Genre Writing
Thrillers (includes spy, espionage, political, legal, and medical)

Moderated by Carmen Amato, Bill Rapp, J. Robert Kinney, Kathryn Lane, Linda Whitaker, and Stanley Trollip explore writing crime fiction set beyond national borders. Drawing on backgrounds as historians, scientists, and global travelers, they share how to create vivid international settings while grounding stories in authentic cultural and political detail.

How did Edward Snowden change the landscape of espionage storytelling? In this thought-provoking discussion, Mark Greaney leads a panel of thriller writers exploring how revelations about surveillance, intelligence agencies, and government secrecy reshaped the way political espionage is written. The authors examine how real-world events influence fictional spy narratives and how modern thrillers reflect an era of global surveillance and shifting trust.

Barbara Newhart, Cheryl Sommers, Erika Stribling, Greg Laird, and Percy Veer share how professional experience informs believable legal mysteries. They discuss research strategies, courtroom accuracy, and how to translate the complexities of the justice system into gripping, reader-friendly fiction.

Bill Rapp shows how real-world experience can elevate espionage fiction. He discusses how authenticity, lived detail, and moral conflict bring spy stories to life, helping writers create believable narratives filled with tension, consequence, and emotional weight.

Moderator J. Robert Kenny leads Benny Sims, Darryl Bollinger, and Linda Duncan in a focused discussion on specialized thrillers. They explore how finance, medicine, law, and politics can drive high stakes storytelling, sharing strategies for balancing technical authenticity with momentum and suspense that keep readers hooked.

John DeDakis leads Darryl Bollinger, J.T. Ellison, and Linda Whitaker in a wide-ranging conversation about what makes thrillers work. From pacing and structure to the unique demands of psychological and futuristic thrillers, this session explores how to keep tension high and readers fully locked in.

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.

Bestselling author Jeffery Deaver walks through his personal approach to writing thrillers, sharing how he develops story structure, overcomes creative roadblocks, and adapts his process to each new project. This session offers practical insight into finding a method that works for you while still delivering commercially successful suspense.

Thriller writers and a leading reviewer break down what makes a thriller truly propulsive. This session explores how pacing, stakes, character, and momentum work together to keep readers turning pages and unable to stop reading.

Michael Newman leads Arl Farris, James McCrone, Larry Enmon, Shaun Assael, and T.J. O’Connor in a deep dive into spy fiction. This discussion explores the moral gray areas, psychological pressure, and ethical dilemmas at the heart of espionage, offering insight into how realism and complexity elevate compelling spy stories.

CJ Box, David Merrill, Kate White, and Mark Billingham share how they craft nail-biting suspense and unforgettable twists. In this candid conversation, they reveal the techniques behind high-stakes storytelling and what separates a solid thriller from a breakout bestseller.

Benny Sims, J.L. Delozier, Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, L.M. Whitaker, Luis E. Rosas, and S. Lee Manning step inside the world of specialty thrillers. From espionage and political intrigue to legal, medical, and techno suspense, this panel explores how firsthand experience and smart research fuel authenticity while keeping stories fast, accessible, and packed with tension.

Gregg Hurwitz offers an inside look at his journey as a thriller writer, including the inspiration behind his novel The Crime Writer. He also explores the psychology of mind control and cults, revealing how these dark dynamics influence character, tension, and the emotional power of his storytelling.

Jaden Terrell, Dan Royse, Jason Fort, and Ross Carley explore how espionage and cybercrime shape today’s thrillers. They discuss evolving technology, global politics, and real-world threats, offering insight into writing stories that feel current, credible, and frighteningly plausible.

James Scott Bell, Robert Rotstein, Sheldon Siegel, and Susan Goldstein explore where the courtroom meets high-stakes storytelling. Drawing on real legal experience, they discuss how law shapes character, sharpens plot, and adds credibility and tension to compelling legal thrillers.

Bill Landay, Chris Knopf, David Rosenfelt, Doug Corleone, Linda Fairstein, and Twist Phelan draw on their legal backgrounds to discuss writing courtroom fiction that feels authentic. They explore how real experience informs believable legal drama, compelling characters, and high-stakes conflict inside and outside the courtroom.

Espionage stories thrive on secrecy, danger, and high stakes missions. In this session, panelists discuss writing novels set in the world of spies, covert operations, and intelligence work. Authors explore how espionage shapes plot, character motivations, and the tension that drives these stories forward.

What makes a thriller impossible to put down? Georgina Cross, Jeffrey James Higgins, Matt Cost, R. Weir, Rick Treon, and S. Lee Manning break down the techniques behind truly addictive thrillers. They explore subgenres, pacing, suspense, and series development while sharing practical ways to hook readers fast, escalate tension, and drive a story relentlessly toward its final twist.

In this session, authors discuss writing lawyers as protagonists, antagonists, and key supporting characters. Drawing from real life legal experience, panelists explore how the law shapes their stories and how writers can portray legal professionals authentically on the page.

Lisa Brackmann, Allison Leotta, Pete Morin, and Stuart Neville explore crime fiction where politics are never just background noise. They discuss how power, corruption, ideology, and moral compromise fuel tension, shape characters, and provoke strong reactions from readers who recognize echoes of the real world.

J.L. Hill, Jessica Noll, John Bukowski, John DeDakis, S. Lee Manning, and Sonja Dewing break down what makes a thriller impossible to put down. They explore how layered characters, escalating tension, and emotional payoff combine to create stories that keep readers turning pages late into the night.

DP Lyle, Kathleen Antrim, and Steven James lead a deep-dive master class on writing thrillers that stand out. From strong premises and tight plots to voice, character, and setting, this session offers practical tools and techniques writers can apply immediately to elevate their work.

Darrell James, Johnny Shaw, and Reavis Z. Wortham dive into the role of violence, firearms, and moral ambiguity in crime and thriller fiction. They explore how accurate weapon use affects realism, character choices, and the emotional stakes of a story without letting violence overwhelm the narrative.

Karen Dionne leads Boyd Morrison, Linwood Barclay, Mike Cooper, and Owen Laukkanen in a fast-paced discussion about what defines a true thriller. They break down pacing, escalating stakes, and nonstop momentum, revealing how to deliver stories that keep readers racing from chapter to chapter.

Cindy Dees, Dana Summers, Jonathan Payne, Rich Zahradnik, Ross Carley, and Thomas Kelso share how to write high-stakes thrillers grounded in professional and technical detail. They discuss striking the right balance between realism and readability, showing how to include complex information without slowing the pace or overwhelming readers.