WNBA Nashville ChapterWe gather, celebrate, and serve book lovers in the
Greater Nashville area and beyond |
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National Library Week April 6-12
May Garden PartyIt's almost time for our annual garden party! This is a fun event at the home of Barbie Chadwick where our members gather and snack and get to know one another better in a lovely setting. The date is set for May 8 so mark your calendar now. More details soon...
This is a Members Only event. If you are not a member, you can join now and your membership will be paid for 2025-26. We'd love to have you! BAP Fair Update
by Paul H. Rowney, BAP Fair Organizer and WNBA member
The Books, Authors, & Publishers Fair took place on March 1st, 2025, at the Nashville Fairgrounds and was a huge success. There were 50 local and nationally based authors, A Banned Book Collection, Book Tasting, and lots of activities for kids (and parents). Plus some Author workshops (all well attended). The result: we had 100’s of visitors and lots of very happy authors many who sold out of books! Our thanks to the WNBA for their support. Next year’s ‘BAP Fair’ is slated for May 30th 2026. Sign up to receive details at : www.bapfair.com April ProgramOn a rainy Nashville night 15 intrepid poetry lovers gathered at Carrabba's in Green Hills. Our featured guest for the evening was poet Ciona Rouse, who led us in an invigorating conversation about how to read poetry. Or, ways to think about poems. It was very interactive and the perfect way to spend an atmospheric evening.
March meetingOur March meeting was a fun-filled and philanthropic event led by journalist/author Andrea Williams. In honor of women’s history month Andrea told us about Effa Manley, the subject of her book Baseball’s Leading Lady.
Molly Lyons spoke to us about a program she is initiating aimed at providing a new hardcover book to foster care kids. WNBA unanimously voted to support this and have a goal of providing 100 books to start. Many of the members purchased Andrea’s books (thanks to board member and bookstore owner Angela Redden!) and donated them directly to Molly’s initiative. We are about 10% of goal after just one night. Nashville Board
Your Nashville WNBA board met on April 7 to discuss future programs, meetings, our board retreat where we will plan next year's programs and activities, and our summer happy hour. 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! For more information about our board members and duties, click here.
2024
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Spring for the Kids: Providing Books for Children in Foster Care by Molly Lyon When I joined the Women’s National Book Association – Nashville Chapter in November 2024, I was looking for ways to connect with others who share a love of books. Over the past few months, it’s been wonderful getting to know so many women who are passionate about reading, storytelling, and supporting our literary community. So when our president, Ami McConnell, asked if I had any ideas for a volunteer initiative, I was excited to contribute! Inspired by my experience with Fostering Hope—a Tennessee-based nonprofit that provides Christmas presents to children in foster care—I started thinking about ways to support these kids beyond the holiday season. Because every child deserves the joy of a good book, no matter the time of year. That’s how our Spring Campaign was born: a mission to collect 100 books for children in foster care to enjoy this summer. With guidance from members of the fostering community, we’ve put together a carefully curated book list full of stories that educate, inspire, and entertain. We’ve set up an Amazon shopping list where you can select and purchase books that will be shipped directly to our chapter. From there, we’ll work with local foster care professionals to get these books into the hands of kids who need them most. We’d love your help in reaching our goal! Whether you donate a book or simply spread the word, every contribution helps. Let’s work together to share the magic of reading with kids who deserve great stories! Please use the link below to purchase books from Reading Rock Books, an independent book store in Dickson which is owned by Angela Redden, one of our members. Thank you! https://bookshop.org/wishlists/d857dda89ef12c1911e0e4f3b2de4cb46025695e 
Join WNBA Nashville board members Angela Redden, Melissa Collings, and Jennifer Sellers (who will be selling her jewelry!) at this fun event. To see some of Jennifer's jewelry, click here.
UPDATE! The recording of this event has been posted, and the participants’ websites have been included in the description. We got very positive feedback at the panel, and from the panelists afterwards. Please watch at your convenience.
The Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Metro Atlanta chapter in association with Nashville, New Orleans and South Florida chapters present: Insights from Southern Women Writers Join us to hear insightful Southern authors in conversation about the challenges and benefits of being a female voice in the literary world. We will touch on topics such as the current state of publishing in their region, how book bans are affecting their states, where they are finding their markets, publishing options, what they see as current hot themes and genres, and more. Moderator: Mel Todd (Bad Ash Publishing ) Panelists: Amanda Heckert (editor Garden and Gun), and authors Caroline Randall Williams, Berni Johnson and Cecilia Dominic.
by Kimberly Dana
Books have the power to shape lives, open minds, and bring people together. That’s why I am thrilled to be a new member of the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Nashville Chapter, an organization that truly embodies the magic of books. WNBA Loves Books!—and so do I! Whether we write them, publish them, sell them, teach them, or simply get lost in their pages, we are all united by our shared love of literature. As an award-winning author, literacy specialist, and advocate for diverse storytelling, I have dedicated my career to fostering literacy in classrooms, libraries, and homes. My latest project, Millie and Mina, is a picture book that celebrates the beauty of diversity and friendship. Released by Picklefish Press and honored as a Pacific Northwest Writers Association Finalist, Millie and Mina tells the story of two young girls from different cultural backgrounds who find common ground through friendship. Millie loves peanut butter and jelly, while Mina enjoys shawarma. Millie wears pigtails, Mina wears a hijab. Despite their differences, they come together, writing Friends Forever in their own languages—a simple yet profound reminder that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart. Beyond my work as an author, I am a literacy coach for Metro Nashville Public Schools. With over 21,000 active English Learners from more than 130 countries, MNPS is one of the most diverse school districts in the country. My role allows me to support students as they navigate a new language and culture, helping them find confidence through literacy and storytelling. For many English Learners, books are more than just words on a page—they are mirrors and windows. They provide a reflection of their own experiences while also offering a glimpse into different perspectives. I strive to ensure that every student I work with feels seen, valued, and inspired to embrace their own story. Writing and literacy advocacy have been lifelong passions of mine. Over the years, my work has been published by the National Council of Teachers of English, Edutopia, Publishers Weekly, Parenthood, Your Teen, and more. I have received multiple writing honors from Writers Digest, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Reader Views, Readers’ Favorite, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and various international book festivals. Beyond writing, I love fostering a sense of literary community. I founded Nashville’s Thrills and Chills Book Club, which has grown to over 400 members and brings together readers who share a love of suspense, thrillers, and everything in between. I also enjoy traveling the country, giving author presentations to children and young adults, sharing my passion for storytelling and inspiring future writers. As a new member of WNBA Nashville, I am excited to connect with fellow writers, educators, and book lovers who share my enthusiasm for books and literacy. The work that WNBA does—advocating for literature in all its forms and supporting those who bring books into the world—resonates deeply with me. I look forward to being part of this vibrant community, celebrating the power of books, and continuing my mission of promoting literacy, inclusion, and the joy of storytelling. Thank you, WNBA Nashville, for welcoming me into such a passionate and inspiring group. I can’t wait to grow, learn, and share alongside y’all! 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 EventsMonthly Programming for Members. Guests welcome! May 8 Annual Garden Party at a private home. (Members only.) Contact us for the address if you have not received it by May 5. May 20 Book Club discussion, The False Flat. The author will be in attendance! June 5 Summer Happy Hour at Pinewood Social Theme: National Thank You Day —gratitude for authors July 3 Summer Happy Hour and July Book Club discussion at Pinewood Social July 3 Book Club discussion at Pinewood Social 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) @ Old Natchez Country Club |
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, or to request a Zoom code, contact [email protected]