We feature many writers at The Frunchroom. But at our next show this Thursday, we have someone who’s not only a writer, but a woman who’s created a place to help other writers excel, too.

Cole Lavalais is a Chicago native who has called Beverly home for the last twenty years. Her short stories have appeared in a lot of different journals and anthologies you’ve probably never heard of, and her first novel, Summer of the Cicadas, debuted in May of last year.

She holds a M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in creative writing, and is the founder/director of the Beverly-based Chicago Writers Studio. And she’s accomplished all of this standing proudly on the shoulders of a south side Chicago Public School education.

Last week on Twitter, Cole said she was working on a “wildly inappropriate” reading. You don’t want to miss that. See you Thursday at Beverly Woods on 730pm.