Nashville’s
literary scene is growing. Already home to dozens of authors, the
Southern Festival of Books and several publishing houses, Music City
keeps expanding its influence on the art of the written word. This welcome
trend is evident in Killer Nashville, which for the second year in a
row puts Middle Tennessee squarely on the map of one of the most
beloved literary genres, the mystery. The gathering features workshops,
panel discussions and break-out sessions addressing everything from
plotting to publishing whodunits and thrillers. Killer Nashville is
sponsored in part by the Southeast Mystery Writers of America and, in
the words of its principal organizer, Clay Stafford, “targets all
professions associated with writing: fiction and nonfiction, literary
authors, screenwriters, TV writers and playwrights.”It’s
not just local writers flocking to Killer Nashville. This year’s
headliner is internationally known, award-winning author Michael
Connelly, creator of the Harry Bosch detective series. Connelly will be
joined by several nationally and regionally recognized authors,
including P.J. Parrish and Rhonda Pollero. Agents, editors and
publishers also participate, with at least two—Donna Bagdasarian of
Maria Carvainis Agency and Maryglenn McCombs of Oceanview
Publishing—coming from New York expressly to find new Tennessee-based
talent. For an extra fee, aspiring authors can receive critiques from
established fiction and nonfiction authors and editors, and Chuck
Sambuchino, editor of Writer’s Digest Books’ Guide to Literary Agents,
will be on hand to help polish query letters. The conference is also
heavy on author signings, with public events taking place at both the
Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and Convention Center, where the
conference takes place, and the Cool Springs Barnes & Noble. The
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is getting in on the act, setting up
a mock crime scene where mystery fans can put on their deerstalkers and
try to deduce the guilty party.
Despite its name, Killer Nashville has something to offer even those with tastes running to less sinister prose. As Stafford notes, “It’s about catching the reader on the first page…. Good writing, page-turning writing, applies to all genres.”
Killer Nashville convenes Aug. 17. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitted. Details are available at killernashville.com or 599-4032.
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