Join ThrillerFest at BEA!

Join us at BEA this year! Stop by our booth to say hello and help promote ITW and ThrillerFest.

We look forward to seeing you there!

May 29 – June 1, 2013
Javits Center, NYC
 
 

ThrillerFest VIII Registration Is Open!

ThrillerFest VIII: Registration is now available. We have a fabulous line-up of special guests this year, including:

2013 ThrillerMaster: Anne Rice

Anne Rice is one of America’s most read and celebrated authors, Anne Rice is known for weaving the visible and supernatural worlds together in epic stories that both entertain and challenge readers. Her books are rich tapestries of history, belief, philosophy, religion, and compelling characters that examine and extend our physical world beyond the limits we perceive.

Anne lives and works in California. Anne’s life experiences and intellectual inquisitiveness provide her with constant inspiration for her work.

2011 ThrillerMaster: R. L. Stine

R. L. Stine is the author of over 330 books for children. His Goosebumps, Fear Street, and other book series have sold nearly 400 million copies around the world, making him one of the best-selling children’s authors in history. Stine is a three-time winner of the Nickelodeon Children’s Choice Award and a recipient of the American Library Association Award.

Spotlight Guest: Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly is the author of the recent #1 New York Times bestsellers The Drop, The Fifth Witness, The Reversal, The Scarecrow, The Brass Verdict, and The Lincoln Lawyer, as well as the bestselling Harry Bosch series of novels. He is a former newspaper reporter who has won numerous awards for his journalism and his novels. He spends his time in California and Florida.

Spotlight Guest: T. Jefferson Parker

T. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of twenty novels, including L.A. Outlaws and Storm Runners. His novels, Silent Joe and California Girl both won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Along with Dick Francis and James Lee Burke, he is one of only three two-time recipients of the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Parker lives with his family in Southern California.

Spotlight Guest: Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer is the author of 18 novels of medical and political suspense, all New York Times Best Sellers. His books have been translated into forty languages. Palmer was educated at Wesleyan University and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. His most recent novel, Political Suicide was released in December, 2012. His book Extreme Measures was made into the hit film of the same name starring Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Palmer also works with the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Physician Health Services, helping doctors with physical and mental illness, as well as drug dependence and alcoholism.

2013 Silver Bullet Award Recipient: Steve Berry

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor’s Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. His books have been translated into 40 languages with more than 15 million printed copies in 51 countries.  They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists.

Other special guests will be announced soon.  We have something for everyone, whether you’re an aspiring author, a fan, an industry professional, or an ITW author. Some of the highlights include:

CraftFest: This section of the conference is ideal if you’re looking to hone your writing skills. Every year, CraftFest is growing in numbers and spaces are limited. If you are keen on hearing the writing secrets of NYT bestsellers, please sign up soon so you don’t miss out.

AgentFest: If you’d like to pitch your novel to the best literary agents in the business, this is the event for you. Last year, we had over 55 agents attending AgentFest. Read about the success stories under the AgentFest tab.

ThrillerFest: We’re planning on some fabulous panels, workshops, and lectures for ThrillerFest this year.  Stay tuned for more details.

Banquet: Please join us at the annual Saturday night banquet for the presentation of the Thriller Awards and other fabulous entertainment.

Volunteers are an integral part of the ThrillerFest experience. We couldn’t do it without you. If you would like to assist us, please send an email to registrar@thrillerwriters.org. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and get involved in ITW.

Please drop by the new ThrillerFest Facebook page and say hello! Then “like” us, and help spread the word!

Your ThrillerFest team is looking forward to a fun and memorable year. D.L. Wilson is our VP of National Events, D.P. Lyle, MD returns as CraftFest Director, Boyd Morrison is AgentFest Director, and Kimberley Howe returns as Executive Director. If we can answer questions or help out in any way, please touch base anytime.

We look forward to seeing you next July 10-13 in NYC!

D.L. Wilson
Vice President of National Events

Kimberley Howe
Executive Director, ThrillerFest

If you prefer to mail your registration, you can download and print the appropriate registrations forms here:

ITW Author-Member Registration

ITW Associate-Member and Thriller Fan Registration

ThrillerFest VII: A Thrill a Minute

By Anthony J. Franze and Jenny Milchman

Anything that calls itself ThrillerFest has a lot to live up to.

Luckily, this year’s ThrillerFest—the International Thriller Writers’ annual conference—delivered more than its share of thrills. Held in the heart of Manhattan, ThrillerFest VII was the largest and most successful T-Fest yet. On hand were hundreds of the world’s top thriller writers, as well as scores of industry professionals, journalists, producers, aspiring writers—and let’s not forget the readers and fans.

Haven’t been to ThrillerFest yet? Not clear what it’s all about? Come take a journey with both the Chair and the Membership Coordinator of ITW’s Debut Authors Program as we give some background on ThrillerFest, and then go behind the scenes—way behind the scenes—at this year’s event.

What is ThrillerFest?

Officially, ThrillerFest is “a four-day celebration of thriller books, the authors who write them, and the fans who read them.” Or, as Co-Presidents of International Thriller Writers, Kathleen Antrim and Douglas Preston, say: “ThrillerFest creates an environment in which readers meet authors, and aspiring authors gain the tools and make the contacts they need to get published. It’s a place where agents discover new authors, and where up-and-coming authors find resources to move their careers forward. And finally, it’s a place where bestselling authors share their experiences, advice, and wisdom with those traveling the same road.”

Read More

ThrillerFest VII CDs, MP3s, and DVDs now available!

ThrillerFest VII is over, and what a fabulous event it was! If you weren’t able to attend, or if you did, but missed some of the panels — or if you’d like to listen to what your favorite speakers had to say again — you’ll be delighted to know that CDs, MP3s, and DVDs from the CraftFest 2012 and ThrillerFest 2012 writers conference are now available for purchase. Recordings of ThrillerFests 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 are available as well.