James Stewart III with Ignatius Valentine Aloysius: "Defiant Acts"

Set in 1990s suburban Chicago,'s debut novel is a testament to the complexity of human relationships and the power of family. On Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 PM, James will discuss his new novel in conversation with , author, educator, and host of the Sunday Salon Chicago.

Rooted in the tradition of Black authors from Chicago and drawing on the author's own experiences, Defiant Acts documents the life of a working-class interracial couple and their children living in a Chicago suburb. Stewart places emphasis on the values that bind this tight-knit family together: solidarity, care, and hope.

is a Black writer and arts organizer from Chicago. His work has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Lampblack, Zone 3, Midwest Review, and others. He is a co-founder of the reading series and artist collective Exhibit B. Stewart earned an MFA from SAIC, 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.

earned his MFA in Creative Writing from Northwestern University, where he teaches. He is the author of the literary novel . His prose & poetry have appeared in several journals, including Another Chicago Magazine, Cold Mountain Review, and others. He is the current host of the popular reading series Sunday Salon Chicago. He lives in Evanston, Illinois.

Host or Publisher Bookends & Beginnings