Business and Career Growth
Writing Life and Creative Journey

Clay Stafford interviews 2017 Guest of Honor A.J. Tata about his military background, educational journey, and the balance between writing and public service. Maggie Toussaint joins the conversation to help recognize and celebrate the 2017 debut authors.

In this session, panelists reflect on the high points of their writing careers, discuss the stories that have meant the most to them, and consider whether there is anything they would change if they could revisit their work today.

Albert Abramson joins S.J. Rozan and William Kent Krueger for a warm and reflective conversation about shared histories, early struggles, and the perseverance that shaped their writing lives and careers.

In this conversation with Clay Stafford, Alexandra Ivy reflects on her path to writing romantic suspense, balancing motherhood and career, and discovering identity through storytelling.

Paul Parsons opens the session with a song as Clay Stafford and Anne Perry explore how to elevate writing beyond storytelling. Together they discuss how depth, moral purpose, and emotional truth can transform good work into something lasting and meaningful.

Clay Stafford interviews bestselling author Anne Perry about elevating words beyond storytelling, exploring how theme, purpose, and moral insight can transform fiction into something enduring and meaningful.

Otto Penzler moderates a conversation with Anne Perry, J.A. Konrath, and Jeffery Deaver about the evolving relationship between authors and readers. They discuss expectations, accountability, and how successful writers balance artistic intent with meaningful connection to their audience.

Lauren Henderson moderates a playful conversation with Brad Parks, Daniel Palmer, Heather Graham, Joelle Charbonneau, and Parnell Hall, asking the questions authors hear most often and inviting candid, funny, and surprising responses along the way.

Debra Gaskill, Linda Sands, Lori Rader-Day, M.T. Falgoust, Mike Faricy, and Shaun Harris share practical approaches to overcoming writer’s block. They offer techniques for reigniting creativity, building momentum, and developing sustainable writing habits.

Otto Penzler, joined by Albert Abramson, Bill Gottfried, Donis Casey, Les Blatt, and Tom O’Day, offers expert guidance on collecting books. They discuss how to identify valuable editions and build a meaningful collection.

Introduced by Clay Stafford, bestselling author Lisa Black reflects on her path through crime writing. She shares lessons on persistence, growth, and building a career one step at a time.

Baron R. Birtcher delivers an encouraging talk on creative confidence, inviting writers to trust their instincts, push past self-doubt, and pursue stronger, more honest work.

Sustainable writing comes from strong habits and clear intent. Walter Mosley shares insights into his writing process, focusing on discipline, creativity, and how to approach early drafts without fear. This session offers practical guidance for writers starting new projects and looking to build techniques that support long-term productivity.

C.J. Box talks with Clay Stafford about his life and writing process, exploring how his background and personal experiences have shaped his work. He shares how he sets goals, plans stories, handles publicity, and approaches writing as both a craft and a business. His real-world experience brings depth and authenticity to the themes that define his fiction.

Charlaine Harris and McKenna Jordan talk about Harris’s writing inspirations, her path to success, and the work ethic that shaped her career. She reflects on building a loyal readership, balancing creativity with craft, and staying motivated across projects.

Bestselling author Charlie Donlea joins Clay Stafford for a candid conversation about the realities of the writing life. They discuss balancing creativity with a full-time career, facing fear and self-doubt, and finding strength through persistence. The conversation also explores how reading shapes storytelling, how setting becomes a character, and how theme anchors a novel’s emotional core.

Clay Stafford interviews Chris Grabenstein about his path as a writer, his success in children’s literature, and his collaborations with James Patterson. The conversation blends humor, insight, and practical guidance on building a lasting writing career.

Clay Stafford sits down with Cindy Dees to talk about her remarkable career, from her experiences as a spy to her upcoming Netflix project. She shares insights on taking creative risks, crossing genre boundaries, and sustaining a long and evolving writing life.

Psychotherapist Peggy Grigowski leads an inspiring, hands-on workshop focused on setting meaningful goals and clarifying creative direction. Participants explore practical techniques for turning aspirations into action and building a writing life aligned with purpose and possibility.

Journalist and novelist John DeDakis sits down with Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford for a candid conversation about ambition, connection, and creative purpose. Stafford shares stories from his early career, the vision behind Killer Nashville, and the lessons he learned along the way, including a few humorous missteps that helped shape his journey.

S.J. Rozan interviews Colin Cotterill about the inspirations behind his characters and his experiences teaching in Southeast Asia. Their conversation explores how his background and time abroad influence his writing, character development, and sense of place.

With stacks of books waiting and new titles arriving every week, how do writers decide what to read next? In this lively discussion, panelists share how they manage their ever-growing TBR piles, what draws them to a book, and how reading shapes their own craft. From guilty pleasures to professional research, discover how intentional reading can fuel better writing.

Renowned author and medical consultant D.P. Lyle reflects on his writing journey, the connection between medicine and mystery, and the enduring curiosity that fuels both science and storytelling.

Clay Stafford interviews D.P. Lyle about his life, career, and writing philosophy, exploring how his background and experiences have shaped his storytelling, research approach, and lasting contributions to the craft of writing.

Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford sits down with David Morrell, creator of Rambo, to discuss his remarkable career, storytelling craft, and the lasting impact of his iconic characters.

Renowned historical crime author Edward Marston reflects on his remarkable writing career, sharing the inspirations, research, and creative choices behind his enduring body of work. In this Guest of Honor conversation, Marston offers insight into his journey as a storyteller and the lasting impact of historical crime fiction on readers and the genre itself.

New York Times bestselling novelist Ellery Adams joins Maggie Toussaint for an in-depth conversation about her writing career, creative process, and the inspirations behind her beloved series.

Katherine Hutchinson Hayes delivers an inspiring keynote on embracing authenticity as a writer. She explores the role of voice, courage, and connection in sustaining a meaningful creative life.

Bryan Robinson, Catherine Dilts, Robert Mangeot, Sheila Sobel, and Warren Moore discuss how to maintain balance and perspective through the ups and downs of a writing career. They explore rejection, critique, and the unpredictable nature of publishing with honesty, humor, and encouragement.

John DeDakis leads a powerful exploration of grief and healing through writing. He guides participants in recognizing the emotions that loss awakens, discovering what grief can teach, and engaging in meaningful writing exercises that help transform pain into purpose.

Author Jacquelyn Mitchard shares personal experiences with hardship and creative struggle, offering encouragement and practical guidance for writers navigating difficult seasons. This session focuses on resilience, rediscovering purpose, and continuing to create through life’s challenges.

Jason Fort leads a conversation with Amy Denton, D.B. Sieders, Debra Gaskill, Rea Frey, Rich Zahradnik, and Richard Helms about what inspires writers to create. They discuss how personal experience, curiosity, and passion shape meaningful work.

Lynn Chandler Willis offers an honest look at balancing writing with everyday life. She explores how writers sustain motivation, manage responsibilities, and keep moving forward through the highs and lows of a creative career.

Debra H. Goldstein reflects on her path from career to calling. She shares the long road toward creative fulfillment and the core principles that shaped her growth as both a writer and a professional.

Frank and Kay DiBianca guide writers through the full creative journey, from early idea development to publication and beyond. They share practical insights on structure, revision, and sustaining a long-term writing career.

Clay Stafford interviews Hank Phillippi Ryan as she reflects on her remarkable journey from her early life and bold career choices to becoming an Emmy Award–winning reporter and bestselling author. She shares insights on inspiration, creative risk, public recognition, and the lasting power of the writing community.

Brett Battles, Elaine Viets, Jessie Chandler, John Connolly, Marilyn Bibi, and Martyn Waites reflect on lessons learned throughout their careers. They share insights they wish they had known earlier and advice for writers at any stage.

Heywood Gould talks with Clay Stafford about his writing journey, including how he got started, the opportunities he pursued, and the lessons he learned about the business side of being a professional writer.

Anne Emery, Artie Kain, Charles Finch, Cornelia Read, Dana Haynes, and Gerald Elias discuss their daily writing routines. They explore how habits, environment, and mindset shape productivity and creative flow.

Join bestselling author Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series, for a special Guest of Honor conversation. Colfer discusses his writing journey, the inspiration behind his stories, and the craft of creating characters and worlds that captivate readers of all ages.

Bestselling thriller and mystery author Simon Wood reflects on his writing life, sharing what drives him to write and how family, personal experience, and unexpected moments spark his story ideas. In this wide-ranging conversation, he offers insight into his creative process and the experiences that shape his work.

Greg Herren, Jezebel Jorge, Joseph Terrell, Nancy Naigle, Phil Cioffari, Phyllis Bourne, and Teresa Lynn read opening pages from their work, then take part in a thoughtful discussion and Q&A. Throughout the session, they explore how social issues shape their stories and share insights into their writing processes from first idea to final draft.

Bestselling author J.A. Jance joins Oline Cogdill for an in depth conversation about her prolific career, creative process, and the evolution of her beloved mystery series.

In this interactive interview workshop, bestselling author J.T. Ellison shares her thoughts on writing as a lifelong craft, her experiences in publishing psychological thrillers, and insights drawn from her creative journey.

Clay Stafford sits down with J.T. Ellison to discuss her background in politics, her evolution as a psychological thriller author, and the experiences that helped shape her writing career.

International bestselling author Jeffery Deaver discusses his experience writing the James Bond novel Carte Blanche and how his background in songwriting and acting shapes the rhythm and structure of his work. He shares insight into craft, adaptability, and the creative choices that define his storytelling.

Craig McDonald sits down with the versatile John Lutz to talk about breaking into publishing, researching authentic crime details, and the influence of technology and Hollywood on his long and varied career.

In a rare and intimate conversation, Clay Stafford and Joyce Carol Oates explore the philosophy of writing, the discipline required to sustain a creative life, and the lifelong pursuit of truth through story.

Clay Stafford sits down with Kathryn Lasky to discuss her remarkable journey as a writer. She reflects on her evolution across genres and audiences, shares insights on adaptation and series writing, and offers thoughtful guidance for authors navigating today’s literary world.

Award-winning author Kathryn Lasky joins Clay Stafford for an inspiring conversation about building a lifelong writing career across genres and audiences. She reflects on her journey from children’s and fantasy fiction to adult work inspired by real life, sharing encouragement for writers to keep evolving and creating.

Kelly Oliver sits down with Clay Stafford to share her path to publication, from early setbacks to lasting success. She offers candid insights into perseverance, craft, and the strategies that helped shape a sustainable and rewarding writing career.

Kaui Hart Hemmings reads from her novel The Descendants and reflects on the emotional process of releasing creative work. She explores when to let go, how to embrace imperfection, and why completion matters.

Joseph Hinder leads a candid discussion with Laura Lippman, S.J. Rozan, and Val McDermid as they explore genre, creative identity, and the persistence of misogyny in awards and publishing. Their conversation offers thoughtful and honest perspectives from some of crime fiction’s most respected voices.

Clay Stafford interviews bestselling crime writer Lisa Black about her fascination with forensic science and suspense. They explore how real-world investigations influence her storytelling and shape the authenticity of her work.

Eyre Price, Heywood Gould, and Robert Pobi discuss the emotional and professional realities of being a writer. They explore confidence, identity, networking, and how to navigate the business side of publishing with intention.

Carol Higgins Clark interviews her mother, the legendary Mary Higgins Clark, about her remarkable journey to becoming the Queen of Suspense. Together they reflect on storytelling, perseverance, and the lasting power of stories that connect across generations.

Clay Stafford talks with Maureen Corrigan about turning passion into profession. Their conversation explores how mystery and suspense shaped her life, the complications of loving books deeply, and the thoughtful guidance she offers to both readers and writers.

Clay Stafford interviews legendary mystery writer Max Allan Collins about his prolific career. Their conversation explores his collaborations with Mickey Spillane, his work on Dick Tracy and Ms. Tree, and how his storytelling has evolved across decades of writing.

Clay Stafford sits down with bestselling author Michael Connelly for an in-depth conversation about his writing life, creative process, and the career lessons behind some of the most enduring crime novels of our time.

Coco Ihle, Darrell James, David Bell, Fred Venturini, Johnny Shaw, and Sandra Parshall share the inspirations behind their latest books, highlighting the roles of setting, character, and perseverance in both the creative process and the path to publication.

Legendary editor Otto Penzler reflects on his remarkable career in mystery publishing, sharing stories from his work with top authors, his passion for the genre, and the ways crime fiction continues to evolve.

Peter Straub discusses his writing journey and career as a novelist. In conversation with Clay Stafford, he reflects on his body of work, creative influences, and how his approach to storytelling and the horror genre evolved over time.

John DeDakis helps writers move past fear and self doubt with practical exercises and motivational insight. This session focuses on building confidence, strengthening your unique voice, and reconnecting with a sense of purpose in your writing journey.

Avery Aames, Denise Osborne, Jennie Bentley, Juliet Blackwell, and Mary Jane Maffini discuss their devotion to craft and creativity. They use the idea of “escaping the Dragon House” as a metaphor for reorganizing creative space and refreshing the writing process.

Jaden Beth Terrell leads a thoughtful discussion on what truly fulfills a writer. She explores how motivation, publishing paths, and personal definitions of success shape creative satisfaction and long-term joy in the writing life.

Debra Goldstein reflects on resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose when life takes unexpected turns. She shares how writers can adapt and continue creating through change.

Caroline Todd, Charles Todd, John Graves, Parnell Hall, Stuart Neville, and Val McDermid share stories and memories from the beloved mystery conference Magna Cum Murder, reflecting on what made it special and how it shaped their writing lives.

Ridley Pearson joins Jeff Abbott to reflect on his multifaceted career as both musician and author. He shares stories from his writing journey, his collaboration with Dave Barry on Peter and the Starcatchers, and the unforgettable moment when one of his books traveled into space.

Renowned mystery author Robert Crais reflects on his journey from television writing to bestselling novels. He shares insights into his creative process, his friendship with Lee Child, and the personal influences that shape his storytelling life.

Robert Crais, Val McDermid, Charlaine Harris, and Colin Cotterill reflect on their journeys as bestselling authors, sharing insights into their writing lives, creative growth, and the experiences that shaped their careers.

Clay Stafford interviews Robert Dugoni, who shares his journey from aspiring writer to internationally published author. Dugoni reflects on perseverance, craft, and the lessons he learned along the path to seeing his work published in eighteen countries.

Prolific author Robert J. Randisi reflects on his remarkable career in publishing, sharing stories from his decades in the industry, his favorite projects, and his lifelong commitment to mentoring and supporting fellow writers.

Kevin Gillfoil interviews Sara Paretsky about her creation of the iconic V.I. Warshawski, the backlash her groundbreaking character initially received, the growing influence of technology, and her work with Sisters in Crime (SinC) to champion equity in the industry.

Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford sits down with Guest of Honor Sara Paretsky for a wide-ranging discussion about the craft of writing, sustaining a career, and creating compelling characters that endure.

Becki Willis, Christy J. Kendall, Marco Patitucci, Sam Severn, and Vladi Avdi share encouragement and strategies for staying motivated during the long middle of a manuscript. They offer perspective, momentum, and practical support for writers in the thick of it.

Amy Denton, Benny Sims, Bonnie Kistler, Les Edgerton, and Melissa Collings share honest insight into what it takes to stay the course as a writer. They discuss handling rejection, treating writing as a profession, and managing the emotional weight that often comes with a creative life.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Harlan Coben, Jeff Abbott, Joseph Finder, and Ridley Pearson reflect on success, pressure, and the realities of public recognition. They discuss what drives their work and how they navigate the expectations that come with literary success.

Carrie Smith, Colleen Shogan, Kate Brooks, and Kristi Lew reflect on how to sustain passion for writing over time. They share insights on creativity, resilience, and staying connected to the work through changing seasons of life.

Alexia Gordon, Debra Gaskill, Eric Beversluis, and Randy Overbeck discuss the deeper motivations behind writing. They explore purpose, inspiration, and the personal meaning that fuels a writer’s work.

Maggie Toussaint, Debra H. Goldstein, Ernest Lancaster, Joseph Terrell, Linda Sands, and Stacy Allen reflect on the varied paths that lead to publication. They share lessons on persistence, rejection, and growth along the way.

Gary Phillips, Harley Jane Kozak, Jan Burke, and Robert Ward answer the kinds of personal and unexpected questions authors rarely hear, from favorite cereal to childhood dreams, offering a warm and revealing look at the people behind the stories.

Alexandra Ivy reflects on her writing journey and the fears that come with creative risk. She shares how courage, persistence, and self trust play a role in building a lasting career.

John DeDakis and Brad Harper share personal experiences with rejection and resilience. They offer encouragement and practical tools for turning setbacks into momentum.

Clinical psychologist and thriller author Brent Maguire explores how neuroscience and positive psychology influence creativity. He offers tools to improve focus, manage stress, and sustain joy in the writing process.

Jen Forbus interviews Val McDermid about her remarkable career in crime fiction. They discuss her work in film and television, her creative process, and the challenges that continue to inspire and push her as a writer.

Claire Applewhite, D.A. Winstead, Honora Finkelstein, Patrick Kendrick, Paul Parsons, Randy Rawls, Steve Brayton, and Susan Smily read from their work. Photographer Michael Havelin also discusses how imagery supports storytelling and why visual awareness matters for writers.

In this in-depth conversation, Clay Stafford and Walter Mosley explore the roots of Mosley’s craft, from his poetic beginnings to his rise as one of the defining voices in modern crime fiction.

Dave McGaha, Larry Gandle, Rae Helmsworth, and Roger M. Sobin share their favorite reads across the many branches of crime fiction, offering thoughtful recommendations for readers eager to discover their next great book.

Clay Stafford introduces international bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, who shares insight into the discipline, mindset, and realities of building a life in writing.

Dana Cameron, Laurie R. King, S.J. Rozan, Sean Chercover, and Toni L.P. Kelner reflect on the people, stories, and experiences that have shaped their creative lives and continue to fuel their work.

Bruce Robert Coffin joins Clay Stafford to explore the double edge of ambition in a writing life. They talk about what happens when success brings unexpected challenges and why clarity of purpose matters as much as achievement.

Moderated by Maggie Toussaint, authors Alana White, Clay Stafford, Jaden Beth Terrell, and Jeffery Deaver share real-life challenges from their writing careers. They discuss setbacks, recovery, and how to move forward when things fall apart.

John Connolly discusses Books to Die For and the belief that writers are first and foremost readers. He explores how reading deeply shapes voice, craft, and a lifelong connection to storytelling.

David D. Levine, John Billheimer, John Gilstrap, Jonathan Santlofer, and Jonathon King discuss the challenge of writing the next book. They explore time management, creative pressure, and knowing when a manuscript is truly finished.