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Killer Nashville is the premier forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, or suspense elements.

Voted among “The Best Writing Conferences in the USA”
“[Killer Nashville] was a runaway favorite among our readers, earning more votes than any other event on our list and attracting writers, agents, editors, fans of crime and thriller literature, and forensic experts from across the country every year.”— The Writer

Join Us for Killer Nashville’s 16th Annual Writers’ Conference!

KILLER NASHVILLE 3-DAY PASSES ARE SOLD OUT

SATURDAY & SUNDAY DAY PASSES ARE STILL AVAILABLE

 

 


Learn, present, meet agents & editors,

sign books, mingle with forensic experts, network

August 18-21, 2022

Franklin, TN

August 18-21, 2022
Franklin, TN

Learn, present, meet agents & editors, sign books, mingle with forensic experts, network

2022 SPONSORS

As the premier forum for all things mystery, thriller, and suspense, Killer Nashville has the platform to help you reach your perfect audience. Publishers Weekly noted that Killer Nashville plays “an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers [throughout] the nation’s book culture.” And, with 20,000+ visits each month the Killer Nashville Website, and over 6,000 opt-in newsletter subscribers, it’s easy to see why. Killer Nashville is a volunteer-run organization with a bare-bones office staff. Our sponsors allow us to make our annual conference a reality and to help writers along the path to success.

If you are interested in helping us further our mission to educate and empower writers, please let us know. We can provide a variety of options for different levels of sponsorship. Please email us here for more information or visit our Sponsor Page.

Conference Offerings

 

The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature.

Our objective is simple: to educate and empower aspiring and established writers, and connect them with other industry professionals. We pride ourselves on our intense, intimate workshops and panels, and on our close-knit community of writers.

At the conference, we try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and our sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Our learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics.

Killer Nashville features 60+ panels & workshops, nine breakout sessions for intense smaller group interaction, an authors’ bar (free for hotel guests), a moonshine and wine tasting, agent/editor roundtable pitch sessions, a mock crime scene designed by special agents and other law enforcement professionals, cocktail receptions, the Killer Nashville Awards Dinner, film previews, live music performances and—of course—all the great activities one can enjoy in downtown Nashville.

Killer Nashville reserves the right to change conference offerings at any time based upon any unforeseeable circumstances.

Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Sessions
60+ Sessions, 9 Breakout Workshop Sessions
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference 'Shine 'n' Wine Tasting
‘Shine ‘n’ Wine Tasting
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Agents & Editors mystery, thriller, suspense
Agents & Editors
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Mock Crime Scene
Mock Crime Scene
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Silver Falchion Award
Silver Falchion Award
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Guests of Honor
Guests of Honor
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Agent/Editor Roundtables
Agent/Editor Roundtables
Killer Nashville Writers' Conference Claymore Award
Claymore Award

The Talk of the Town: Killer Nashville is the premier forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, or suspense elements. Find out why below.

Killer Nashville gives “fledgling writers a supportive environment in which to develop their talent” and both Clay Stafford & Killer Nashville play “an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers” throughout “the nation’s book culture.” – Publishers Weekly

Killer Nashville is an action-packed, all things crime writing conference of unforgettable inspiration, compelling workshops, and nonstop networking for both new writers and seasoned authors. It is an entertaining, thrilling, and to die for weekend! I recommend Killer Nashville to anyone… – Author, Maureen C. Berry

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.Author, David Burnsworth

This will be my second time attending KN. Had a great time when Anne Perry and D.P. Lyle were your guests of honor. Of all the conferences I’ve been to, Killer Nashville has been a special favorite. Great, friendly crowd and wonderful city. To say I’m even more excited now, well, doesn’t quite cut it. Thank you! – Kandy Williams

The Talk of the Town: Killer Nashville is the premier forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, or suspense elements. Find out why below.

Killer Nashville gives “fledgling writers a supportive environment in which to develop their talent” and both Clay Stafford & Killer Nashville play “an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers” throughout “the nation’s book culture.” – Publishers Weekly

“Killer Nashville is an action-packed, all things crime writing conference of unforgettable inspiration, compelling workshops, and nonstop networking for both new writers and seasoned authors. It is an entertaining, thrilling, and to die for weekend! I recommend Killer Nashville to anyone…” – Author, Maureen C. Berry

“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.” – Author, David Burnsworth

“This will be my second time attending KN. Had a great time when Anne Perry and D.P. Lyle were your guests of honor. Of all the conferences I’ve been to, Killer Nashville has been a special favorite. Great, friendly crowd and wonderful city. To say I’m even more excited now, well, doesn’t quite cut it. Thank you!” – Kandy Williams