Jean Iversen has 30 years’ experience in publishing and communications, serving as acquisitions editor, developmental editor, and communications manager for several organizations.

Now a freelance writer and editor, she is the author of Local Flavor: Restaurants That Shaped Chicago’s Neighborhoods (Northwestern University Press), which chronicles the histories of eight legendary Chicago restaurants and illustrates their significant impact on the development of the city’s neighborhoods.

A lifelong Chicagoland resident, Jean is perhaps best known as the author and publisher of BYOB Chicago, a definitive guide to the vibrant bring-your-own-bottle dining scene in Chicagoland. The book was featured in Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, 190 North, Chicago Sun-Times, and more. Her articles and essays have appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business, The Takeout, Daily Herald, and others. Check out recent samples.