THE 2026 ANNUAL REPORT
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CONTENTS
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ABOUT NIWA
The Northwest Independent Writers Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist independently published authors from the Pacific Northwest who are working to achieve professional standards in independent writing, publishing, and marketing.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JAMES MCCRACKEN
PRESIDENT |
FRANCES IPPOLITO
VICE PRESIDENT |
ANDRETTA SCHELLINGER
TREASURER |
~ OPENING ~
SECRETARY |
~ OPENING ~
COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR |
~ OPENING ~
EDUCATION DIRECTOR |
~ OPENING ~
EVENTS DIRECTOR |
ELLEN JACOBSON
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR |
PAMELA COWAN
ANTHOLOGY & NEWSLETTER EDITOR |
TOM MCCONNELL
EVENT LIBRARIAN |
KIMILA KAY
SOCIAL PLANNER |
MOLLIE HUNT
NEWSLETTER EDITOR & 2ND TUESDAY ORGANIZER |
RACHEL CARTER
EVENT LIBRARIAN |
RACHEL ROBINSON
SOCIAL MEDIA & ADVISOR TO THE BOARD |
RANDALL COLLINS
EVENT LIBRARIAN AND TRANSPORTER |
* Note: We currently have openings for Secretary, Events Director, Social Media Director, and Education Director.
If you are interested or have any questions please email: [email protected]
If you are interested or have any questions please email: [email protected]
ACCOUNTS REPORT
ANTHOLOGY REPORT
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This year's theme for our anthology was Keepsake. We had twenty-one members submit a short story. The stories were passed to several reviewers who gave their feedback. That feedback was passed back to the authors who accepted it graciously and were willing to make some changes. After that, all stories were sent to two editors before the book was formatted. The 2026 NIWA Anthology KEEPSAKE was launched at Round Table Pizza in Milwaukie on August 1st. |
The sales statistics for 2026 were:
The sales from our anthologies go to purchasing copies to sell at events, purchasing contributor copies, and funding the launch party.
The theme for the 2027 NIWA Anthology is: Labyrinth.
Check out our website niwawriters.com under the Members tab for the submission rules and deadlines.
The theme for the 2027 NIWA Anthology is: Labyrinth.
Check out our website niwawriters.com under the Members tab for the submission rules and deadlines.
EVENTS REPORT
Since the founding of NIWA, events have played a significant role. In 2026, we participated in fourteen events between April and November. The total cost for acquiring a booth at these events was $5,488.68. This year we tried a new process: members could choose to participate in all events for a pre-paid, flat fee or pay a fee for those specific events in which they wished to participate. The all events table fee proved to be very popular among the members. They didn't have to worry about applying for each event. However, we still came up in the red at the end of the year.
For 2027 we are taking another look at what it actually costs us to do an event:
The average booth rental is $650.
The cost of equipment (tables, chairs, tablecloths, bookracks & stands, table runners, canopy (not including setup)) averages $1250.
The hotspot wifi is: $20
The cost of transportation averages: $35.00
When all said and done, the total cost is: $1,955. per event.
Staffing for the event is all volunteer.
You may say, but NIWA owns the equipment. True. However, equipment wears out after repeated use. After the rainstorm we had at Mt. Angel Oktoberfest last year where our canopies leaked, we had to purchase a commercial grade canopy to keep our books safe. That is a huge, unexpected cost. Equipment wears out and needs to be replaced.
Additionally, we will be limiting the number of titles to 158 per event in order not to overcrowd our tables. This means that members will be able to have up to 5 titles on the table. Members should take a look to see how their titles are doing. If you have titles that aren't selling at any events, you may wish to pull them or swap them out with other titles from your catalog. We want to keep our booth looking fresh with new titles, professional and interesting covers that will attract people to them.
Beginning in 2027 the table fee for each title is $7.55. We will be offering just the one option for paying table fees - the pre-paid, flat fee for all events. This will simplify things for our Event Librarians and ensure that none of the titles are missed. They will have the same list for all events. If members have a new release during the year, they have two options: 1) if they are at the max of 5 titles, they can swap it out one of their other titles, or if they aren't at the top, they can add it by using a new 2027 New Release Table Fee.
Additionally, we strongly recommend that members participating in events, keep checking the Event Inventory List posted on our website (under Members Only > Events > Portland Event Inventory) to ensure we maintain enough copies of your titles for future events. If you notice a shortage, you can send additional copies to one of our Event Librarians after contacting them ( [email protected] ).
For 2027 we are taking another look at what it actually costs us to do an event:
The average booth rental is $650.
The cost of equipment (tables, chairs, tablecloths, bookracks & stands, table runners, canopy (not including setup)) averages $1250.
The hotspot wifi is: $20
The cost of transportation averages: $35.00
When all said and done, the total cost is: $1,955. per event.
Staffing for the event is all volunteer.
You may say, but NIWA owns the equipment. True. However, equipment wears out after repeated use. After the rainstorm we had at Mt. Angel Oktoberfest last year where our canopies leaked, we had to purchase a commercial grade canopy to keep our books safe. That is a huge, unexpected cost. Equipment wears out and needs to be replaced.
Additionally, we will be limiting the number of titles to 158 per event in order not to overcrowd our tables. This means that members will be able to have up to 5 titles on the table. Members should take a look to see how their titles are doing. If you have titles that aren't selling at any events, you may wish to pull them or swap them out with other titles from your catalog. We want to keep our booth looking fresh with new titles, professional and interesting covers that will attract people to them.
Beginning in 2027 the table fee for each title is $7.55. We will be offering just the one option for paying table fees - the pre-paid, flat fee for all events. This will simplify things for our Event Librarians and ensure that none of the titles are missed. They will have the same list for all events. If members have a new release during the year, they have two options: 1) if they are at the max of 5 titles, they can swap it out one of their other titles, or if they aren't at the top, they can add it by using a new 2027 New Release Table Fee.
Additionally, we strongly recommend that members participating in events, keep checking the Event Inventory List posted on our website (under Members Only > Events > Portland Event Inventory) to ensure we maintain enough copies of your titles for future events. If you notice a shortage, you can send additional copies to one of our Event Librarians after contacting them ( [email protected] ).
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MEMBERSHIP REPORT
SURVEY RESULTS
2026 SUMMARY
What we accomplished in 2026.
2027 PROJECTION
What we will focus on in 2027.
- tightening up our events for the year - focusing on the big money-making events
- providing individuals with reading / sales opportunities via a list on our website.
- implementing a May & October 1/2 seminar - presentations on ISBNs and understanding them, importance of cover designs, etc.
- continuing with our meet n greets
