Oakton’s Chicago Writers Series March 13 focuses on South Side

Tony Bowers, the 2006 recipient of the Follett Fellowship in Creative Writing, will read selections from his collection of short fiction based on the South Side of Chicago from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at Oakton Community College’s Student Center, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Admission to this Chicago Writers Series event is free and open to the public.

Bowers is the author of “On the Nine,” centered on the Chicago neighborhood where he spent most of his meaningful years. Each story teaches a valuable lesson complete with rich, complex characters that speak to the author’s understanding of the human condition.

“Though ‘On the Nine’ emphasizes its geographical setting, the interesting thing is how Tony explores that locale and tells stories of people from all walks of life,” says David Kelly, Oakton English lecturer. “His work is universal. I could read one of Tony’s stories every day for years knowing I’m going to enjoy myself while being able to understand more about myself.”

Bowers is a tenured assistant professor at the College of DuPage, where he serves as the co-chair of the creative writing committee. He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago and a master’s degree in teaching from National Louis University.

Funded by the Oakton Educational Foundation and student activity fees, the Chicago Writers Series attracts award-winning fiction and nonfiction writers and poets to Oakton to perform, engage and educate. Oakton’s connection to native Chicago authors, as well as those who have called Chicago “home,” allows the community to access diverse, inspiring and relevant authors in a space outside the traditional classroom.

The next Chicago Writers Series event, featuring award-winning poet Jacob Saenz, is scheduled 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus.

For more information, contact Kelly at 847-635-1950 or dkelly@oakton.edu.