April 2026 Meeting Minutes

by | Apr 28, 2026 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

April 2026 Meeting Minutes

4/18/2026         1:00 PM

    1. Call to order – Carolyn started recording
      1. Meeting started at 1:05 pm
    2. Roll call
      1. In-person attendees: 27
      2. Online Attendees: 7
      3. Newcomer introductions:
        1. Kate Fogelson – Women’s Fiction/Romance
        2. Tracey Thompson – Fantasy with social commentary. She has traditionally published a book and self-published a novelette.  Working on screenplays.
        3. Adam Price – Narrative Nonfiction True Crime
        4. Ron Morrison – Textbook – AI Fiction. Other book Near Future Science Fiction – he is published and doing ok
        5. Carolyn McBride recommended to post profile in the Writers room – searchable by genres – will be helpful if searching for someone writing in a particular genre. She mentioned that she has had inquiries for a ghost writer for memoirs.
      4. Cheryl Somers Aubin – provided name tags to return to basket on way out and they will be brought back to each meeting.
    3. Triumphs and lessons learned
      1. Lois Wren– Triumph. Springfield B&N would like authors bi-monthly.
      2. Marissa Naggi– attending Washington Writers Conference May 1st – do pitch session.
      3. Carolyn McBride– has an agent interested in a full read.
    4. Approval of minutes from last meeting
      1. Motion to approve – Marissa Naggi
      2. James Kendall – Seconded
    5. Officer’s Reports
      1. President & Website Coordinator Carolyn McBride
        1. Positions filled
          1. Treasurer – New – Evan Frulla lives in Lorton, writes fantasy, has 2 jobs, getting MBA from George Mason, and NVWC member since January
          2. Board Member-at-Large – Isabelle Missud (absent) appointed as representative for the membership with the board.
        2. Bylaws update
          1. Approved changes March 2026 – change to a rolling 12-month membership and increased dues.
          2. Temporary Bylaws Review Committee (BRC) established – review bylaws for compliance as a Nonprofit – received 6 volunteers, Evan on board as Treasurer will be selecting 5 for committee. Working on scheduling review for later this year.
      2. Vice President & Community Manager Marissa Naggi
        1. Urged members to update their profiles which will sync to website
        2. Organizing In-Person Write-In’s in coming months at coffee houses or breweries to get an hour or two of writing done.
      3. Treasurer Evan Frulla (arriving late) – Carolyn provided update – The budget has been approved, and it is not being exceeded
      4. Secretary Stacey Porcaro – Was out shopping and met an author – had NVWC bookmark and gave it to him. Mentioned that members should actively market the club using postcards and bookmarks.
      5. Membership Chair and Board Member-at-Large Isabelle Missud (absent) Carolyn provided update – 153 Members. 120 is the target to cover expenses.  Promoting club will keep dues down.
      6. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren (B&N), David Wessel (festivals), Kate Goggin (Daydrift), Patricia DiVecchio (snacks – not present)
        1. Lois Wren –If you are going into Barnes and Noble to do a signing on your own please don’t associate yourself with club unless you go thru Lois.
          1. For signings bring in your own books (ISBN is require), book is purchased at register. Barnes & Noble takes 40% and they pay the author the balance in cash.  If sales go well  B&N may purchase for shelves.  Important to follow guidelines so that we are asked back.  For table set up have sign that says Meet the Author and description of book, have bowl of mints/candy, bookmarks, postcards, business cards, etc.
          2. Barnes & Noble store opening on Duke Street in Alexandria. Lois is already in contact with them regarding author signings.
          3. Barbara King – Announced Indie Book Store Day in Alexandria, VA Saturday, April 25, 2026
        2. Kate Goggin (Absent) – Carolyn provided update. Still looking for authors for July at Daydrift.  If authors take care of sales of their own books Daydrift doesn’t take a cut.  If Daydrift sells they take 25%.  Whoever is signed up for signings please take a look at our web page for guidelines.
          1. Carolyn McBride – Mentioned opening of Cozy CalIco in Occoquan and Sleepy Dragon Books in Old Town Manassas on Indie Book Store Day.
        3. David Wessel (Absent) – Carolyn mentioned that he has put out the list of upcoming festivals for the year with authors names who have shown interest. If authors want a table at the festival, they need to pay $40 for the table.
        4. Social Media Coordinator Allie Nelson (Absent). Carolyn McBride reminded authors that we have an official Facebook page where you can post events.
        5. Golden Nib Coordinator Lori Eaton (Absent) – Judged writing contest tied in with Virginia Writers Club. Submissions are open thru July 15, 2026.  Winners are forwarded to state level and announced in December and will be included in the yearly anthology.
        6. Michelle McBeth – Teen Nib Coordinator – Competition is open until May 31, 2026.
    6. Old Business – none
    7. New Business (see newsletter or Facebook group for details)
      1. Virginia Writers Club Symposium 8/1 – speaker (do not have to be a member) applications due 4/22
      2. Book releases at Elaine’s – Jeffery Higgins – NVWC member, author and owner of Elaine’s. He offers space if NVWC member is doing a book release as long as they bring 12 people to the event.  Will record video of event and he has a relationship with a PR coordinator for more marketing coverage for a fee.
      3. Evan Frulla – introduction – he is a Fantasy writer, self publishes, story architect, currently has 2 jobs and is in a Masters program at George Mason. As NVWC Treasurer he is interested in looking at the numbers to manage and do more with what we have.
    8. Business from the Floor – none
    9. Featured speakers: ML Brei on AI for Authors
    10. Adjournment