chrislterry.com - news

my birthday is next week

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:14:00 -0400

Why not honor it by pre-ordering my novel Zero Fade from Amazon?

awp 2013

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:25:00 -0500

I can’t go this year. If you do, follow these instructions for certain victory:

Pick up the new issue of Moon City Review with my story “The Gleam” in it.

Stop by the Curbside Splendor table and thank them for agreeing to publish my novel, Zero Fade. Get issue 4 of their journal and read my story “Nerf Ball Water Balloon Beanbag Chair.”

Preempt a hangover by popping a couple charcoal pills before bed. You can get ‘em at any health food store.

Take the Green Line D train toward Riverside and get off at Newton Center. Envision fourteen year old me skateboarding.

'the gleam' in moon city review 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:01:30 -0500

Just got word that my creative nonfiction story “The Gleam” will be in the 2013 edition of the Moon City Review, to be released at AWP this year. Not only am I proud to be in this journal, I am excited to read the whole damn thing, since Michael Czyzniejewski guest-edited it.

forthcoming novel!

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:58:00 -0500

My first novel, Zero Fade, is being published by Curbside Splendor. I signed the contract last night. This is really exciting for me, like, “fulfilling a lifelong dream” exciting. I’ve wanted to be an author since my first creative writing assignment in third grade, a quarter of a century ago. I’m thrilled to be doing this with Curbside Splendor, a press whose aesthetic I admire and whose dedication to the lit world personifies and confirms something I firmly believe: that Chicago is ground zero for the independent arts.

Zero Fade will be out in September. I made a Facebook page, where I’ll be posting all things book-related for the next few months. Please click through and like it.

Zero Fade is set in 1994 in inner-city Richmond, Virginia and glows like that era’s hip-hop and black cinema. I’ll leave you off with the summary:

Thirteen-year-old Kevin Phifer has a lot to worry about. His father figure, Uncle Paul, is coming out as gay; he can’t leave the house without Tyrell throwing a lit Black ‘n’ Mild at him; Demetric at school has the best last-year-fly-gear and the attention of orange-haired Aisha; his mother Sheila and his nerdy best friend David have both found romance; his big sister Laura won’t talk to him now that she’s in high school; and to top it off, he’s grounded.

new short story

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:52:28 -0500

“Nerf Ball Water Balloon Beanbag Chair” is in Curbside Splendor #4. It’s an excerpt from my novel. Order it from CurbsideSplendor.com.

chicago: 4 readings in november

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:00:00 -0400

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO ME? JEEEEEZ!

2nd Story at Mixed Roots Midwest

Sat. 11/3, 5-6:30PM, FREE

DePaul Student Center - 2250 N. Sheffield #120 A/B

Live performances of story and performance art about the mixed race experience, as part of the Critical Mixed Race Studies conference. I’ll be reading a new version of “Mom the Barber.”

Reading Under The Influence

Weds. 11/7, 7:30PM, $3

Sheffield’s - 3258 N. Sheffield Ave.

The theme is “the hunt.” Intending to dress like Ted Nugent.

Guts & Glory

Weds. 11/21, 7-9PM, FREE

Powell’s - 2850 N. Lincoln Ave.

Hosted by Keith Ecker and my fellow nonthreatening black person, Samantha Irby.

2nd Story at Underground Wonder Bar

Sat. 11/24, 7-10PM, Ticket info on site.

Underground Wonder Bar - 710 N. Clark St.

I’ll be bringing that beat back on my story from 11/3, but this time, you’ll have to pay to see it, so it’ll be better/more valuable.

the final neutron bomb!

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:23:13 -0400

Neutron Bomb, the punk-themed reading series I’ve been co-hosting for the last year and a half, is drawing to a close. The last one is Saturday, August 18, from 7-9pm at Cal’s Liquors (400 S. Wells St., corner of Van Buren). Co-hosted by Cool Dad. Readings by Jim Joyce (not James Joyce) of “Or Let It Sink” zine and Dan Terrill from Guns.com. Comedy by James Cardis. Music by Krayola. As always, it’s free and 21+.

My short essay on James Joyce and the demise of Neutron Bomb.

Facebook invite.

where i'm at

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:26:00 -0400

Graduated Columbia College Chicago with an MFA in Fiction Writing in May.

Started a part-time writing and editing job at an office at my (former!) school.

Still teaching juvenile inmates through a writing and theatre program.

Traveling to L.A. to teach a writing workshop at Mixed Roots, and to Ireland…to find a village of people who look like my cousins.

Got a super spacious apartment near the lake on Chicago’s super-diverse far north side.

Enough free time this summer that I have no excuse not to finish my novel. There, I said it. Now hold me to that.

Got a couple shorter pieces that I am submitting. Fingers crossed.

Intending to update the info on this site (publications list, resume…) soon.

teaching a writing workshop at mixed roots in l.a., 6/16

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:22:22 -0400

This upcoming weekend, I’ll be in Los Angeles to teach the workshop Writing Significant Racial Moments for Young Characters at the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival. Very excited to be participating in Mixed Roots, an arts festival by and for my fellow halfies.

Admission is free.

Registration info is here.

Bring a pen and paper!

reading at the save our fullmers benefit a book cellar, 5/31 7pm

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:33:11 -0400

Book Cellar

4736 N. Lincoln Ave.

Chicago

From the Facebook invite:

Long-time Book Cellar employee Jon and his wife Amelia are expecting their first child within weeks, and last Thursday, May 24, their apartment and belongings were lost to a 2-11 alarm fire (close to here, in Albany Park).

While they fortunately had renters insurance, they will ultimately be starting again from scratch at the same time they are starting as parents.

Maybe you’ve interacted with Jon over the years. Always kind and cheery, he has a love and vast knowledge of books, as a co-editor of Knee-Jerk Magazine is involved heavily in the Chicago lit community, and also teaches.

Amelia is a nurse in the Emergency Department at the Norwegian American Hospital, works at the National Call Center for the Alzheimers Association, and is as delightful a person as you’ll ever meet.

Jon and Amelia are the kind of people who make the world a bit brighter; we’re trying to make their world a little brighter in this trying time.

Here’s two ways to help.

A donation page has been set up. Any amount helps.

And on the evening of Thurs, May 31st, writers and friends from all over Chicago are coming together to rally for Jon and Amelia with a night of readings, comedy, raffle prizes, and community.

Cash or check donations will be accepted, as will baby shower items.

THE READERS ARE:

KEITH ECKER, writer, frequent performer all around town, creator of the new webmagazine The Snackpot, and co-host of the popular reading series Essay Fiesta.

LINDSAY HUNTER, author of Daddy’s and co-founder ofthe legendary Quickies! reading series.

ADAM LEVIN, author of the praised and mammoth The Instructions and the recent story collection Hot Pink.

JONATHAN MESSINGER, author of the story collection Hiding Out, co-founder of featherproof books, and books editor at Time Out Chicago Magazine.

AMY SUMPTER, one of our favorite comedians, and co-host of The Kates, the immensely popular bi-monthly comedy show that’s housed here.

ROBBIE Q. TELFER, poetry slam performer, author of the poetry collection Spiking the Sucker Punch, and co-founder and curator of The Encyclopedia Show.

CHRIS TERRY, writer, editor, teacher, and co-host of Neutron Bomb: Chicago’s PunkRock Writing Reading Series.

The Book Cellar will be closed to the public at 6pm on May 31st. Thank you for your understanding!

reading at essay fiesta, mon. 5/21

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:33:06 -0400

More info here.

7pm at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. Proceeds go to 826CHI. I’ll be reading a new wigger jam that I’m working on.

2nd story podcast

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:08:23 -0400

I read a new version of my story “The Impersonator” at 2nd Story earlier this month, and they made a podcast out of it.

Stream it on their site or download it for free from iTunes.

Props if you recognize the first song that plays under me.

2nd story + story week readings this week

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:57:30 -0500

2nd Story “Mixed Roots”

Sun. 3/11 & Mon. 3/12 at Webster’s Wine Bar. Ticket info here.

Whole Foods South Loop Story Hour

Tues. 3/13 at South Loop Whole Foods. 6pm, $3, free appetizers. Reading with Gary Johnson, Ann Hemenway and Cyn Vargas as a lead-in for the wonderful Story Week festival.

reading at the awp quickies!

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:21:32 -0500

Fri. 3/2 from 3-5pm in the SAIC Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan.

Here’s the Facebook Event.

neutron bomb/new herring press reading at awp

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:20:00 -0500

We’re doing a special Neutron Bomb for AWP, co-sponsored by New Herring Press.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2. 9-11:30PM

CAL’S LIQUORS, 400 S. WELLS (CORNER OF VAN BUREN)

FREE, 21+

FACEBOOK INVITE.

More details on the NEUTRON BOMB TUMBLR.

READERS:

SARA MARCUS (Author of “Girls to the Front: The true story of the riot grrrl revolution, New Herring Press co-editor”)

CHRIS HEAVENER (Editor of Annalemma)

KURT KENNEDY (Krunchy)

JESS ARNDT (NHP co-editor)

JASON DANIEL SCHWARTZ (NHP co-editor)

MUSIC BY DJ COLIN

2nd story 'mixed roots: stories of family, race and coming together'

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:08:03 -0500

2nd Story is a Chicago storytelling event. I am reading in their “Mixed Roots” show on Sun. 3/11 and Mon. 3/12 at Webster’s Wine Bar. I suggest getting tickets in advance. These events tend to sell out. That may be the only time I ever say that about something I’m involved in.

view from the keyboard

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:02:05 -0500

Columbia College Chicago Fiction Writing Professor and “Temple of Air” author Patty McNair ran a brief profile of my writing space on her website. Click through for proof that my apartment looks like “Sanford and Son” for bookworms.

story in knee-jerk + a neutron bomb date change

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:54:05 -0500

Just got the good news that my short story “A Review of Sharing A Hotel Room with the Knee-Jerk Guys during AWP” will be printed in Knee-Jerk Offline Vol. 2, out in time for AWP. Proud to be a part of one of my favorite Chicago lit mags.

Also, we had to change the date of the February Neutron Bomb from 2/18 to Sat. 2/11, 7-9pm. So far, we’ve confirmed poet Kayla Sargeson and my cohost Benny Kumming is going to tell a story. More info as it ripens and falls from the trees…

upcoming readings & neutron bombs

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:51:00 -0500

More info to come, but I am reading at West Side School for the Desperate on 1/28 and the “I’m Not Racist, But…”-themed iteration of P. Fanatics at Cole’s on 2/12.

Also, Neutron Bomb, the punk-themed reading series that I co-host is confirming our new dates. As of now, we’re looking at 2/11 and 4/14, plus a special AWP Neutron Bomb on 3/2.

Stay tuned for details…

short story 'red velvet' in the chicago reader's pure fiction issue

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:49:16 -0500

Since moving to Chicago in 2008, I’ve wanted to see my writing in the Chicago Reader’s annual Pure Fiction issue. I figured it would make me feel like I’d arrived, like I was a Chicago writer. This week, I got my wish…well, sorta - my story “Red Velvet” was an Editor’s Pick, so it’s only online - but hey, save a tree, right?

Read “Red Velvet.”

I’m also glad to see my work alongside stories by my friend Jessie Morrison and Columbia College Chicago faculty Brian Costello. So, keep reading!