Schedule – Thursday, August 20th, 2026
1:00-6:00 PM • Registration
Registration Desk (Atrium) and Bookstore (Magnolia/Iris/Azalea) open to receive incoming consignment books
2:00 – 5:00 PM • Thursday Master Class Presentations
Master Class 1 – Pitching Session
— Nicola Pittam – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Oak)
Master Class 2 - Deadly Details: Medical & Forensic Truths Every Crime Writer Must Know
— DP Lyle – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Maple)
Master Class 3 - The #1 Structural Mistakes We See in Manuscripts (And How to Fix It)
— JJ Cagney, Carol Potenza – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Hickory)
Master Class 4 - Buffing and Polishing: The Art of the Rewrite
— John DeDakis, Christine Fairchild, Traci Abramson – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Sycamore)
Master Class 5 - Pivots and Payoff: How to Write an Unforgettable Ending Every Time
— Steven James – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Redbud)
Master Class 6 - The Anatomy of Mystery: Deconstructing The Scene
— Steven Womack, Jaden (Beth) Terrell, Lisa Womack – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Poplar)
Master Class 7 - Unputdownable Openings
— Miranda Darrow – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Williamson)
5:00 – 6:00 PM • SEMWA / Killer Nashville Ready! Set! Pitch!
Ready! Set! Pitch! One-on-One Coaching
— Sponsored by Southeast Mystery Writers of America – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required (Franklin)
5:30 – 7:00 PM • Open Bar
Killer Nashville Open Bar
– Free to Those Staying at Embassy Suites, Bar Tab for Those Not Staying at Embassy Suites (Atrium Rear)
6:00 – 9:00 PM • ‘Shine ‘n’ Wine Shindig
Killer Nashville ‘Shine ‘n’ Wine Shindig
– Nashville music, local moonshine, local wine, hors d’oeuvres – Ticketed Event – Advance Registration Required / Open to the public (Birch/Chestnut)
6:00-7:00 • Local wines and moonshine begin / hors d'oeuvres / live music
7:00-7:15 • Introduction of agents, editors, and guests of honor
7:15-9:00 • Guests optionally can sing with the band and impress their fellow attendees
6:00 PM • Registration Closes
Registration Desk (Atrium) and Bookstore (Maple / Oak) close