Independent Writers of Chicago: “Quidnunc: Little Known Reference Materials.”

Chicago, IL, February 02, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Is there any greater thrill for a writer than finding the perfect word to express a thought? Or just the right reference book for a fact-finding mission? It’s – what’s the word? Nirvana! Erin McKean knows the feeling, and will have the last word about the subject when she presents “Quidnunc: Little-Known Reference Materials” at the next IWOC meeting on Tuesday, February 13th.

A self-proclaimed Dictionary Evangelist, McKean is chief consulting editor of American Dictionaries for Oxford University Press, and editor of Verbatim: The Language Quality. She has also served as editor-in-chief of the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2e, and authored several books, including “Weird and Wonderful Words” and “More Weird and Wonderful Words.” In other words, she knows words. Through her work, McKean has uncovered many unusual and unheard of reference books, and will be telling writers all about them – and where to find them. She’ll also share her views on the state of word skills among today’s population – some of whom actually use (horrors!) e-mail shortcuts in their prose!

The IWOC meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 13th at the Chicago Athletic Club’s 7th Floor Lakeshore Room, 12 S. Michigan Ave. Networking begins at 5 p.m. The main program is at 6 p.m. Admission is free to IWOC professional members; $5 to associate members, and $15 to nonmembers. Following the meeting, attendees are invited to go to a nearby restaurant for a buy-your-own dinner to further discuss Roundtable topics or to continue networking. For more information, call 847-855-6670 or visit www.iwoc.org.

IWOC is a nonprofit professional association of freelance writers who work primarily throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. IWOC members serve large corporations, small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations; together they represent a broad range of writing talents and specialties.

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