Dorothy Vaughn
Dorothy Vaughn was awarded two certificates for her volunteer service to the Nashville Public Library at a recent luncheon held at the Main Library downtown. The theme of the celebration was "Piece by piece, NPL volunteers make a difference. We're better together!" Dorothy serves at the Thompson Lane Branch of NPL. She was presented with an award for "Catalog of Service Award" for 1000 hours service, and she also received the "Missing Piece Award" which states in part: "Recognition of your dedication and willingness to step up when needed most at the Thompson Lane Branch."
Thank you for your service, Dorothy!
Thank you for your service, Dorothy!
Bonnie Blaylock
Bonnie Blaylock's second novel THE WATER WOMEN ( historical fiction/women’s fiction) is going to be published spring 2026 by Lake Union. It’s a generational story of mothers passing down to daughters not only the ancient art of weaving sea silk in Sardinia but generous love, deep pain of loss, and the freedom to be oneself.
Jennifer Sellers
Jennifer Sellers has started a business called Scattered Words LLC. She is selling jewelry made out of vintage dictionaries and other written works. Right now her jewelry is for sale at Reading Rock Books in Dickson and at vendor events, but will soon be available online.
Speaking of vendor events!!! Jennifer and Melissa Collings are both going to be at the Arts Reads & Tunes Festival in Dickson on April 26. Melissa will be on a panel and Jennifer will have her jewelry available for purchase.
Speaking of vendor events!!! Jennifer and Melissa Collings are both going to be at the Arts Reads & Tunes Festival in Dickson on April 26. Melissa will be on a panel and Jennifer will have her jewelry available for purchase.
Kimberly Dana
Congratulations to Kimberly Dana! Her new picture book, Millie and Mina, was published in January by Picklefish Press. If you’d like to add a heartwarming, inclusive story to your bookshelf or have littles in your life, check it out!
Kid's Picture Book Reviews says, "Millie & Mina is a beautifully written and illustrated story that introduces young readers to cultural diversity in a simple, engaging way. The text’s parallel structure makes it easy for children to follow, while the vibrant illustrations by Farida Zaman bring the story to life. The book does a fantastic job of celebrating both individuality and unity, showing how two friends can appreciate each other’s traditions while forming a strong bond..
Kid's Picture Book Reviews says, "Millie & Mina is a beautifully written and illustrated story that introduces young readers to cultural diversity in a simple, engaging way. The text’s parallel structure makes it easy for children to follow, while the vibrant illustrations by Farida Zaman bring the story to life. The book does a fantastic job of celebrating both individuality and unity, showing how two friends can appreciate each other’s traditions while forming a strong bond..
Teresa Sebastian
Teresa Mosley Sebastian’s Lost Seeds - The Beginning received the 2025 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree seal calling the book “a compelling novel that was hard to put down” marking the fifth accolade for the Lost Seeds series. The family saga explores the intricate and often turbulent dynamics between two brothers in the early to mid-1900s South. Set against the backdrop of post-enslavement America, the narrative follows Dublin Brisco and his younger brother Timothy as they navigate the challenges imposed by their past and their segregated society. To learn more about author and series go to http://www.teresamosleysebastian.com
UPDATE! Teresa's second novel, Lost Seeds - The Legacy, has also been awarded the 2025 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree seal. Set against the backdrop of 1960s America, Lost Seeds: The Legacy is a suspenseful tale of love, heartbreak, and the enduring bonds of brothers. As the echoes of personal and collective history reverberate through the lives of Dub, Tim, and their descendants, their story serves as a powerful reminder that sowing the seeds of progress is often paid in blood, sweat, and fractured pieces of the heart.
Meredith Lyons
Meredith R. Lyons celebrated her new book, A Dagger of Lightning, in conversation with Alisha Klapheke at Parnassus Books on April 1.
Susan Eaddy
Susan Eaddy read her books Papa Fish's Lullaby and Sir Drake the Brave at Parnassus Books on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
Susan is an author and illustrator of children's books. Her other passion besides writing and illustrating books is sculpting with clay. She begins work every day with clean hands--and within minutes her hands are bright green, or purple, or whatever color she is working with! The books she has written include Poppy's Best Babies, Poppy's Best Paper, My Love for You Is the Sun, and Papa Fish's Lullaby.
Melissa Collings
Congratulations to Melissa R. Collings whose recent book The False Flat won "Best Debut" in the Page Turner Awards. And her unpublished novel, Consumed, won "Best Suspense/Thriller" in the unpublished category. of the Page Turner Awards.
About The False Flat:
In this uplifting story about friendship, love, and growth, one woman must untangle herself from a past that's holding her back in order to move forward into the life that will set her free.
Penelope Auberge is at her breaking point. With an overbearing mother, a married boyfriend, and a boss who gives Pen's high-profile finance clients to male colleagues, it feels like nothing she's accomplished in her thirty-two years belongs to her.
Determined to build a life entirely her own, Pen moves from Minnesota to Tennessee to open a solo financial business. There, she meets siblings Deanna and Grant, who attempt to coax Pen out of her socially anxious shell. Hesitant to open up so she doesn't get hurt (again), Pen is slow to develop a friendship with Deanna, and she's determined to ignore her feelings for Grant, which is difficult given she's joined his cycling group and a clear something begins blossoming between them.
Pen's path in Nashville appears to be smoothing out, but she soon learns that packing up her past isn't quite that easy. If she wants to start fresh, she'll have to decide what she really wants--even if that means riding away from her old life for good.
Links to order: Amazon, Parnassus, Target, and Barnes & Noble
About The False Flat:
In this uplifting story about friendship, love, and growth, one woman must untangle herself from a past that's holding her back in order to move forward into the life that will set her free.
Penelope Auberge is at her breaking point. With an overbearing mother, a married boyfriend, and a boss who gives Pen's high-profile finance clients to male colleagues, it feels like nothing she's accomplished in her thirty-two years belongs to her.
Determined to build a life entirely her own, Pen moves from Minnesota to Tennessee to open a solo financial business. There, she meets siblings Deanna and Grant, who attempt to coax Pen out of her socially anxious shell. Hesitant to open up so she doesn't get hurt (again), Pen is slow to develop a friendship with Deanna, and she's determined to ignore her feelings for Grant, which is difficult given she's joined his cycling group and a clear something begins blossoming between them.
Pen's path in Nashville appears to be smoothing out, but she soon learns that packing up her past isn't quite that easy. If she wants to start fresh, she'll have to decide what she really wants--even if that means riding away from her old life for good.
Links to order: Amazon, Parnassus, Target, and Barnes & Noble
Lluvia Agustin
Hablemos de libros con Lluvia Agustin
"A podcast for Hispanic writers and creators, where Lluvia Agustin, with over 25 years in publishing, shares insider knowledge to help authors get published and reach broader audiences."
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAgustinAgency
Phyllis Gobbell
Phyllis Gobbell celebrated the launch of her new book, Prodigal, at Parnassus on Nov. 21, 2024. Phyllis was also featured on the Southern Festival of Books program on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Ami McConnell
Ami McConnell's WriterFest podcast recently featured WNBA member Meredith R. Lyons, author of Ghost Tamer (see below). Check out this podcast and other episodes here.
Betsy Davies
Betsy Davies recently signed her new book, Garden Devotions, at Logos Christian Bookstore, 2136 Bandywood Dr., in Green Hills. Help Betsy celebrate her new book!
Joy Jordan-Lake
Joy Jordan-Lake was in conversation with Suzanne Craig Robertson at Parnassus Books on Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30pm. They discussed Joy's new book Echoes of Us.
Lauren Scott
- Our youngest member, 10-year-old Lauren Scott, has just published a book about her adventures raising two newborn fawns. In this uniquely crafted memoir, Lauren shares a genuine, heartfelt account of her experiences taking care of two fawns that appeared in her backyard during the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic. As Lauren learns to care for her newfound friends, readers of all ages will be touched by the authenticity of her perspective. Lauren’s tale is a poignant exploration of life's profound lessons of hard work, compassion, resilience, and responsibility. The Tale of Two Fawns offers tender moments that define her connection with the animal kingdom and the broader lessons that life has to offer, allowing readers to witness the world through the eyes of a young nature enthusiast. You can find the book at Amazon. Update: Lauren recently received a review of her book by an independent agency and it was awarded 5 out of 5 stars!
Congratulations!
For the Historical Novel Society’s inaugural First Chapters Competition, over 400 writers from 23 countries entered in nine different categories. On May 6th, the Category Shortlists announcement revealed four of the Shortlist Winners to be WNBA Nashville members! Congratulations to:
Alana White (shortlisted in the Historical Crime/Mystery Category)
Kim Teter (shortlisted in the Children and Young Adult Historical Fiction Category)
Genetta Adair (shortlisted in the Children and Young Adult Historical Fiction Category)
Erin Cox (shortlisted in the Historical Adventure Category)
On June 10th, the Category Winners and Overall Shortlist were announced with the Overall Winner announcement to take place at the HNS UK 2024 Conference in September.
EXCITING UPDATE! Of the 4 WNBA Nashville members who were shortlist winners, Kim Teter was announced as the 1st place Gold Medal winner of her category (Children & YA Category) and Genetta Adair is the 3rd place Bronze Medal winner in that same category. In addition, Alana White is the 2nd place Silver Medal winner in the Historical Crime/Mystery Category.
As a 1st place Gold Medal winner, Kim Teter was invited to attend the HNS UK 2024 Conference in September.
Congratulations to all of these WNBA Nashville members!
Alana White (shortlisted in the Historical Crime/Mystery Category)
Kim Teter (shortlisted in the Children and Young Adult Historical Fiction Category)
Genetta Adair (shortlisted in the Children and Young Adult Historical Fiction Category)
Erin Cox (shortlisted in the Historical Adventure Category)
On June 10th, the Category Winners and Overall Shortlist were announced with the Overall Winner announcement to take place at the HNS UK 2024 Conference in September.
EXCITING UPDATE! Of the 4 WNBA Nashville members who were shortlist winners, Kim Teter was announced as the 1st place Gold Medal winner of her category (Children & YA Category) and Genetta Adair is the 3rd place Bronze Medal winner in that same category. In addition, Alana White is the 2nd place Silver Medal winner in the Historical Crime/Mystery Category.
As a 1st place Gold Medal winner, Kim Teter was invited to attend the HNS UK 2024 Conference in September.
Congratulations to all of these WNBA Nashville members!
Etta Wilson
Long-time WNBA Nashville member Etta Wilson has been associated with the world of books for her entire career. She has just published her first book of poetry entitled Sustenance. Regarding her book, Etta says, "Observing life and writing about what I see, think, and feel are almost as life-giving to me as food. You will find poems based on nature, poems about relationships and marriage, and poems derived simply from the day-to-day events in life. I've learned that writing poetry can be self-revealing, and that good poetry provides an opportunity for readers to recognize some aspect of their own lives. I hope you enjoy reading what I have written."
Kim Green
WNBANashville member Kim Green is co-author of a memoir (out 2.20.24) titled: SLOW NOODLES: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes. Kim and her dear friend Chantha Nguon have been working on this together for 10+ years. It’s her life story as a Cambodian refugee who lost her home and everyone she loved to war and genocide, but used her memories of her mother’s cooking as the seeds to regrow a new life — and built a social enterprise in rural Cambodia. The memoir is a culinary love letter from Chantha to her mother; and Chantha’s daughter Clara helped develop recipes, wrote the epilogue, and narrated the audiobook — so this represents three generations of culinary heritage, passed down from mothers to daughters.
Becky Grando
Becky Grando (publishes under R.A. Grando) placed an Honorable Mention in the 92nd Annual Writer's Digest competition in the Mainstream/Literary fiction category for her short story "The Symphony". Her name and title are mentioned on the WD website (https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions/announcing-the-winners-of-the-92nd-annual-writers-digest-writing-competition) and for those interested in reading the story, you can now find it posted on her website (https://ragrando.com/2023/10/18/honorable-mention). Enjoy!
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