Independent Writers of Chicago - IWOC

08/04/2025

8-12 It’s IWOC Fest 2025! No meeting, note-taking or learning allowed. Just lots of laughing and savoring summer at Greektown’s Athena Restaurant! Come for the camaraderie + fab food in an airy setting that's almost as gorgeous as Greece itself. Details: https://iwoc.org/event-6230461

07/15/2025

Kim Kavin (who's been at the forefront in the charge against those who've been anti-independent contractors) will be testifying in a Senate hearing this Thursday at 10am EDT/ 9am CDT. Tune in then at https://bit.ly/4lOJtfA to watch. If you're among the 70+ million indie contractors representing over 600 fields -- from freelance writers, to truckers, caregivers, manicurists and more -- this involves you and your livelihood. Thank you, Kim, and all those fighting for freelancers!!

I'll be among the witnesses testifying at this week's HELP Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., about independent-contractor policy.

07/04/2025

7-10-25 “Collaborate to Create: Co-authoring Non-Fiction” Author Matty Dalrymple shares how collaborating with fellow authors can leverage shared expertise, joint oversight and expand audience reach to create new ops for income & platform growth. Details:https://iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-6223160

05/30/2025

6-10-25 Zoom Meeting: “Tapping New Writing Opportunities” CreativeGroove.com founder Jen Jones Donatelli shares best practices and resources that have helped her and her creative clients break into various publications, publishers and more...and build a diverse portfolio along the way. Details: https://iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-6132207

05/03/2025

5-13-25 “How Writers Can Use AI as a Trusted Ally” AI Consultant Matt Cardoni helps steer writers towards working more efficiently by using AI tools to create effective outlines, conduct research, repurpose materials — and much more. Details: bit.ly/3RPxpOi

03/29/2025

4-8-25 It’s IWOC’s Spring Supper Club! Join us at the deliciously famous Weber Grill, where we'll be raising our glasses to warmer weather and digging into some mighty tasty BBQ. Tra-la, 'tis Spring! See you there! Details: iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-6071513

03/03/2025

3-11-25 “Tapping New Writing Opportunities” CreativeGroove.com founder Jen Jones Donatelli shares best practices and resources that have helped her and her creative clients break into various publications, publishers and more...and build a diverse portfolio along the way. Details: bit.ly/41CALdg

01/28/2025

2/11 Zoom “How to be Your Own Best Editor“ Authors of “Everybody Needs an Editor” Melissa Harris and Jenn Bane provide game-changing tips on how to move readers emotionally, intellectually or into action through sharper, more attention-grabbing writing. Details: https://iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-5983200

01/04/2025

1-14-25 Zoom meeting:
"Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Explained 2.0"

The publishing industry today looks much different than it did a decade ago. Since then, self-publishing has outgrown its longstanding "vanity" stigma and has become a viable publishing option for many writers.

In a reprise of January 2024's popular meeting, Friesen Press publishing consultant Christoph Koniczek will outline how self-publishing differs from traditional publishing. But in this year's presentation, he will also share new information covering some of the more recent changes seen in the self-publishing industry, and shed further light on how the unrestricted nature of the self-publishing path might align better with your publishing needs.

Attend the Zoom meeting and be eligible to win a FREE Editor's Manuscript Evaluation!

Details: https://iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-5923505

12/16/2024

12/16/2024

Our Holiday Party 2024 at Star of Siam. A grand time was had by all. Obviously!

12/01/2024

12-10-24 It's that most wonderful time of the year when IWOC-ers come together for an evening of wonderful food, wonderful camaraderie, and wonderful holiday cheer! Join us as we raise a glass to one another at the ever-popular Star of Siam. Details: https://bit.ly/4i9UB5H