#lit 50

[thegroaningbook]

Newcity Lit 50 — “Who Really Books in Chicago” Chicago, 2004 & 2005

Clippings from Newcity’s annual Lit 50 issue naming Kenneth Clarke in connection with The Poetry Center of Chicago.

The 2004 listing references the Center’s work in bringing new audiences to poetry, staging readings beyond conventional literary venues, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and sustaining the broadside series pairing poets with visual artists.

The 2005 listing notes the placement of The Poetry Center archive within the University of Chicago Library, situating the organization’s historical materials within a permanent institutional collection and extending its documentary record into an academic setting.

Third-party recognition. Civic documentation.

[whilereadingandwalking]

It is a true honor to be named to be named to New City’s annual Chicago Lit 50 along with four other wonderful Chicagoland bookstagrammers.

Being in the Lit 50 was one of the author dreams I’ve had for a while—one I always assumed would be years out. I never would have imagined that someone in New City’s literati would pass on my name as one of Chicago’s resident book bloggers, and that I’d be in this incredible list of names that includes some of my own publishing heroes.

Too often, bookstagrammers simply aren’t taken seriously as contributors to the literary conversation and community. This is an exciting moment that makes me excited for what else is soon to come.

If you’re in Chicago, make sure to pick up a copy—it’ll be out and about soon!