Blake Fontenay, Chuck Barrett, Craig Faris, John Dobbyn, and Terry Irving break down the essential building blocks of a gripping thriller. From opening scenes that hook immediately to pacing, character, and escalating tension, this session focuses on the craft choices that pull readers in and refuse to let them go.
The Western Hero in Modern Thrillers
The classic Western hero continues to influence today’s thrillers. In this session, authors define this character type and explore how its traits shape modern protagonists, adding grit, independence, and moral complexity to the genre.




