New festival welcomes writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets and songwriters
(Pictured left to right: Ami McConnell, Liane Moriarty, Liz Cackowski and Tom Douglas )
Writers will have an opportunity to gain information, obtain resources, and hear personal narratives from successful writers during the inaugural WriterFest Nashville. The two-day event will be held on the campus of Lipscomb University on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November 9.
Founded and Directed by Ami McConnell, WriterFest Nashville is a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets and songwriters.
McConnell is the former Editor-in-Chief and Vice President, Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. Her editing credits include numerous New York Times bestsellers and award-winning titles. McConnell has edited renowned authors such as Colleen Coble, Ted Dekker, Karen Kingsbury, Max Lucado, Frank Peretti, and Wm. Paul Young. She has served on the Advisory Board of The Buechner Institute (King College) and is an active member of the Women’s National Book Association. Additionally, McConnell is co-author with Candace Cameron Bure of the USA Today bestseller Kind Is the New Classy (Zondervan/HarperCollins).
“WriterFest Nashville will feed our vibrant artistic community in new and exciting ways. All writers and would-be writers need to attend this wonderful opportunity for learning and networking,” said Barbie Chadwick, WNBA President, Nashville Chapter.
Over the course of the two-day event, attendees will participate in lectures and conversations with bestselling authors, world-class publishing professionals, filmmakers, poets and songwriters.
“I am so excited to be a part of this year’s WriterFest Nashville. Anytime those who love words gather, good times are bound to ensue. I can’t wait to be a part of the fun, the creativity and the inspiration,” said MaryBeth Whalen, novelist and cofounder of SheReads.com.
The schedule will be divided into various tracks, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, Professional Writer, Screenwriting, Songwriter and Book Publishing A-Z.
A few of the sessions offered will include “Writing the Perfect Villain,” “The Editor and Author Relationship,” “Cover Talk: Elements of Successful Book & Album Covers,” “The New Hollywood,” “Balancing Art/Commerce In Music,” and more.
Liane Moriarty (author of seven international bestsellers including three New York Times #1 bestsellers,) Liz Cackowski (writer/producer,) and Tom Douglas (#1 hit songwriter) will serve as the three keynote speakers for WriterFest Nashville, a new festival celebrating writers and words.
All WriterFest Nashville registrants will receive a copy of Moriarty’s latest novel, Nine Perfect Strangers, which launches the same week as WriterFest Nashville. Parnassus Books and WriterFest Nashville will host Moriarty in Music City.
“Parnassus is pleased to partner with WriterFest Nashville to welcome Liane Moriarty to Nashville – and to celebrate the launch of Nine Perfect Strangers,” said Karen Hayes, co-owner of Parnassus Books.
WriterFest Nashville sponsor and retail partner, Parnassus Books, will host book sales at the festival and will feature speakers’ books in the festival store. The festival will be held on the Lipscomb University campus and hosted by Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment & the Arts and the Department of English & Modern Languages in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Other featured speakers will include Patti Callahan, Howie Klausner, Courtney Stevens, Colleen Coble, Ruth Chou Simons, Amy Parker, Bradley Medtrock, Jenny Baumgartner, Steve Taylor, Sarah Pelz, Seth Worley, Rebekah Lyons, Jana Muntsinger and Brian Mitchell, among others.
For more information, a schedule of events, and to register, visit www.WriterFestNashville.com. The cost of registration includes admission to the two-day event; three meals; three keynote sessions; and a choice of over 30 classes with bestselling authors across a variety of genres, successful screenwriters, poets, songwriters as well as those behind the art – agents, editors, and producers. The event will kick-off at 9 a.m. on Thursday.
