Thriller Roundtable
Must spies be flexible – or career-specific? Or could an accountant, librarian or nurse be a spy? This week ITW Members Martin Roy Hill, J. B. Manas, Connie DiMarco, Diana Deverrel, Arthur Kerns and Barry Ozeroff discuss spies in thrillers. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow this thrilling discussion!
If you could write in another genre, which one would that be? This week we’re joined by ITW Members J. L. Delozier, Charlie Flowers, J. D. Trafford, Maynard Sims, Bill Schweigart, Ritter Ames, Danny López, Barry Ozeroff and Carole Lawrence as they discuss what other genres they’d like to write in. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow this riveting discussion!
How many thrillers do you read each year? How do you choose from the vast selection? Those are the questions this week for ITW Members Don Helin, Jonathan Ashley, J. B. Manas and Danny Lopez. Scroll down and click on “Comments” to read what they have to say.
This week we’re joined by ITW Members Billy Lyons, Mary Torjussen and Tal M. Klein to discuss the book they would recommend for those who are vacationing or staying at home – which is your one recommendation?
This week is all about character: A first name can date an individual, do character names reflect the character of the character, and do they offer their own tensions by defying a time period? We’re joined by ITW Members D.P. Lyle, Peter James, Donna Warner, Patrick Oster, Jonathan F. Putnam, Richard Billingsley, Billy Lyons and Meredith Anthony.
How hard do you work to avoid “formula” writing? That’s the question this week for ITW Members Keith Dixon, Alison Morton, Kfir Luzzatto, Holly Seddon, Richard Rowland Billingsley, Billy Lyons, Brian Klingborg and Peter James.
Whether the orchids in Heat of the Night, or the exotic tales of Uncle Charlie in Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt, why is the combination of villains and beauty so alluring? With ThrillerFest in full swing this week, we’re joined by ITW Members Meg Gardiner, Peter James, S. A. Stovall, Holly Seddon, Alec Cizak, Catherine Finger, Billy Lyons, Ellen Kirschman and Meredith Anthony. You won’t want to miss it!
This week we’re joined by ITW Members Melodie Winawer, Dennis Hetzel and J.H. Bográn as they discuss the advantages of using new media to bridge readers with authors.
Just like Madonna’s song “The Power of Goodbye,” how difficult it is to let go of a character? Is it different in a series vs. a stand-alone? This week ITW Members David Salkin, L.J. Sellers, Karen M. McManus, Melodie Winawer, David McCaleb, Dennis Hetzel and A.J. Kerns will discuss letting go.
Carrie? A Separate Peace? The Road? Rabbit At Rest? This week we’re joined by ITW Members Linda Thorne, Khaled Talib, David Salkin, Alan Drew, Christine Goff, Susan Wingate and Kendra Elliott as they answer the question: “What was the novel that turned you into a writer?”
Do publishers fact-check – or is that the author’s job? This week ITW members Jean Harrington, Elena Hartwell, Ovidia Yu, Alan Drew and Christine Goff will discuss who’s ultimately responsible.
This week ITW Members Dave Edlund, Dana King, Sam Wiebe, Sherry Knowlton, Anna J. Stewart, Sasscer Hill, Jeff Layton, Maris A. Soule, Danny Gardner and Bob Doerr discuss telling the story right: “How accurate must thrillers be to stay plausible, and yet still include imaginative tech or devices not in existence today?”
Some writers love inserting highly specific brand names and editors often pull those out. This week ITW Members Walt Gragg, Dave Edlund, Sam Wiebe, Alan Jacobson, Lynne Constantine and Sasscer Hill discuss what works and when? Is it advertising or are these an instant indicator of one’s personal wealth or whims?
This week we’re talking current events with ITW Members Bonnie Hearn Hill, Lisa Preston, Sam Wiebe, Sasscer Hill, Bob Doerr and A. J. Kerns: Which recent event would you love to include in your next novel and why?
We’ve got a full house to kick off May! This month we’re joined by ITW Members Karen Harper, S.W. Lauden, Sandra Block, Lisa Preston, William Lashner, Sam Wiebe, Sherry Knowlton and Sasscer Hill as they ponder the questions: “What proportion do thrillers represent of your overall reading? As a writer, do you read more non-fiction or genre fiction?”
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SPECIAL FEATURES
- Between the Lines: Simon Toyne by Nancy Bilyeau
- Get It Right: Linda Fairstein and Marcia Clark on the Legal Sphere by John Valeri
- International Thrills: Britta Bolt by David Swatling
- Africa Scene: Frank Owen by Michael Sears
- Up Close: Sandra Brown by Dawn Ius
- Up Close: Jon Land by J.H. Bográn
- Up Close: Karin Slaughter by April Snellings
- Up Close: James Swallow by Dawn Ius
- Up Close: Marcus Sakey by Dawn Ius
Discover Tomorrow’s Hottest Thriller Authors Today on Inside Thrill Radio!
Inside Thrill Radio airs monthly, as host Jenny Milchman takes listeners deep behind the scenes to hear about brand new thrillers and how they came to be.
“Win, Lose, or Draw” is available starting April 19th: Three authors, who between them have racked up Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, Shamus, and Lefty award nominations, talk about their new thrillers! Will they win, lose, or draw at this year’s award ceremonies? Hear about their books and judge for yourself. Featuring guests Matt Coyle, Nadine Nettmann, and Lili Wright.
