Lifestyle of a Fashionista

6/7/24

What is ThrillerFest?

ThrillerFest is a conference for thriller enthusiasts, writers and readers. “ThrillerFest is the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers. This unique, popular, and rapidly expanding organization was created in 2005 by several bestselling authors in order to bring thousands of writers, readers, publishers, producers, editors, and agents together to promote and support thriller authors everywhere.”

I learned about this conference while attending Career Author‘s 2023 writing retreat. I’ve been working on writing a book since 2020. I’ve had a few ideas for my book, started writing a few drafts, and finally came up with my story last year. I’m working on my second draft now. I’ve attended a few conferences and learned something from everyone at these events.

ThrillerFest has several programs for writers and a few for readers over five days. You can sign up for one program or bundle the programs and events together.

Programs for Writers

Masterclass: a one day event where you work in small groups under the tutelage of New York Times bestselling authors. 

CraftFest: hour-long classes taught by some of the most established authors and industry experts in the thriller business. In addition to craft classes, CraftFest includes a line-up of information about firearms, explosives, forensics, pathology, and other information that will help you write realistic scenes. There is a cocktail party at the end of the first day.

QueryFest: Editors and agents are available to review a sample of your work—either a query letter or the first two pages of your manuscript—and offer you personalized advice on how to improve your chances of getting published. 

PitchFest: PitchFest is an event designed to connect authors with agents and editors where the writers pitch their manuscripts.

Programs for Readers (and Writers)

ThrillerFest: ThrillerFest proper, the final two days of the conference, provides readers with an opportunity to network with authors—everyone from debuts to bestsellers. Expect innovative panels, spotlight interviews, and workshops to educate and inspire. There is an opening reception and a cocktail hour after day one.

Cocktail hour and Banquet: The Thriller Awards Banquet honors the year’s ThrillerMaster, Silver Bullet Award recipient, Thriller Legend, Thriller Fans, and Thriller Award winners.

My Experience in 2024

I signed up for CraftFest, PitchFest, and all of ThrillerFest. I could not attend the first two days of the conference due to illness. I went to the ThrillerFest panels and interviews on Friday and Saturday, as well as the Banquet. I also volunteered to help out at a book signing.

This conference is jam-packed with fun events, book signings, and informative panels that readers and writers will enjoy. I love the writing community; everyone I met was friendly and encouraging.

My favorite panel was The World of Espionage; several former officers, analysts, and agents of the CIA and FBI chatted about their books and the tropes they hate to read (or see in movies).

All of the authors on the panels offered great advice about plots, reasons for murder, and foreshadowing, to name a few topics. Several also talked about their inspirations for their stories, which is great information for writers and readers.

The Bookstore

The Mysterious Bookshop set up a store. You can buy books by the authors at the conference, then get your copy signed by the author.

The Awards Banquet

The evening starts with a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvre. The banquet ticket gets you a free drink. I chatted with a few authors I had met at online events, like The Back Room.

I met some aspiring writers and established writers at my table when we sat down for dinner. We dined on salad, a main course, and dessert.

After dinner, Dennis Lehane and Tess Gerritsen were awarded ThrillerMaster, and Louise Penny received the Silver Bullet award.

The thriller award categories and winners:

Best First Novel: The Peacock and the Sparrow by I.S. Berry

Best Paperback Original: The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas

Best E-Book original: The Killing Room by Robert Swartwood

Best Young Adult Novel: Stateless by Elizabeth Wein

Best Short Story: Unknown Caller by Lisa Unger

Best Audiobook: The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz

Best Hardcover: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

Ayo Onatade won best thriller fan and Audible won 2024 Thriller Legend.

The ceremony reminded me of the Academy Awards, but for writers.