Award-winning journalist and biographer Mary Wisniewski discusses the elements of writing a memoir or biography, from gathering research to deciding on how a story should be framed. She will also give tips, and a writing exercise, to show how to use the tools of fiction in writing non-fiction narrative. The three-hour class will include advice on filing Freedom of Information Act requests, effective interviews, and the use of university library resources. Wisniewski is the author of “Algren: A Life,” a biography of Chicago writer Nelson Algren, which won the Society of Midland Authors prize for best biography and the Chicago Writers Association award for best non-fiction. Wisniewski also teaches classes on journaling and other creative non-fiction.
About Mary Wisniewski
MARY WISNIEWSKI help journalists learn about the Cook County Circuit Court, one of the largest unified court systems in the world. This includes providing information about upcoming cases, arranging camera coverage, and arranging interviews with judges and other court personnel on various subjects, from probate law to electronic monitoring. The job requires familiarity with aspects of state law and conduct codes, as well as skill in handling multiple types of requests. I have also managed internal communications on new hires and policies, courthouse closings, COVID precautions and other matters. Before coming to the chief judge's office, I was a reporter in Chicago for 32 years, most recently as transportation columnist for the Chicago Tribune. My biography about Chicago writer Nelson Algren, "Algren: A Life," won the Society of Midland Authors 2017 award for best biography and the Chicago Writers' Association award for best non-fiction. I also teach creative writing at the Newberry Library, and have taught creative nonfiction at Northwestern University's graduate program and summer writing programs. I continue to write stories and essays about Chicago neighborhoods and people, and review books and plays. My theater criticism won Lisagor awards in 2022 and 2024.
Award-winning journalist and biographer Mary Wisniewski discusses the elements of writing a memoir or biography, from gathering research to deciding on how a story should be framed. She will also give tips, and a writing exercise, to show how to use the tools of fiction in writing non-fiction narrative. The three-hour class will include advice on filing Freedom of Information Act requests, effective interviews, and the use of university library resources. Wisniewski is the author of “Algren: A Life,” a biography of Chicago writer Nelson Algren, which won the Society of Midland Authors prize for best biography and the Chicago Writers Association award for best non-fiction. Wisniewski also teaches classes on journaling and other creative non-fiction.
About Mary Wisniewski
MARY WISNIEWSKI help journalists learn about the Cook County Circuit Court, one of the largest unified court systems in the world. This includes providing information about upcoming cases, arranging camera coverage, and arranging interviews with judges and other court personnel on various subjects, from probate law to electronic monitoring. The job requires familiarity with aspects of state law and conduct codes, as well as skill in handling multiple types of requests. I have also managed internal communications on new hires and policies, courthouse closings, COVID precautions and other matters. Before coming to the chief judge's office, I was a reporter in Chicago for 32 years, most recently as transportation columnist for the Chicago Tribune. My biography about Chicago writer Nelson Algren, "Algren: A Life," won the Society of Midland Authors 2017 award for best biography and the Chicago Writers' Association award for best non-fiction. I also teach creative writing at the Newberry Library, and have taught creative nonfiction at Northwestern University's graduate program and summer writing programs. I continue to write stories and essays about Chicago neighborhoods and people, and review books and plays. My theater criticism won Lisagor awards in 2022 and 2024.