Will you be at Killer Nashville this month? If so, join me for great panels and presentations 19-23 August at the Embassy Suites by Hilton-Cool Springs, Franklin, TN.
This is my favorite author conference, which gets bigger every year!
Interested in going? Check out the full schedule here: https://www.killernashville.com/schedule
Here’s where I’ll be.
AUTHOR PANELS
Friday, 21 August @ 0900: Strategic Blogging for Authors: why, how and where
Saturday, 22 August @ 0900: Getting and Keeping Newsletter Subscribers (I’m the panel chair so don’t miss this one)
Sunday, 23 August @ 1130: Dealing with Dismal Dialogue: how to make every conversation sing
SPEED DATING
Saturday, 22 August @ 3:55
For the third year, I’m co-hosting the Author Speed Dating event sponsored by the Dangerous Pens Society. Ticket holders get the chance to have 5-minute conversations with 10 different experienced authors. Every time the bell rings, they move to the next author.
It’s a popular event and always sells out.
PURPOSE FOR GOING
Why go to an author conference, especially if you aren’t looking for an agent or a traditional publishing deal? I mean, just sit at home and write. Right?
Every once in a while, a working writer needs to refill the tank. Grouse about the state of the publishing industry. Trade plot ideas. Toast successes and commiserate over failures.
Basically, I go every year to meet people, compare notes on the publishing world, and learn from others’ experiences and perspectives. I always leave with a renewed sense of purpose, a couple of fresh plot ideas, and new friends.
The bar in the hotel is everyone’s favorite watering hole, where we stay up talking long after the bartender wants us to leave. Those conversations are some of the brightest highlights of my author career.
Connections made IRL are invaluable.
AWARDS
I’ve also won the conference’s prestigious Silver Falchion Award twice.
2019 for THE ARTIST/EL ARTISTA in the Short Story/Collection category
Wearing my Silver Falchion medal for THE ARTIST at Killer Nashville 2019 with R.G. Belsky and conference founder Clay Stafford
2023 for MURDER AT THE GALLIANO CLUB in the Historical Fiction category.
Wearing my Silver Falchion medal for Best Historical for REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB at the Killer Nashville awards dinner, 2023.
Three of the Detective Emilia Cruz novels have been finalists in the Best Investigator category: 43 MISSING, RUSSIAN MOJITO, and NARCO NOIR.
BARRACUDA BAY didn’t make the cut this year, but I’ll still be at the Awards Dinner, cheering on my friends.
WHY SO SPECIAL
Over the years I’ve blogged about what makes this conference so special and why I keep going back:
