Independent Writers of Chicago: The Writing of Biographies and Mysteries

Chicago, IL, May 07, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Who don’t like a whodunit? While we’re at it, who doesn’t like a good, juicy biography? For over a century, both genres have enjoyed immense popularity. The only thing better than reading them… would be writing them. Hmm. But how to solve the mystery of going about it? Elementary! Come to IWOC’s Tuesday, May 8th meeting, where local, versatile writer and teacher Barbara Gregorich will be presenting “Charlie Chan’s Poppa and The Writing Of Biographies and Mysteries.”

Gregorich has cross-pollinated the two genres in her book, “Charlie Chan’s Poppa: The Life of Earl Derr Biggers” – upon which the first of her two-part presentation will be based. Complete with visuals, she’ll uncover how Biggers’ 1919 vacation to Hawaii resulted in the gelling of his idea for a mystery involving a “perfect” murder with the creation a Chinese-American detective. In the presentation’s second part, Gregorich will conduct a Q & A session related to her work, including such topics as how to research a biography and get it published.

The IWOC meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 8th 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 members, $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 the iwoc.org web site.

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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