journalist whose work has appeared in Marie Claire, More, Teen Vogue, CNN.com and more. She is the author of “MWF Seeking BFF.”
Reginald Dwayne Betts
In conversation with Eduardo Bocanegra, 4 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Lake Room.
Reginald Dwayne Betts is the author of the memoir “A Question of Freedom” and the collection of poetry “Shahid Reads His Own Palm.” He is a poet, essayist and national spokesperson for the Campaign for Youth Justice.
Leigh Buchanan Bienen
In conversation with Rob Warden and Eric Zorn, 2 p.m. Sunday, University Center/Lake Room.
Leigh Buchanan Bienen is a senior lecturer at Northwestern University School of Law. She is the author of “Murder and Its Consequences: Essays on Capital Punishment in America.”
Buzz Bissinger
In conversation with Alex Kotlowitz, 1:45 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
Buzz Bissinger is thePulitzer Prize-winningauthor of four books, including “Friday Night Lights,” which inspired a film and TV franchise. He is a contributing editor for Vanity Fair and a sports columnist for the Daily Beast.
Scott Blackwood
In conversation with Peter Orner and Patrick Somerville, 2:15 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Scott Blackwood is the author of a novel, “We Agreed to Meet Just Here,” and a story collection, “In the Shadow of Our House.”
Anna H. Blessing
Farmers Markets Triumphs & Challenges, with Janine MacLachlan and Sarah Stegner in conversation with Monica Eng, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Good Eating Stage.
Anna H. Blessing researched, wrote and photographed 14 editions of the “eat.shop” book series and is a regular contributor to other publications, including Lucky, for which she was Chicago editor for six years. Her newest book, “Locally Grown,” is due out in July.
Christine Blevins
In conversation with Hillary Jordan, Lois Leveen and Corrina Lesser, 1 p.m. Saturday, Center Stage.
Christine Blevins lives in Elmhurst with her husband, Brian, and recently finished writing her third book, “The Turning of Anne Merrick.”
Eduardo Bocanegra
In conversation with Reginald Dwayne Betts, 4 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Lake Room.
Eduardo Bocanegra is a congregational organizer for Community Renewal Society and the lead coordinator of FORCE, an organization that advocates for opportunities for ex-offenders.
Bob Boone
School Stories,
with Billy Lombardo, 1 p.m. Sunday, University Center/Multimedia Room.
Bob Boone has taught in New York, Germany, Highland Park and Chicago. He founded Young Chicago Authors in 1991. He has written several text books, a sports biography, a memoir and a book of short stories.
In conversation with
Michael Czyzniejewski and
Dmitry Samarov, 10 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
In conversation with Jules Feiffer, noon Saturday, Trib Nation Stage.
is a features writer at the Chicago Tribune. He has written about topics such as whales, comic books, Jonathan Franzen, hand dryers, 1980s art, pizza makers and the first person to yell “Freebird!”
Todd Boss
3 p.m. Sunday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Todd Boss is the author of “Pitch: Poems.” He is the founding co-director of Motionpoems, a poetry film initiative at
.
toddbosspoet.com
.
Jen Bosworth
Participant, Essay Fiesta, 6 p.m. Saturday, The Mash Stage
Jen Bosworth is an Evanston-based writer and performer. She is currently working on a solo show about cancer, God and Jack White.
Brian Bouldrey
Moderator, Telling Our Stories, with Margaret Overton, David Finch, Deni Y. Bechard and Imran Ahmad, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Brian Bouldrey is the author of several books, including most recently “The Sorrow of the Elves.” He is the North American editor of the Open Door literacy series for GemmaMedia and teaches at Northwestern University.
In conversation with Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, University Center/River Room.
joined the Chicago Tribune in June 2003. As the paper’s religion reporter, she has helped chronicle the papal transition from Rome, the Dalai Lama’s visits to Chicago and the emerging role of religion in American politics.
Barbara Taylor Bradford
In conversation with Jenniffer Weigel, noon Saturday, Harold Washington Library Center/Cindy Pritzker Auditorium.
Dame Barbara Taylor Bradford is the author of 26 novels, most of which have been best-sellers. Her newest book, “Letter From a Stranger,” was published by St. Martin’s Press on March 27.
barbarataylorbradford.com
Laura Bradford
Panelist, Sex & Violence: The do’s and don’ts of the Modern Cozy, with Sharon Fiffer, Mary Vermillion and Julie Hyzy, moderated by Clare O’Donohue, 10 a.m. Saturday, Wyndham Blake/Burnham Room.
Laura Bradford is the author of, among other books, “Hearse and Buggy,” the debut title in the new Amish Mysteries series, and of the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (pen name, Elizabeth Lynn Casey).
laurabradford.com
Marilyn Brant
Still Sexy After 200 years: Jane Austen’s Men, with Regena Bryant, Elisabeth Lenckos, Abigail Reynolds, moderated by Karen Doornebos, 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Center Stage.
Marilyn Brant is the author of five novels, including “According to Jane” and “A Summer in Europe.” She received her master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and studied at Northwestern and Oxford universities.
marilynbrant.com
Barbara Brotman
In conversation with Daniel Chamovitz, 11 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Multimedia Room.
Barbara Brotman is the Tribune’s outdoors adviser, as well as a columnist and features writer. She has chronicled various Chicago lives, including her own family’s, and explored the area’s nature spots by foot, bike, kayak and canoe.
Derrick Brown
With Amber Tamblyn, 2 p.m. Sunday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Derrick Brown is the author of four books of poetry, including “Strange Light.” He is a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne and has performed with the Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, the Flaming Lips, and on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”
Geoff Brown
E-Reading the Best of the Tribune: An introduction to Tribune’s e-books, with Doug Seibold of Agate Publishing, 1 p.m. Saturday, Trib Nation Stage.
Geoff Brown is the associate managing editor of entertainment for the Chicago Tribune. Previously, he was features editor, north suburban bureau chief, national/foreign news editor and copy editor. He joined the Tribune in 1980.
Rosellen Brown
In conversation with Edith Pearlman, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, University Center/Loop Room.
Rosellen Brown, who teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has published a book of stories; five novels, most recently “Before and After” and “Half a Heart”; and three books of poetry.
Regena Bryant
Still Sexy After 200 years: Jane Austen’s Men, with Marilyn Brant, Elisabeth Lenckos and Abigail Reynolds, moderated by Karen Doornebos, 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Center Stage.
Regena Bryant’s first novel was “Except on Sunday,” and her sophomore effort, “Believe in Me,” was published in March.
@regena_bryant
Laura Caldwell
The Art of Memoir, with Sara Connell and Dawn Raffel, 11:45 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Former civil trial attorney Laura Caldwell is the founder of Loyola University’s Life After Innocence program and is a distinguished scholar-in-residence at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She has published 12 novels and one nonfiction book, “Long Way Home.”
@LauraACaldwell
Bonnie Jo Campbell
In conversation with Jesmyn Ward and Jennifer Day, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Grace Place/2nd Floor.
Bonnie Jo Campbell’s books include “Once Upon a River” and “American Salvage,” a National Book Award finalist. She lives in Kalamazoo, Mich.
bonniejocampbell.com
Mairead Case
Moderator, Starting Fresh, with Stacey Ballis, Sara Pekkanen, Lauren Fox and Ann Bauer, moderated by Mairead Case, 11:15 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
Mairead Case edits for featherproof, The Chicagoan and Yeti. She also co-programs the annual Printers’ Ball and is the Volunteer Director of Louder Than a Bomb.
maireadcase.tumblr.com
Daniel Chamovitz
In conversation with Barbara Brotman, 11 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Multimedia Room.
Daniel Chamovitz is the director of the Manna Center for Plant Biosciences at Tel Aviv University. He has served as a visiting scientist at Yale University and at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. His research has appeared in leading scientific journals.
Dan Chaon
In conversation with Sandra Novack, Adam Levin and Sam Weller, 10 a.m. Saturday, Grace Place/2nd Floor.
Dan Chaon’s books include “Among the Missing” and “You Remind Me of Me.” His collection of short stories, “Stay Awake,” was published by Ballantine in February. Chaon lives in Cleveland and teaches creative writing at Oberlin College.
@danchaon
Joelle Charbonneau
Moderator, Young Adult Isn’t Writing Down, with Kat Falls, Erica O’Rouke, Adam Selzer and Julie Cross, 2:45 p.m. Sunday, The Mash Stage.
Joelle Charbonneau has performed in opera and musical theater in the Chicago area. Her books include the Rebecca Robbins mysteries, the Glee Club mystery series and the YA Graduation Day trilogy.
joellecharbonneau.com
Sean Chercover
Panelist, The Thrill of the Mystery, with Jan Wallentin, Manuel Munoz, Alec Nevala-Lee and David Heinzmann, 2:45 p.m. Sunday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
A former Chicago and New Orleans private investigator, Sean Chercover is the author of “Big City Bad Blood,” “Trigger City” and “The Trinity Game,” forthcoming this August.
Chercover.com
Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume Project
Popular Teen Books, with Promethean Theatre Ensemble, 3 p.m. Saturday, The Mash Stage.
The Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume Project will present “Favorite Teen Fiction,” which will feature actors from Promethean Theatre Ensemble and members of the Chicago Public Library’s Reader’s Theatre Troupe performing short excerpts adapted from some of today’s most popular teen novels.
Cirque Shanghai
10-10:15 a.m. and 11-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Lil’ Lit Park.
Cirque Shanghai returns to Navy Pier with a new show, “Year of the Dragon,” featuringChina’s death-defying motorcycle troupe, Imperial Thunder.
Jennifer Clarvoe
3:30 p.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Jennifer Clarvoe is professor of English at Kenyon College in Ohio, and is the author of “Invisible Tender.”
Rich Cohen
In conversation with Rick Kogan, noon Saturday, University Center/Lake Room.
Rich Cohen is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, and the author of seven books, including “Israel Is Real,” “Tough Jews” and the memoir “Sweet and Low.” He lives in Connecticut with his wife and three sons.
Gail Collins
In conversation with Mary Schmich, 11 a.m. Sunday, University Center/Lake Room.
Gail Collins joined The New York Times’ editorial board in 1995 and became the first female editor of the Times’ editorial page in 2001. She is the author of “When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present” and “Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity and American Politics.”
Cherie Colyer
1 p.m. Saturday, Jones College Prep High School/Student Learning Center.
Cherie Colyer’s debut novel, “Embrace,” was published in December. She lives with her family in a Chicago suburb.
@cheriecolyer
Sara Connell
The Art of Memoir, with Dawn Raffel and Laura Caldwell, 11:45 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Loop Room.
Sara Connell is an author, speaker and life coach from Chicago. Her upcoming book, “Bringing In Finn,” will be out in September.
saraconnell.com
Ilene Cooper
Panelist, Elementary, My Dear Watson, with Marianne Malone, Keir Graff and David Lubar, moderated by Amy Alessio, 1:45 p.m. Sunday, The Mash Stage.
Ilene Cooper is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for young people. Her most recent titles are “Angel in My Pocket” and “Lucy Tricks and Treats.”
Stacy A. Cordery
Panelist, The Art of Biography, with Jim Newton, Natalie Dykstra and Jonathan Eig, 11:30 a.m. Sunday, University Center/River Room.
Stacy A. Cordery is an award-winning professor at Monmouth College. She is the author of “Juliette Gordon Low: The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts” and “Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, From White House Princess to Washington Power Broker.” She serves as bibliographer for the National First Ladies’ Library.
Nina Corwin
11 a.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Nina Corwin is the author of two books of poetry, “The Uncertainty of Maps” and “Conversations With Friendly Demons and Tainted Saints.” She is a Chicago psychotherapist known for her work on behalf of victims of violence.
Chris Cosentino
Cooking demo, 3 p.m. Saturday, Good Eating Stage.
Chris Cosentino is an expert on and proponent of nose-to-tail cooking. He is the chef of Incanto restaurant in San Francisco and the co-creator of the Boccalone artisanal salumeria and PIGG restaurant in Los Angeles.
@OffalChris
Kevin Coval
Reading, 5 p.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Kevin Coval is the author of “L-vis Lives!: Racemusic Poems,” “Slingshots: A Hip-Hop Poetica” and “Everyday People.” He is the co-founder and artistic director of Louder Than a Bomb: The Chicago Teen Poetry Festival and teaches at the School of the Art Institute.
John Coy
Panelist, Young and Restless, with Stephanie Hemphill, Daniel Kraus and Barry Lyga, moderated by Carolyn Alessio, 11:45 a.m. Saturday, The Mash Stage.
John Coy is the author of the “4 for 4” middle-grade series and multiple young adult and picture books. He lives in Minneapolis.
johncoy.com
Julie Cross
Panelist, Young Adult Isn’t Writing Down, with Kat Falls, Erica O’Rouke and Adam Selzer, moderated by Joelle Charbonneau, 2:45 p.m. Sunday, The Mash Stage.
Julie Cross, a central Illinois resident, is the author of “Tempest,” the first book in a young-adult trilogy.
juliecross.blogspot.com
Mary Cross
11 a.m. Saturday, Arts & Poetry Stage.
Mary Cross’ poems, short stories and essays have appeared in various journals, including Crazyhorse, Hotel Amerika and The Sun. She teaches in the graduate writing program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Introducer, Amber Tamblyn in conversation with Mark Eleveld, 5 p.m. Saturday, The Mash Stage
is an editing assistant at the Chicago Tribune. She writes mostly for the new Printers Row Journal. Previously, she worked at AMNY, Fox News, ABC News and the Lake County Journal.
@courtneycare
Carson Cunningham
In conversation with Jimmy Greenfield, 11 a.m. Sunday, Trib Nation Stage.
Carson Cunningham is co-author of “Before the Curse: The
‘ Glory Years, 1870-1945.”
Michael Czyzniejewski
In conversation with Dmitry Samarov and Christopher Borrelli, 10 a.m. Saturday, University Center/Park Fountain Room.
Michael Czyzniejewski is the author of “Elephants in Our Bedroom” and “Chicago Stories: 40 Dramatic Fictions.” He is assistant professor of creative writing at Missouri State University.
