READ & RUN CHICAGO: The Beauty of Your Face
Nov
23

READ & RUN CHICAGO: The Beauty of Your Face

Join Read & Run Chicago guide and Associate Professor at Valparaiso University George Potter for an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), 4-mile guided run in Bridgeview, a Southwest Chicago suburb with one of the highest concentrations of Palestinian Americans. Inspired by Sahar Mustafah's coming-of-age novel set in fictitious Tempest, Illinois, The Beauty of Your Face*, you'll discuss the novel and learn about the real-life situations facing Palestinian-Americans in the Chicago suburbs highlighted in the text, including domestic and international migration and post-9/11 surveillance of Palestinians in Chicago. Following the route, we'll meet with author Sahar Mustafah at Al Bawadi (7216 W. 87th, Bridgeview) for an intimate meet-and-greet. Light bites are included in the ticket and additional food will also be available for purchase.

A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to humanitarian relief in Gaza.Register here!

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Writing Resistance: Hannah Moushabeck and Sahar Mustafah
Oct
1

Writing Resistance: Hannah Moushabeck and Sahar Mustafah

Join us as we welcome Palestinian American authors Sahar Mustafah and Hannah Moushabeck to the store for an enlightening conversation on the power of writing as a form of resistance. Mustafah, the daughter of immigrants and author of the critically acclaimed The Beauty of Your Face, explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. Moushabeck, a second-generation Palestinian American and award-winning author of the picture book Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, co-runs Interlink Publishing, the only Palestinian-owned publisher in the United States. Together, they will discuss how their writing serves as a powerful tool for challenging narratives, inspiring change, and honoring the rich history of Palestine.

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A Write To Live: Storytelling Workshop for Gaza Humanitarian Relief
Jun
27

A Write To Live: Storytelling Workshop for Gaza Humanitarian Relief

We’ll excavate our origin stories in a 90-minute session of guided writing. Registration requires proof of minimum of a $20 donation to HEAL Palestine. 100% of proceeds will go directly to this non-profit organization to support humanitarian relief in Gaza including medical treatment abroad in the United States for children of Gaza.

This virtual workshop is ideal for new and beginning writers—everyone is welcome! A signed copy of The Beauty of Your Face giveaway and other raffle prizes!

Once you’ve completed the form, you will receive a Zoom link 24-48 hours before our session.

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ARTISTS 4 AID: Benefit Concert for the DRC, Sudan, & Palestine
Feb
23

ARTISTS 4 AID: Benefit Concert for the DRC, Sudan, & Palestine

  • Rehearsal Hall, Fine Arts Center at NEIU (Northeastern Illinois University) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Sahar Mustafah will join other Chicago creatives and Justice 4 Palestine at NEIU, a student-led group, for a concert to raise funds for organizations that are providing relief to the people of Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Palestine. Specifically, we have chosen to uplift Darfur Women Action Group (Sudan), Friends of the Congo, and Pious Projects (Palestine).

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Dec
7

Poets for Palestine: Exhibit B

Exhibit B, in collaboration with the Guild Literary Complex, is hosting a special event to benefit the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

This event will feature readings from some of Chicago's most talented writers. We will also be selling books that artists have donated to the cause. Light refreshments will also be available. The funds raised through book sales, refreshments, and ticket sales will all go to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund.

Get your tickets here.

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Printers Row Lit Fest 2023
Sep
10

Printers Row Lit Fest 2023

Center Stage - A Literary Mash Up - Presented by The Guild Complex, Hypertext, and RHINO Poetry. Featuring Nazifa Islam, Sahar Mustafah, Cheryl Dyer, Luis Tubens, Timothy David Rey, and Jameka Williams. Emceed by Virginia Bell, Andrea Change, and Chris Rice. 

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HerStry Writers' Conference
Apr
23

HerStry Writers' Conference

“2022 is the year of new vision for life and for work. Join us this spring as we explore what it means to deepen the work we’re already doing and reimagine what it means to be women writers and creatives. We’ll talk craft, explore new ways to gain inspiration and of course go in depth on the work of revision.

So come re-vision yourself (and your writing) this spring at the 2022 conference.” HerStry

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When the Writing Stalls: Jumpstarting Scenes & Building Robust Characters
Apr
2

When the Writing Stalls: Jumpstarting Scenes & Building Robust Characters

In this workshop, we will explore ways of re-entering our stories, as well as strategies to expand characters and scenes in meaningful ways. We will also examine the roles trauma and joy play in shaping our narratives and bridging the distance between writer and characters. With the aid of mentor texts and hands-on application, participants will generate new writing to support current projects or discover leads to new ones. Register here.

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Palestinian Virtual Pop-up Book Club: MINOR DETAIL
Jul
18

Palestinian Virtual Pop-up Book Club: MINOR DETAIL

Join writers Susan Muaddi Darraj and Sahar Mustafah in conversation about Minor Detail, the critically acclaimed novel by Palestinian author Adania Shibli. Her book was a 2020 finalist for the National Book Translation Award and long-listed for The International Booker Prize. Minor Detail is this year's One Book, Many Communities selection by Librarians and Archivists with Palestine. Celebrate by reading the book and joining the discussion.

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Summer Novel Series: Character Development
Jul
15

Summer Novel Series: Character Development

The most compelling stories center conflict and trauma. But characters don’t lead single-layered lives and even fictional ones deserve moments of joy to expand their complexity as human beings. How can you meaningfully develop a nuanced character who experiences both pain and pleasure?

Imbuing joy into your character’s life should not be intrusive to plot, but a facet to engage your audience on an intimate, familiar level, as well as provide an authentic balance to conflict. Through memoir-based strategies, participants will be able to infuse the element of joy to enrich character intricacy and plausibility.

Author Sahar Mustafah will guide participants through techniques to effectively unearth and incorporate joy in stories. This class will include close readings of model excerpts, a writing exercise, craft discussion, and Q&A.

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