WNBA Nashville ChapterWe gather, celebrate, and serve book lovers in the
Greater Nashville area and beyond |
|
With Gratitude
With Gratitude to Ami McConnell
The Women’s National Book Association Nashville Chapter extends our heartfelt thanks to Ami McConnell for her service, leadership, and generosity as our outgoing president. Ami has spent her career championing books, writers, and the people who make literary community possible. As an author, editor, publishing consultant, literary agent, and founder of WriterFest Nashville, she has brought decades of experience to our chapter, but what we have appreciated most is the way she uses that experience: to encourage others, open doors, make connections, and help people feel like there is room for them. Under Ami’s leadership, WNBA Nashville continued to grow as a welcoming space for writers, readers, publishing professionals, and book lovers across Middle Tennessee. She led with thoughtfulness, steadiness, and a genuine desire to serve, always looking for ways our chapter could be more connected, more useful, and more generous. That spirit of service has been one of Ami’s greatest gifts to WNBA Nashville. She didn’t just lead meetings or help shape programs. She helped remind us why organizations like ours matter. Through the giving campaigns she created and championed, Ami showed us that a literary community can also be a generous one: a place where we celebrate books and writers, yes, but also a place where we show up for people in need. We are deeply grateful for Ami’s time, energy, and service. Her leadership has left a lasting mark on WNBA Nashville, and we are so thankful for all she has given to our chapter. Please join us in celebrating Ami McConnell and thanking her for her outstanding service as president of WNBA Nashville. With gratitude, The Women’s National Book Association, Nashville Chapter Join us in June!
WNBA June Book Club Gathering Join us on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of conversation and connection as we discuss Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, a thoughtful and emotionally layered novel exploring grief, love, family, and the complicated spaces between people. Known for her sharp dialogue and intimate character work, Rooney once again captures the quiet tensions and emotional undercurrents of modern relationships. Our June gathering will be graciously hosted by CiCi Christman in her home. Please RSVP directly with CiCi for her address at [email protected] We look forward to another meaningful evening of books, conversation, and community with fellow readers! 
Want to have a greater role in the future of our fantastic organization?
We are seeking two new Board Members for the upcoming 2026-2028 term, beginning June, 2026: Program Chair Southern Festival of Books Chair If interested, please click WNBA Program and SFOB Board Position Descriptions.pdf for a description. Your WNBA-Nashville Board is eager to continue providing networking, socializing and professional development opportunities. We look forward to a great new membership year. For questions, and to discuss your interest further, contact us at [email protected] Garden Party Time!
What a great turnout and glorious garden setting for our annual member celebration! Members braved the rain but maximized the fun. Guests enjoyed appetizers, wine and beverages provided by WNBA Board Members, along with Ami McConnell’s heartful remarks as departing president, and Carly Anderson’s inspirational greeting as incoming president.
Thank you so much for attending, and for being part of our Nashville literary community. We look forward to another great year of networking, socializing and volunteer service with the start of the new 2026-2027 membership year in June. Poetry and Friends“Life in Verse: The Power of Storytelling Through Poetry” Camaraderie and poetry were on the menu at Carrabba's on April 7 when WNBA Nashville met to celebrate National Poetry Month. Our program featured published poets Carly Marlys, Heather Cadenhead, and Kate Gaston. Carly, Heather, and Kate each read from their collected works and answered our questions about writing poetry. Carly, Heather, and Kate can all be found on Substack. Check them out! The evening also included some friendly conversations as we enjoyed our delicious meals from Carrabba's. It's always great to get together and see old friends and make new ones! We especially welcomed our newest members and our guests. Lines from Lauren
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren Scott. I’m 12 years old, and I’m the youngest member of the WNBA Nashville chapter. Each month, I write a little challenge for our members to help keep the month fun and full of books!
I was on Canva the other day working on a school project, and while searching for a slideshow template, I made a really cool discovery: book bingo. I had seen things like this before, but it never really hit me how fun they can be. Not only do they create an exciting book-reading plan for the year, but they’re also something you can do with friends and family as a great bonding activity. So this month, I invite everyone to try a book challenge with your family and/or friends. It doesn’t have to be book bingo- just anything that gets your mind racing and has you running to your book shelves, the library or a book store to grab that one book you’ve been wanting to read for months but have been putting off. Here are a few ideas to get you started: • Complete a series • Read everything by one author • Ask your local librarian for a reading list • Explore a country you’d like to visit through books • Read books from a specific decade • Make your way through the classics • Explore classic retellings • AND MORE! Happy reading! Lauren Scott |
The WNBA membership year begins now! Join us for another fun-filled year of networking, programs, service, and friendship. To join, click here for the membership form and for dues payment. Membership year runs from June-May.
See you in 2026-2027! 
Join us for our May Book Club as we dive into The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali—a powerful story of friendship, courage, and resilience set against the backdrop of Iran’s changing history. Following two women whose lives intertwine across decades, the novel explores the bonds that shape us and the choices that define us.
WNBA Members will gather on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Carrabba’s in Green Hills for an evening of thoughtful conversation and connection. RSVP with Danielle via email: [email protected] We hope you’ll join for a meaningful discussion—and a wonderful night out with fellow readers! WNBA Book Club Goes Monthly
There is a quiet magic in reading alone—but an even greater one in reading together. As the new Book Club Chairperson for WNBA, I’m delighted to introduce a new monthly format for our book club gatherings. This shift opens the door for more frequent connection, richer conversation, and a stronger sense of community—one book at a time.
Book clubs do something special. They take a solitary act and turn it into a shared experience. They invite us to see through new lenses, to listen closely, and to linger a little longer in the world of a story. Around a table—whether in a cozy home or a favorite restaurant—books become bridges, conversations deepen, and connections grow into friendship. As our WNBA chapter continues to grow, we are inviting members to host a gathering. Choose a month, select a book, and decide on a setting that feels welcoming and warm. If you’re interested, please sign up with Kimberly Dana at [email protected] and include your preferred month, location, and book selection. Because the stories we read matter—but the connections we make around them matter even more! Warmly, Kimberly Dana WNBA Book Club Chairperson
Catherine B. Hooper, WNBA-Nashville Membership Chair, is an author who writes under the pen name, Cat B. Hooper. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she’s a retired communications director and event planner for Vanderbilt University where she earned a degree in Creative Writing.
Cat had always wanted to write a novel, and years ago, while living on a horse farm, she began writing a story: “What If you unexpectedly inherited a horse farm—and a jealous relative schemed against you?” She also included original songs in the storyline. Years later, she resurrected the pages and using a five-thirty a.m. daily writing schedule outside of her full-time job, she finished her debut novel which is now being pitched to publishers. While awaiting a publishing deal, Cat is working on her second novel, full of fun magical realism about a California legend. While Cat regrets the twelve-year gap in completing the project, she reminds all aspiring authors to honor the creative spirit within, stressing it’s never too late to start, resume or complete a project. Outside of her Membership Chair role, Cat enjoys attending writing conferences and seminars and judging writing contests such as the Silver Falchion and the Rising Star literary awards. Cat is also a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and has appeared as a panelist at the Writerfest Nashville conference. An avid traveler, she enjoys frequent trips to scenic places around the U.S. and Europe, especially national parks, coastlines and the mountains. Follow her author’s journey at: www.catbhooper.com, FaceBook, and Instagram@catbhooper. 
Vanderbilt University Presents
the 38th annual Southern Festival of Books, a program of Humanities Tennessee 2026 OCTOBER 17 (9am to 6pm) OCTOBER 18 (10am to 5pm) Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives We're excited to celebrate the written word with you downtown this fall! Initial lineup to come midsummer. In the meantime, happy reading! Great Group Reads
Upcoming Events Monthly Programming for Members. Guests welcome! . May 19 Book Club Discussion The Lion Women of Tehran 6:00 pm at Carrabba's June 2 Summer Happy Hour. 6:00 pm at Martha My Dear June 23 Book Club Discussion Intermezzo by Sally Rooney Details TBA July 7 Summer Happy Hour 6:00 pm at Pinewood Social July Book Club Discussion Details TBA August 4 Summer Happy Hour 6:00 pm at Greenhouse Bar August Book Club Discussion Details TBA WNBA Loves Books!We write them, we publish them, we sell them, we teach children and adults to read and appreciate them, we loan them, we borrow them, we give them, we read them, we listen to them, and we share them with friends. --Lee Fairbend Did you realize there are more pages on our website than this one? Click above the website header on the three lines or the plus sign to find the links to our other pages. You'll find lots more content and information! To join click here. And don't forget to check out our Member News page. Let us know when you have some news to share! |
About the Nashville Chapter
Since 1955, the Nashville chapter of the Women’s National Book Association has been promoting reading, supporting literacy, and advancing the role of women in the community of the book. We offer informative programs and networking opportunities from September through May, a book discussion group that meets six times a year, and various charitable and outreach activities
|
Follow us on social media!
|
Questions?
All events, with the exception of the annual Christmas dinner and the Garden Party, are free and open to the public. For more information, contact [email protected]