Breakout Workshops
2025 Breakout Workshops Information
Breakout sessions are $19 each.
Are you a writer with specific questions you would like addressed? Do you want a chance to sit with a professional in a small, intimate setting and discuss writing, the business of writing, getting published, and increasing sales? Hosted by authors, agents, editors, branding, and marketing experts, these sessions take a deep dive into each respective subject with a smaller class size so you have more individual attention.
Open to all attendees of Killer Nashville!
Enrollment is limited.
Friday Breakout Sessions – August 22, 2025
The Right Way to Get an Agent
9:00-9:45 A.M., August 22, 2025
Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books. Her books have appeared on the USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. Her novel, Her Stolen Past, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network.
Amazon, Facebook, and BookBub Advertising
10:00-10:45 A.M., August 22, 2025
TO Paine is T.O. Paine is an award-winning author of fast-paced thriller suspense novels. He is a member of International Thriller Writers and holds a master’s degree in computer information systems.
Crafting Killer Query Letters
1:50-2:35 P.M., August 22, 2025
Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books. Her books have appeared on the USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. Her novel, Her Stolen Past, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network.
Amber Meyer is a Story Grid Certified Editor with a passion for murder mysteries. If you long to commit fictional murder, then Amber may be your ideal partner in crime. Amber currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three crazy kids, and four fur-babies. She dreams of living on a beach in Hawaii and becoming the next Agatha Christie.
Publicizing Your Book in an Ever-Changing Media Landscape
1:50-2:35 P.M., August 22, 2025
Tricia Hedman is a publicist and the founder of Ollie Media. Her clients include authors from FSG, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Knopf, Naval Institute Press, Rodale, University of Missouri Press and University of New Mexico Press as well as smaller presses and independent publishers.
Different Types of Edits Explained
2:50-3:35 P.M., August 22, 2025
Helen Thornton-Gussy is an award-winning editor and publisher, and the owner of Edit Co. and Southlight Press. She has worked with Grim Oak Press on limited editions for fantasy legends like Robin Hobb and Terry Brooks. A Kiwi with a global outlook, she brings sharp insight and deep experience to every project.
Create Your Best Author Bio (And Draw in Your Reader)
3:50-4:35 P.M., August 22, 2025
Jeniffer Thompson is a personal branding expert, digital marketing strategist and host of The Premise podcast. She is an award winning author and speaker who delivers strategy-rich content and actionable tools that educate and empower authors.
Saturday Breakout Sessions – August 23, 2025
The Editor/Author Relationship
9:00-9:45 A.M., August 23, 2025
Traci Abramson is a former CIA officer and eight-time Whitney Award winner, including two Best Novel of the Year honors. She’s the bestselling author of forty-five novels, blending real-life intelligence experience with gripping fiction. A seasoned swim coach and world traveler, Traci brings energy, insight, and authenticity to every story she tells.
https://www.traciabramson.com/
John DeDakis is an award-winning novelist, writing coach, and former Senior Copy Editor for CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. A former White House correspondent, he’s the author of six mystery-thrillers and a sought-after instructor at literary centers and conferences. Also a podcaster and jazz drummer, John brings newsroom grit and storytelling mastery to the page.
Ami McConnell is a writer, editor, and publishing consultant of New York Times bestsellers and award-winning titles based in Nashville, TN. She formerly served as Editor-in-Chief and VP of Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. Before that she acquired and edited for HarperCollins where she helped launch a successful fiction imprint.
Amber Meyer is is a Story Grid Certified Editor with a passion for murder mysteries. If you long to commit fictional murder, then Amber may be your ideal partner in crime. Amber currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three crazy kids, and four fur-babies. She dreams of living on a beach in Hawaii and becoming the next Agatha Christie.
Website WOW: Insider Secrets for Building a Powerful Author Website
10:00-10:45 A.M., August 23, 2025
Jeniffer Thompson is a personal branding expert, digital marketing strategist and host of The Premise podcast. She is an award winning author and speaker who delivers strategy-rich content and actionable tools that educate and empower authors.
How to Start and Build Your Career as a Writer
1:50-2:35 P.M., August 23, 2025
Jaden Terrell is a Shamus Award nominee, an internationally published author, and a writing coach and contributor to Now Write! Mysteries. She is also a Magnolia Award and Silver Quill recipient for her service to the mystery writing community. With deep research chops and a flair for suspense, Jaden brings authenticity and heart to every story.
The Six-Step Revision Process
1:50-2:35 P.M., August 23, 2025
Miranda Darrow is a freelance fiction editor, #RevPit board member, and creator of the Concise Fiction Academy series. A former corporate attorney, she distills complex writing craft into sharp, accessible insights—with a dash of humor. A sought-after presenter, Miranda brings editorial precision and Midwest charm to every stage and page.
How to Face Rejection Head On
3:50-4:35 P.M., August 23, 2025
John DeDakis is an award-winning novelist, writing coach, and former Senior Copy Editor for CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. A former White House correspondent, he’s the author of six mystery-thrillers and a sought-after instructor at literary centers and conferences. Also a podcaster and jazz drummer, John brings newsroom grit and storytelling mastery to the page.
The Importance of Contrast
3:50-4:35 P.M., August 23, 2025
J.A. Jance is a bestselling author with a writing career spanning over forty years and nearly seventy books across four acclaimed series. Her work has captivated generations of readers with unforgettable characters and gripping storytelling. From Bisbee to Seattle, J.A. brings decades of literary mastery to every page.
Sunday Breakout Sessions – August 24, 2025
The Agent/Author Relationship
9:00-9:45 A.M., August 24, 2025
Alicia Brooks is a veteran editor and literary agent with over 25 years in publishing, having worked with icons like Margaret Atwood and Pat Conroy. She’s edited award-winning and bestselling titles across genres and now champions powerful, diverse voices at Martin Literary Management. With deep industry roots and a sharp editorial eye, Alicia brings passion and precision to every project.
Tara Gelsomino is the founder and CEO of One Track Literary Agency, with over twenty years in publishing and past roles at Simon & Schuster, BBC Audiobooks, and Romantic Times Magazine. She represents standout genre fiction and negotiates audio rights for top publishers and agencies. A leader in literary innovation, Tara brings sharp industry insight and fierce advocacy to every client.
https://www.onetrackliterary.com/
Ronald Gerber is an award-winning literary agent at Lowenstein Associates, known for championing bestselling, cinematic stories with unforgettable characters. His clients’ titles have attracted major publishers and Hollywood interest alike. With a sharp eye for compelling narratives, Ronald makes every session a must-attend event.
https://lowensteinassociates.com/ronald-gerber/
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency known for discovering emotionally charged, page-one gripping fiction across Romance, Suspense, Mystery, and accessible supernatural fantasy. She champions stories that make readers laugh, cry, or race their pulses. Cathie’s sharp instincts make her sessions essential for writers aiming to break through.
https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/
Dean Krystek is a published novelist and former military veteran who brings a sharp eye for distinctive voices and immersive storytelling. He specializes in paranormal, crime, mysteries, sci-fi, psychological suspense, and character-driven military fiction, with a passion for stories that evoke a strong sense of time and place. Dean also seeks film and TV projects, making his sessions a must for writers ready to break into multiple mediums.
https://www.wordlink.us/agents
Katie Monson is a passionate advocate for indie romance with years of experience blogging, beta reading, and editing for emerging authors. Self-motivated and organized, she’s dedicated to guiding clients toward success with a keen eye for compelling stories. When she’s not championing new voices, Katie enjoys family life and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains.
James Mustelier is a discerning agent passionate about commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction that feature economical prose, complex characters, and compelling tension. He specializes in tightly plotted horror and mysteries, grounded speculative fiction, and nonfiction that reveals unseen subcultures with vivid narrative and rigorous research. Known for championing stories with narrative gravity and dark humor, James makes every session essential for writers seeking depth and originality.
Gamify Your Writing to Level Up Your Productivity and Reader Engagement
10:00-10:45 A.M., August 24, 2025
Miranda Darrow is a freelance fiction editor, #RevPit board member, and creator of the Concise Fiction Academy series. A former corporate attorney, she distills complex writing craft into sharp, accessible insights—with a dash of humor. A sought-after presenter, Miranda brings editorial precision and Midwest charm to every stage and page.
Crafting Killer Synopses
11:30A.M.-12:15 P.M., August 24, 2025
Jaden Terrell is a Shamus Award nominee, an internationally published author, and a writing coach and contributor to Now Write! Mysteries. She is also a Magnolia Award and Silver Quill recipient for her service to the mystery writing community. With deep research chops and a flair for suspense, Jaden brings authenticity and heart to every story.
Top 21 Editing Mistakes Authors Make
12:30-1:15 P.M., August 24, 2025
Lisa Wysocky is an award-winning author, editor, and motivational speaker whose diverse career spans competitive horse training, journalism, and entertainment publicity. A recognized leader in therapeutic horsemanship, she hosts award-winning podcasts and inspires audiences with life lessons drawn from the horse world. Lisa’s dynamic presence and multifaceted expertise make her sessions unforgettable.
“I truly believe my career got its start thanks to Killer Nashville.”
– Phyllis Halt
“Thank you for the support you show aspiring authors at Killer Nashville.”