Panelists 2019

Jennifer Dornbush

Jennifer Dornbush Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, speaker and forensic specialist. She has several crime drama TV series in development and recently published a mystery series with Crooked Lane Books. She penned the film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road, released in 2018. As a forensic specialist she consults on TV shows…

Amy Rivers

Amy Rivers Amy Rivers was born and raised in southern New Mexico and currently resides in Colorado with her husband and kids. Her graduate work focused on politics, psychology and forensic criminology, topics she loves to incorporate into her personal essays and novels. Amy has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for…

PD Halt

PD Halt PD Halt left her native Virginia for New York when she was twenty-one, where she joined the mad men of advertising. She wrote award-winning campaigns, including Nothing Beats a Great Pair of L’eggs, and shot commercials in Paris for Yves Saint Laurent. Interpublic noticed her, and she found herself in artsy, trendy Düsseldorf,…

Charley Pearson

Charley Pearson Charley retired after a career at the headquarters of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, primarily overseeing chemical and radiological environmental remediation after the end of the Cold War, releasing closing facilities for unrestricted future use with EPA and state agreement. He apparently used up his left brain in the process, so he’s moved…

Maggie Toussaint

Maggie Toussaint Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes mystery, suspense, and futuristic fiction. Her work won two Silver Falchion Awards, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the EPIC Award. She is a two-time finalist for Georgia Author of the Year. Under her name and her pen name of Rigel Carson, she’s published twenty novels as well as…

R.G. Belsky

R.G. Belsky R.G. Belsky is an author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. His newest mystery, YESTERDAY’S NEWS, is being published in May 2018 by Oceanview. It won the Claymore Award in 2016 (under the title of FORGET ME NOT). He previously wrote the Gil Malloy series for Atria which was…

Robert Mangeot

Robert Mangeot Robert Mangeot lives in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife and cats. His short fiction appears here and there, including ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE, THE FORGE, LOWESTOFT CHRONICLE, MYSTERY WEEKLY MAGAZINE, MWA’s ICE COLD, and the Anthony-winning MURDER UNDER THE OAKS. He was a finalist in the 2017 Derringer Awards. When not writing, he…

D.E. Funk

D.E. Funk DE Funk is a contemporary American crime writer. She has graduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Studies. DE has taught at a higher education institution for the past ten years. Silent Rage (KDP 2018) is her debut novel. She is currently working on the second book in the series. As an avid…

Mary Beth Magee

Mary Beth Magee Mary Beth Magee’s (LOL)4 Mysteries and Cypress Point Chronicles take place in Pearl River County, MS, but other stories wander the country. Devotions, crafts and children’s books bear her name as well.Her public speaking takes her across the country as a member of the Sisters in Crime Speakers Bureau along with workshops…

Sharon Hopkins

Sharon Hopkins Sharon Woods Hopkins is the author of the award-winning Rhetta McCarter mystery series and numerous short stories. When she’s not writing, Sharon’s hobbies include painting, fishing, photography, flower gardening, and restoring muscle cars. She is a member of the Sisters in Crime, Heartland Writers’ Guild, and the Missouri Writers’ Guild. She spent 30…

Load More

COPYRIGHT © American Blackguard, Inc. 2006-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The views and opinions expressed on this website and at the Killer Nashville conference are those of the contributing authors or speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of Killer Nashville, its parent company American Blackguard, Inc., its staff or management, its volunteers, or any other included authors or involved personnel. If you note any suspicious or offensive activity or content, please notify us immediately.
Contact Killer Nashville
Killer Nashville
P.O. Box 680759
Franklin, TN 37068-0759
(615) 599-4032
Future Killer Nashville Conferences
August 23-26, 2018
August 22-25, 2019
August 20-23, 2020

Mark Troy

“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers.  I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it."  - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle
2014-09-17T12:46:40+00:00
“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers.  I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it."  - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle

Judy Dailey

“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience.  Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.”  - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder
2014-09-17T12:47:54+00:00
“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience.  Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.”  - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder

Steven Cooper

"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder.  I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains
2014-09-17T12:50:21+00:00
"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder.  I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains

Ross Cavins

"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse
2014-09-17T12:53:03+00:00
"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse

Publisher’s Weekly

Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)
2014-09-17T12:38:03+00:00
Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)

Jessie Bishop Powell

"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover.  Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue
2014-09-17T12:39:40+00:00
"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover.  Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue

David Burnsworth

"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat
2014-09-17T12:40:56+00:00
"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat

Rosalyn Rikel

"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011.  Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower.  Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one!  Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower
2014-09-17T12:44:54+00:00
"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011.  Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower.  Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one!  Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required