How can fiction mirror the way memory and family stories unfold—fragmented, nonlinear, and deeply layered? Join us for a free craft class and reading with writer James Stewart III, whose debut novel Defiant Acts weaves vignettes, shifting perspectives, and unconventional structures to explore the complexities of identity, place, and belonging.

In his one-hour talk, “Fragments of Memory, Family, and the Novel,” James will examine how fragmented and nonlinear storytelling can capture the complexities of memory, family, and identity. Drawing on a tradition that includes Black Chicago writers like Gwendolyn Brooks and Toni Cade Bambara, as well as authors such as Justin Torres, Gayl Jones, and Claudia Rankine, participants will explore how form shapes meaning through vignettes, shifting perspectives, and unconventional structures. Through discussion, exercises, and workshops, writers will develop stories that embrace formal experimentation while remaining emotionally resonant. Following the craft talk, James will read from Defiant Acts and discuss the book and his writing process with fellow writer and educator C. I. Aki.

Bard's Towne Books & Bourbon will sell books and other goods before and after the event. You are welcome to come to just the class, just the reading, or both!

James Stewart III is a Black writer and arts organizer from Chicago. His debut novel, Defiant Acts (Acre Books, 2025), has been named one of Chicago Magazine’s “Summer’s Required Reading” picks and was recently featured in the Chicago Reader. He was also named to Newcity’s 2025 Lit 50 list, recognizing influential voices in Chicago’s literary culture. His writing has appeared in journals including Lampblack, The Forge, and Midwest Review. Additionally, he is a co-founder of the reading series and artist collective Exhibit B. Stewart holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MA from North Central College, and a BA from Columbia College Chicago. He lives with his wife and daughter at the end of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. www.jamesstewart3.com

‍C.I. Aki, the son of a Nigerian economist and a Nigerian-Jamaican horticulturalist, is a poet, essayist, filmmaker, and educator based in Nashville, TN. He received his BA in Rhetoric and Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, and his MA in Theology and Philosophy from the Vanderbilt Divinity School. His poetry collection, The World, Black, Beautiful, and Beast, is out on April Gloaming Press. He teaches English at Montgomery Bell Academy. When he is not writing or reading, he is working in his garden with a constant eye out for snakes.

Our Craft & Reading Series are free to attend, but if you’re able, please consider making a donation of $10–$30 to help us sustain these valuable programs at The Porch.