AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective
A New Era of Inclusive Storytelling
Upcoming Social Connection and Learning Opportunities:
Chill and Chat
Need a free low-key space to connect with fellow neurodivergent creatives? Join us each month for Chill and Chat, a relaxed Zoom gathering hosted by AE-NCC Program Lead Brian Tashima.
When: The 1st Saturday of each month (unless otherwise indicated)
Upcoming Dates for 2026: July 11th (due to 4th of July holiday), August 8th (due to AE picnic on 8/1), September 5th
Time: 3:00 PM Pacific
Length: 45–60 minutes (based on group energy)
Location: Online via Zoom
Who’s it for? Neurodivergent Creators Collective members and visiting guests (Membership is free!)
Zoom Link (same each month): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86095978904
Whether you want to share your current creative project, ask questions, brainstorm, or just hang out and listen, you’re welcome here! These chats are not recorded, and you are not required to turn on your camera or speak if you just feel like hanging out and want to get a feel for who we are. No pressure, just friendly faces, creative energy, and good vibes. 
Let’s build community, support each other, and grow together—one chat at a time.
AE-NCC Learning Workshops
Our workshops are free to attend and are offered in various formats, including in-person only, Zoom only, and a hybrid format — meaning you can join us in-person or livestream via Zoom from wherever you are.
All in-person workshops are currently held at:
Stephen’s Place, 501 SE Ellsworth Rd, Vancouver, WA 98664.
RSVPs are highly encouraged but not required. If you’re planning to attend an in-person event, please try and let us know ahead of time so we can set up chairs and tables, determine how many study guides to print, and plan snacks. (Water and light snacks will be available for free.)
Livestream attendees can also click the Zoom link at the scheduled time. We will be recording most Zoom presentations and will make them available on our website and the Autism Empowerment YouTube channel afterward.
Future workshops are listed below, along with links. For past workshop events, study guides, video recordings and handouts from each event (where applicable) will be linked to on our Past Events page. Whether you’re local or joining from afar, we welcome you to come learn, connect, and create with us! We look forward to seeing what you create!
Upcoming Workshops:
Brian Tashima: Introduction to Independent Writing & Publishing
Have you ever dreamed of writing and publishing your own novel but weren’t sure where to begin—or how to make it all the way to the finish line?
Join us for an Introduction to Independent Writing & Publishing, a free, beginner-friendly Zoom workshop presented by award-winning author and independent publisher Brian Tashima.
This is an encore presentation of a popular AE-NCC workshop Brian originally presented in July 2025. Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to record the original presentation, so we are excited to offer it again—with updated information and additional insights!
Brian will take participants behind the scenes of the independent writing and publishing process and share what he has learned through his own experiences as an author. He will discuss how writers can independently publish their work while maintaining a level of quality comparable to that of books published by larger traditional publishers.
Topics will include:
- Overcoming writer’s block
- Understanding the difference between a “plotter” and a “pantser”
- Finding a writing process that works for you
- Staying motivated and finishing your novel
- The advantages and challenges of independent publishing
- Producing a professional-quality book
- Using social media to connect with readers and promote your work
- An updated look at TikTok’s “BookTok” community and its influence on writers, readers, and book marketing
Whether you are already working on a manuscript, considering independent publishing, or simply curious about how books move from an idea to a finished product, this workshop will offer practical information, encouragement, and inspiration.
There will also be time for questions, so bring anything you have been wondering about writing, publishing, or sharing your creative work with the world!
About Brian Tashima
Brian Tashima is the author and publisher of the Joel Suzuki series, an award-winning seven-volume collection of young adult science-fiction and fantasy novels about a teenage guitarist who travels to another world where his autism is a source of magic.
Drawing from his own writing and publishing journey, Brian is happy to share the lessons he has learned, the challenges he has encountered, and the strategies that have helped him bring his stories to readers.
Saturday, June 20th, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.
Registration link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/brian-tashima-introduction-to-independent-writing-and-publishing
Edward Martin III: Pre-Production Planning for Filmmaking
We are happy and excited to welcome back Edward Martin III, founder of Hellbender Media, for a workshop on Pre-Production Planning for filmmaking! You may recall that Edward gave a great presentation in February 2026 on Low-Budget Cinematography that touched on pre-production, which is the planning phase that occurs before actual filming begins. After the presentation, some members said that they wanted to hear more about that subject, so we invited him back to do a deeper dive.
Edward is a very prolific creator with over 154 credits in film, writing, and production to his name. He also teaches filmmaking workshops at comic and special interest conventions several times a year, so we’re fortunate and grateful that he’s agreed to spend more time with us!
Saturday, July 25th, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time (may extend over with questions)
Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.
Registration link: Will be posted in July 2026
Beth Harrington: Documentary Filmmaking
This month, we have the honor and privilege of having the amazing Beth Harrington as our presenter! Beth is an Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated filmmaker and musician who specializes in documentary features. Not only that, but she’s local to the Vancouver, WA area! In this presentation, Beth will talk about what goes into writing, directing, and producing an effective documentary that is as entertaining as it is informative.
Beth is currently making the film festival rounds with two of her documentaries: Our Mr. Matsura, which is the story about a Japanese photographer who journeyed to rural Washington State in the early 1900s, and Beyond the Duplex Planet, which is about the artist David Greenberger and his unconventional work with senior citizens.
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific TimeÂ
Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.
Registration link: Will be posted in August 2026
Brian Tashima: Songwriting Boot Camp
In September, AE-NCC Program Coordinator Brian Tashima will be putting his instructor cap back on for a fun and interactive session on writing your own songs! He’ll cover subjects like finding inspiration, the chicken-and-egg question of where to start – music or lyrics, what goes into crafting a catchy melody, and much more.
In addition to being an author, Brian’s also a musician who has played guitar and sang in bands for many years. One of his first bands won a Hoku Award, which is Hawaii’s version of the Grammys, and he’s written songs that have been licensed for use by numerous media outlets including MLB Network, The Golf Channel, Access Hollywood, and others.
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific TimeÂ
Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.
Registration link: Will be posted in late August or early September 2026
Membership is free, and joining is as easy as signing up at this link!
You’ll be added to the AE-NCC email list and will receive notices about events, resources, and creative opportunities, delivered straight to your inbox.
If you want to learn more, please email:
Program Leader: Brian Tashima at brian@autismempowerment.org.
For general information about Autism Empowerment programs or services, please email John Krejcha at info@autismempowerment.org
Representation matters. Stories change lives.
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Welcome | Upcoming Events (see above) | Past Events | Resource Library
Last updated 6/14/2026