Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Pallas Studio, 833 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Every writer has an origin story.
Long before the published novel, the book tour, or the byline, there was a child with a favorite book. A teacher who offered encouragement. A blank notebook waiting to be filled. A rejection that almost ended the dream. A moment when writing stopped feeling like a pastime and became something impossible to walk away from.
Join us for a special evening unlike any we've hosted before as the Chicago Literary Salon partners with Pallas Studio for the launch of A Life in Stories, a new conversation series exploring the creative lives behind the books we love.
Rather than centering on a single novel, The First Chapter brings together three remarkable writers at different stages of their literary journeys for an intimate conversation about what it really takes to become an author. Together, they'll reflect on the books that shaped them, the first stories they wrote, the mentors who encouraged them, the setbacks they faced, and the winding paths that led them to a life in writing.
Whether you've dreamed of writing yourself or simply love hearing how creative lives unfold, this evening offers a rare glimpse behind the finished pages.
Your evening includes:
A lively panel conversation featuring Renee Rosen, Christie Tate, and Sheherazade Delaney
Wine and dinner in the inspiring surroundings of Pallas Studio
Thoughtfully designed conversation prompts to continue the discussion with fellow guests
Opportunities to meet the authors following the program
Together, we'll explore questions like:
What first made someone believe they could become a writer?
Which books leave a permanent mark on a creative life?
How do writers navigate rejection, self-doubt, and persistence?
What happens between the first spark of an idea and a published book?
Warm, candid, and deeply inspiring, The First Chapter celebrates the beginnings that often go unseen—the quiet moments that shape creative lives long before anyone is paying attention.
Whether you're an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the stories behind the storytellers, we hope you'll join us for an evening of conversation, creativity, and connection.
Seating is extremely limited. Reserve your place today.
About the Authors
Renee Rosen is a USA Today bestselling author whose novels include Let’s Call Her Barbie, Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl, The Social Graces, Park Avenue Summer, Windy City Blues, White Collar Girl, What the Lady Wants, Dollface, and the young adult novel Every Crooked Pot. A native of Akron, Ohio, and graduate of American University, she now lives in Chicago, where she is at work on her next novel.
Christie Tate is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs Group and B.F.F. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Carve Magazine, and elsewhere. A longtime Chicagoan, Christie is celebrated for her candid, deeply human writing about friendship, vulnerability, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Sheherazade Delaney grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, and earned a degree in Economics from Lehigh University before beginning a career on Wall Street. She later transitioned into wellness and writing, completing screenplays and television pilots before finishing her debut novel, which is currently being queried. She teaches yoga at her studio, Analog, and lives in Oak Park with her husband and two children.