Independent Writers of Chicago - IWOC

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

09/22/2024

10-8-24 "The Nuts & Bolts of Screenwriting"
It seems everybody you talk to has a screenplay in them that they're itching to get out. But where to begin? The rules are quite different from writing short stories or books.

Please join us in welcoming award-winning fiction and screenplay writer Audrey Wilson as she pays a return visit to IWOC, this time introducing us to the world of screenwriting. She'll discuss how to structure your story for film, develop characters and craft a scene using dialogue and visuals to forward the plot. From the basics of formatting, to crafting your screenplay using industry-standard screenwriting software, you'll leave feeling prepared and eager to sit down with your laptop and take your first steps into writing for the silver (or flat) screen.

Details at https://iwoc.org/event-5507747

08/31/2024

9-10 Join your fellow writers at our annual Writers’ Roundtable, where you can talk about whatever's on your mind -- as it relates to the freelance writing biz. Whether getting or giving advice, experience why the Roundtable is one of IWOC's most popular programs! Details: https://bit.ly/4e6S9KA