Killer Nashville

During the week of August 22-24, Nashvillians will have a chance to meet some very famous people. Country Music? Not this time. Mystery authors’ convention! That’s right! Didn’t know there was such a thing, huh?

On August 22, 2013, crime scene tape will go up at Nashville’s Five-Star Hutton Hotel, and hundreds of crime fiction readers and writers will converge to learn from and sometimes match wits with forensic anthropologists, dentists, psychologists, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals.

The occasion is Killer Nashville, a conference for fans and writers of thrillers, mysteries, and other crime literature.

In addition to a reader/fan track and three tracks of panels and presentations on the business and craft of writing, the conference offers an extensive forensics track certain to appeal to CSI fans or anyone with an interest in investigative techniques. One of Killer Nashville’s most popular annual features is a crime scene staged by Dan Royse and Mike Breedlove of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Attendees gather clues and try to solve the case. The person who best interprets the clues and solves the murder wins a free registration to the next year’s conference.

The conference will open on Friday with a session on forensic anthropology by Dr. Hugh Berryman, Director of the Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE). Saturday’s program will feature an interview and presentation by Guest of Honor D.P. Lyle. Lyle is an award-winning author of many fiction and non-fiction books, including Howdunnit Forensics, and Forensics in Fiction: Clever, Intriguing, and Downright Odd Questions from Crime Writers.

During the three full days of sessions, attendees will learn about various aspects of criminal investigation. TBI Special Agent Mike Breedlove will present a session on human trafficking. I will discuss forensic dentistry and its uses in criminal investigations. Other topics include forensic psychology, firearms, serial killers, mass murderers, and much more.

As a special treat, Derek Pacifico, 22-year veteran of the San Bernardino police force and founder of the Writers’ Homicide School will give a 90-minute, information-packed preview of his new Writers’ Interrogation School. Sgt. Pacifico will also offer individual consultations to help authors add authenticity to their work.

Killer Nashville, an internationally attended writers’ conference held annually on the fourth full weekend in August, was created in 2006 by bestselling author and independent filmmaker Clay Stafford to create an educational and networking environment for forensic experts, writers, fans of crime and thriller literature, and publishing professionals.

If any of you guys out there following these blogs have an interest in coming, it would be great to see you. I will be at the author’s book signing table following my Friday presentation.

For more information: www.KillerNashville.com, Contact@KillerNashville.com, 615-599-4032.