River North, Chicago

after-words bookstore

A massive, two-story shop with over 70,000 new and used titles and an equally wide range of subjects. One of the few independent bookstores left in downtown Chicago, and the only independent bookstore in River North.

Upcoming Events

Nov10

Community EventCollections & AnthologiesRiver North, Chicago

Writers for Hire

7:00 PM • Tuesday, November 10, 2026after-words bookstoreFree

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to put words in someone else’s mouth? Join us for a spirited discussion of the ghostwriting trade! Keir Graff, Barry Pearce, and Christine Wolf have had very different experiences in writing for hire, and moderator Sharon Woodhouse has not only hired ghostwriters but shepherded books through every stage of publication. Whether you want to know more about ghostwriting, co-writing, book coaching, book doctoring—or all of the above—our panelists promise to share the tricks of the trade. (Along with some of their best ghost stories, naturally).

Dec1

Book ClubFictionRiver North, Chicago

Banned Books Club

6:30 PM • Tuesday, December 1, 2026after-words bookstoreFree

This classic book appears on several banned or challenged books lists, but there isn’t much information out there about official challenges or bans. The possible causes for attempts to censor it: queer subtext, sexual themes, and the “pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the obsession that comes along with it.”

View full calendar View past events