WNBA Nashville ChapterWe gather, celebrate, and serve book lovers in the
Greater Nashville area and beyond |
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We are now accepting new memberships and renewals for our upcoming year of 2025-26. Expect another great year of fun and programs and social activities, starting with our Summer Happy Hour at Pinewood Social.
To join, click here! or on the image above. 
WNBA Award 2025
UPDATE! Judy Blume has shared her gratitude for the WNBA Award on Facebook! Click on the picture above to see her post! The Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) announces that the 2025 WNBA Award winner is Judy Blume, prolific author of books for adolescent girls. The award is presented to a living American woman who has done meritorious work in the world of books beyond the duties and responsibilities of her profession or occupation. Nominees must derive part or all of their income from books or the allied arts. “Nominations for this year’s award ranged from memoirist to community-minded bookseller,” said NC Weil, WNBA Award co-chair. “What distinguishes Blume is her meritorious work in speaking out against book banning and censorship in schools and libraries. At an age when she could deservedly rest on her accomplishments, she chose instead to open a bookstore in Key West with her husband, and to speak out nationally about threats to books. Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West (https://booksandbookskw.com/) describes itself as “Key West’s locally-owned, nonprofit, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore. Affiliated with Books & Books, one of the nation’s great independent bookstores, our home is part of The Studios of Key West, a non-profit arts center and cultural organization.” Polina Pompliano of TheProfile.com says this: “Judy Blume is one of the most banned authors of the 20th century… Her most popular [titles] include, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Forever… Deenie, and Blubber. “I felt only that I had to write the most honest books I could. It never occurred to me, at the time, that what I was writing was controversial,” she says. “Much of it grew out of my own feelings and concerns when I was young.” (4.26.23 https://www.readtheprofile.com) The WNBA Award (formerly the Constance Lindsay Skinner Award) has been continuously awarded since 1940. Recent recipients include Eve Bridburg, Hannah Oliver Depp, Lisa Lucas, Carla Hayden, Louise Erdrich, Amy King, and Ann Patchett. The full list of recipients includes former First Ladies, authors, activists, booksellers, librarians, and publishing professionals—all dedicated literary women whose achievements have enhanced the book world. The May 31 awards ceremony hosted by the NYC Chapter of WNBA will honor Ms. Blume in absentia – the Award will be accepted on her behalf by Cheryl Davis, General Counsel, The Writers Guild. About the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA): The Women’s National Book Association is a professional organization dedicated to promoting books and literacy and to supporting women in the book world. Formed in 1917 by a group of female booksellers in New York City who were not allowed to join the all-male booksellers’ organizations, the WNBA continues to advocate for equality and representation in the book world. The WNBA welcomes members of all genders and professions. May Book ClubA mighty group of book-loving members braved a torrential storm to discuss Author and WNBA Member Melissa Colling's debut novel, THE FALSE FLAT. Melissa shared fun and entertaining facts about her characters and inspiration for the novel, her writing process, and plans for Book Number Two now in the works, to be published in 2026! Many thanks to Melissa and co-hostess Jennifer Sellers for a memorable evening at Melissa's gorgeous home. .
May Garden Party
Our annual May garden party was held on Thursday, May 8, at the home of our president, Ami McConnell. The rain forced guests to gather indoors, but a good time was had by all as they socialized and got to know one another better. Thanks, Ami, for saving the day!
Nashville Board
Your Nashville WNBA board will meet on June 21 for our annual board retreat where we will plan next year's programs and activities. Planning our activities and making our organization better is a year round endeavor! Let us know if you have ideas or if you would like to serve on the board and help us make WNBA Nashville even better. If you want to make good friends in WNBA and get to know the members of our organization, serving on the board is the way to do it! For more information about our board members and duties, click here.
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! And don't forget to let us know when you have news for our Member News page! We want to share your accomplishments with our members! 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 |
July Book Discussion
Exciting update! Author Kaylon Bruner Tran will be at our book discussion via Zoom! Join us!
Our July book discussion will be at the home of Shelby Bowles in Southeast Nashville on July 29. Details on the time and place will be sent out in July. If you don't get them by July 25, use the Contact Page for information. Time Intertwined by Kaylon Bruner Tran weaves neglected aspects of the Vietnam War into solving a modern-day genealogical mystery. War doesn’t end just because the fighting stops. Anh was only ten when American Green Berets first set foot in Vietnam. Within two years, she would be orphaned and sickened by the deadly herbicide known as Agent Orange. After nearly two decades of war, Anh and her newborn daughter were desperate to escape. But in the chaos and confusion of the fall of Saigon, mother and child were separated. Would she ever see her baby again? Anh’s daughter Mikayla grew up in the U.S. with no memory of her mother. When a DNA test unexpectedly reveals that she was adopted, Mikayla is left angry and confused—and she is determined to discover her true identity. As Anh struggles to rebuild her life, Mikayla uncovers long-kept secrets that threaten to rip her family apart. Can either woman find happiness again? Just as Anh and Mikayla begin to adjust to the changes forced upon them, the toxic legacy of Agent Orange begins to be revealed. The war may be over, but another battle rages on. Is it possible to defeat an invisible enemy capable of harming generations yet to come? June Happy Hour
On June 5, WNBA Nashville had its first Happy Hour of the summer and the new membership year. Almost 20 members and guests were in attendance, a fabulous number for a summer gathering! We socialized, introduced ourselves to the group, and shared a bit about our interests and background. It was great to see so many new faces! Come join us on July 3 when we meet again!
WNBA Nashville’s “Spring for the Kids” Book Drive: Mission Accomplished!
by Molly Lyon As our WNBA Nashville “Spring for the Kids” campaign comes to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our book drive! Thanks to your generosity, we collected 146 books—far surpassing our original goal of 100! Throughout April and May 2025, we conducted a summer reading project in partnership with Fostering Hope TN, a Tennessee-based nonprofit serving children in foster care. With guidance from members of the fostering community, we curated a thoughtful book list full of stories that educate, inspire, and entertain. Each of these books are now on their way to children in foster care across Middle Tennessee. We hope these stories will spark imagination, bring joy, and remind these young readers that they are seen, supported, and valued. It’s been an honor to help lead this initiative, and I’m so grateful to be part of a chapter that puts compassion into action. Thank you for making it such a success!
Teresa Mosley Sebastian is a multifaceted professional, carving a unique path as an attorney, entrepreneur, and author. Her diverse career reflects a deep commitment to both the world of business and the power of storytelling, resulting in her writings being the recipient of a B.R.A.G. Medallion, Independent Publisher Book Award, and Foreword Indies Book Award, among others.
Teresa's experience in diverse industries showcases her strategic and creative capabilities. Teresa's talent for prose shines through her work as an author. She wrote the historical fiction novel series, "Lost Seeds," which includes "Lost Seeds: The Beginning" and "Lost Seeds: The Legacy." Her storytelling is inspired by her upbringing and observations of human life, and she has been recognized for her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Beyond being a novelist, Teresa is the President and CEO of The Dominion Asset Group, an angel investment firm, demonstrating her acumen in the financial sector. Yet, beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she contributes her expertise to several corporate boards, including The AES Corporation and Peckham Industries, Inc. She also lends her insights to the artist industry serving on the advisory board of Assemble Sound LLC, a music company. In addition to her roles in business and literature, Sebastian shared her knowledge as a former adjunct professor at both the University of Michigan Law School and Vanderbilt University Law School. She also dedicates her time to various non-profit organizations, including as Chair-Elect of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, further exemplifying her commitment to the arts community and making a difference. Today, she is penning the third installment of the "Lost Seeds" series. Take a look at more information about Lost Seeds, and engaging blogs and short stories, at teresamosleysebastian.com. See also, X @LostSeedsSaga, Instagram @tmsebast.author and Facebook teresamosleysebastian to learn more about Teresa. Would you like to be in The Spotlight? This is a great way to get to know our members and for us to get to know you! Contact Nancy at [email protected] Upcoming Events Monthly Programming for Members. Guests welcome! July 3 Summer Happy Hour at Pinewood Social 6-8 Socialize and get to know one another in a relaxed setting. Great networking opportunity! July 29 July Book Club discussion at the home of Shelby Bowles. Time Intertwined by Kaylon Bruner Tran. Details to follow via email or use the contact page for info. August 7 Summer Happy Hour at Pinewood Social 6-8 Socialize and get to know one another in a relaxed setting. Great networking opportunity! September 4 “Shop Local” featuring Indy Bookstores September Book Club discussion October 2 Southern Festival of Books Round-Up special guest speaker. November 6 Best Books Lists “Wrap-Up” + Wrapping Party for A Good Cause November Book Club discussion December 4 Christmas Party (members only) @ Old Natchez Country Club WNBA Social MediaDid you know WNBA Nashville is on Instagram and Facebook? Look at the bottom of this page to find the links to both!
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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
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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]