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Chicago's Lit 50 2005

I've been remiss in mentioning this, but Newcity Chicago recently published its annual "Lit 50" list, their compendium of "the movers and shakers in Chicago's book world." Many familiar and worthy names here, of course, and I particularly applaud the inclusion of venerable publisher Ivan R. Dee and Eric Kirsammer, owner of Quimby's and Chicago Comics. Below is the condensed list; follow the link to read Newcity's bios for each honoree.

1. John Barr - President, The Poetry Foundation
2. Oprah Winfrey - Billionaire Tastemaker
3. Studs Terkel - Author and Civic Treasure
4. Mary Dempsey - Commissioner, Chicago Public Library
5. Scott Turow - Author
6. Jeffrey Eugenides - Author
7. J.M. Coetzee - Author
8. Chris Ware - Graphic Artist/Novelist
9. Mark Strand - Poet
10. Elizabeth Taylor - Literary Editor, Chicago Tribune

11. Steven Levitt - Author and Rogue Economist
12. Roger Ebert - Film Critic
13. Ira Glass - Radio Host, This American Life
14. Audrey Niffenegger - Author
15. Christian Wiman - Editor, Poetry magazine
16. Bill Zehme - Biographer
17. Peter Kuntz - Acting President, Chicago Humanities Festival
18. Linda Dimaggio - District Manager, Borders
19. Donna Shear - Director, Northwestern University Press
20. Aleksandar Hemon - Author

21. Garry Wills - Author and Historian
22. Debi Morris - Barbara's Bookstore
23. Kenneth Clarke - Executive Director, The Poetry Center
24. Brad Jonas - Co-Owner, Powell's Books
25. Stuart Dybek - Author
26. Alex Kotlowitz - Author
27. Milt Rosenberg - Radio Host, Extension 720
28. Haki Madhubuti - Poet and Publisher
29. Joe Meno - Author
30. Elizabeth Crane - Author

31. Elizabeth Berg - Author
32. Alex Ross - Graphic Artist
33. Andrew Greeley - Author
34. Mark Suchomel - President, Independent Publishers Group
35. Ivan R. Dee - Publisher
36. Joseph Epstein - Author
37. Jim DeRogatis - Author and Music Critic
38. Sara Paretsky - Author
39. Curt and Linda Matthews - Publishers, Chicago Review Press
40. Randy Albers - Chair, Columbia College Fiction Writing Department

41. Victoria Lautman - Interviewer and Radio Host
42. Eric Kirsammer - Owner, Quimby's and Chicago Comics
43. Ted C. Fishman - Author
44. Dan Sinker - Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Punk Planet
45. Jessa Crispin - Founder, Bookslut.com
46. Jack Cella - General Manager, Seminary Co-op Bookstore
47. Ann Christopherson and Linda Bubon - Owners, Women and Children First Bookstore
48. Sam Weller - Author
49. Keith Michael Fiels - Executive Director, American Library Association
50. Barb Slotten - Director, Printers Row Book Fair

June 29, 2005 in Books, Chicago Observations | Permalink

Comments

A pretty decent list. Actually a very decent list. But Joe Meno? ... a little iffy on that one.

Posted by: LF at Jun 29, 2005 2:22:46 PM

All of the other novelists are established authors, but Meno is definitely on the rise. Plus he's a professor here and very active in the literary reading scene, so I'm not surprised he made the list.

Posted by: Pete at Jun 29, 2005 2:29:58 PM

I had no idea this list exists. Wow, thanks for posting.

Ibrahim

Posted by: Ibrahim at Jun 30, 2005 9:29:26 AM

Ibrahim, maybe we should team up and hype ourselves onto next year's list. Are you good at shameless self-promotion?

Posted by: Pete at Jun 30, 2005 11:02:13 AM

I know of Meno, but I was 'iffy' about him being on the list, not of whom he was. I'm not really up in arms about it as it's just a list, it's subjective, etc etc. But really, if he's on there, I would at least expect a nod towards Todd Dills of The 2ndhand (www.the2ndhand.com).

I also find Meno to be a medoicre writer.

Posted by: LF at Jun 30, 2005 11:34:18 PM

Pete, I actually scrolled down the list looking for a name that looks like mine, Near Eastern. The closest thing I found was "Oprah" something, don't remember the last name. I think she's French.

Posted by: fromclay at Jul 1, 2005 8:14:09 AM