FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nonfiction Authors Association Passes 10,000 Member Mark, Launches Chapters Across the U.S.
September 2, 2015, SACRAMENTO, CA – Launched in May 2013, the Nonfiction Authors Association has quickly grown to over 10,000 members nationally, and in March 2015, began forming local chapters across the U.S. To date, 18 chapters have begun hosting local meetings in cities from Portland, OR to Chapel Hill, NC.
Nonfiction Authors Association founder and CEO Stephanie Chandler said, “I am as surprised as anyone by our rapid growth. I knew there was a need in the market for nonfiction authors to receive support, but I didn’t realize just how big that need was.”
As it turns out, nonfiction book sales actually account for a larger portion of the book market than fiction, and the trend is growing. According to sales tracking by Nielsen BookScan, Adult Nonfiction sold over 240 million print units in 2014 compared to just 138 million units of Adult Fiction—and fiction sales were down nearly 8% from 2013. Juvenile Nonfiction is also on the rise, selling 48 million units, an increase of over 15% from the previous year.
Chandler recognized the trend in nonfiction and launched the Nonfiction Writers Conference in 2010, an event conducted online via teleseminar featuring 18 speakers over three days. “I had no idea if anyone would attend, but they did, and many return year after year.” When attendees began asking how they could keep in touch after the conference, Chandler realized there was a need for a community and the Nonfiction Authors Association was born.
An author of nine books and frequent speaker at writers’ conferences and events, Chandler has long been frustrated by the lack of attention nonfiction authors received at writers’ events. She said, “The focus is almost always on the fiction writers, and while that is great for them, the goals and challenges for nonfiction writers are different from novelists. Since many are business professionals, nonfiction authors tend to be less interested in the craft of writing and more interested in marketing tactics and the business side of publishing.”
The Nonfiction Authors Association offers two membership levels: Basic membership is free and Authority membership costs $190 per year. Basic members receive live access to twice-monthly educational teleseminars, a free member profile on the association website and access to the community forum on LinkedIn. Authority members receive access to event recordings and new content that is added weekly including marketing tips, checklists, templates, worksheets and more. Several partners also offer discounts, including Office Depot and PR Newswire.
The association is also attracting corporate sponsors who want to reach the entrepreneurs and business professionals who account for the vast majority of members, including current and past corporate executives, doctors, attorneys, consultants and professional speakers.
“What I love most about working with nonfiction authors,” said Chandler, “is that so many of us are change-makers. We want to make a difference in the world, whether that’s by sharing personal triumphs in a memoir, teaching new ways to lead a healthier life, or introducing new business concepts. Nonfiction authors are often focused on educating their audience.”
“I really feel like our opportunities are unlimited,” added Chandler. “I can’t wait to see where we are in one year, five years and ten years. It’s an exciting time to be an author.”
CONTACT:
Stephanie Chandler, CEO
877-800-1097
www.NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com
www.NonfictionWritersConference.com
List of Local Chapters: https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/chapters/
Data source: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/65172-print-is-back.html
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