Representatives from the Tennessee State Library and Archives will be giving us an overview of their collections and services at our February meeting. This is a lovely facility that has been in operation for about three years and is located at Bicentennial Mall. If you're interested in Tennessee history, be sure to join us. This is a great place to research that book you're reading or writing! See you February 6 at Carrabba's at 6:00 pm.

Books to Start 2025

Members and guests gathered at our monthly meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Carrabba’s. We each shared a book that we read in 2024 that we highly recommend! The titles are listed below. See you next month!
  • Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver (Ami McConnell recommends)
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (LeAnne Smith recommends)
  • Las Que No Duermen by Dolores Redondo (Lluvia Agustin recommends)
  • What’s Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing... by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack (Tori Ross recommends)
  • The Maid by Nita Prose and The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate (Libby Simons recommends)
  • The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Molly Lyon recommends)
  • :Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay and Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (recommended by Jennifer Sellers)
  • The Book That No One Wanted to Read and I Hate Reading (recommended by Elizabeth Sellers)
  • This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger (recommended by Phyllis Gobbell)
  • Quicksilver from Blood and Ash; Throne of Glass series (recommended by Morgan)
  • Deep Work by Cal Newport and One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reed (recommended by Melissa Collings)
  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (recommended by Ariel Collings)
  • The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (recommended by Gabi Armer)
  • Weyward by Emilia Hart (recommended by Elizabeth Bass Parman)
  • Red Comet by Heather Clark (recommended by guest of Angela Redden)
  • The House of Being by Natasha Trethewey (recommended by Angela Redding) AND One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty (suggested that we read them as a pair)
  • The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows by Dolores Hart (recommended by Sara Elkins)
  • The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold (guest of Angela Redden)​

​To see the dates for future meetings and to check out our previous programs, go to our Programs and Events page here.

The Merriest of Holiday Parties!

WNBA Nashville members were in "full bling" at the Holiday Party!  Everyone enjoyed a fun and festive evening, mixing and mingling at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin.

Nashville Chapter President Ami McConnell and Program Chair Linda Harris highlighted upcoming events, and special guest Katie McDonnell, co-founder of the Porch, spoke about their literary-based classes and programs. 

Thanks to everyone who attended, and to Membership Chair Catherine Hooper for organizing the event. 

Join us in 2025 for more parties, book clubs, monthly membership meetings and networking happy hours. Check back here and watch your emails for more information!

A Thank You from The Porch

On behalf of The Porch, co-founder Katie McDougall and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the honor of speaking at your annual holiday mixer. It was an absolute delight to share about The Porch and our Writing for Good program with such an engaged and inspiring group. The passion and energy in the room were truly uplifting, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with all of you.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Porch cannot operate without the generosity of our community. Your support enables us to fulfill our mission of making creative writing accessible to anyone and everyone. Together, we can continue to foster a thriving literary arts community in Nashville and beyond.
We invite you to get involved with The Porch in the following ways:
Every gift, no matter the size, directly impacts our ability to offer transformative creative writing experiences to the community.
Below, you’ll find detailed information about our Writing for Good program and our 2024 Annual Report, which highlights our impact within the Middle Tennessee community thanks to supporters like you. These resources showcase the vital role supporters have in helping us achieve our mission.
Thank you again for your hospitality and for championing the transformative power of words. Your support makes all the difference, and we’re honored to partner with such a dedicated and inspiring group.
To learn more about The Porch - CLICK HERE
With gratitude,
Bonnie
Bonnie St Martin
Director of Development
(423) 903-6751
[email protected]
https://linkedin.com/in/bonniestmartin/

WNBA Boston 2025 Agent/Query event

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Whether you are ready to submit or just wondering how it all works, join us with literary agents Pam Gruber, Jim McCarthy, and Jessica Sinsheimer hosted by Kelsey Costa, Programs Chair of the WNBA-Boston Chapter and Aime Alley Card, author of The Tigerbelles and Programs Chair of the WNBA-Boston Chapter

WHEN: 1/14/25 @ 7pm EST
WHERE: Virtual
REGISTER: CLICK HERE TO ATTEND
Submit queries: CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT ​
After many months of reading and review, the WNBA is happy to announce the Great Group Reads selections for 2024.
 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! 

January
​Book Club 

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Our January book club will be held in the home of Cici Christman at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 16. Our book discussion will be about Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. If you don't receive Cici's address by January 13, please complete the contact page for information.

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

BAP Fair March 1 

The Books, Authors and Publishers Fair is for everyone who loves reading, writing and the world of books. FAIR OPENS AT 9.00am, closes 3.00pm. March 1 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Expo Hall 3.

GRAB YOUR FREE TICKET NOW! Take advantage of the early bird giveaway, before paid entry becomes effective. LINK TO TICKET WEBSITE: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/bapfair1
(Co-located with the 6th Nashville Wellness Fest, for free tickets to this event (click here).

Meet over 50 local and national authors, talk to them about their books, buy signed copies. Every genre is there: Children's Books. Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Self Help, Non Fiction, Thrillers...something for everyone-and it's FREE to get in.

For budding authors, attend free workshops on how to write, publish and market your own book. Browse through books of all types at the Book Tasting Area.....we'll also have a selection of Banned Books for you to look at--see what all the fuss is about!

Reading Rock Bookshop will be there with a huge range of new and used books to buy.

They'll be fun activities for all ages, competitions and free gifts. Lots of children's authors, in fact writers of every genre will be there. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will be there as well as the BOOK BUS!
A Sneak Peek at Melissa R. Collings' Booth at the BAP Fairby Melissa Collings

Book lovers, mark your calendars! The 2025 BAP (Books, Authors, and Publishers) Fair is just around the corner, and this year promises to be more exciting than ever. Among the stellar lineup of authors and creators, I am thrilled to share that I’ll be hosting a booth at the event, offering an insider’s look at my writing journey, exclusive swag, and a chance to connect with readers like you.
What to Expect at My BoothAs an author passionate about creating heartfelt, compelling stories, I’m eager to share my work with new and returning readers alike. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect when you visit my booth:
  1. Books for Sale and Signing: I’ll have copies of my debut novel, The False Flat, available for purchase. Whether you’re looking to pick up a signed copy for yourself, a unique gift for a fellow book lover, or one of my special Mother's Day packages that can be ordered at the fair, I’ve got you covered.
  2. Exclusive Swag: To make your visit unforgettable, I’ll be giving away custom bookmarks, art prints inspired by my novel, and a few surprises you won’t want to miss. These collectibles are designed to enhance your reading experience and bring a touch of my stories into your everyday life.
  3. Engaging Conversations: One of my favorite parts of attending events like the BAP Fair is connecting directly with readers. Whether you have questions about my characters, writing process, or upcoming projects, I’m excited to chat with you. And if you’re an aspiring writer, stop by for some insider tips and encouragement!
Why the BAP Fair is a Must-Attend EventThe BAP Fair isn’t just a place to discover your next favorite book—it’s a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. With its vibrant atmosphere, talented authors, and engaging activities, the fair is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of books, connect with like-minded readers, and engage with the people who create them.
For members of the Women’s National Book Association, the fair reflects our mission to gather, celebrate, and serve book lovers in the Greater Nashville area and beyond. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with a supportive and fun group of readers and writers who share a passion for books while uplifting one another.
See You at the FairWhether you’re a longtime fan or discovering my work for the first time, I’d love for you to stop by and say hello. The BAP Fair is a unique opportunity to celebrate the magic of books and the connections they foster. I can’t wait to meet you, share my stories, and make memories that will last long after the event ends.
Be sure to visit the BAP Fair’s official website at https://www.bapfair.com/ for event details and updates. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for this exciting literary adventure. Let’s make it an unforgettable experience together!

Member Spotlight
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​Tori Ross has cataloged art books at Cheekwood, has been in charge of the Public Library's  “Music and Film" Department (now Popular Materials) and its FLICS Interlibrary Loan program for 16mm films circulating in Middle Tennessee, and worked as Tape Librarian at WDCN (now WNPT). Tori has often said that she really found her niche 25 years ago as a Children’s Librarian, from Opening Day forward, at two brand new Nashville Public Library branches – Southeast Branch which opened in January, 1992, and Edmondson Pike Branch in December, 2000.
 
Tori has served on the boards and advisory councils of several organizations: WNBA Women’s National Book Association Nashville Chapter, (one term as Southern Festival of Books booth coordinator, and three terms as Secretary), CIEC Children’s International Education Center, Book’em/RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) Board, the Frist Art Museum Community Outreach Council, and Friends of Tennessee Libraries. She has been involved with the Southern Festival of Books, Humanities Tennessee, and PBS’ Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators contest at WNPT. At the public library, Tori oversaw the first children's Spanish language collection and bilingual story time, the first READing Paws program, and one of the first 20 PBS Kids Library Corners in the country. In 2015, Tori received the Daniel Taylor Memorial Award at the Tennessee Library Association conference in Memphis. The award recognizes “a significant contribution to Children's/Young Adult Services through creative approaches to enhance library services for children and youth.”
 
Tori retired after 40 years with Metro, and now enjoys good books, plays, and movies, traveling, OLLI adult learning classes, outings with friends, and volunteering with RIF, as well as spending time with family, especially two granddaughters in Chattanooga.
2025 Writing Goals: Set Yourself Up for Success without the Stress
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​WHEN: Thursday, January 23, at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET

Kick off 2025 and make it your best writing year yet with the Women’s National Book Association’s Goal-Setting Palooza on Thursday, January 23, at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET—a lively all-chapter virtual event to ignite your ambitions! Join goal-setting expert Debra Eckerling, author of 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting, in conversation with Brenda Knight, WNBA-SF Chapter President and Editorial Director at Mango Publishing. Whether you’re aiming to land an agent, build your author platform, or gain fresh inspiration, this session is packed with tools to help you define and achieve your goals. Tune in live for exclusive giveaways, including a Pitch-O-Rama ticket and a goal-coaching session with Deb! Choose yourself and your writing goals for the new year—register now to attend live or get the replay!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Upcoming Events

Monthly Programming for Members. Guests welcome! 
Carrabba’s Grill, 
2110 Green Hills Village Drive,
Nashville, TN, 37215
6-8:30 

January 16 Book Club discussion Demon Copperhead
February 6 The TN State Library and Archives presentation. Carrabba's
March 6 Women’s History Month presentation w/ special guest. Carrabba's
March Book Club discussion
April 3 Poetry Month w/ special guest. Carrabba's
May 8 Annual Garden Party at a private home. (Members only.)
May Book Club discussion
June 5 Summer Happy Hour
Theme: National Thank You Day —gratitude for authors
July 3 Summer Happy Hour 
Theme: American Redneck Day —books featuring rednecks
July Book Club discussion
August 7 Summer Happy Hour  
Theme: National Lighthouse Day —books featuring lighthouses
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) @ Natchez Country Club
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

About the Nashville Chapter

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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, or to request a Zoom code, contact [email protected]

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