Eckhartz Press author Vicki Quade (Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind) has been making the rounds, spreading the word about her great new book.
Click on link above to watch the interview.The stories take place over a vast timespan in the Windy City. As those stories would transpire throughout the years, Quade would write them into Facebook posts with a large amount of positive feedback, Quade said. And once the pandemic hit, Quade said she found herself engrossed with many activities while writing this book.
“Finally, during the pandemic, I thought this might be a good project,” Quade said. “I’ve done a lot during the pandemic. I’ve written a musical, I’ve written this book and even tremendous DNA research.”
In February of 2020, once Quade dwindled down her list of stories, she said she picked the quirky ones that, at the end of the day, are stories about life.
“Little did I know how relevant this book would be during a pandemic,” Quade said. “It reminds you of what we had and what we’re longing for. The ability to connect, the ability to go to the bank and stand in line or the ability to walk in a park and spot something unusual, and I think that’s the reason why people are enjoying this book.”
Playwright and producer best known for her comedy, Late Nite Catechism, Quade has announced a new venture, a book called Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind, based on those very characters she runs into almost daily. It’s published by Eckhartz Press, Chicago. In this pandemic time, Quade said she hopes her book reminds people of “the public interactions we will eventually get back to.” Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind is a compilation of stories, examining the lives that brush past her on city streets, in banks, at the grocery store or in restaurants. With a sharp wit and empathetic skill, Quade colorfully recreates brief scenarios that range from the comic to the bizarre to the dangerous – and all are unique to the spirit of the Windy City. Her next step, she says, will be taking the stories she loves the most and turning them into a performance piece. “I think these will work really well on stage, especially given the quirky people in them,” she said.
Vicki is a comic and writes about what she sees. Think back to writers like Mike Royko ( one of my favorites) and his columns in the Tribune and Daily News ( for you younger folk, those were newspapers that came out daily with things that took place overnight! My “cousin” Rick Kogan, who writes for the Trib and can be heard on WGN-Radio is another local writer that hits the “nail on the head” with great local flavored stories. Vicki fits right into their mold and her book, “Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind”, is fun, amusing and will make you think about your life.
In the meantime, she’s authored a book: Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind, published last month by Eckhartz Press. Quade (who started out as a journalist and was a Reader contributor) has been posting brief stories on Facebook for about ten years. She met Eckhartz’s owners, Rick Kaempfer and David Stern, in February, when they interviewed her about the Easter Bunny show for a podcast they also hosted. It occurred to her to ask if they’d be interested in a book that would be a selection of these posts. They were. The result is a brisk walk with Quade through daily life in Chicago, presented in bite-size chunks addictive as a sack of Garrett popcorn. We’re on her arm as she perambulates (or drives), often around the north side—think Reza’s, Dinkel’s, the Dunkin’ Donuts at Wilson and Broadway—without letting the driver who calls her a “stupid bitch” or the “low life” who steals her cane out of a grocery cart when she turns her back at the Jewel cramp her style.
In this pandemic time, Quade said she hopes her book reminds people of “the public interactions we will eventually get back to.” Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind is a compilation of stories, examining the lives that brush past her on city streets, in banks, at the grocery store or in restaurants. With a sharp wit and empathetic skill, Quade colorfully recreates brief scenarios that range from the comic to the bizarre to the dangerous – and all are unique to the spirit of the Windy City.
If you follow her on social media, you know that the award-winning playwright has a gift for inspiring strangers on the street to divulge their most interesting stories and secrets. The book promises to reveal true Chicago encounters from “the bizarre to the dangerous.” Vicki has a knack for connecting with everyone she meets and for highlighting our shared humanity even in the most unlikely circumstances. Purchase the book here
Vicki Quade, the President of Nuns4Fun and author of “Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind,” joins the morning show to discuss her book, which is described as a compilation of stories, examining the lives that brush past her on Chicago’s streets, in banks, at the grocery store or in restaurants. You can purchase book by clicking HERE!
Vicki is making the rounds and is likely to pop up anywhere, from your Twitter or Facebook feed, to your radio dial, to your favorite publication. Anyone interested in featuring this entertaining author, should contact Eckhartz Press’ Rick Kaempfer (rick@eckhartzpress.com)
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