Killer Nashville was a great conference. It was fun being back in the south. So many terrific writers there, whom I’ll write more about in the next post.
But first I wanted to talk about a wonderful Scholarship created by my friend and fellow writer, Bryan Robinson and his sister Glenda Robinson Loftin.
So grateful to Bryan for his friendship and the time I got to spend with him, his husband, and his family on my trip to Nashville and North Carolina. Please take a moment to learn about this terrific opportunity to help in a writer’s journey.
The Killer Nashville
Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship
Jimmy Loftin’s family members have been writers their entire lives. Jimmy’s mother, Glenda Robinson Loftin, is a retired award-winning journalist. Uncle Bryan Robinson, a long-time supporter of Killer Nashville, is author of 35 nonfiction books and several mystery/thriller novels, including the award winning, Limestone Gumption. Bryan’s spouse, Jamey McCullers, is cousin of the illustrious writer, Carson McCullers, author of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.
Tragedy struck the Robinson/Loftin family when Jimmy was violently murdered in the prime of his youth—the result of the senseless gun violence sweeping our country. It was only natural that this family of writers wanted a memorial befitting Jimmy so his memory lives on. The Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship is the result of that wish. Jimmy’s parents, James and Glenda Loftin, his brothers, Scott and Blake Loftin, and their Uncles Bryan Robinson and Jamey McCullers wish to assist writers struggling financially, who want to attend the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference—one of the best author-supportive conferences in the world. The family chose Killer Nashville because it is one of the most writer supportive conferences in existence.
Jimmy Loftin was kind-hearted, considerate, and generous. He brought out the best in everyone around him. Even as a child, he was sensitive to special needs children his age, and he befriended and protected them. Whip-smart with a wicked sense of humor, Jimmy was recognized and rewarded for his creative and money-saving ideas in the workplace.
In memory of Jimmy’s loving generosity, the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship is awarded to aspiring scribes or debut authors who demonstrate need in an essay format. The money pays for full registration at the Killer Nashville Conference, along with travel, and lodging on a case-needed basis.
If you or someone you know would like to apply for the scholarship, here are the guidelines:
-Write an essay that illustrates your financial need and why you want to attend the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference.
-Entries should be about 500 words long, double-spaced, and in 12-point Times New Roman or Courier with at least 1-inch margins.
-Email entries to [email protected], and include your first and last name, address, and phone number.
-Winners are announced annually at the August Killer Nashville banquet.
No donation is too small. If you would like to contribute to the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship Fund, please make checks out to THE JIMMY LOFTIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND and send donations to: