Sarasota
A journalist joins the White Sox’s public relations office and confronts segregation in early-1960s Florida. Richard’s latest book brings baseball and the civil rights struggle into a single story.
Read more & buy ↗CHICAGO · LITERATURE · CONVERSATION
Richard
Reeder.
Author, teacher, and a lifelong reader of the city.
From the people on Chicago’s trains to the history behind the baseball diamond, Richard Reeder’s writing explores lives shaped by place, memory, and change.
Explore the booksTHE BOOKS
Four books. Many lives.
Fiction, memory, and the places that make us.
The Curious Odyssey
of Rudolph Bloom
A novella imagining the life of Leopold Bloom’s father. James Joyce’s world opens onto a European journey, with Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker helping uncover Rudolph’s story.
About the book ↗
1001 Train Rides
in Chicago
Sixty-four short fictional portraits of passengers across the CTA’s eight rail lines. A tribute to Ben Hecht, illustrated by Leonid Osseny.
Read more & buy ↗
Chicago Sketches
Vignettes drawn from Richard’s experiences and memories of Chicago’s people. An intimate portrait of the city, with artwork by Leonid Osseny.
View on Amazon ↗TEACHING
Great books.
Good company.
Richard brings readers together to explore literature through close reading and conversation. His classes at Oakton College and the Newberry Library range from Chicago writing to major voices in American fiction.
Reading across American literature
A literature instructor in Oakton’s Emeritus program since 2011. His spring 2026 course explored Carson McCullers and Flannery O’Connor.
View the spring 2026 course ↗Chicago stories and beyond
Recent teaching includes Ben Hecht’s 1001 Afternoons in Chicago in February–March 2026. Earlier seminars include Philip Roth’s American Trilogy.
View the 2026 Hecht seminar ↗Explore the Roth seminarThese are past course examples. Check the institutions’ current listings for new classes.
INTERVIEWS & APPEARANCES
Literature,
in conversation.
Richard’s connection to the Cliff Dwellers includes more than a decade leading its Chicago-focused book club and hosting literary salon conversations with writers.
Explore the Cliff Dwellers ↗The story behind Sarasota
Bill Bowe interviews Richard about his new novel, baseball, and civil rights.
Watch the conversation ↗A literary salon with Rick Kogan
Richard’s announcement of his conversation with the Chicago journalist at the Cliff Dwellers.
Read the salon announcement ↗Writing Sarasota
Read the publisher’s interview ↗Bloomsday at the Cliff Dwellers
Richard serves as master of ceremonies, introducing seven readings from James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Explore the program ↗In conversation with Nancy Johnson
Richard interviews the novelist about The Kindest Lie, her writing, and the stories ahead.
Read the interview ↗A visit with Rabbi Doug
Richard discusses 1001 Train Rides in Chicago on Rabbi Doug’s television program.
View on YouTube ↗The stories aboard Chicago’s trains
Richard talks about the people, places, and literary influences behind 1001 Train Rides in Chicago.
Read the publisher’s interview ↗
ABOUT RICHARD
A life rooted in Chicago.
Born and raised in Chicago, Richard Reeder is an author, literature teacher, and moderator of literary events. His work draws on the city’s neighborhoods, its writers, and the everyday lives that give it character.
His career has spanned government, social services, and education. Today, writing and bringing readers into conversation are at the heart of his work.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
Readings, talks & book discussions.
For speaking invitations and literary events, contact Richard.