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Logo for WRITEFEST NASHVILLE featuring an open book with a tree growing from its pages.

Belmont University

November 20-21, 2026

Connect with book, music, and film industry leaders to elevate your craft and career.

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WriterFest Nashville helps writers turn their creative work into real‑world publishing deals—across books, music, and screen.

Whether you’re navigating agents, editors, producers, publishers, or platforms, attending WriterFest gives you creative inspiration and tools, clear pathways to publishing, real connections, and actionable next steps for how to cultivate more with your intellectual property.

Nashville is a publishing city—books, music, film, and television intersect here. WriterFest leverages that ecosystem to create meaningful access, not just conversation. By hosting this event in partnership with the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, we connect industry, academic instruction, and the creative community of Nashville in one space every November.

  • Learn -Panels, workshops, and keynotes from working professionals

  • Connect -Curated networking with industry insiders and peers

  • Pitch -Opportunities to practice pitching across publishing formats

  • Plan-Walk away with a clear idea of how you can move forward with your creative goals

Join us at WriterFest:

  • 25+ Expert Panel Sessions and presentations

  • 60+ industry professionals

  • 3 keynote addresses

  • “Coffee with Agents” meet-and-greet

  • 1 “practice your pitch” session for aspiring authors

  • 2 lunch with networking opportunities

  • Optional dinner group networking opportunity at local Nashville restaurants

  • “A truly peerless conference. I loved the interdisciplinary aspect, which welcomes writers and creators across three mediums that don't often find opportunities to intersect. The size is perfectly intimate, allowing the time and space for every attendees' questions to be answered while still providing bountiful networking and mingling. There's not another conference like WriterFest Nashville.”

    Julia Whelan, actor, award-winning audiobook narrator, internationally bestselling novelist, WriterFest 2023 Keynote Speaker

  • "WriterFest Nashville is the most amazing writing festival. I've met so many fabulous genuine, good writers here. I've had the time of my life."

    Tara Stringfellow, Bestselling author of Memphis, WriterFest 2022 Keynote Speaker

  • “WriterFest sets the standard for events like this. I really enjoyed participating in panels and meeting so many talented writers. I left on a creative, inspiring high.”

    Julian R. Vaca, author of The Memory Index

  • "WriterFest is a premier event where writers in different avenues of the craft—for two days of immersive study and community—find ourselves traveling the same road. I'm a repeat attendee for the exceptional talent involved, the fellowship offered, and the fundamental building blocks it lays for a growing career. Bonus: the creative energy is unmatched!"

    Kristy Cambron, bestselling author for HarperCollins, and Vice President and literary agent for Gardner Literary

  • “Well run, great variety of speakers, such a relaxed and inviting environment for novices and experts.”

    Carey Nelson Burch, founder and president of My Own Shingle, board member for Nashville Film Festival and Nashville’s Film-Com

  • “WriterFest is an extraordinary experience for the veteran and the beginning writer, a chance to connect with other professionals, be inspired, learn and trade ideas. I hope to make it every year!”

    Joy Jordan-Lake, bestselling author

  • "WriterFest is my go-to writer's conference every year. Not only does it offer an array of panels for new writers; it also offers a variety of helpful panels for established writers or those looking to network and further their careers."

    Rea Frey, award-winning, bestselling author, CEO of Writeway

  • “The audience was active, engaged, and made presenting fun. The panelists were all professionals. Each one had at least one gem to take away.”

    Meredith R. Lyons, award-winning author, narrator, and actor

  • "WriterFest Nashville offers so many opportunities to meet, network and socialize with authors, editors, literary agents, and other publishing professionals. I learned so much from the panels and made so many new friends and connections. I loved every minute of it!"

    Catherine B. Hooper, author

  • "I almost gave up but then I came to WriterFest."

    Nick Poe, attendee

  • "You can't imagine the trepidation I felt when my daughter sent me a link to WriterFest. A waste of time and money, I protested, I'm not published yet! Go any way, she insisted, and I'm so grateful I listened. For three glorious days I hobnobbed with award winning authors, screenwriters, songwriters, and grizzled veterans from the trenches of the publishing world. It's hard to say which was more valuable: the inspiration of the artists or the insight of the industry professionals....WriterFest has had a profound impact on the trajectory of my career as a writer."

    Daniel Knezha, novelist

  • "I was impressed by the breadth of talent and how accessible everyone was. WriterFest had a sense of community that many events lack. Count me in as a fan, and I’m looking forward to spreading the word."

    Ku, founder of Ku Worldwide Media

WriterFest partners help create a safe and diverse space for book, song, and screenwriters to grow, learn, and find community.

OUR SPONSORS

Former Keynote Speakers Include:

  • John T Edge

    John T Edge

    Writer & Commentator

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  • Edwina Findley

    Edwina Findley

    Actress & Author

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  • Craig Shelburne

    Craig Shelburne

    Music Journalist & Author

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  • Wm. Paul Young

    Wm. Paul Young

    New York Times Bestselling Author

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  • Anne Bogel

    Anne Bogel

    Podcaster & Author

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  • Aaron Covington

    Aaron Covington

    Screenwriter & Author

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  • Patti Callahan Henry

    New York Times Bestselling Author & Podcast Host

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  • A man with gray dreadlocks and a bandana smiling, wearing a black jacket and a T-shirt with the words 'BLACK. BRILLIANT. BEAUTIFUL.' and hashtag '#ItTakeMyCoffeeBlack'.

    Tyler Merritt

    Author, Actor, Speaker, Musician, & Content Creator

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  • Close-up portrait of a woman with long brown hair, wearing a dark top and a blue cardigan, against a plain white background.

    Julia Whelan

    Bestselling Author, Actor, & Audiobook Narrator

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  • Smiling woman with long black hair styled in an elegant updo, wearing a yellow satin dress, large dangling earrings, and bright red lipstick. She is posing indoors with a joyful expression.

    Tara M. Stringfellow

    Poet, Attorney, & National Bestselling Author

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  • Tim Reid Jr.

    SVP at BMG Music

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  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with short brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a black button-up shirt, sitting indoors near a stone fireplace and a white lamp with a stack of books nearby.

    Tom Douglas

    Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter & Author

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  • A woman with shoulder-length wavy blonde hair, black glasses, red lipstick, and a black turtleneck, smiling against a dark background.

    JT Ellison

    New York Times Bestselling Author & Emmy-Award Winning Host of A Word on Words

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  • A woman with dark curly hair, wearing a teal dress and a statement necklace, smiling against a blurred background.

    Aimee Nezhukumatahil

    New York Times Bestselling Author

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  • Close-up portrait of a woman with dark curly hair, wearing shiny makeup and jewelry, with her hand resting near her face against a brown background.

    Ruby Amanfu

    Grammy & BET-Nominated Songwriter & Performer

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  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white top and green earrings, smiling at the camera against a light background.

    Liz Cackowski

    Comedian, SNL Writer, & Screenwriter

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  • Portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, wearing a black and white embroidered top and a black blazer, resting her chin on her hand.

    Alice Randall

    Songwriter, Screenwriter, & Novelist

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  • A woman with blonde hair wearing a black blazer and pearl earrings, smiling against a plain white background.

    Liane Moriarty

    New York Times Bestselling Author

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A Tennessee Writing Conference, Songwriting Conference, Screenwriting Conference, and Publishing Conference—All in One Weekend in Nashville

WriterFest Nashville is a writing conference and community of entertainment industry professionals invested in shaping the craft and careers of aspiring authors, songwriters, screenwriters, and filmmakers. It presents one of the best opportunities in the South for writers to meet literary agents, publishers, Grammy Award-winning songwriters, and bestselling authors.

As a premier Southern writers conference, we serve aspiring writers and established professionals alike. Conveniently located in Middle Tennessee, WriterFest is within driving distance for writers and aspiring authors in Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

WriterFest is a Tennessee writing conference, a songwriting conference, a screenwriting conference, and a publishing conference—all in one inspiring weekend in Nashville.

Stay up to date

The best way to stay involved with WriterFest throughout the year is through our monthly newsletter. We not only share news and updates about the conference and our events throughout the year, we also love to share guest columns written by industry professionals and artists, and insider tips from those in the media industries of book, song, and screen / film.