Lipscomb University Hosts Second Annual Gathering of Nashville Creatives
Speaker Lineup Includes Renowned Authors, Songwriters, Screenwriters, More
Nashville, Tenn, July 17, 2019 – WriterFest Nashville, a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets and songwriters, returns to the Lipscomb University campus this fall. Lipsomb’s College of Arts & Entertainment will host WriterFest Nashville 2019 on Friday/Saturday, November 22-23, 2019. Registration is open now at www.WriterFestNashville.com.
“Music City overflows with creative talent as well as a collaborative spirit,” says Ami McConnell, WriterFest Nashville Founder and Festival Director. “WriterFest Nashville showcases creatives who are producing books, songs and films – the best of the best. Connections are sparked across genres, inspiring and empowering everyone.”
WriterFest Nashville 2019 features lectures by and conversations with professional writers, world-class editors and agents, filmmakers, and music business professionals. The expert lineup for WriterFest Nashville 2019 continues to expand, and keynote speakers will be announced soon. Expert talent confirmed to date includes:
- Matt Baugher, SVP, HarperCollins Christian Publishing
- Rea Frey, author of Not Her Daughter (St. Martin’s)
- Claire Gibson, author of Beyond the Point (William Morrow)
- Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author, The Favorite Daughter (Berkley)
- Margaret Riley King, Literary Agent, William Morris Endeavor
- Jason Padgitt, Executive Director, Nashville Film Festival
- Kelly Sutton, music journalist, host of “Today in Nashville” (WSMV News 4)
- Andrea Williams, author, journalist, editor at StyleBlueprint.com
- Catherine Zappa, Executive Director of Content & Strategy, Dreamscape
Presenting sponsors for WriterFest Nashville 2019 include William Morris Endeavor, The Porch, Rockvale Writers Colony and the Nashville Film Festival. Partners include McClure Muntsinger Public Relations, Mixtus Media, Katherine Petillo Design and Troops & Allies Marketing. Sponsor packages are available at a variety of levels, and details can be found at www.WriterFestNashville.com.
Ami McConnell is founder and Festival Director of WriterFest Nashville. She is former trade book publishing executive and acquiring editor now writing and editing in Nashville. Her editing credits include numerous New York Times bestsellers and award-winning titles. Ami is co-author with Candace Cameron Bure of the USA Today bestseller Kind Is the New Classy (Zondervan/HarperCollins).
Contact: Pamela McClure, 615-294-5073, pamela@mmpublicrelations.com
Praise for WriterFest Nashville
“For years, Ami McConnell and I envisioned a festival that would create a vibrant community of readers and writers who celebrate excellent writing—in print, audio recordings, or adapted for stage and screen. I am delighted that Lipscomb University has embraced this vision by welcoming a new community of book lovers to its campus, and I trust authors, editors, publishers, and readers will make WriterFest Nashville an annual tradition.”
–Kim Reed, Chair and Professor, English & Modern Languages Department, Lipscomb University
“Parnassus is partnering with WriterFest Nashville because we love nurturing Nashville’s creative folks. WriterFest already has an impressive line-up of writers and their venue is perfect—just a couple blocks away from our store!”
–Karen Hayes, co-owner Parnassus Books
“I’m flattered to be a guest speaker at WriterFest Nashville again this fall. I’m looking forward to talking about screenwriting, sketch, and sitcom writing with y’all nice folks. (That’s my Nashville accent.)”
–Liz Cackowski, writer and producer, SNL, Community, Last Man on Earth
“Nashville is one of my favorite towns—in large part because of the vibrant writing community. That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of WriterFest Nashville 2019. It’s going to be a blast!”
–Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling novelist
“WriterFest Nashville feeds 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.”
–Barbie Chadwick, WNBA President, Nashville Chapter
“I am so excited to be a part of WriterFest Nashville 2019. Anytime those who love words gather, good times are bound to ensue. I love being part of the fun, the creativity and the inspiration.”
–MaryBeth Whalen, novelist and cofounder of SheReads.com
“I’m delighted to participate in WriterFest Nashville as an author and a representative of Parnassus Books. Indie bookstores have so much to offer writers and readers. We’re here to create connections and conversations, just like WriterFest.”
—Mary Laura Philpott, author, illustrator, essayist, Emmy-winning co-host of “A Word on Words”
“WriterFest Nashville is a beautiful, collaborative experience for aspiring writers to have open dialogue with industry professionals and well-respected authors, all in an intimate setting. Beautifully structured and run—a true class act that promises to grow each year.”
-Carey Nelson Burch, My Own Shingle Productions
“I truly enjoyed my time at WriterFest Nashville 2018. The conference was an impressive gathering of professionals from all facets of the publishing community, with something for every writer and every reader. I couldn’t recommend WriterFest more highly!”
-Sarah Pelz, Executive Editor, Atria/Simon & Schuster
“The Nashville Film Festival is delighted to partner with WriterFest Nashville to advance opportunities for Tennessee’s creative community. The rapid development of Nashville’s entertainment industry means more demand for local film, music and publishing talent. We’re gathering Nashville’s writers – songwriters, screenwriters, authors and poets – to learn from another, network and raise the profile of Music City’s world-class writers.”
-Jason Padgitt, Executive Director, Nashville Film Festival
