Chicago Writers Association upcoming events

Ad Space in LJW Conference Program (April 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Purchase a 1/8-page ad space in the conference program to sell your book.

You will receive the details in your confirmation. Ads must be received no later than May 7, 2026.

We have a no refund policy. If your ad does not meet our specs and/or if it is received after May 7th if will not be accepted.

Book of the Year Awards Contest (June 01, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The Chicago Writers Association is accepting submissions for the 16th Annual Book of the Year Awards, for books published between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

The contest is open to members & non-members. Winners will be honored at a ceremony in January 2027. Exact date and location to be determined.

Categories of entry

Traditional Fiction: Published by the Big Five, independent (other traditional) publishers or small presses that do not charge the author a publishing fee.)

Indie Fiction: Self-published, Social or Assisted or Hybrid (publisher charges the author publishing fees.)

Traditional Non-fiction: Published by the Big Five, independent (other traditional) publishers or small presses that do not charge the author a publishing fee.

Indie Non-fiction: Self-published, Social or Assisted or Hybrid (publisher charges the author publishing fees.)

Poetry: Full-length poetry collections traditionally or indie published.

Poetry Collections Eligibility: Only original full-length collections (minimum of 40 pages) written primarily in English are eligible. Translations or collections primarily in another language will not be considered. Collections that contain occasional lines or phrases in a foreign language are acceptable.

Anthologies in any genre will not be considered for this contest.

Categories based on Jane Friedman’s Path to Publishing.

Rules

We will be unable to consider your submission without payment.

Checks will NOT be accepted.

Once you have registered, mail your entry (HARD COPIES ONLY) to: Jotham Austin c/o Chicago Writers Association, 9601 White Oak Ave, Munster, IN 46321.

Books submitted to the contest cannot be returned. We do not accept entries in any digital format.

ONE ENTRY PER AUTHOR (Publishers may submit an entry for one or multiple authors - each one must be submitted individually.)

Submissions must be received between June 1 through August 1. Entries postmarked after August 1 will be disqualified. Submitting your form alone does not complete your entry. You must also have your book postmarked and mailed too.

Please read the Artificial Intelligence Policy Below.

We look forward to reading your work!

For more details on Book of the Year Awards, visit our website.

Continue to Entry Form

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Purpose

The CWA was founded to support writers at all stages of their writing careers through educational programming, community building, publishing, and celebrating outstanding stories and books. As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly prevalent in the writing process, we need to establish guidelines that protect the integrity of our writing competitions and literary submissions, while acknowledging the legitimate role technology can play in supporting authors. This policy distinguishes between AI-generated content, which is not permitted, and AI-assisted tools used for limited support, which are permitted.

We will review this policy annually as AI technology continues to develop.

Definitions

AI-Generated Content (Not Permitted):

Any narrative, dialogue, descriptive text, or other written content within a submission that is produced by prompting a computer program or accepted from an automated editing suggestion that represents the author’s creative work.

AI-Assisted Content (Permitted):

The use of AI tools for limited support tasks that do not replace the author’s original creative voice, writing, or editorial decisions.

Permitted Uses of AI Tools

The following uses of AI are acceptable, provided all final writing decisions originate from the author:
Spelling and grammar checks
Copyediting and proofreading suggestions (the author makes the final judgment and writes all changes)
Research assistance and fact-checking
Character generation, indexing, and naming
Brainstorming and idea generation (the author develops and writes the resulting content)
Structural or developmental feedback on author-written work
Formatting and manuscript preparation
Not Permitted

The following uses of AI are not permitted:
Using AI to generate any narrative, dialogue, or descriptive text included in the submission.
Using AI to produce or substantially rewrite any portion of the manuscript.
Submitting content produced by predictive text or generative AI prompts as the author’s own work.
Accepting AI-generated editorial rewrite suggestions that replace the author’s original creative decisions.

Compliance Certification

By submitting any work to the CWA, the author certifies that their manuscript complies with this policy and is their own original work. Compliance is based on the honor system.

Enforcement

While AI detection tools exist, they are not reliable to serve as the sole basis for disqualification, nor will they be used without the author’s consent. Concerns raised by editors, screeners, or judges will be communicated to the author and reviewed by the specific program CWA Director and Executive Board for a final decision.

Submissions found to violate this policy will be disqualified, and any awarded prizes must be returned.

Questions

For questions or clarification regarding this policy, please contact the CWA.

2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A DISCOUNT IF YOU ARE A CWA MEMBER. IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER YOU MAY JOIN HERE FOR ONLY $25/YEAR.

The conference will begin on Saturday morning and end at 4:30 pm., followed by an optional cocktail party. There is an additional charge for the party.

It will take place at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N Halstead, Chicago, IL.

REGISTRATION INFO FOR PITCH SESSIONS and the COCKTAIL PARTY WILL BE PROVIDED IN YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.

Visit our website for more information and to meet our speakers.

NOTE: Agent/publisher pitch session will be available for $30 each. You will be able to sign up for as many as you like.

Registration will close on June 1st, or when sold out. There will be no same day registration.

This event is in-person only and will not be recorded. Steppenwolf Theatre is accessible. ADA parking is available in the 1700 N. Halsted lot. There are elevators to the 4th floor and an accessible restroom across from the rehearsal halls where the sessions will be held.

REFUND POLICY: We have a no refund policy. If you are unable to attend you may transfer your registration to someone on the waitlist (assuming we have one, and we are happy to assist in that regard) or someone of your choosing.

2026 Sponsorship for Let's Just Write! (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Let’s Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference will take place on June 20, 2026 the iconic Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

Sponsoring our event provides an opportunity to directly connect your brand with a highly engaged and relevant audience:

• Reach an audience of dedicated writers and publishing enthusiasts.

• Showcase your commitment to literacy and the creative arts.

• Position your organization as a key supporter of professional development and the writing community.

PLEASE NOTE: Sponsorships levels received after June 1st will include everything below except for your logo in the program.

Sponsorship levels:

• LEVEL 1: $500 – Sponsor table at conference; logo placement in conference program; logo with click-through in our newsletter, website and social media; inclusion of your company’s printed materials in our conference bag.

• LEVEL 2: $300 – Logo placement in conference program; logo with click-through in our newsletter, website and social media; inclusion of your company’s brochure or printed incentive in our conference bag.

• LEVEL 3: $100 – Logo placement in conference program; logo with click-through on our website.

There will be no refunds.

Let's Just Write! Cocktail Party (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The conference will end at 4:45 PM. The optional cocktail party will begin at 5:00 PM.

Price includes two drink tickets and appetizers. You may invite a guest to attend the cocktail party.

There will be a live lit event during the party.