First Author Brainstorm Exchange, December 2021
The Author Brainstorm Exchange is a monthly gathering held on Zoom where nonfiction writers meet in small groups to brainstorm ideas, share their experiences, and collaborate with each other. It’s like having your own advisory board with fellow writers who are walking in your shoes and at different stages in the journey.
How the Author Brainstorm Exchange Works:
- Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10am PT / 1pm ET and last up to 90 minutes. Use of a web camera is recommended, though not required.
- Upon joining the Zoom meeting, attendees are routed to private Zoom rooms with up to 8 participants.
- A volunteer is assigned to keep track of time and help facilitate the meeting.
- Each participant shares an introduction of up to 90 seconds. Details can include what you write about, titles of books you’ve published, location, your profession, and any other relevant details you would like to share.
- Following introductions, participants take turns with brainstorming sessions by presenting a publishing-related question or challenge and asking fellow participants to share their advice or experience. Each Brainstorm Spotlight lasts up to 8 minutes. Though all participants are encouraged to present a challenge, this is entirely optional. If you don’t need help with brainstorming, you can use your time to share a tip that has worked for you. (No selling whatsoever, please.)
Participation in the Author Brainstorm Exchange is free and open only to Authority and VIP members of the Nonfiction Authors Association. You must register each month to attend. (Link is found in your member dashboard.)
Not a member yet? Join us!
Feedback from Participants
“I just participated in NFAA’s monthly brainstorming session. I met in a room with seven other authors. We shared our basic info and then shared a challenge we faced. We were able to receive valuable input from others who may have handled our kind of challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed offering and receiving support. Authors are often alone when writing, so having the opportunity to spend time with other nonfiction authors is another wonderful reason to be a member of NFAA.” – Andrea Susan Glass is the bestselling author of “Your Fabulous First Book” and “My Fabulous First Book” as well as a book coach for first-time nonfiction authors. She can be reached at https://www.AndreaSusanGlass.com
“NFAA members are smart, creative, and generous with their support and insights. These mastermind groups are invaluable.” – Anne Janzer, author of The Writer’s Process, AnneJanzer.com
“I was magically matched by “random” with others who do work much like mine, and I got a great solution to my issue in minutes!” – Julia
“The opportunity to Zoom with nonfiction authors who are at various stages in the writing/publishing industry was so helpful, and great fun. It is important to share what we have learned.” – Susan H. Holland susanhholland.com
“NFAA has done it again! The new Brainstorming Mastermind groups offered a great opportunity to meet other nonfiction authors, share our stories and our challenges, and get some new ideas for our writing, publishing, and marketing plans. Thanks so much!” – Steve Friedman, author of Beyond Introversion and The Corporate Introvert
“I loved meeting new people. Everyone knows something I didn’t know!” – Dan Janal, author “Write Your Book in a Flash!”
“Highly recommend connecting with other authors for advice and support on NFAA’s Author Brainstorm Exchange–great way to build your community!” – Lucinda Jackson, Business executive, Scientist, Author Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious and Project Escape: Lessons for an Unscripted Life, www.lucindajackson.com
Participation Etiquette
- Plan to arrive on time. Admission to the discussion groups will cease 10 minutes after the event begins.
- Kindness is essential. If you don’t agree or don’t like something, keep it to yourself. The mission here is to provide helpful feedback and ideas, not to share subjective opinions that could be considered unkind.
- Try not to dominate the meeting. Please allow everyone an opportunity to share.
- Avoid selling of any kind. This is not a forum to pitch your services or books or products. This is meant to be collaborative. While you can certainly mention your books and your business, the mission is to exchange ideas and resources—not show up and sell yourself.
- Have fun! We hope you make great connections and start conversations that you can continue in the NFAA private Facebook group for members—and beyond!
Not a member yet? Participation in the Author Brainstorm Exchange is just one of many benefits of being part of the Nonfiction Authors Association.
