Previous Guests of Honor

2006 - Carol Higgins Clark
2006 – Carol Higgins Clark
2010 - Jeffery Deaver
2010 – Jeffery Deaver
2012 - Heywood Gould
2012 – Heywood Gould
2014 - Lisa Jackson
2014 – Lisa Jackson
2015 - Robert K. Tanenbaum
2015 – Robert K. Tanenbaum
2017 - Max Allan Collins
2017 – Max Allan Collins
2018 - Ellery Adams
2018 – Ellery Adams
2007 - Michael Connelly
2007 – Michael Connelly
2011 - Robert Dugoni
2011 – Robert Dugoni
2012 - Peter Straub
2012 – Peter Straub
2014 - William Kent Krueger
2014 – William Kent Krueger
2016 - Robert Randisi
2016 – Robert Randisi
2017 Chris Grabenstein
2017 Chris Grabenstein
2018 - J.A. Konrath
2018 – J.A. Konrath
2008 - Dr. Bill Bass
2008 – Dr. Bill Bass
2011 - Donald Bain
2011 – Donald Bain
2013 - Anne Perry
2013 – Anne Perry
2015 - John Gilstrap
2015 – John Gilstrap
2016 - Kevin O'Brien
2016 – Kevin O’Brien
2017 - A.J. Tata
2017 – A.J. Tata
2009 - J.A. Jance
2009 – J.A. Jance
2012 - C.J. Box
2012 – C.J. Box
2013 - D.P. Lyle
2013 – D.P. Lyle
2015 - M. William Phelps
2015 – M. William Phelps
2016 - Janet Evanovich
2016 – Janet Evanovich
2018 - Otto Penzler
2018 – Otto Penzler
2006 - Carol Higgins Clark
2006 – Carol Higgins Clark
2007 - Michael Connelly
2007 – Michael Connelly
2008 - Dr. Bill Bass
2008 – Dr. Bill Bass
2009 - J.A. Jance
2009 – J.A. Jance
2010 - Jeffery Deaver
2010 – Jeffery Deaver
2011 - Donald Bain
2011 – Donald Bain
2011 - Robert Dugoni
2011 – Robert Dugoni
2012 - C.J. Box
2012 – C.J. Box
2012 - Heywood Gould
2012 – Heywood Gould
2012 - Peter Straub
2012 – Peter Straub
2013 - D.P. Lyle
2013 – D.P. Lyle
2013 - Anne Perry
2013 – Anne Perry
2014 - Lisa Jackson
2014 – Lisa Jackson
2014 - William Kent Krueger
2014 – William Kent Krueger
2015 - John Gilstrap
2015 – John Gilstrap
2015 - M. William Phelps
2015 – M. William Phelps
2015 - Robert K. Tanenbaum
2015 – Robert K. Tanenbaum
2016 - Janet Evanovich
2016 – Janet Evanovich
2016 - Kevin O'Brien
2016 – Kevin O’Brien
2016 - Robert Randisi
2016 – Robert Randisi
2017 - Max Allan Collins
2017 – Max Allan Collins
2017 Chris Grabenstein
2017 Chris Grabenstein
2017 - A.J. Tata
2017 – A.J. Tata
2018 - Ellery Adams
2018 – Ellery Adams
2018 - J.A. Konrath
2018 – J.A. Konrath
2018 - Otto Penzler
2018 – Otto Penzler
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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 20-23, 2020
August 19-22, 2021

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
2014-09-17T12:46:40-06:00
“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
2014-09-17T12:47:54-06:00
“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
2014-09-17T12:50:21-06:00
"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
2014-09-17T12:53:03-06:00
"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)
2014-09-17T12:38:03-06:00
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
2014-09-17T12:39:40-06:00
"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
2014-09-17T12:40:56-06:00
"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
2014-09-17T12:44:54-06:00
"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

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