Four writers to be featured at Water Street Writers event Nov. 17
On Sunday, Nov. 17, come hang out with Water Street Writers for a night of literature and community. It will feature the talents of Hallie Koontz, Chris Sarcletti, David Semonchik, and Joanne Zienty.
And again, back by popular demand, there will be an open mic after the program.
The featured readers are:
• Hallie Koontz is a lifelong Geneva native and now works as a freelance writer and editor. Alongside her writing career, she performs on the award-winning fiction podcast “Quest Friends!” as washed-up reporter Sparky Malarkey, or, as her friends refer to the character, “Hallie's future.” She has been published in the literary magazine “The Macguffin” and was recently a finalist in the 2024 NYC Midnight 100-Word Microfiction Challenge. This year, she is launching her own writing contest, Jerboa Lit, with her friend and business partner David Semonchik.
• Joanne Zienty won the first Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author contest in 2014, sponsored by the Illinois Library Association and RAILS Library System for her debut novel, “The Things We Save.” She was a finalist for the 2016 BookLife Prize sponsored by Publishers’ Weekly and in 2017 was named an “Emerging Voice” by the College of DuPage. Her second novel, “Children of the Revolution,” a revenge tale set in a dystopian Midwest, was published in 2020. A sequel, “The Night Prophet,” was just released. She has given presentations at libraries and book clubs across the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Chris Sarcletti is a Chicago-area based author and risk management professional who has a passion for learning. His lifelong experiences have helped him accumulated knowledge and broaden his perspectives on a wide variety of topics. His experiences have brought him to countries on numerous continents as well as across much of North America. This includes National Parks and big cities, but he also enjoys exploring less visited and off the beaten path locations where he can “really” get local. In addition to traveling and exploring, he loves concerts and all things music and enjoys listening to podcasts on a wide variety of topics, often listening along while taking long walks, exercising and cooking.
• David Semonchik is a short fiction writer from Batavia. He holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and Spanish from Knox College; an M.A. in English from UC Davis; and an M.F.A. in Fiction and Screenwriting from the Michener Center for Writers at UT Austin. He is currently working on a collection of stories, and, with Hallie Koontz, is one half of Jerboa Lit, which is holding its first writing contest this coming January.
Doors open at 5 p.m., with the program starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. in Batavia. Everyone is welcome. There is a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds pay the authors, so let’s give them a good night!
In addition to fine literary entertainment, you may purchase signed copies of the authors’ books. Refreshments will be available from Water Street Studios’ bar.
Susan Ward Trestrail Photography will document the evening, while Kevin Moriarty will record the show for the archives. The event will be hosted by Eric Bodwell.
Experience Water Street Writers four Sundays a year, in the fully accessible, main art gallery at Water Street Studios.
Visit waterstreetwriters.com to hear past shows and learn more, including submission guidelines.
Submit to become a featured reader at waterstreetwriters@rolreadlocal.com. Submissions are always open. They pick from the slush pile each and every event. Multiple submissions are OK. The next upcoming events will be on a Sunday in February and then April.
Water Street Writers is sponsored by The Republic of Letters. The Republic of Letters is an organization committed to connecting the writing community and supporting its talents by showcasing local authors. Are you a local author? Become a member and join the Local Author Directory at directory.rolreadlocal.com. Memberships directly fund Water Street Writers and other events like Writers' Networking.
Water Street Studios has graciously donated their gallery to us. Consider becoming a member of their organization as well to support their dynamic programming, or check out their myriad events and classes.
Follow facebook.com/waterstreetwriters/ or facebook.com/waterststudios/.