Belmont University

November 20-21, 2026

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

Stay up to date

The best way to stay involved with WriterFest throughout the year is through our bi-weekly newsletter (not the twice-a-week kind, only every other week!). We not only share news and updates about the conference and our events throughout the year, we also love to share knowledge about our creative industries of book, song, and screen.

What to Expect

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
Two-day ticket holders gain included discount on tickets to “A Dolly Good Time”

Former Keynote Speakers Include:

John T Edge

Writer & Commentator

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Edwina Findley

Actress & Author

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Craig Shelburne

Music Journalist & Author

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Wm. Paul Young

New York Times Bestselling Author

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Anne Bogel

Podcaster & Author

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Aaron Covington

Screenwriter & Author

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Patti Callahan Henry

New York Times Bestselling Author & Podcast Host

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Tyler Merritt

Author, Actor, Speaker, Musician, & Content Creator

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Julia Whelan

Bestselling Author, Actor, & Audiobook Narrator

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Tara M. Stringfellow

Poet, Attorney, & National Bestselling Author

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Tim Reid Jr.

SVP at BMG Music

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Tom Douglas

Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter & Author

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JT Ellison

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

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Aimee Nezhukumatahil

New York Times Bestselling Author

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Ruby Amanfu

Grammy & BET-Nominated Songwriter & Performer

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Liz Cackowski

Comedian, SNL Writer, & Screenwriter

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Alice Randall

Songwriter, Screenwriter, & Novelist

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Liane Moriarty

New York Times Bestselling Author

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“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

WriterFest is proudly Women Owned.

Meet Founder & President Ami McConnell and Executive Director Sara Wigal as well as their amazing team who help operate the conference and all other WriterFest endeavors.

OUR TEAM

Belmont University

November 20-21, 2026

Stay up to date

What to Expect

John T Edge

Edwina Findley

Craig Shelburne

Wm. Paul Young

Anne Bogel

Aaron Covington

Patti Callahan Henry

Tyler Merritt

Julia Whelan

Tara M. Stringfellow

Tim Reid Jr.

Tom Douglas

JT Ellison

Aimee Nezhukumatahil

Ruby Amanfu

Liz Cackowski

Alice Randall

Liane Moriarty

"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."

“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.”

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

“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!”

"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."

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

"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!"

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

"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."

WriterFest is proudly Women Owned.