Maine West showcases modern-day storytelling at its Writers’ Block Festival

Posted March 13, 2026 11:16 pm

Submitted by District 207

In late February, Maine West High School held its two-day Writers’ Block festival, celebrating storytelling in literature, filmmaking and journalism beyond English classrooms.

During their lunches, students went to the library or with their English class to hear presentations, participate in workshops and make crafts. This two-day event was hosted by the library and the English department.

The lineup of guest speakers included Dan Mihalopoulos (Maine West alumnus and award-winning WBEZ investigative reporter); David R. Slayton (Colorado Book Award winner and fantasy author); Jessie Ann Foley (Printz Honor-winning Young Adult novelist and former high school teacher); Sara Caldwell (Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker); Chip Mitchell (WBEZ veteran and Sigma Delta Chi Award winner); and Eiren Caffall (Whiting Award-winning writer and musician).

“Hundreds of students got to experience what a career in writing might look like, whether it be writing fiction, writing nonfiction, working in print journalism, podcasting or documentary filmmaking,” said Maine West Librarian Nicole Coover-Thompson. “Students were able to see the business firsthand and artistic aspects of language in all forms.”

Some of the festival’s activities included a 60-second horror film workshop for radio and TV students and a collaborative Dungeons & Dragons storytelling game.

The event also highlighted student creativity through crafts and an open mic hosted by the National English Honor Society, as well as a creative writing competition, hosted by the English department, where students had the chance to have their voices heard. Maine West ninth-graders Isabella Elekes, Dusu Kane and Jacob Perez all won awards from the competition.

“We definitely plan to make this an annual event,” shares Maine West English teacher and founder of Writers’ Block, Seth MacLowry. “We will send out a form to teachers and students who came to try and improve the process, and keep the ball rolling.”