FAW Chicago, IL Est. 1922
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

Welcome to Friends of American Writers

Meetings

March 11^th 2026 - Carron Little, Executive Director of the Chicago Women's History Center

FAW is celebrating Women's History Month. Carron Little, Woman's historian, will share the inspiring stories of Chicago women-past and present.

Carron Little is an international artist who lives and works across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she specialized in Fiber & Material Studies and Digital Video Animation and taught in the Performance Department from 2014 to 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Textile Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London, graduating with First-Class Honors. Ms. Little is Executive Director of the Chicago Women's History Center.
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Would you like to join Friends of American Writers? Download, fill and send in the membership application.FAW Membership form (PDF file), or email Info@FawChicago.org .

FAW March, 2026 Newsletter

☛  The FAW Foundation Fund trustees want to thank the many members who have contributed to the Foundation this year and in all previous years. Without you, our scholarship program would not exist! The scholarship recipient this year is still in the selection process but will be awarded in the early Springtime.

☛  A Giant thank-you to all our members who donated so generously to the Patrons Fund. This is the fund that allows us to recognize our Literature Award winners with a monetary award. The winning authors appreciate the money, but it is the recognition that helps boost our emerging writer's careers. If you have not yet contributed to the Patrons Fund, you may still do so by Zelle or send contributions to payable to FAW Patrons Fund:FAW Treasurer Ms. Patricia M. Ronan, 2032 W. 110th Place Apt. 1E, Chicago, IL 60643-4036

☛  Calling All FAW Members. The FAW Board Members plays an important role in making Friends of American Writers a premier literary organization. Our success depends on the volunteer work of our members to fill positions on the FAW board. We will be asking members to volunteer for board positions soon. Please call or email or talk with a current board member if you are interested or send an email to info@fawchicago.org.

☛  Readers & Reviewers - We began the year with a writer who used the work of Jane Austen to tell a memoir about her life: Rachel Cohen's Austen Years: a Memoir in 5 Novels. I want our April Readers and Reviewers to be about my favorite Jane Austen novel, Persuasion. It is her last novel, and it is more bittersweet and reflective than earlier work. It is about people who have had more experience and more setbacks than the bright young things of Pride and Prejudice, for instance, and I think that is one reason why I, a woman of a certain age, find it so moving. I hope you all will too. I'll be using the Penguin edition but there are many editions out there! ~ Joan Gordon

2026 FAW Children's Book Project by Angela Gall

"Books are a uniquely portable magic." ~ Stephen King

As lovers of reading, we feel this otherworldly engagement; when the story unfolds and the characters wrap around our hearts and refuse to let go, there is no greater satisfaction than a book. Since 2020, Friends of American Writers strives to extend our excitement for reading to the youngest in our society. This year, we hope to continue our mission by purchasing copies of Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora. Oge Mora is one of FAW's Young People's Award recipients. Her book is an excellent example of what it means to live life with a giving and open heart. Fifty students at Carver Elementary will take home this beautiful book.

One of my 9th grade students observed the power of reading when we read to preschool students at our school: "As we read books to the little kids, I was really surprised on how invested they were in the story, instead of squirming round and talking like I expected, they sat quietly, listening to whatever we read. Whenever kids are read to, there is a drastic difference in their behavior. Volunteering at summer camp and events like Movie Night, I'm constantly surrounded by kids, and while they are watching movies or videos, they are always extra hyper and love to talk no matter how many times they are told to sit down and be quiet. However, being read to is a completely different experience; they are face to face with another human being, giving them a live experience that they can't just talk over. It is crucial that they develop the attention span to sit down and listen to something for at least 10 minutes as it's becoming an increasingly concerning issue in recent years."

The value of books and reading is immeasurable. Please join us in spreading this unique magic by contributing to the Children's Book Project by March 1st. Please send your checks to Ms. Patricia M. Ronan, FAW Treasurer, 2032 W. 110th Place, Apt. 1E, Chicago, IL 60643-4036. Or you may donate electronically by Zelle. Please indicate your donation is for the: Children's Book Project.

Thank you so much! ~ Angela Gall

FAW Mission

Our mission shall be to encourage new, talented writers associated with the Midwest and to promote the arts, especially literature, among our members.

Friends of American Writers celebrated 100 years in 2022. Join FAW and help continue the mission of excellence in writing.

Friends of American Writers (FAW) was established in 1922 by Mrs. John Bohr of Oak Park and a group of literary minded women in the sixth district of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs. Friends of American Writers was legally organized on April 3, 1922 at the Oak Park Library with the purpose of specifically fostering good literature. The tradition of giving awards to outstanding contemporary writers began only seven months after the founding of FAW.

Over the years, FAW has honored and celebrated the accomplishments of many authors, by recognition at a Awards Luncheon and a monetary award. Among the many emerging adult authors recognized over the years are Sara Paretsky, Jane Smiley, Toni Morrison, Harry Mark Petrakis, Carl Sandburg, Kevin Fenton, Chad Harbach, Sara Gruen, Gillian Flynn, and Ruta Sepetys. We hope to see some of our new winners added to this list of outstanding and well recognized authors.

In 1960, FAW introduced awards for Juvenile Literature authors. Clifford Hicks won the first award for First Boy on the Moon. Recent winners range from delightful picture books to edgy YA novels.

Additionally, through the FAW Foundation Fund, students pursuing advanced degrees in writing are given recognition and cash awards to offset tuition.

Membership

FAW membership
Do you enjoy reading, writing, or supporting new writers who are starting their career? Join Friends of American Writers for one of our excellent programs at The Fortnightly of Chicago. Monthly meetings features a three-course luncheon and an interesting program. We hold a book group, Readers & Reviewers, which meets to discuss a selected novel. The Literary committees which select our award winning authors are always looking for new members to participate in the selection process. Membership for the full year is $50.00 . Download the membership application and send it in today. Our programs are open to members and their guests, but if you don't know a member and would enjoy trying a meeting, contact the Membership Chairman, and we can arrange for you to attend a meeting.

Membership Chairman: Kimberly Swartz at info@fawchicago.org

Membership form (PDF file)

FAW Officers

2025 - 2026 Board Members