Independent Writers of Chicago - IWOC

10/26/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #9

The #9 benefit of membership is "STET," IWOC's monthly blog: Our blog features a monthly President's Post as well as affords members to contribute thought pieces and other information of relevance to independent writers and content creators!

Laura Stigler, our longtime president, recently posted a testimonial about her membership in IWOC over 35+ years. Like most of us, she eased into volunteer work on behalf of IWOC but, once she caught the bug, she worked tirelessly on behalf of independent writers in Chicago for over 20 years! Read more at https://www.iwoc.org/stet-blog/13725968.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/24/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #12

The #12 benefit of membership is an open role on a committee: IWOC always seeks to revitalize its membership with professional writers and content creators who want to bring new ideas to the table and/or hone their own people and business skills!

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/22/2026

Join us on October 28th at 6:00pm CT to learn everything you need to know to produce a query letter that gets results!

Drawing on her 10+ years of writing and publishing experience, award-winning author/ screenwriter Audrey Wilson’s presentation "How to Perfect Your Query Letter" covers all the nuts and bolts about crafting a successful query letter. From sourcing the best agents and publishers for your genre, to shaping your logline, writing a killer synopsis, and picking comp titles, attendees will walk away with the tools needed to successfully pitch and publish their manuscript. You can also learn more about writing your query letter in Audrey's new book How to Perfect Your Query Letter.

Register for the event at https://www.iwoc.org/event-6864483.

Drawing on her 10+ years of writing and publishing experience, award-winning author/ screenwriter Audrey Wilson’s presentation "How to Perfect Your Query Letter" covers all the nuts and bolts about crafting a successful query letter. From sourcing the best agents and publishers for your genre, to ...

10/21/2026

Audrey will be presenting on 10-28 via Zoom. Book it! Details at iwoc.wildapricot.org/event-6864483

I'm not going to lie, it feels very strange to call myself an "expert" in writing. Most days, the imposter syndrome wiggles its way in and puts doubt in my mind.

But I try to remind myself that it doesn't matter if I feel like an expert or not.

What matters is taking what I've learned, my knowledge, experience, and expertise, and using it to help other writers in any way I can. Not because I think I know more, but because I know what it's like to feel lost and stuck with my writing career, and I want other writers to know they can get through it.

You've got this ❤️📚✨️

10/20/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #10

The #10 benefit of membership is mentorship: whether you are a new professional or an experienced professional transitioning to independent writing and content creation, IWOC has a number of seasoned veterans with freelance businesses prepared to support you!

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/18/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #9

The #9 benefit of membership is "STET," IWOC's monthly blog: Our blog features a monthly President's Post as well as affords members to contribute thought pieces and other information of relevance to independent writers and content creators!

The STET blog contains monthly posts by our President as well as contributions and news from our members. The current collection of posts dating back to 2018 can be found at: https://www.iwoc.org/stet-blog.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/16/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #8

The #8 benefit of membership is our toot: We promote our members' latest wins and ventures via "Member News" e-blasts and social media platforms to our 1,000+ followers!

IWOC is proud to announce that IWOC Member Jay Schwartz has been given the honor of having his short story, "Off Limits," included in the prestigious anthology of "Tilt: Off-Kilter Stories for a Topsy-Turvy World."

From Amazon: "Creeping sensations, dubious visitors, narrators gone horribly rogue …these startling short stories from the Off Campus Writers’ Workshop will TILT your reality with off-kilter tales both humorous and haunting. From whiplash to spirits to a note slipped under the door, TILT takes readers on a narrative sprint with breathtaking twists you don’t see coming."

Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com/Tilt-Off-Kilter-Stories-Topsy-Turvy-World/dp/B0HFWV6F9F.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/14/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #7

The #7 benefit of membership is the networking opportunity: IWOC organizes a few dinners for members in the Chicago area to meet and discuss our latest business successes and opportunities!

Our third and final get-together of the year is the Annual Holiday Party. The Holiday Party will be held in December 2026, typically mid-month. Join now or visit the events page for more information: https://www.iwoc.org/iwoc-events.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who derive a substantial portion of their incomes from freelance writing. You also join a community of writers who care about advancing the cause of independent writing and book writing, and who recognize the power an...

10/12/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #6

The #6 benefit of membership is a collection of business templates: you can find a proposal, cost estimate, contract, and invoice template among our member resources!

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.

10/10/2026

Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC) – The Benefits of Membership – #5

The #5 benefit of membership is access to past webinars and podcasts at anytime! IWOC makes available for listening or downloading its past meetings with jam-packed turnkey tips with revelations on how to promote your content-rich works with great results!

In October 2026, we will feature "How to Perfect Your Query Letter" by Audrey Wilson. Drawing on her 10+ years of writing and publishing experience, her presentation covers all the nuts and bolts about crafting a successful query letter.
Learn more at: https://iwoc.org/event-6864483.

When you become an IWOC member, you join an organization of communications experts who make a living as independent writers and content creators. You also join a community of professionals who care about advancing the causes of freelancing and gig work, who recognize the power that results from a creative fellowship, and who support each other’s careers and dreams.

Learn more membership benefits for independent writers and content creators at: https://iwoc.org/join-iwoc.