Presenters and Instructors for the 2026 In-Person Tennessee Writing Workshop
Victoria Griffin (victoriagriffin.com) is a professional book editor with nearly a decade of experience. Based in East Tennessee, she is the founder and owner of Blue Pen, which provides editing and book design services for authors. She also writes Appalachian magical realism and is represented by Sandy Lu of Book Wyrm Literary Agency. Victoria spends her free time backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hanging out with her husky, and practicing leathercraft.
At the 2026 TWW, Victoria is teaching two classes as well offering add-on on-site manuscript critiques.
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Stephanie Cardel is a literary agent and the founder of Lighthouse Literary Agency where she enjoys helping authors shine their lights and realize their dreams of becoming published.
At the 2026 event, Stephanie is teaching a class. She is also meeting with attendees for one-on-one meetings.
She represents authors of children’s (picture books, middle grade, young adult) and adult fiction and nonfiction for both the Christian and secular markets.
She had the pleasure of being on the crew of four films and even had a small part in three of them. She is a member of the SCBWI and the ACFW. Her debut novel, This Isn’t Shakespeare, is a YA Christian Contemporary. She also wrote a companion Youth Bible Study/Devotional, Whatever Is True, a non-denominational three-week study with four days of devotionals and a fifth day of group discussion questions each week that explore the biblical perspectives of the same issues that are in the novel. Separate from her agency, she is a freelance editor offering everything from partial critiques to full developmental edits.
She lives in middle Tennessee with her husband of thirty-nine years and their goldendoodle. When she’s not agenting, editing, or writing, she’s playing with her precious grandchildren or curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book. You can connect with her on Instagram (@stephaniecardel) or on either of her websites: stephaniecardel.com or lighthouseliterary.com.
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Brian A. Klems (@BrianKlems) is the former online editor of WritersDigest.com. He is the current co-director of Writing Day Workshops.
His blog during his tenure there, The Writer’s Dig—which covered everything writing and publishing—was one of the largest blogs in the writing community. He is the lead coordinator of the Tennessee Writing Workshop.
Brian’s first book, Oh Boy, You’re Having a Girl: A Dad’s Guide to Raising Daughters (Adams Media) was released in 2013. It received high-level buzz and praise from some of the funniest writers alive, including Dave Barry and Bruce Cameron.
Brian is also a proud graduate of the Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, a husband, softball infielder, perennial fantasy sports underachiever, and father of three lovely girls.
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Chuck Sambuchino (@chucksambuchino) is a freelance editor, bestselling book author, and former longtime staffer for Writer’s Digest Books.
For many years he edited the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog was one of the largest blogs in publishing, and he wrote the platform guidebook CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM.
He is the lead director of Writing Day Workshops writers conferences, and he has taught at more than 175 writers conferences throughout his career. He is the assistant coordinator of the Tennessee Writing Workshop.
His humor book, HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK, was optioned by Sony Pictures. Chuck’s books have been mentioned in Reader’s Digest, USA Today, the New York Times, The Huffington Post, Variety, New York Magazine, Buzzfeed, Mental Floss,New York magazine, and many more media outlets.
All his latest books are about pickleball, including ULTIMATE PICKLEBALL, a 2026 tear-off desk calendar due out in August 2025 (Sellers Publishing). His picture book, GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL, released from Hachette in August 2025, as was carried in Target, and hit the USA Today bestseller list.
He is a successful freelance editor of queries, synopses, and manuscripts—seeing dozens of clients get agents or book deals following his consultations/edits. He loves meeting new writers.
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Vicky Weber is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency.
I’m a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book author and literary agent. I represent commercial fiction – board books through adult – but specialize in children’s literature.
In all manuscripts, I want intensity in the writing. (Give me all the feels!) I want to be dropped into the moment and experience the story alongside the characters. Character development and emotional arcs go hand-in-hand with the plot. If a book is high-concept, commercial fiction with beautiful, literary-leaning prose, it’s probably up my alley.
In adult and young adult fiction, she seeks: horror, psychological suspense, thrillers, commercial, upmarket, historical, women’s fiction, romance, fantasy (dark/high/epic), magical realism, speculative, and paranormal/supernatural. In middle grade and picture books, she seeks highly giftable, commercial fiction with a strong voice—stories that feel like they always should have been on the shelf.
At the 2026 event, Vicky is teaching a class and meeting attendees one-on-one.
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Sarah N. Fisk is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency.
Sarah is a former mechanical engineer who made the switch to publishing in 2011. They have worked in the publishing industry as an editorial assistant, author’s assistant, publicist, and art director. Sarah is a former Pitch Wars mentor, board member, and Agent Liaison. They host the podcast Queries, Qualms, & Quirks and have a passion for spreadsheets.
They love books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms. They have a personal interest in stories featuring queer characters or characters with disability, neurodiversity, chronic illness, or mental health challenges. Great or complicated sibling relationships are their kryptonite. They also enjoy intriguing villains, mysteries woven into other genres, characters they can’t get out of their head, and smart heroines.
At the event, Sarah is teaching a class and also meeting attendees one-on-one. See Sarah’s wishlist here.
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Mytecia Myles is a literary agent with Embolden Media Group.
Mytecia is a creative, bold, authentic leader, and subject matter expert. For over 30 years, she has served brands, creatives, and leaders by developing success strategies through media. As the founder and global head of PR and strategic communications of Supernatural Success, LLC, Myles oversees innovation and client development. The Writer Strategist, Myles is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and writing coach and has provided media management for local, regional, and international brands. She has a passion for reading and intercultural curiosity. As a co-creator, book editor, script supervisor, media and entertainment professor, Myles has had the honor of working with diverse groups of aspiring writers, helping many become published authors.
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Jillian Boehme is an author. (See her books here.)
Jillian was known for many years to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for writers. She is an author of YA fantasy and science fiction, a freelance editor, and a staunch defender of the Oxford comma.
In the past, she has been a choir director, a music teacher, and a singer with the Nashville Symphony Chorus. She’s been married to her husband for over three and a half decades and absolutely loves to encourage and inspire other writers.
At the event, she is offering add-on manuscript critiques for attendees.
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Rosie J. Pova is a multi-published and award-winning children’s book author, poet, writing coach, and speaker. Her picture book, Sunday Rain, was featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine. The School of Failure: A Story About Success is a Readers’ Favorite Awards silver medal winner and is now available in both China and the USA. Her latest picture book, Sally’s Musical Tale will be released in the spring of 2025.
Rosie loves doing school visits to encourage kids to read, write, create and inspire them to follow their big dreams. In her role as a Writing Coach, Rosie’s has helped many aspiring picture book authors advance their careers and reach their publishing goals through her popular mentorship programs and signature Picture Book Mastery course.
Originally from Bulgaria, Rosie now lives in Texas with her family. At the 2026 event, she is offering add-on manuscript critiques.
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Swati Hegde is a romance and YA author, as well as a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast. She lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favorite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.
Swati is represented by Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates. Her debut romance novel Match Me If You Can is out now from Penguin Random House, with forthcoming books Can’t Help Faking in Love releasing in February 2025 and As Long as You Loathe Me releasing in 2026.
Find her on Instagram @SwatiHegdeAuthor and Twitter @SwatiHWrites.
At the workshop, Swati is offering add-on virtual manuscript critiques for attendees.
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Julie Gwinn has more than 20 years in publishing, serving as a fiction publisher, editor, marketer, and most recently as an agent.
She is now consulting pre-published authors on their journey to be published and is also working with the littlest readers as Associate Director for Raising Readers Nashville, a local United Way program working to increase literacy skills for kids birth to age 8.
At the 2026 event, she is teaching a speech.