October 14, 2026 @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Three Cities Social, 320 W Ohio St #7E | Chicago, IL

$1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen Chicago in honor of our founder’s mom, a breast cancer survivor, and in support of their work to end breast cancer.

Join us for a special edition of the Chicago Literary Salon devoted to the deliciously unsettling world of thriller, suspense, and mystery fiction.

What makes us willingly enter a story where we know something terrible is about to happen? Why are we fascinated by characters who lie, keep secrets, make questionable choices, and sometimes behave very badly? And how does an author create the kind of tension that convinces us to read just one more chapter—even when we know we should go to bed?

This salon brings together three acclaimed Chicago-area authors—Marisa Walz, Mia P. Manansala, and Allison Buccola—whose books approach suspense from distinctly different angles, from psychological tension and dark secrets to clever mysteries and characters whose choices keep us guessing.

Moderated by Sheila Schuenemann of Booked & Busy Reader, our conversation will go behind the scenes of writing suspense: how authors plant clues without giving too much away, create believable red herrings, develop characters we aren't quite sure we can trust, and build toward the twists and revelations readers crave.

Your evening includes:

• An intimate panel conversation with three thriller, suspense, and mystery authors

• A welcome cocktail to begin the evening sponsored by Inspiro Tequila

• A curated selection of wine from Grand Cru Chicago

• An exclusive offer from M.M. LaFleur of $100 off of $500 or more as a special thank-you for joining the event

• A pop-up of Three Avenues Bookshop featuring books by our participating authors

• Complimentary Tarot Card Readings by Trisha Tay Tarot

• Printed conversation prompts designed to inspire thoughtful discussion and connection

• Time to meet the authors, purchase books, and have them signed following the conversation

• An evening surrounded by fellow readers who understand the particular joy of a book you simply cannot put down

Whether you devour psychological thrillers, prefer your mysteries with a cozy edge, or simply love a story that keeps you guessing until the final pages, this evening is an opportunity to explore how some of our favorite page-turning stories are made.

The Chicago Literary Salon is designed to feel both elevated and welcoming—a place to discover new writers, engage deeply with ideas, and connect with fellow readers over stories worth talking about.

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.