Author Insider is a community where nonfiction writers grow their craft and their careers.
Members hear directly from bestselling authors and publishing insiders in live Q&As, workshops, and behind-the-scenes case studies. Think of it as a mix of practical playbook, candid mentorship, and a supportive circle of peers.
Whether you’re drafting your first book proposal, building a Substack, or managing a bestselling career, Author Insider connects you to the people and ideas that move authors forward.
What You’ll Find Inside
🎤 Live Q&As and Workshops: Hear directly from bestselling authors, publishers, literary agents, editors, publicists, marketing specialists, and other publishing industry pros.
✨ Actionable Highlights: Every conversation and workshop distilled into key takeaways you can use right away.
📚 Video Replay Library: Access past Q&As and workshops anytime.
🔎 Case Studies: See how successful authors build sustainable platforms and careers.
🤝 Peer Groups: Small, consistent breakout groups where you connect with fellow authors, share progress, trade feedback, and keep each other moving forward.
Some events are open to all subscribers, while others—replays, highlights, deep dives, and peer groups—are reserved for paid and founding members.
Upcoming Events
Every week, Author Insider hosts exclusive live Q&As with publishing experts, bestselling authors, and industry innovators. Join us live to ask your questions, or just listen in and soak up the wisdom.
Here’s what’s coming up next:
📅 April 23 @ 4 p.m. ET
Author Insider Office Hours (Paid members)
A relaxed, members-only session to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from fellow authors. Hosted by Panio Gianopoulos, book editor, author, and editorial director of the Next Big Idea Club, this is a candid, collaborative space for everything from proposals to platform-building.
📅 April 27 @ 2 p.m. ET
Live Q&A with Tom Rath (Paid members)
Bestselling author Tom Rath (What’s the Point?) challenges the myth of passion and offers a practical approach to building purpose—and doing work that actually matters.
📅 April 29 @ 5 p.m. ET
How Authors Can Make More Money (Without Selling More Copies) (All members)
With Karla Starr (Can You Learn to Be Lucky?, Making Numbers Count), on how authors can build income around their ideas, not just from book sales. We’ll cover turning your expertise into workshops, consulting, and speaking engagements; how to use early outreach to test and build demand; and what makes a book valuable beyond the bookstore.
📅 May 13 @ 5 p.m. ET
The Business of Nonfiction: What It Takes to Sell a Book Today (Paid members)
Publisher Hollis Heimbouch (Harper Business/Harper Edge) breaks down what makes a proposal stand out, how decisions get made, and what authors often miss.
Free subscribers can browse the lineup and RSVP to select open events. Paid membership unlocks live access to all events, video replays, and member-only highlights.
Recent Events: Conversations with the People Shaping the Future of Publishing
From world-class writers to industry visionaries, Author Insider has become a forum for the people transforming the business—and the art—of books.
Cal Newport (Deep Work) — On balancing writing, platform, and productivity in the digital age.
Susan Cain (Quiet) — On the long game of building a movement around your book’s message.
Daniel Pink (Drive, The Power of Regret) — On finding universal ideas that connect with readers around the world.
Seth Godin (This Is Marketing) — On earning attention and building trust as an author.
Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project) — On turning personal insight into bestselling, research-backed storytelling.
James Patterson & Patrick Leddin (Disrupt Everything—and Win) — On collaboration, creative risk-taking, and reinventing genres.
Madeline McIntosh (CEO, Authors Equity; former CEO, Penguin Random House) — On the changing landscape of publishing and author ownership.
Christy Fletcher (Co-Head of Publishing, United Talent Agency) — On what publishers and agents look for in standout nonfiction.
Morgan Housel (The Psychology of Money) — On how storytelling can make any topic—yes, even finance—go viral.
Steven Johnson (Where Good Ideas Come From) — On translating complex ideas into narrative-driven nonfiction.
Jacob Weisberg (Co-Founder, Pushkin Industries) — On the power of audio storytelling and brand-building beyond the book.
Sarah Fay (Pathological) — On turning personal experience into a resonant, responsible narrative.
…and many more writers, editors, and innovators contributing to the conversations that move publishing forward.
Ready to join the conversation? Here’s how to become part of Author Insider.
Membership Options
Free
For writers who want a taste of the community before going all in.
✍️ Occasional posts with industry insights
📝 Weekly Author Questionnaire
🎤 Access to occasional live Q&As
Free is your front-row ticket. But once the event ends, the doors close, only paid members get the replays, highlight notes, and deeper dives.
Paid — $30/month or $295/year
For authors ready to level up.
🎤 Access to all live Q&As
📚 Full video replay library & archive
✨ Members-only highlights & summaries
🔎 Case studies & strategy deep dives
💬 Monthly Office Hours with Author Insider’s Editorial Director
🤝 Private WhatsApp group & networking events
🧭 Peer Groups (Launching Soon): Intimate, peer-led cohorts (10 writers or fewer) designed to help you develop a strong book proposal and get publication-ready, with guided structure and accountability.
Founding Member — $995/year
For serious professionals. Everything in paid PLUS:
📚 Complimentary advance copies of forthcoming books
⭐ Priority RSVPs & VIP invites
🎯 1:1 sessions with the NBIC editorial team
🎓 Early access to workshops & coaching
🎤 Guest spot eligibility & sponsorship opportunities
Powered by The Next Big Idea Club
Author Insider is brought to you by the Next Big Idea Club, a nonfiction subscription book club and media platform that connects readers and writers through big ideas.
The Club was founded in collaboration with bestselling authors Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink, who continue to serve as trusted advisors.
Led by publishing veteran Panio Gianopoulos, the team also produces two podcasts (The Next Big Idea and The Next Big Idea Daily), a daily newsletter (Book of the Day), and an app featuring more than 1,000 book summaries written and read by the authors themselves.
Sponsorship opportunities
Ready to reach 95,000+ curious readers? Promote your brand, book, or product to an audience passionate about big ideas.
Our subscribers:
65% executives and senior managers
$150K+ average household income
We offer several promotional packages, with special discounts for Author Insider members.
