Written on a Napkin Celebrates 2nd Year Anniversary

Photos and story by Cara Col

The atmosphere was bustling with conversation and the clanking of baristas at work. With the seats almost all occupied or saved for a friend, people crowded into every nook and corner they could find. Many were reconnecting with old friends, some were making new friends, and others were rushing to put in their coffee order before last call. In another context, this scene may have been chaotic, but in this context, it was inviting. This was the scene at Logan Square’s Chique O Latte as people celebrated the Chicago-based reading series Written on a Napkin’s 2nd anniversary and the release of their second zine issue.

The night promised readings by WOAN alumni, live music, and reminiscence over drinks. It certainly delivered. Each poet traveled fluidly along a spectrum of emotion with vulnerable words: a testament to the trust Written on a Napkin has fostered among local writers. Words of love, contempt, optimism, reflection, and even different languages framed memories of a year’s worth of WOAN programming.

In the midst of the party, I was able to sit down with Tori Rego and Hannah Martens, coorganizers for Written on a Napkin, and reflect on the past year. I first met Tori a little over a year ago when she approached me after my debut reading at an event called Art Speaks hosted by the artist platform Vibrant Cast. She complimented a specific line in my story and invited me to perform at her reading series, “Written on a Napkin.” I immediately said yes purely based on the name.

The second time I took the stage as a writer was at the inaugural reading for Written on a Napkin’s past year. The care with which my writing was received gave me confidence to seek out other open-mic events and reading series. What stuck with me was the Q&A between readers and listeners masterfully hosted by Hannah, which facilitated a discussion about themes and the ideas that each writer brought. By the end of their first year, WOAN had already cultivated a space where writers, readers, and listeners speak directly to each other as a community, discussing the why and how of writing poetry.

Tori and Hannah decided to start Written on a Napkin after attending an event by another Logan Square reading series, Test Literary Series. Upon learning that the queue to read was nearly six months long, they identified a strong desire for spaces where writers could share with each other. They set out to fulfill it. Tori and Hannah founded Written on a Napkin for women and queer people to share poetry with each other.

The intention is to treat writers as professionals, no matter what stage of their career they’re at. This is why, even though they are entirely donation-based, they compensate their contributors for their work. It is also why every writer who has participated has their own post with a headshot and a bio on their Instagram page.

“At the beginning, it was us begging our friends to come,” Tori explained. “Then, at around the six-month mark, I began to notice people forming friendships and connections that existed outside of Written on a Napkin. That’s how I knew this would last.”

The decision to start a zine came naturally and flowed from the desire to build a community. “We had the idea for the zine from the start. We wanted it to be like a yearbook for us,” Hannah stated. The second issue of the Written on a Napkin Zine is titled “The Ways Time Moves,” and is available for purchase at WOAN events. Following themes of growing, changing, and aging, exploring the ache and ease they bring. Quite fitting for the celebration that saw its release.

Through the soft strumming of ukulele and soprano vocals singing intimate songs, musician Plain White Rice closed out a wonderful anniversary for Written on a Napkin. This reading series has carved out a good, solid space for itself in just two short years within the Chicago literary scene, becoming a space where writers in Logan Square and beyond can share with and be inspired by their neighbors.

As Written on a Napkin enters its third year, I am excited to see how Tori and Hannah adapt programming to reflect this network they now find themselves in. At the end of our discussion, Tori shared with me, “We want to do crossover events! We are trying to plan something with Raging Opossum Press. Keep an eye out for Written on a Possum!“