Water Street Writers gather for an evening of stories and community
Come hang out with Water Street Writers for a night of literature and community on Sunday, Feb. 23.
It will feature the talents of Heidi Bell, Margot McMahon, A.D. Nauman, and Sandra Wilcoxon.
Heidi Bell’s book “Signs of the Imminent Apocalypse and Other Stories” was published by Cornerstone Press in October 2024 and received a starred review from Booklist. She lives in Aurora where she works from home as a freelance writer and editor
Margot McMahon is the author of “Mac and Irene: A WWII Saga”; “If Trees Could Talk” which received the 2022 National Book Award, First Place Book Award (IWPA); and the Young Adults books: “Airdrie” (2021, Aquarius Press) and “Resist!” (2022, Aquarius Press). In 2020, her essay, “Sculpting Forms of Nature,” was published in the “Remembering Fifty Anthology: 50 Years of Women at Yale.”
A.D. Nauman is an Oak Park educator and author. Her second novel, “Down the Steep” (Regal House), was recently chosen as a 2024 Great Group Reads book by the Women’s National Book Association. The novel has also won the 2024 FAW Literary Prize, was a semifinalist for the Midland Authors Award, and received an honorable mention for the Steinbeck Award. Her short fiction has appeared in many literary journals. Her stories have been recognized in Best American Short Stories and the Pushcart Prize anthology, produced by Stories on Stage, broadcast on NPR, and granted an Illinois Arts Council Literary Award. Her first novel, “Scorch,” was rereleased in an ebook StoryBundle in 2019.
Sandra Wilcoxon is an artist, poet and author. Her new book “Summertime: Memoir of a Missionary Wife” is her mother’s story depicting the family’s years as Methodist missionaries in Argentina during the 1960s. Following a long career as a nonprofit executive and consultant, she’s now retired and lives in Aurora with her husband and their pets
Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 5:30 p.m. at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. in Batavia. Everyone is welcome. Suggested donation is $5; all proceeds pay the authors. There will be an open mic after the program.
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 and your enjoyment. 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 the link to hear past shows and learn more, including submission guidelines: waterstreetwriters.com
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.
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. Memberships directly fund Water Street Writers and other events like Writers' Networking.
Water Street Studios donates their gallery for the writers event. Consider becoming a member of their organization as well as supporting their classes and events, such as the Feb. 22 fundraiser. “All In For Art: A Benefit for Water Street Studios” will be at 7 p.m. The ticket includes heavy appetizers and dessert, an open bar, dance floor with a DJ, a wine pull, and your chance to play with “funny money” at casino games. There will be awards for the players with the most money at the end of the evening! Cocktail attire is encouraged. Tickets are sold in advance via givebutter.com/WSS.