On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, I got the chance to sit down with Troy Tomlinson, a dear friend, and WriterFest speaker. Troy is the Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville and has worked with artists including Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Miranda Lambert, Kelsey Ballerini, Darius Rucker, John Pardi, Brett Eldredge, Josh Osborne, and Tom Douglas. Today Troy and I dive into the parallels between music and book publishing, what it is like being a creative in Nashville, and insight on how to write well and in the present moment. For songwriters and authors alike, this is not an episode you want to miss!

Troy Tomlinson is a businessman and music publisher known for his work with Nashville writers and artists. As CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, Troy was the first person to run a major music publishing company in Nashville. Before working with Universal, Troy was the Executive Vice President of Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, and is credited with discovering Kenney Chesney. Troy has been honored by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation with their Keystone Award, Belmont University’s Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence, and the Nashville Inspiration Award.

On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, I sat down with Keel Hunt, an author, reporter, Washington correspondent, and editorial writer based here in Nashville. Keel has worked for USA Today, The Tennessean, as special assistant to former Governor Lamar Alexander, and has published three books, The Coup, Crossing the Aisle, and Family Business. Today Keel and I talked about his newest book, his history as a writer, Ingram Content Group, and the creative community here in Nashville. This is a great episode for anyone interested in the publishing business!

Keel Hunt is an author, newspaper columnist, and keen observer of political and cultural change based in Nashville, Tennessee. Keel has worked for The Tennessean, USA Today, was a Washington correspondent reporter, and has authored three books. Keel also started The Strategy Group, a Nashville public relations firm that represents HCA, the Frist Foundation, First Tennessee Bank, and Vanderbilt University. His latest book, The Family Business, discusses Ingram Content Group as a media company and publishing mogul.

On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, I get to talk with my fabulous friend Margaret Riley King. Margaret Riley King is a powerhouse. She’s a partner and literary agent in WME’s global book division representing a roster of bestselling and award-winning authors. She’s used to being behind the scenes, but I’m going to brag on her: during her 13 years at WME, she’s built a specialty in the representation of influential women’s voices, including Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Sue Monk Kidd, Chloe Benjamin, Dani Shapiro, Jeannette Walls, and many others. I loved working with her when I was behind the editorial desk and I’m so excited to introduce you to her here because she has such wisdom and insight to share with us writers! Get ready to take notes, friends.

On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, my guest is actor and author Matthew Del Negro. Probably best known for his acting roles on shows like The Sopranos, City on a Hill, Scandal, BIG in France, The West Wing, Goliath—and feature films like Hot Pursuit and Wind River-- Matthew Del Negro is also a terrific writer. His new book is 10,000 Nos, How to Overcome Rejection on Your Way to Your Yes. (He has a terrific podcast you should check out too.)

Matt’s all about art as you’re about to hear—so writers, you’re gonna love this. And if you’re someone who has to face doubt, rejection, obstacles, stay tuned to be inspired and impressed.

We discussed all this and more:

10,000 Nos: How to Overcome Rejection on Your Way to Your Yes (Wiley 2020)

10,000 Nos The Podcast

Chris Messina

Kevin Bacon

Lorraine Bracco

Malcom Gladwell’s Outliers

Scandal

How the book happened.

How sports impacted him

“Nobody walks on the hill.”

“Keep ‘em choppin’…”

Intimacy in writing and “vulnerability hangover” (Brene Brown)

Advice for actors

David Manet

Aaron Sorkin

What Matthew loves to see in a screenplay.

Andy Mogul and Jared Paul, Huge in France

Billy Joel’s and Elton John’s storytelling

Brave New World by Aldus Huxley

The Matrix

Shawshank Redemption

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

Screenplay by Sid Field

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell

Iron John by Robert Bly

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet

Matthew Del Negro has built an impressive career playing a wide range of roles in features, television, and theater, including major roles on The Sopranos, The West Wing, Scandal The United States of Tara, Amazon’s Goliath, and Netflix’s Huge in France. He can currently be seen opposite Kevin Bacon on Showtime’s City on a Hill. He launched his popular podcast 10,000 Nos in 2017.

On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, I get welcome my friend Mary O’Donohue into the studio. In addition to being a #1 bestselling parenting book author, Mary has worked for decades on such high profile shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, The Kelly Pickler Show, and many, many more. Writers, when it comes to media pitches, this show featuring Mary O'Donohue is one you're not going to want to miss.

“WriterFest is a transformational experience. I cannot recommend it enough You have to come.” -Mary O’Donohue

Mary O’Donohue is a Media Coach for Authors, a #1 Bestselling Parenting Author, and a former Post Producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show who has worked in high-profile media for decades including years on The Today Show and NBC Nightly News. As the founder of Authors In Media, Mary teaches women nonfiction authors how to get publicity (without a publicist) and turn media interviews into valuable marketing assets. Join Mary’s community at maryodonohue.com or reach out to her at [email protected].

On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, I got to talk with the amazing Michelle Williams, the Grammy-award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, musical theater performer, tv personality, and author of the new book, Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life—and Can Save Yours. I love Michelle’s candor and her words of healing and wisdom for writers—and anyone on a creative journey. We talk about all kinds of things:

On this episode of The WriterFest Podcast, I talk with Laura Lea Bryant, author of The LauraLea Balanced Cookbook and Simply Laura Lea—thoughtful, well-written, gorgeous, and dare I say compassionate books for home cooks. (I’ve read both cover to cover—so, so good!) Laura Lea has a unique approach to cooking that I fell in love with when I bought her first book at Parnassus years ago. I get to talk with her about her journey as a person and a writer. This is one you won’t want to miss.

We also discuss:

Laura Lea is a Certified Health-Supportive and Holistic Chef based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her books The Laura Lea Balanced Cookbook, Simply Laura Lea, and her popular website, LLBalanced.com, dispel myths about healthy eating and guide people toward a vibrant, engaged relationship with food. In addition to regular television appearances, her writing and recipes have appeared in MindBodyGreen, Shape Magazine, Food Republic, and Southern Living, among others. Visit Laura Lea at LLBalanced.com for a steady supply of new recipes.

On this episode, I got to talk with novelist Kristy Cambron and literary agent, Rachelle Gardner. I talk with this dynamic duo about Kristi’s new novel, The Paris Dressmaker. We talk about how they work together and how they met. We dig into their sources of creativity, plus they share the how and why of being jazzed about great fiction. Along the way, we also talk about:

Podcasts to check out:

Kristy Cambron is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where art, history, and faith intersect. She's a Christy Award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling novels, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN and THE PARIS DRESSMAKER

Rachelle Gardner. Gardner Literary is a full-service agency representing diverse authors at the crossroads of faith and culture. We partner with writers of both fiction and nonfiction in a customized approach to a rewarding publishing journey

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of sixteen novels and podcast host. She is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner "Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020 and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019.

In this episode, Ami and Patti talk about:

“With a belief that the power of story changes us and moves us, Patti’s historical fiction, SURVIVING SAVANNAH, WILD SWAN, and BECOMING MRS. LEWIS explores the untold stories of the past that affect us now.” (writing as Patti Callahan)

SURVIVING SAVANNAH, a new historical fiction, based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski wreck, known as "The Titanic of the South" was released March 9, 2021.

The new podcast series, "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah" is an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah. The podcast series (03/21) includes interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel. Trailer and Episodes One-Six, available now.

WILD SWAN, a novella following the fiery life of one of history’s greatest heroines and the mother of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan was released December 2020, as an Audible Original performed by the award-winning narrator, Cynthia Erivo.

BECOMING MRS. LEWIS—The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis was released in an expanded edition, March 2020.  The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original “Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series”—the podcast audiobook collection including bonus material was released in January 2020.

On this episode of WriterFest Podcast, we catch up with USA Bestseller Jenny Hale about praised by Oprah Magazine, Southern Living, Publishers Weekly and how it feels to land at #1 with her latest release. Since she writes what’s commonly referred to as “beach reads,” it’s funny that when we interviewed her, she was literally at the beach…

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. The Beach House, released in 2021 sailed to number three on the Amazon Kindle Chart and it hit number one in the categories Contemporary Romance, Women’s Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, and Romance. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies. She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and both Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now” as well as “Beach Reads Perfect for Summer 2020.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers. When she isn’t writing or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favorite pastime.