AXS ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS & EXHIBITS See also: book topics, killer nashville, to kill a mockingbird, harper lee, go set a watchman Killer Nashville's founder participated in daylong Read-A- Thon for Harper Lee July 13, 2015 8:56 PM MST Clay Stafford, founder of Killer Nashville, reads the classic novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird," with his son, Ellis Stafford Courtesy of JKS Communications Few novels in American history have had the impact on reading everywhere as that of the Harper Lee novel "To Kill a Mockingbird". The book became instantly successful in American Literature. On Monday, July 13, 2015, Clay Stafford, founder of the Killer Nashville Writers' Conference, joined members of the community to read the classic novel with his son, Ellis Stafford. During the daylong Read-A-Thon at the Cool Springs Barnes & Noble in Franklin, Tennessee Stafford shared the book with his son and the community. The daylong Read-A-Thon of the Harper Lee Pulitzer Prize-winning book was taking place at Barnes & Noble bookstores throughout the country in anticipation of the release of Lee’s newest novel, "Go Set A Watchman". Joining celebrity readers from across the United States, Stafford saw the opportunity to pass on the classic to his son, which also dovetails with the mission of the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference to encourage reading. Killer Nashville was founded in 2006 and has developed a reputation as a leading advocate for writers and readers of all genres. Killer Nashville is a division of American Blackguard, Inc., and is a volunteer-supported charitable literary organization that connects authors with professional information, other writers, new readers, and industry professionals through an annual conference and other supporting publications and events. "To Kill A Mockingbird" has been a mainstay in American classrooms since the 1960's. The novel looked at serious topics, such as rape and racial inequality but also was filled with warmth and humor. Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to literature for her only previous novel. Lee's second novel, "Go Set A Watchman", is due in bookstores, Tuesday, July 14, 2015..