On Printers Row and beyond, Chicago is a literary playground

Children’s book author Nia Obotette talks to a potential customer at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest, in Chicago on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Attendees browse posters at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Megan Brookman wears a book hair clip at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Author Justus Joseph, right, talks to attendees at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Elizabeth Murphy, of Skokie, browses books at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Author Linda DeGree, center, browses fellow author Michele Jeanmarie’s, left, work at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Author from the Chicago Black Authors Network Jennifer L. Sargent autographs her book from the Kingdom Kid Affirmations Series at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

A “Read” sign is displayed at a table selling the book “Goldie A. Poligee and the Three Bears” at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Vivek Kumar, author from Bollywood Groove and Culture Groove, talks to potential customers at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Megan Grasle browses posters at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest, in Chicago on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Vivek Kumar, author from Bollywood Groove and Culture Groove, talks to potential customers at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Cindy Thompson, center, and Megan Lane, left, browse books at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Faraz Freitag, 8, browses around at the Blue House Books booth with mother, left, at the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Tim Flaherty, of Joliet, attends the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

People attend the 39th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest, in Chicago on Sept. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)