THE FESTIVAL
Join us at the 2027 StoryBoard Festival!
August 7th in-person at the Newberry Library
Presented by StoryStudio Chicago and curated by Artistic Director Rebecca Makkai and Program Curator Ananda Lima, our 10th annual Festival will take place Saturday, August 7th at the Newberry Library. The all-day Festival will offer classes, panels, and social events to help writers develop their craft, and build a supportive writing community.
StoryStudio is thrilled to present the combined program: StoryBoard Conference & Festival. This program combines our signature program StoryBoard (a weeklong application-based workshop) with our signature event Writers Festival (a weekend festival of craft classes, panels, and social events).
The StoryBoard Conference will take place the week before, but it is application-based and requires acceptance to participate. Acceptance into the weeklong Conference is not required to sign up for the weekend Festival.
Join us on Friday August 14th at the Driehaus Museum for a conversation between author, Pemi Aguda, and StoryStudio Chicago Artistic Director, Rebecca Makkai. This event is free and open to everyone, but RSVP is required!
2026 Featured Festival Craft Lecturers
(2027 COMING SOON)
Participating instructors also include: Christina Clancy, Taylor Crumpton, Robert Falls, Kat Falls, Dionna Griffin-Irons, Ananda Lima, Cynthia Pelayo, Cyn Vargas, and more!
Past Keynote Speakers have included:
Garth Greenwell
T Kira Madden
Luis Alberto Urrea
Rumaan Alam
Mona Awad
2026 All Day Pass: $325
9AM – 8PM CENTRAL:
- Friday Night Keynote at Driehaus Museum
- Coffee & Breakfast Social
- Choose from 15 (!) Breakout Sessions with Featured Craft Lecturers and StoryStudio Instructors
- Lunch with your fellow writers (lunch is included!)
- Book Signing with Featured Craft Lecturers
- Saturday Evening Cocktail Party
REFUND POLICY
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the event, we will not be able to refund your purchase after August 1st. Prior to August 6th, refunds will be given minus a 25% cancellation fee.
More Questions? Email us directly at info@storystudiochicago.org
Thank you to our sponsors!
PAST FESTIVALS
StoryStudio Writers Festival is an ideal venue for honing your craft of writing by learning from writers who have achieved a level of success. It is a well-orchestrated compilation of professionals, educators, and peers who share new and proven insights and provide case studies on the best ways to move your work forward.
Kudos to StoryStudio for creating a casual yet extremely informative event where all kinds of writers can hang out together while learning how to improve our craft and better manage the affliction of being a writer!
Writers Festival is a great way to meet other aspiring writers, as well as experienced writers, to hear from agents, editors, and poets, to gain insight about the publishing process, tips on writing, and pointers on seeking an agent. Highly recommended; stimulating, supportive, and fun!
I didn’t just get new ideas and information this weekend. I got a chance to feel more like I’m part of the Chicago writing community.
This year’s StoryStudio Writers Festival was worth every minute and every penny. The sessions offered were useful for writers at any stage in their career–from beginning to advanced. I am definitely going next year!
