Event Planning
A DOLLY GOOD TIME, Co-Chair
I co-founded A Dolly Good Time with Ami McConnell and have co-planned that event annually since 2023
WRITERFEST NASHVILLE, Executive Director
I have been present or planning this 2-day conference for writers of book, song and screen since 2019.
The publishing world doesn't have to be stuffy. My signature approach combines insider industry knowledge with creative programming, lively conversation, and memorable experiences. From cocktail-centered fundraisers and agent networking events to conferences and literary salons, I specialize in creating literary events that inform, inspire, and deliver results.
Special Events
COCKTAILS & COOKBOOKS: A WRITERFEST BENEFIT FOR THE PORCH
JUNE 29, 2025
Event planner and day-of manager for Cocktails & Cookbooks, featuring Chef Brian Baxter, Executive Chef of The Catbird Seat, in conversation with Mike Wolf, Assistant General Manager, Food & Beverage at Nelson's, renowned cocktail writer and innovator, known for his seasonal, garden-to-glass approach to mixology and acclaimed titles like Garden to Glass. Tickets to the well-attended event included a signature cocktail, cooking demonstration and conversation between Brian and Mike.
WRITERFEST PRESENTS AN AUDIOBRARY EVENING BENEFIT FOR THE PORCH
MAY 30, 2024
Emcee (and event planner) for fundraiser event/ author in conversation between Audie Award winning actor Julia Whelan and Julian R. Vaca. The event also served as a launch party for Julia Whelan’s Audiobrary. The room was packed.
EVENT SERIES
WriterFest Pros (formerly Nashville Publishing Meetup) : founded in 2018 as a happy hour group for book publishing professionals, WriterFest Pros now serves entertainment professionals working across the publishing, music, and film and TV industries. Find out more and apply to join this members-only group here. We have met at different frequencies over the years and currently meet on a quarterly basis.
WriterFest Series: The annual conference is the main event offering from the WriterFest brand, but we have other events happening all year long. Some of the longstanding events include Access to Agents, Office Hours, and Networking for Introverts (hosted by Ami McConnell). See those events here.
Past service to the NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION:
Next Chapter Society members of the Nashville Public Library Foundation are civic-minded emerging local leaders helping to sustain and enhance the Nashville Public Library’s (NPL) outstanding programs for children, teens and adults.
For 6 years I served on the council of NCS, eventually dropping down to a regular member after running two A Dolly Good Time fundraisers. From July 2023-June 2024 I served on the Fundraising committee, having stepped down from chair. I also served as the Event Emcee on June 6, 2023 for the “I’m with the Banned” Fundraiser for NPL, whose popular special edition library cards and other swag remain popular nationwide. In July 2022 I maxed out my service limit as CoChair and was instead elected Fundraising Chair. For our fiscal year during my tenure 2022-2023, we exceeded fundraising goals by hosting multiple in person events and through the sales of various branded items. In July 2020 I began serving as Community-Facing CoChair of our entire organization, as a member of the Executive Council. A notable fundraising activity under my tenure as co-chair, amongst many other efforts, has been the #LifeBloomsatLibraries campaign which brought together local celebrities (i.e. Titans players, NSC players, the major, etc.) and influencers to sell t-shirts that raised over $15,000 net for NPL. The library continues to do signature tee-shirt sales as fundraisers. In 2019 I served as Fundraising Committee Chair, and in our largest fundraiser of the year we raised $29,000 net for the NPLF in a partnered event with award-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show. In 2018 we hosted two fundraisers, one of which I chaired as a member of the fundraising committee, raising more than $2,700 from these events for the NPLF.