I joined NSAI when I moved to Nashville way back when. At that time, I felt they had little to offer songwriters outside the town. Now that has turned around. There are local groups springing up all over the place, especially the south. One of the NSAI folks who work with groups told me they like to keep groups 100 miles apart. In addition to local groups where you connect with other writers, they have webcast lectures and monthly chats. They also offer critiques of songs, which I think is better for some folks than others. However, I think if you're good enough, a critique could get you in some of the right doors you couldn't get into otherwise.

If you're in Nashville, you can use their office as your office. They have computers you can use, phones with free long distance, and writing rooms. They have a book section but you can't take the books out. You can buy some of the books though. By the way, if you're out there somewhere with a library that doesn't have books on songwriting, you can usually get them through what is called Interlibrary Loan (I.L.L.)

On the pro writer issue, at least years ago, NSAI had to keep a certain number of pro writers to qualify as a professional organization for tax purposes.

I've very high on NSAI. It used to be better for in town folks but now I think it's just as good as out of towners mainly because of the internet.

Last edited by eb; 11/09/07 02:42 AM.