Geneva Night Writers to share work in literary event

GENEVA – Nine participants in the Geneva Public Library's Night Writers Workshop will read short excerpts from their published works during A Literary Evening of Writers and Wine.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at FoxFire Restaurant, 17 W. State St., Geneva. The cost is $35 per person and will benefit Fox Valley Literacy Volunteers.

This is the third annual event, said library spokeswoman Paula Krapf, but the first with a specific cost. The past two events took donations for the Friends of the Geneva Public Library.

Last year’s event was after hours at the Little Traveler, but organizers realized they needed a larger venue – and FoxFire agreed to host it, Krapf said.

“We have a fairly large writing community,” Krapf said. "We had 45 people last year. We certainly hope to do better this year – to get more people in at a nice section at the back of FoxFire. There’s a good sight line, good audio.”

The readers this year are Hallie Koontz, Rick Holinger, Eric Bodwell, Ellen Ljung, Gieda Afdal, Jenny Scott, Robert Weisz and Kate Johnson. Their work covers fiction, nonfiction and poetry, Krapf said.

Holinger is a Geneva writer, teacher and Kane County Chronicle columnist who also leads the Night Writers Workshop. It meets from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva.

“We really hope it takes off,” Krapf said. “It’s a way to support our local writing community. And it’s really cool to be able to raise money for a good cause. And Literacy Volunteers seemed like a perfect fit to be celebrating the written word from these published authors.”

Attendees must be 21 or older. Registration is required by calling 630-232-0780 or online by visiting www.gpld.org.