UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This site was a lot of fun while it lasted, but I’m giving it a huge overhaul. The new site is going to be amazing and much more professional. Plus, it will serve as the dual home for KeithEcker.com and StoryBulb.com. Stay tuned for the remodeled website, which should be rolled out within the next month.

Keith Ecker at Printers Row Lit Fest

I am incredibly excited, honored and humbled to be so deeply participatory in this year’s amazing Printers Row Lit Fest. If you don’t know what this is, then you probably don’t read books. The Printers Row Lit Fest is one of the largest literary events in the country. The outdoor festival, produced by the Tribune Company, honors the written word with two full days of panel discussions, performances and, what else, books! See below to find out when I will be speaking/performing. I hope if you are in Chicago that you can check me out.

• Sat. June 9 @ 10 a.m. – Keith will be moderating a panel of Chicago’s live lit heavy hitters for a conversation called Listen Up!: How Chicago’s Live Lit Scene Is Changing the Literary Landscape. Panelists include Ian Belknap (Write Club), Dana Norris (Story Club), Robbie Q. Telfer (The Encyclopedia Show) and Scott Whitehair (This Much Is True, StoryLab Chicago and Do Not Submit).
• Sat. June 9 @ 3:30 p.m. – Keith will be speaking on a panel as part of a StoryStudio moderated discussion called Just Get Me Started Writing Workshop. He’ll be representing creative non-fiction and live lit.
• Sat. June 9 @ 6 p.m. – Keith and Alyson will be showcasing a mini Essay Fiesta as part of the festival’s Lit After Dark event. Special guests include Scott Whitehair and the always entertaining Jen Bosworth.

Update: Broad Shoulders Podcast

The Broad Shoulders podcast is live…and it sounds amazing. Give it a listen. In. Your. Earhole.

http://inourwordsblog.com/2012/05/16/broad-shoulders-the-maiden-podcast/

Bridgeport, Broad Shoulders and Essay Fiesta

There are three major literary things going on in my life this month, all of which you should be privy to. And so I am privying you up with this blog post.

1. Stories from the Bottom of the Glass – Bridgeport

Six of the best damn live lit performers in the city are coming to Bridgeport to tell true stories of their own drunken mistakes.

Food and delicious concoctions will be provided. Complementary craft beer provided by Wild Onion Brewery. This is a free event with a suggested $10 donation to keep the performers in booze.

This show is a part of the Bridgeport Version Fest 12, a month-long celebration of this historic community.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 7pm

The SMALL Showroom (aka Co-Prosperity Sphere gallery)
3219 S Morgan Street

There is ample free street parking. The location is a 15 minute walk from the Halsted Orange Line.

Admission: $10 Suggested donation

Performers:
Keith Ecker, host/producer of Essay Fiesta
Samantha Irby, writer of Bitches Gotta Eat
Ian Belknap, overlord of Write Club
JH Palmer, contributor to Gaper’s Block
Shannon Cason, winner of the Moth Chicago GrandSLAM
Dana Norris, host/producer of Story Club and writer of Bad With Men

2. Broad Shoulders Podcast

Soon you will be able to listen to my angelic voice via the Broad Shoulders podcast, a joint collaboration of In Our Words’ Nico Lang, Story Club’s Dana Norris and myself. Stay tuned.

3. Essay Fiesta – The Book Cellar

The Bulls might be out of the game, but we’re just getting started. Essay Fiesta is here to deliver you one of our best line-ups yet. And all this is going down at the Book Cellar on May 21st at 7 p.m. to help fund 826CHI. Thanks partners and sponsors Southport Grocery, Murder Mystery Maniacs and Chicago Underground Comedy.

This month Keith and Alyson welcome:

Director and Second City instructor Jen Ellison

Actor, writer and teacher Arlene Malinowski

Poet and playwright Chris Bower

Co-creator of In Our Words Nico Lang

Writer, editor and teacher Chris Terry

Look at Essay Fiesta’s May Line Up!

Hey kiddies! We’ve got a doozy of an Essay Fiesta lined up for May. Seriously. Alyson and Keith are thoroughly impressed with the caliber of talent. This isn’t marketing spiel, people. It’s the real deal. Take a look for yourself. Below are the people who will rock your world on May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Book Cellar:

Director and Second City instructor Jen Ellison

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Actor, writer and teacher Arlene Malinowski

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Poet and playwright Chris Bower

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Co-creator of In Our Words Nico Lang

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Writer, editor and teacher Chris Terry

I’m Back!

I am sorry for abandoning this blog so unceremoniously. Or perhaps it was ceremoniously…because how else do you abandon a blog besides just failing to update it?

In any case, I have been busy being gainfully employed at my new company Jaffe PR. It’s a great agency full of great people, and they aren’t just paying me to say that. One of my favorite aspects of the job so far is my ability to blog for the company. And so I wanted to share with you all some of my recent blog posts. Enjoy!

• Brand Journalism Saved My Life
• The House That Cats Built: The power of Internet marketing
• What’s You Story? Telling the tale of your firm

Get Your Learn On: PR and Comedy Writing Classes

I’m teaching a handful of classes in February through Dabble.co. My last classes in January were so successful that I’ve added a MEDIA RELATIONS class and  a JOKE WRITING LAB. These classes have received amazing feedback from students, plus they are only $20. You can’t go wrong with that. Tell your friends or sign up yourself.

PR 101: Press Release Writing Basics teaches students how to format, write and distribute a press release.

PR 201: Media Relations Basics teaches students how to follow up with a press release, prepare to be interviewed and, in general, interact with the media.

Comedy Writing 101: The Basics of Joke Writing teaches students the nuts and bolts of putting together a zinger. You’ll receive a comprehensive overview of comedic genres as well as an in-depth list of tools and tips to help you craft your own jokes.

Comedy Writing 201: The Joke Writing Lab provides students with a workshop environment to test and refine material in a supportive. This highly interactive class focuses on instructor-facilitated peer critique.