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!

• The Tennessean
• Growing up in Nashville and attending MTSU
• Reporting on government and politics
• Governor Lamar Alexander
• Coup
• Clemency for cash scandal
• Vanderbilt University Press
• Tennessee public library
• Crossing the Aisle
• Ingram Content Group 50th anniversary
• John Ingram
• “One of the most important media companies in the world that nobody knows.”
• The Family Business: How Ingram Transformed the World of Books
• Entrepreneurial vs. Intrapreneurial
• Lightning Source Inc
• Print on demand books
• Self-publishing and corporate publishing
• Nashville’s capacity to enable creative people
• Importance of civil conversations
• Finding connections to people through books and songs
• “Writers create new ways of expressing emotions and thought.”

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.