Master Classes
2:00-5:00 P.M.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
$95 for registered attendees / $199 for unregistered participants
Tickets are available during registration or added on via this form.
“Fun and motivating!”
– Wendy Kendall
How to Write the Successful Novel: The Big Three: Character, Plot, and Scene / Jaden Terrell, Steven Womack, Lisa Wysocky
This collaborative and interactive workshop received numerous rave reviews at a recent Sisters in Crime event. First, Lisa Wysocky leads attendees in discussing and developing vivid and memorable characters. Then, Beth Terrell (writing as Jaden Terrell), builds on the characters developed to discuss and develop an engaging plot that works with the characters. Finally, Steven Womack ties it all together with a third collaborative session, this one on structuring scenes that move the characters and plot forward. The session ends with attendees writing a paragraph or two based on the characters, plot, and scene developed together, and with a general discussion. This workshop will keep your manuscripts creatively on point, and will be a highlight of your 2023 Killer Nashville experience.
Jaden (Beth) Terrell is the author of the Nashville-based Jared McKean private detective series and, at the other end of the spectrum, a cozy cat mystery set at a Renaissance Faire. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and she's the recipient of the Killer Nashville Builder Award and two awards for service to the Southeast Mystery Writers of America. She’s a contributor to International Thriller Writers’ Big Thrill magazine and offers live and online workshops, coaching, and courses for writers. http://www.jadenterrell.com
Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author Steven Womack created the groundbreaking Music City Murders series, which was the first series to put Nashville on the map as a setting for the mystery genre. He is also the author of a number of other novels, including the New York Times Notable Book Murphy’s Fault. His latest novel, Fade Up From Black: The Return of Harry James Denton, brings Harry James Denton back into print. www.stevenwomack.com
Lisa Wysocky authors the award-winning Cat Enright equestrian mystery series, now optioned for television. She has also written books about country music stars and their horses, and books about horses and horse training. Lisa is also an in-demand co-author, editor, and ghostwriter with several of her books developed into movies. A regular substitute co-host of the podcast Horses in the Morning, Lisa also hosts the Celebs with Horses podcast. Both air on the Horse Radio Network. www.lisawysocky.com
“I love this conference. I went last year for the first time and can’t wait for this one. I’m excited to be on a panel and looking forward to listening to other authors and friends discuss their writing experiences and insights!”
– Susan Crawford
The Easy-to-Design Book Marketing Campaign: Build and Customize Yours in One Hour / Mary McFarland
How well you set up your book marketing campaign is a key contributing factor to ongoing sales and marketing success.
This master class teaches you how to design an individualized book marketing campaign that optimizes engagement with your target audience. You will be guided through the step-by-step process of building a budget-friendly marketing campaign for your next book launch. Through ample learning activities, examples, and in-class discussion, you will learn design skills you can swiftly transfer to subsequent book marketing campaigns. As a bonus, you will receive our free campaign design template ™, a workbook that accompanies our PowerPoint presentation, plus access to our online Facebook group for post-class questions and follow-up. To gain the most from this master class, bring and use your current or completed WiP to design a ready-to-use campaign.
Mary McFarland's background includes a career in the software industry and marketing competitive small business startups. Recognizing the challenges authors face, she founded Red Girl Digital Media LLC, a tech startup that creates apps for authors. An award-winning suspense author, Mary also writes thrillers at her beloved Mucky Manor. Her short stories appear in Ohio Writers' Assn. Anthology and The Women of Appalachia Project Anthology. Her thriller, Van Gogh Syndrome, is out 02.02.2023.
“As an aspiring novelist, I can easily say that attending Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was a fundamental turning point in my career. I learned how to pitch my novel, how to polish my manuscript, and met my agent in a pitch session.”
– Deitrich Stogner
Rejection-proof Submissions: Why You're Not Getting Published
/ Agent Steven Hutson
Have you sent off your manuscript to agents and editors, only to be rejected again and again? Learn the things they won't tell you; discover the most common problems, and how to avoid them. Hint: It may have nothing to do with the quality of your writing or your story.
STEVEN HUTSON was a storyteller almost from birth; poems, articles, business letters, advertising copy, and lame excuses. But like most writers, he kept a day job; in-between gigs he found gainful employment as a clerk typist, vitamin buyer, waiter, forklift operator, lifeguard, bookkeeper, grocery manager, printer’s apprentice, and meat cutter. Oh, and he went to college for a while with a major in business. But the muse didn’t give up on him, and in time he had a couple of books published. One thing led to another; he edited dozens of books for others and managed a writers’ conference for several years, making many valuable contacts along the way. He has mentored hundreds of aspiring authors, he speaks often at writers’ events, and he writes two blogs. Swimming, gardening, and cooking keep his hands busy in-between. He lives in sunny Southern California with his wife Ruth and son Bradley. Read more about Steven at https://www.wordwisemedia.com/team.
“I ended up shelving the manuscript for 13 years. Last year, I dusted off that manuscript, made some edits, and took both novels to the Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. This is where I met my publisher. The rest, they say, is history. It would not have happened without Killer Nashville.”
– Sandy Manning
Building Your Master Marketing Machine
/ Bobby Harris
Sunday: 10:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Are you an author looking to take your marketing to the next level? Building Your Master Marketing Machine Master Class will give you the confidence and knowledge you need! This 3-hour master class is tailored to help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the ins and outs of digital marketing. Our marketing expert will guide you step-by-step through everything from developing effective content to measuring your efforts for success. You’ll leave our class with newfound confidence in your ability to reach and engage with your target audience.
Don’t miss out on your chance to sharpen up your marketing skills. Join us for Building Your Master Marketing Machine – Master Class and benefit from the years of experience our expert bring to the table, whilst learning how best to optimize your marketing strategies and reach more readers!
When he’s asked how long has he been in digital marketing, BOBBY HARRIS responds, “Since Myspace!” Bobby has been in some form of marketing for two decades. He got his start marketing in live music promotions just as the shift from traditional marketing to digital marketing was happening. His professional resume ranges from pastor to concert promoter to agency owner and everything in between. Bobby is a problem solver, which he has applied to all areas of his life. Today, he thrives on figuring out how to make his clients as successful as possible in the digital marketing world. Learn more at https://heydigi.marketing