July 8 - CraftFest Opening Day

The days spent at ThrillerFest always feel like an extended family reunion. I almost feel as though I'm seeing favorite, distant cousins who live too far away instead of reconnecting with friends. Naturally, there are the "new" people but they are quickly accepted into the family and the cycle continues. If you haven't attended a previous ThrillerFest - and you aren't already here this year - I highly recommend you join us in 2010. We'd love to see you!

And...just to tempt you, I'll be blogging every day this week with a summary of the day's events. Lots to say so let's get started.

CraftFest opening day kicked into high gear early with sessions from powerhouses David Morrell, Lisa Gardner, Lee Child, Kathleen Antrim, Jon Land, Steve Berry, Heather Graham, and more. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend a few of the classes. Thankfully, all sessions are being recorded, as they were last year, and will be available for purchase post-conference. (More on that later in the week.)

"The Business of Writing" Bonus Power Session with David Morrell - this year's ThrillerMaster - covered topics such as advances, day jobs, taxes, and common mistakes made by authors. When "Rambo's Daddy" speaks, people listen and the audience for this session was attentive and more than a few people were taking notes. Summary: When the book is sold, don't go nuts. Save and spend wisely. Don't give up your day job.

"Living on the Ritz - How to Hit the Times List in Five Years or Less" with Lisa Gardner was entertaining as well as informative. Lisa used her own works as an example and discussed what it means to be on the NY Times list. Summary: Know your strengths and weaknesses as an author. Know what you want to write in terms of genre. Always remember the writing comes first.

"Creating a Series Character" presented by Lee Child was incredibly entertaining. Using his popular Jack Reacher novels as examples, Lee discussed what makes a good series character and some of the missteps to avoid in the creative process. Summary: Don't try to write a "likeable" series character. Characters are created by the readers as much as by the writers. If it's a good solid character, the series will follow.

"Successful Rewriting: Paring Down and Fleshing Out" was incredibly popular - standing room only popular. Lisa Gardner outlined her method of rewriting using notecards and how it helped her novel "The Perfect Husband" be "bigger." Summary: Notecards, flow charts, outlines - it doesn't matter the method used, if it works for you and allows you to see where your story is strongest and where it needs work, use it!

"Chill Me, Thrill Me, Fulfill Me" gaves participants a hands-on writing exercise under the direction of Heather Graham. Attendees were invited to read their creations aloud and "pitch" their work to Heather. Summary: Given the same opening line, a dozen writers will create a dozen different stories. Know your work and approach pitches with confidence.

Day 2 - Thursday, July 9 - will see more great events. Sessions with Andrew Gross, Donald Maass, Gayle Lynds, James Rollins, M. J. Rose, and of course, AgentFest - the annual pitch session to end all pitch sessions. I'll report on the events in the evening so be sure to check back!

Jeannie Holmes
www.jeannieholmes.com

Pitching the flu

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the 2009 swine flu outbreak is officially a pandemic. According to WHO’s director-general, “The virus is now unstoppable.”

As a writer of medical thrillers, I’m slightly deranged and my reaction was, great news! The book I will pitch at AgentFest features a weaponized influenza virus. The first real-life flu pandemic since 1968 creates billions of interested readers, right? What could be a better sales pitch than that?

Then I read this marvelous article on pitching in person by Shirley Kennett, the 2009 ThrillerFest chair: http://www.thrillerwriters.org/thrillerfest/Pitching%20in%20Person.pdf Unfortunately, nowhere in the article does she say, “Simply mention a recent headline and agent will be convinced that anyone who follows the news will want to buy your book. Your job is done!”

I have some work to do before July.

To make the most of the opportunities ThrillerFest will give me, an unpublished author, I need a pitch that is as unstoppable as swine flu. A successful pitch “goes viral.” People who hear it remember it and are compelled to repeat it.

Using Kennett’s article and the CraftFest sessions on Wednesday, I hope to write and memorize such a pitch. And not only that crucial one-line hook. Once I’ve grabbed an agent’s attention and he or she asks me for more, I need a compelling book-flap type of summary to flow smoothly off my tongue. The main advantage of a face-to-face pitch is the chance to present myself as a professional. That’s why I’ll be practicing in front of a mirror for the next several weeks.

See you at ThrillerFest, dear readers, where I hope to infect you with my contagious pitch. By the way, enjoy the crowds of New York now; the flu is on vacation in Australia.

Dr. Amy Rogers, author of The Han Agent

Character Studies--Sherlock Holmes

I’m sitting in Chicago, Illinois as I write this, and I assume it comes as no shock to anyone reading that our recent past governor has been impeached. What has come as a shock has been the ex governor’s response to his impeachment. Rather than retreat behind the locked front door of his house, he’s thrust himself onto the national stage, giving radio interviews and signing up for a celebrity reality show. His antics have been somewhat bizarre and clown-like. As writers we could learn from watching the scenario as it plays out. How many of us would have written the deposed, soon-to-be- indicted governor as reality show contestant? One writer who might have thought of that angle is the wonderful Carl Hiaasen, who lives in Florida, where the politics can often rival Chicago’s on the bizarre meter.
This came to mind one night as I was listening to Augie Aleksy, the owner of Centuries and Sleuths bookstore in Forest Park, read from a Sherlock Holmes story. He described Holmes, as he sat in a chair in his room firing a gun into the opposite wall, forming the letters “VR” (initials of the then queen, Victoria Regina) in bullet holes. I sat up straighter. Sherlock Holmes, the intellectual violin player and brilliant but maladjusted detective hammering bullets into his own bedroom wall? The image didn’t fit with my view of Holmes. Sure, I knew about the seven percent solution of cocaine he injected at odd times, but the image of Holmes leaning back in a chair and shooting the wall, bits of plaster spraying and the noise echoing in the room, brought to mind a dark genius, too dangerous to be near and whose anger ran very, very deep. There was none of the cool logic of the world class detective.
I had the same reaction that a student might have had upon discovering that their mild- mannered professor was actually Indiana Jones. I ran to the collected works of Conan Doyle and read for myself. Not only did Holmes fire into his wall, but he’d rammed a knife through his unanswered correspondence, affixing it in the center of his mantelpiece. This last image made me laugh. It spoke volumes about how Holmes viewed the intrusion of the outside world.
Reading this classic tale of an unforgettable literary character helped me view my own characters in a new light. I’m working on my third novel now. You can believe they will do the unexpected.

Jamie Freveletti
Author
Running from the Devil
http://www.jamiefreveletti.com/

TWF seeks PWM

Thriller Writing Female seeks Published Writer Mentor.

For this match, Craigslist simply won’t do. ThrillerFest 2009 is the pickup joint for me!

Fear not, fellow writers. I’m happily married and emotionally stable, not a predatory cougar on the prowl. But I do have an unmet relationship need. I’m an aspiring author—an unpublished novelist—and I could really benefit from a friendship with a more experienced writer. The Internet and bookstores are loaded with wonderful information about the business and craft of writing, and I’ve made good use of this material. But just as textbooks will never replace good teachers in the classroom, no amount of study can replace the role of a good mentor in a new career.

Thus one of my goals for ThrillerFest is to make connections with published writers who will give me the kind of advice that only a mentor can. A year and a half ago when I attended my first writers’ conference in San Francisco, I had the single-minded agenda of an eager beginner: get an agent. That was my only goal, but at the conference I learned so much that I was not only content to leave without an agent, I ditched most of my manuscript and started a massive rewrite.

Since then my writing, and my perspective, have changed. I still want to sell my book—so meeting an agent is important—but I’m thinking beyond that first book to my career as a whole. A published writer mentor may be the greatest asset I could have.

With that in mind, to prepare for my first ThrillerFest I’m reading as many books as possible. My choices come from a list I made of thriller writers who are currently publishing novels with a scientific or medical angle. I’m trying to read at least one book from each author to get a feel for their style. Then I’ll try to memorize the names and titles to give me instant conversation starters.

In a perfect ThrillerFest, I’d find myself seated at a table next to James Rollins, the bestselling writer who (like me) uses real science in his fantastic stories. We’d share a bottle of wine, and I’d tell him about all the remarkable things we have in common: we both live in Sacramento, we’re both doctors who trained in Missouri, and we both have secret Polish surnames. Given that such an occurrence is about as likely as some of the events in one of his Sigma Force novels, I hope to at least run into him in the hotel lobby or something. My one-second self-pitch still needs a lot of polishing: “Excuse me, Mr. Rollins, would you be my friend?” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Czajkowski,” (horribly mangling the pronunciation, of course). “Howdy, Jim, I’m your biggest fan!”

Barring the perfect Rollins Encounter, I’ll take advantage of whatever networking opportunities come my way. My mentor doesn’t have to be famous, just knowledgeable and willing to share. My attitude for the week will match the tourism ads I’ve recently seen for Aruba: ThrillerFest. Hundreds of friends you haven’t met yet.

Dr. Amy Rogers, author of The Han Agent

You Want Thrills With That?

Whether you're a fan, a yet-to-be-discovered author, or an author with countless novels to your credit, ThrillerFest offers something for everyone, and one of the best ways to be certain you don't miss any of the action is to volunteer.

The International Thriller Writers (ITW) is a volunteer-operated organization. Everything from the website to this blog to ThrillerFest is built on the generosity of those who freely donate a portion of their time. It doesn't matter if you haven't attended a previous TF, in fact, if you are a first-timer, volunteering is a great way to meet people.

My first year to attend was in 2007. ThrillerFest was the largest conference I'd attended at that time and it was coupled with my first ever trip to New York. It may surprise some to know that I'm a shy person by nature. (Pause for the Peanut Gallery snickering to subside.) When I registered for TF07 I marked the little box on the form that said I'd be interesting in volunteering. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

That first year, I met many of the authors in attendance and other yet-to-be-discovered authors. Giving up a total of a few hours over the course of an extended weekend was time well spent because I had a lot of fun. Unsure of how you can contribute? It's easy. Some of the duties regularly preformed by TF volunteers include:

* Filling tote bag with goodies
* Keeping time for panels and Q&A sessions
* Transporting ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) of books
* Acting as greeters for special events such as special guest interviews
and the awards banquet
* "Traffic controllers" for book signings

There are many other ways and areas in which to contribute your time and talents. If you're attending ThrillerFest 2009 and are interested in volunteering, visit the official ThrillerFest website and click on "Contact ThrillerFest" for more information.

Jeannie Holmes
CRIMSON SWAN
http://www.jeannieholmes.com/

What Makes Authors Tick

I’m always so curious about what makes authors tick. My family and friends often wonder about me. How can such an outwardly calm, gentle, happy, laid back individual such as me write an horrific thriller such as Worst Nightmares yet not be hiding a very dark side to his nature - one they’ve never been aware of before?

I know that those who have read my novel now look at me in a new way. Perhaps their opinion of my nature has changed; they now view me as some kind of a Hannibal Lector?

What’s interesting is that usually serial killers look very normal. Almost kind. Ted Bundy for example. Yet what do we really expect in such deviants? Someone with fangs, dripping blood? Killers with strong hands and a demented look in their eyes? No.

So, why does my sister-in-law as well us her mother harbor thoughts that I am morally twisted in some fundamental way? Because I am able think up the most devilish and delicious way of terrifying my characters, and putting them to death in unusual and intriguing ways? (According to their worst nightmares, it goes without saying!)

The fact is, I find conjuring up horrific fantasy images fun! I admit – I enjoy it. Quite often it makes me laugh aloud when I come face to face with my extreme dark humor. And in case you now think I am barking mad, let me assure you that I find actual violence anathema. I’m the first to be shocked when I see people involved in any ‘biffo’ at all.

Before I start reading a new novel I always look for a snapshot of the author. It’s important to me to look into the eyes of the creator and imagine his mindset. More often than not, authors look quite normal. Occasionally they don’t—for instance, there’s something about a hugely celebrated bestselling novelist’s hair that I find just a tad disturbing. Maybe it’s the eyes—like the Mona Lisa’s, they follow you around the room. I’m sure he’s a gentle man, and he certainly writes superlative thrillers, but.... it’s that look....

That’s most probably what my sister-in-law sees in me now. Is it possible that Worst Nightmares, the novel, is a clue to my innate madness?

Which brings me to another point. Why did I choose to write what my wonderful agent referred to as ‘the most cruel and brutal novel’ she had ever read? The answer to that one isn’t so easy. I’ve though about it quite a lot recently. Worst Nightmares is not the catharthic experience of a would-be homicidal maniac. I’m simply attempting to write a gripping thriller that’ll keep readers turning pages way into the night, while reaching for strong liquor.

Readers love being scared. I know I did as a child reading Edgar Allan Poe, Dennis Wheatley, Steven King and Truman Capote. I was transported from castles in Transylvania to fields of horror and bloodshed in Texas; yet the moment I closed the cover I was back in my safe world.

Now I feel like a starving man looking forward to dinner at Cipriani’s! The thought of meeting all my favorite authors at Thrillerfesr, those who’s books I’ve been reading all my life is mind-boggling! And to be debuting my first book in America, with all the hype Vanguard have given it, is massively exciting.

Just yesterday I received an email from a blogger in Boston. “Are you sure your novel Worst Nightmares is not autobiographical?” he asked; somewhat rudely, I thought. “You write of an author who plagiarizes the grizzly diary of a brutally sick serial killer. Did you, in fact, receive such a diary from a real killer? Are there bodies out there?”

I took great pleasure in replying to this man. “Of course! You found me out. There are bodies....lots of them...everywhere. And strange as it may seem, I live only a block from your home. Let’s go find them. What do you say?”

Shane Briant
Worst Nightmares
Available May 12, 2009

WIV Positive

My name is Amy, and I’m WIV positive.

Do you know your status?

Visitors to the ThrillerFest blog are not a random sample of the population. Voluntarily reading these words is itself a simple test with a positive predictive value of greater than 90%.

In other words, you too probably have WIV, or Writing Impulse Virus (subtype: thriller).

For years, I tried to conceal my desire to write fantastic tales under the veneer of a respectable career as a biology professor. It worked for a while; the demands of teaching and family made it easy to resist the temptations of Microsoft Word. But I didn’t do enough to protect myself. Late-night trysts with a thesaurus, flash drives filled with secret back-up files, and hushed references to “my book” could only lead to one thing. I became WIV+, afflicted by a disease for which there’s no cure, only lifelong keyboard therapy.

At first I was ashamed. How could I tell my husband that the scientist he married was really a writer at heart? How would my children manage the stigma of answering the question, “What does your mommy do?” (“Oh, she sits at a computer a lot and doesn’t make any money.”)

I’m in the early stages of the disease, and I have the classic symptoms:a completed manuscript, a decent pitch, a few requests for partials, and a growing stack of rejection letters. What I need (besides an agent) is a support group. Luckily I learned about an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the WIV+ community—International Thriller Writers.I registered for ThrillerFest at once.

Why am I, an unpublished writer, going to ThrillerFest? Because today, I may be just an author wannabe, lost among the unwashed masses of query composers filling the slush piles of the world. But I aspire to be much more. I have accepted my WIV positivity and embraced the writing bug. I’m going to ThrillerFest because I need to go. I need information and advice for living with WIV. I need the fellowship of others who share my condition. I need hope and inspiration.

I want to meet debut authors who recently crossed the magic threshold into publication and tell myself, that could be me next year. I want to listen to authors who have more experience and say, I can apply their knowledge in my work. And of course, I want to meet an agent who will fall in love with my manuscript and tie the contractual knot on the spot (hey, it doesn’t cost anything to dream!).

It does cost something—rather a lot, in fact—to register for ThrillerFest, to fly from California, and to stay almost a week in New York. But I believe it’s worth it, because one day, I’m going to see my name on a bookshelf, and then I’ll say WIV is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Dr. Amy Rogers, (unpublished) author of The Han Agent

Pitching An Agent Part II-The Screeching Halt

Okay, here I go again being upbeat about the agent pitching process and rejection. Last week I wrote about my take on the painful pitching process. This week I would like to write about another aspect that I see only too often-what I call the “screeching halt.” It’s when the writer gets a detailed rejection from an agent, and then never contacts that agent again.
Whenever an unpublished writer explains this scenario to me, and it’s more often than you would imagine, I usually respond with “Huh? That’s it? You get a letter explaining what didn’t work and you don’t follow up? What’s up with that?”
It is at this stage that the writer begins speaking in slow, measured tones, as if I am deaf and not quite getting the gist of the conversation. The writer says something usually along the lines of, “Um, I just said he rejected me. He doesn’t like it. End of story.”
This response on the part of the writer baffles me to no end. I understand it in regards to form rejections, those are not worth a follow up, you're best just moving on, but a one page typewritten letter with specific critiques? That's quite different. Here’s this hardworking agent, snowed under with piles of paper all around, who could have easily hit the “no” form letter and lighten his load, but instead takes the time to give some feedback, and what does he get? Nothing. No “Thanks, I’ll think about what you said,” no, “How about I rewrite those sections and you take another look?” or even just, “Thanks for your time, I love it the way it is, but should anything change I’ll take another look with your thoughts in mind.”
Detailed rejection letters are gold. They are often some of the first words from a professional in the industry about a new writer’s manuscript. You may not like them, you may not agree with them, but you should, at the very least, acknowledge them with gratitude. And my guess is, if you’re like me and strive to read the words with an open mind, you just may find some of them are correct. And if you do, just revise it, write a letter to the agent explaining that you took their words to heart, and ask to resubmit. Nine times out of ten they’ll say yes, reread it, and with any luck you’ll be on your way!
Another suggestion: if the detailed rejection comes right before Agentfest, and you know that agent will be attending, do your very best to acknowlege their work in person. It always helps to put a face with a name. A handshake and a "thanks for the letter. I'm looking the manuscript over with an eye toward your suggestions. May I send it again when I'm finished?" That's what Thrillerfest is about, meeting and greeting. It's a lot of fun.
I'd be interested to hear views from other authors and agents on this subject. Specifically, if you're an author who's been rejected initially, did you ever resubmit with success? If an agent, do you accept resubmissions? Am I leading the unpublished astray here? Thanks in advance!

Jamie Freveletti
Running from the Devil
May 5th
www.jamiefreveletti.com

So Many Authors, So Little Time

ThrillerFest boasts a huge roster of authors. Take a look at the best seller lists – and I do mean all of them – and the chances of finding an ITW member are very good.

This year ITW will be honoring David Morrell, creator of the Rambo series, as 2009 ThrillerMaster – a title he certainly deserves. Last year’s ThrillerMaster, Sandra Brown, will also be on hand, along with the other special guests Robin Cook, David Baldacci, Brad Meltzer, and Katherine Neville. Where else can you find this level of talent in one location – other than sitting on the shelves of your local bookstore or library? My guess is nowhere. And yet, there is still more talent to be found lurking in the halls – often literally because ThrillerFest has been equated to summer camp and you never know who you’ll run into between panels, book signings, and guest author interviews.

Speaking of running into people in hallways, as I was leaving the on-site bookstore last year, I literally (almost) ran into Deborah LeBlanc. There was a panel I was eager to attend and was hurrying to catch it when Deb and I nearly crashed head-on beside the registration desk. I’ve been a fan of Deb’s work for a long time and even though we first met at ThrillerFest 2007, I was still a little intimidated by the fact that I could actually talk to someone I consider among my inspirational authors.

However, Deb’s from Louisiana and I’m from Mississippi so naturally two people with recognizable accents stop to chat. After lamenting the fact that sweet tea is all but nonexistent in NYC, I was feeling more at ease and our conversation turned to books and writing, as often happens when authors gather. We talked about her new book. We talked about mine. I never made it to the panel discussion but I had a great time talking with Deb, who introduced me to the founder of Circle of Seven Productions and creator of the book trailer phenomenon. A near collision turned into a great networking opportunity. Since then, I’ve kept in touch with Deb and am happily waiting to see her again this summer. (Hopefully, our meeting won’t result in a multi-author pile-up in the hallway.)

I tell this story to illustrate the kind of chance meetings that happen constantly during ThrillerFest. These are great opportunities to network or thank someone for pointing you in a new and wonderful direction. Of course not all meetings are by chance. There are some that are carefully orchestrated. Past attendees have friends they want to see and will arrange a coffee break or lunch. Some of the friends I’ve made are going to be there again this year and I can’t wait to see them. (You know who you are: Kelli Stanley, Rebecca Cantrell, Andrew Peterson, Carla Buckley, CJ Lyons, Karen Dionne, Julie Kramer, Don Helin, Matt Hilton and all the other ITW Debut Authors.)

Even without the added benefit of seeing friends, like most authors, I’m also an avid reader and have a list of authors I admire. It’s always a treat to see and talk to Lee Child, Jon Land, Shane Gericke, D.P. Lyle, Barry Eisler, and David Hewson. A few of the authors I’m looking forward to meeting this year include Nate Kenyon, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Dakota Banks, and Lisa Gardner. I’m especially looking forward to meeting Lisa, not just because I love her books, but I have to thank her and here’s why...

While working on Crimson Swan, I discovered a problem but I had no clue how to resolve it. I was in a serious funk when I came across an old file regarding plot structure that I’d downloaded on my computer long ago when I first began to seriously attempt writing fiction. It wasn’t very long or very detailed – a few pages among a larger work regarding suspense novels.

The summary article was written by Lisa Gardner, one of the best known suspense authors and a personal fave. A light shone over me and a chorus of heavenly voices sang – Okay, maybe it didn’t happen that way, but I can honestly say I took a major hit from the clue gun because of the article. I surfed over to Lisa’s site and found a more detailed article on structuring suspense novels. Using her suggestions, I broke through my funk and resolved the problem I’d encountered. Lisa may never read my book and she may never really know how much she helped, but I’ll have an opportunity to thank her in person come July. It’s one I don’t intend to let pass me by.

Yes, ThrillerFest is fun. It’s a great place to network and make friends. But, it’s also a place to learn from and thank those who’ve inspired or helped along the way, even when they didn’t know they were doing it.

Jeannie Holmes
Crimson Swan
http://www.jeannieholmes.com/

Things To Do In Denver When You’re Bestselling

This is going to be a long entry. I could frankly use a good editor.

A bit about myself, since I don’t quite fit with the wonderful authors contributing to this blog — I started as a literary assistant at a very, very large literary agency. I moved my way up to being a foreign rights agent, then bolted to become an assistant editor at Bantam Dell. While I miss the seemingly guaranteed massive commissions of agency work, I have gotten to work with the incomparable thriller-writer John Ramsey Miller, and that compensates for a lot of ramen. Seriously, read The Last Day or any of the Winter Massey books, the man can flat-out write.

As a literary assistant, agents would hand me manuscripts to get a second (or occasionally first) opinion on. A good portion of my career, I knew, was going to be dedicated to assessing manuscripts by that amorphous, personal criteria that agents and editors use. I reconciled myself to two things upfront, and hoped that I’d be able to stick to my guns when it came to following these two simple maxims:

1) Books I love will be rejected.
2) I will pass on a book that will become huge.

It was especially the latter that I could see myself having trouble with. All of the late-round draft picks that went on to become hall-of-famers plague my mind when I read a submission that is good, but that I don’t think has the potential to become great, and definitely not bestselling. The agency I worked for passed on The Time Traveler’s Wife — twice. I thought to myself that I would never let a book that inevitably popular slip through my fingers. I simply wouldn’t, though I tried to steel myself to the idea that it might.

One of the agents handed me a submission one day and asked me to take a look. I read roughly 100 pages and I thought it was a standard, paint-by-numbers thriller. It didn’t grab me. Clicking off my myopic publishing lenses for a moment, as I try to do with every book, I couldn’t see John Q. Public reaching for this on the shelf over the vast array of similar titles. I advised that we should pass and we did. I moved onto the next manuscript submission without a second thought.

I later saw that it had been sold by another agent to a small press. By this point I was working at Bantam Dell and I wrote to the agent, reminding him that we saw it. He shrugged over email (nearly visibly). Easy come, easy go. It was a small sale, anyway. I still maintained that small press / lackluster book equals mediocre sales.

I was wrong. Denver-sized wrong. Mile high wrong. Months later I saw a listing of regional bestsellers and high up on the Denver Post’s bestseller list was this book. It was a success.

I read a book and thought that it had no potential to hit a nerve with the public, and I was wrong. It was a bestseller in a city that has all the same books to choose from that New York does. It was making a lot of money for the publishing house, and when the agent sells the follow up, it’ll make money for that person as well. I had it in my hands and let it slip through. While it wasn’t The Time Traveler’s Wife (yet), it has been the biggest success I have thus far avoided. It’s a not-so-subtle knock to my instincts, that maybe I (and, for that matter, all of publishing) have no real sense as to what the public wants. We anticipate, we plan, we scheme, and we ultimately champion projects that we love (and we fall in love very, very easily) but there’s no set formula for picking books out of the pile and determining their chances at success. There’s no formula even for determining what success even means. I can imagine that’s extremely frustrating for a writer trying to break in or break out.

Coming to Thrillerfest is a great opportunity to see writers I respect and admire and especially enjoy. Lee Child is here, and he is as accommodating as he is talented. Karin Slaughter told me a wonderfully nasty story about hotels once. Allison Brennan is as gracious a human being as I’ve met in my short time in books. I also love meeting the unsigned authors, though. They have an enthusiasm that could light bricks. Still hungry for that first book deal, that first appearance on a bestseller list, the unsigned authors seem to look at the system of how a book gets represented and later sold as being frustrating and Byzantine. It’s broken, isn’t it? Submissions to agents get put in stacks that increase in volume until a stiff breeze or intrepid assistant can tip it over into the rubbish. Submitted manuscripts get put behind editors’ doors (or under plants, or in the air ducts above one’s ceiling) until someone moves offices and it becomes someone else’s problem, right?

I think that I’m a good representation of how the system actually, in its Rube Goldberg-contraption sort of way, works. I passed on a book, but that doesn’t mean the author stopped trying. The author kept submitting and the book eventually got found — first by an agent that believed in it, then a publishing house that could focus its energies, then by the reading public. While frustrating for all involved, that’s a good system. It makes bestsellers in Denver.

And Audrey Niffinegger’s follow-up to The Time Traveler’s Wife got bought for a reported $4.5M.

Randall Klein
Assistant Editor
Bantam Dell

Pitching an agent at Thrillerfest: The Good, (and Perhaps not so Good) News. Part I.

I spent last week in sunny Florida, talking to a film maker who is also an unpublished writer. He’s working on a third revision of his novel, and we were discussing the process of pitching the finished work to an agent. I told him about the “elevator pitch” where one distills one’s entire novel into one or two sentences. He shook his head and shuddered as he drove the car, because he’d been forced to engage in that process to pitch some of the screenplays he’d written. (Apparently he was successful, because a documentary film was produced based upon his screenplay). It got me to thinking about how to pitch an agent, and what goes through one’s mind while doing it.

First, the good news: in my opinion, the agent wants to be able to say "yes." I realize this is not everyone’s opinion of the agents’ intent, and perhaps not yours.

“Sure” you say. “I’ve written sixty-four agents and not one has said yes.”

Okay, I agree, it can get discouraging, but let me tell you a story I heard from an extremely reliable source–my mother. My mother is an actress in movies. Successful movies, with Jim Carrey, Kevin Spacey, you name it- (her stage name is Judy Clayton). Along with the successes has come an endless series of rejections for an equally endless number of reasons. All bug her to a certain extent, but she continues going to auditions, because if she doesn’t audition she will never get a role- it’s that simple.

Once she sat behind a casting director while he conducted the casting for a major motion picture. As the various actors came before him to audition, she heard the Casting Director mutter under his breath: “Come on, you can do it. Okay, a little less motion, more depth, that’s good.” He was rooting for every actor, despite the fact that he knew only one could get the job and he’d have to reject the rest. She said it helped her to realize that Casting Directors, some famed for appearing outwardly unmoved, were sweating right along with the actors, and that it wasn’t the actor that was being rejected, just his or her suitability for the role.

I think it’s the same for literary agents. She (or he) wants to say yes and represent your story to a publisher. As you sit down, imagine her muttering “come on, you can do it,” while listening to your pitch. Keeping this idea in the forefront of your mind while pitching may help you get through that initial nervous stage. At least it did for me when I was engaged in the pitching process.

Now for the bad news, which is not news at all for most of us who have been on the writer’s side of the pitching desk: She may end up rejecting the manuscript. However, if she does, it is likely for a myriad of reasons, none of which may have anything to do with the merit of the work itself. Like the casting director, she may have a list of criteria in her head for the manuscripts that she wants to take on, and this one doesn’t match that personalized list. Fortunately, at Thrillerfest, there are a large number of agents attending the Agentfest portion of the conference. If one says no, just move on to the next and to the next, until you get the role of published writer. We’ve all been there, and we’ll all be rooting for you!

Jamie Freveletti
Running from the Devil--May 5th
http://www.jamiefreveletti.com/

Getting Crafty at CraftFest

The dates for ThrillerFest 2009 are July 8-11, but did you know that July 8th and 9th are two days devoted solely to tricks, tips, and trade secrets of the writing craft as presented by some of the top names in the thriller and suspense genres?

Yes, dear friends, whether you're wanting to know more about the craft of writing (character development, story structure, dialogue, etc.) or are eager to overcome the nerves you feel before pitching your work to agents and editors, CraftFest -- as these fun-filled days are officially titled -- is the place to be.

Last year's CraftFest was a huge success and marked the introduction of a special series of Writer's Digest Bonus Sessions to kick off the first day's events. This year, however, is shaping up to be even better. Here are a few examples of the high-caliber talent who will be on-hand, not to mention to valuable information they're willing to impart:

"Pitch Your Work to Agents and Editors." -- Presented by Kathleen Antrim and Steve Berry

Description: Nervous about pitching your manuscript to an agent or editor? Bring your concept to class, and learn how to pitch it to agents and editors in 25 words or less, starting with the words, "What if?"

"Living on the Ritz - How to Hit the Times List in Five Years or Less" -- Presented by Lisa Gardner

Description: While luck is always a factor in success, a good career plan also goes a long way. Join Lisa Gardner for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making the New York Times list--and how you can start building your career today.

"The Business of Writing." -- Presented by David Morrell

Description: Many authors dream about leaving their day job and becoming a full-time writer. But when does it make economic sense do so? It's important to write the best, most honest stories possible, but it's also important to know how to handle your income from those stories. Would a sudden large advance improve your life or potentially destroy it? Drawing on his 37 years as a professional writer, David Morrell (Rambo's father) discusses the business aspects of being an author.

"THE SCOOP! Using Television's Techniques For A Top Notch Thriller." -- Presented by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Description: Here's what you need to do to produce a successful television news story: Develop memorable characters. Build suspense. Show conflict. Tell a compelling story. Create a satisfying ending. Find justice. Change lives. That's exactly what Boston's premier investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan's been doing for her entire career. But here's the scoop. Writing a successful thriller requires exactly the same things. And Hank's years of experience with journalism can now give your book a boost.

With her top-ten list of questions, journalism techniques, solid practical applications and even in-class exercises, this Emmy- (and Agatha-) winning reporter will teach you the secrets of television news. And then: she'll show you exactly how those skills can work for you to develop the novel you always wanted to write. Or to make your next book better. It's a never-before-presented workshop...and your chance to learn the inside scoop!

"Creating a Series Character: some readers want growth, and some don't. Where is the sweet spot?" -- Presented by Lee Child

Description: How to mine the unique strengths of the series format without succumbing to its fatal weaknesses.

"Writing the Thriller: 10 Points On Craft." -- Presented by Barry Eisler

Description: How you hook a reader from the first sentence -- feeding the reader the information that draws her into the story while simultaneously famishing her for more.

"Writing and Selling the Million Dollar Screenplay." -- Presented by Jon Land

Description: The course will cover the most crucial elements of screenplay structure and strategies to market the completed product. Included in the discussion will be the realities of selling a script in today's Hollywood and proven shortcuts to success.

"Plotting Evil: Creating the Baddest Bad Guys." -- Presented by D. P. Lyle, MD and Michael Welner, M.D.

Description: What makes real murderers tick? What drives their obsessions and actions? How do they plan and plot their crimes? In this calls we will learn what motivates the bad guys from an expert in criminal behavior.

"How - and Why - to Write Thrillers for Young Readers" -- Presented by R. L. Stine

Description: The class will discuss the advantages and the difficulties in writing for kids. How to appeal to them and get them reading--and how to turn them off. Mr. Stine will also give tips for selling YA and kids' thrillers in this difficult market.

There are even more great classes to be found during CraftFest. (To see a full list, visit the official ThrillerFest Programming page.)

Even though I came to New York last year as a newly signed author, I attended as many of the CraftFest sessions as possible. No writer knows everything about the craft. We are all constantly learning and evolving. We learn from one another, and where else can you possibly learn from some of the most easily recognized masters of the field? If you're serious about writing thrillers and suspense, CraftFest is well worth your time.

Check back in two weeks for my next posting on who I'm most looking forward to seeing at this year's ThrillerFest. The list may surprise you.

Jeannie Holmes
CRIMSON SWAN
http://www.jeannieholmes.com/

Can I Get An Interview?

Yet another reason for authors to attend Thrillerfest this year!

VIDEO OPPORTUNITY AT THRILLERFEST!

An emerging website ITW has been working with, WritingRoom, is offering those ITW members attending ThrillerFest a terrific opportunity.

Against a backdrop of skyrocketing promotional costs, the site will be taping video author interviews FREE of charge to ITW members who would also like to join WritingRoom. Sign-ups for the interviews will be handled on a first come, first serve basis via e-mail prior to Thrillerfest. ITW members who sign-up can send questions they would like to be asked and information to help make the most of their interview.

ITW authors interested in participating need only register as a member of WritingRoom at www.writingroom.com. WritingRoom will provide a free Professional Authors site for six months to the author. At the end of the six months the author can choose to continue their professional membership or can convert back to a free membership. In existence for less than one year, the site is already receiving 125,000+ dedicated visits per month with unlimited upside and expansion potential in the future.

Prior to the interview, interested authors will also need to provide an email of the cover art of their book or books, and one hard copy of the book. They should also feel free to suggest or send questions and any other pertinent information about their book. Authors will, of course, have to sign a release allowing WritingRoom to post their videos on WritingRoom, YouTube and other sites. Even better, each author will be provided with a copy of their finished video to use in any manner they see fit.

To take advantage of this opportunity, just make sure you’re registered for ThrillerFest and send an e-mail to Lindsay@writingroom.com.

ThrillerFest on a Budget -- Handy Tips, Part 2

Last week's post had sort of a traveling theme for my series on handy tips for attending ThrillerFest on a Budget. This week it's all about food.

New York has great restaurants -- over 20,000 of them to be exact. With that many choices and with prices ranging from fast food dollar menus to a couple of hundred bucks a plate, it can be overwhelming. Especially when you're also facing a time crunch because you don't want to miss the co-author sponsored roast of Clive Cussler. (Yes, that is an event planned for ThrillerFest 2009. Check out the official ThrillerFest website for more details.)

Here are just a few of the places I've found within easy walking distance of the Grand Hyatt, TF's host hotel. I'll begin with my favorite food category: coffee.

ThrillerFest Food Tip #1: Java java java java java java

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you I’m a coffee junkie. Speaking to me before I’ve had my morning java fix is akin to poking a rattlesnake with a stick. It’s all fun and games until someone gets bitten. Fear not, my fellow coffee fanatics. I’ve scouted the area and know where to find the flavorful bean that is our life’s blood.

First, the Hyatt does have a coffee kiosk/stand in the lobby but the selections are somewhat limited. If I remember correctly, they also stop serving in the middle of the afternoon. . .just when we need our fix the most. That’s okay. I know the secret to having an eternal caffeine buzz.
Coffee location #1: Starbucks in Grand Central Terminal
From the main Hyatt lobby, take the escalators down to the street level but don’t exit the building. Turn right and you’ll see a set of glass doors. These lead to a tunnel that connects the Hyatt with GCT. Go through the glass doors, follow the tunnel to the right, go through another set of doors, and turn right again. Starbucks is on the left, just before you reach the street exit. It’s a small shop and has a street entrance so it’s often crowded, but it’s close by and that’s what matters.

Other nearby Starbucks: 450 Lexington Ave, 43rd St and Third Ave, 150 E 42nd St

Coffee location #2: Dunkin Donuts.
Not everyone likes Starbucks. Maybe you like to have donuts with your coffee. Personally, as long as it has caffeine in it, I’m good. I’ve found a couple of nearby Dunkin Donuts for those who crave powdered sugar and chocolate sprinkles. Find them at 370 Lexington Ave and 47 E 42nd St.

Coffee location #3: Grand Central Terminal Dining Concourse.
GCT boasts a huge dining concourse on the lower level. The tunnel connecting the Hyatt and GCT offers the most efficient route to the LLDC. If you can’t find coffee from one or more of the restaurants in GCT, you’re not looking hard enough.

ThrillerFest Food Tip #2: Starving Writers on the Prowl for Munchies and Crunchies

Here are a few of my favorite spots for cheap but good food:

#1 – Scotty’s Diner: 336 Lexington Ave, between 39th and 40thScotty’s is easy to find. From the lobby, take the escalators down to the street level, and exit the building. Turn left. At the intersection, turn right and cross the street. Walk past the Chrysler Building and keep going for about two blocks. Look for a blue awning. Scotty’s isn’t much to look at inside but the service is friendly and fast, and the food is good and affordable. Check out their online menu here.

#2 – Two Boots Pizza: Grand Central Terminal, Lower Level Dining ConcourseI always have to visit Two Boots at least once during my stay in New York. Offering unique pizza creations, as well as build your own, Two Boots is a great place for a quick bite. They will deliver to the Hyatt, for a minimum purchase amount, if you’re too tired from a day of panels and ThrillerFest fun to seek them out in the LLDC. To see what they have to offer, check out their online menu here.

#3 – Brother Jimmy’s BBQ: Grand Central Terminal, Lower Level Dining ConcourseI’m from the South and I love barbecue. However, not all barbecues are created equal. Brother Jimmy’s offers ‘cue good enough to satisfy my cravings and at prices that I can afford. I recommend the South Carolina pulled pork sandwich as well as the fried catfish sandwich for on the go meals. The Brunswick stew isn’t bad either. Click here to see their full menu.

#4 – Ciao Bella Gelato: Grand Central Terminal, Lower Level Dining ConcourseI tasted my first authentic Italian gelato in Grand Central and I fell in love. Ciao Bella offers a wide variety of decadent frozen creations, which is perfect for the balmy July days of ThrillerFest. Check out their full menu here.

#5 – Wendy’s: 447 Lexington AveStandard chain food fare, but they have a dollar menu. When you’re on a budget, sometimes a dollar is all you can spare.

#6 – McDonalds: 451 Lexington AveBig Macs, Quarter Pounders, and Chicken Nuggets. . .who hasn’t feasted on these at least once? As with Wendy’s MickyD’s offers a dollar menu so if your budget is stretched to the max, it’s good to know where you can go to make those last few pennies count.

If you, or someone you know, has more great dining ideas for the Midtown Manhattan area, share them with us! Post your recommendations in the Comments section.

Jeannie Holmes
CRIMSON SWAN
http://www.jeannieholmes.com/

Debut Author at ThrillerFest

I attended my first ThrillerFest in July 2007. When I arrived in New York, I was the new guy on the block, having only recently signed a contract with Medallion Press for my debut novel, Thy Kingdom Come.

Over the next three days, I met authors who were household names, and others who were new to the publishing game, or still waiting to be discovered. During ThrillerFest, I heard informative presentations from some of the best—Lee Child, James Rollins, Lisa Gardner, and Tess Gerritsen, for example. Where else could one hear presentations from and ask questions of these pros? And they took plenty of time to answer questions.

During the year between ThrillerFest 2007 and ThrillerFest 2008, I became active with the International Thriller Writers Debut Author Program. In our mentor program, we heard from best-selling authors like Lee Child, MJ Rose, David Hewson, Sharon Linnea and Hank Phillipi Ryan. They covered issues such as guerilla marketing, developing a series character, and career building. Their honest and straight-forward answers to our many questions were helpful and so refreshing.

At ThrillerFest 2008, I now belonged to a group with common interests. During the Debut Authors Breakfast, I watched my fellow authors have the opportunity to summarize their novels for the audience, then do a signing. The maiden voyage of AgentFest gave many of us an opportunity to meet and talk to a number of agents. Nowhere else could one find this large group of experts from the publishing industry gathered in one place.

It soon will be time for ThrillerFest 2009. My own book, Thy Kingdom Come, was published in March. I’m using many of the suggestions from our mentors as well as my fellow debut authors to work with my publisher to market my novel.

During the Debut Authors Breakfast at ThrillerFest 2009, I’ll be on the podium with the other members of the 2008/2009 Debut Authors Class. While there, I’ll be thinking of all the information I’ve accumulated at ThrillerFest, and the friends I’ve made.

Thanks to the leaders of International Thriller Writers for starting ThrillerFest to make these opportunities available for all of us.

See you at ThrillerFest.

Don Helin
THY KINGDOM COME
www.donhelin.com

ThrillerFest on a Budget - Handy Tips Part 1

Like most authors, I have to budget my time and money when deciding which conferences to attend. ThrillerFest is near and dear to my heart so I’d never miss it unless the world was coming to an end. . .and even then it would be a tough decision. However, TF has been held in New York, arguably one of the most expensive cities in America, for the past three years. Once the registration fees, airfare, and hotel stay are tabulated, the cost can quickly skyrocket into the hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on where you’re traveling from. (I won’t argue the point of whether TF is worth the expense here. That’s for a later post, but for now, all you need to know is my opinion is a resounding “YES!”)

I attended the past two ThrillerFests (both held in NYC) and have a few tips for the traveler on how to cut costs, especially in the food department. But, let’s start with getting to and from the airport/hotel.

ThrillerFest Tip #1: Getting from Point A to Point B

Regardless of whether your flight arrives at LaGuardia or JFK, you’re going to be faced with the decision of how to get from Point A to Point B. Taking a taxi is always an option, but it can be expensive. Last year I was offered a cab ride from LaGuardia to the front door of the Grand Hyatt (TF’s host hotel) for a mere $45. It may not sound like much, but that’s a one-way ticket. It would cost another $45 or so to return, making for a total travel expense of $90-$100. That’s money I’d rather keep and use later. . .at the TF book shop.

My suggestion for getting from Point A to Point B is to utilize NYC’s mass transit system, namely the New York Airport Service. Yes, riding the bus isn’t as glamorous as taking a cab, but it’s a lot less expensive. Remember that $45 one-way cab ride I was offered last year? I took the bus and purchased a round-trip ticket for only $21. (I checked the NYAS website and the same round-trip ticket from JFK is listed as $27.) Granted the bus doesn’t deliver you to the hotel’s front door, but it does stop across the street from Grand Central Terminal. The Hyatt is next door to GCT, so it’s a quick hop across the street and a short stroll away. The round-trip bus tickets are also good for thirty days so if you’re planning to extend your visit for a few days prior to or after TF, you’re covered.

ThrillerFest Tip #2: If The Shoe Fits. . .Or Not

You’re running late. Your agent/editor calls and informs you of a last minute meeting. Add one more outfit to an already overflowing bag. You board the plane only to be parked on a runway for seven hours. Finally you make it to your hotel room and open your suitcase. You realize you forget to pack your shoes, and the ratty sneakers you wore through airport security won’t work for that morning meeting with bookstore sales reps.

It happens. While there are plenty of shops in Grand Central Terminal that offer fabulous footwear solutions to your dilemma, you’re on a budget and have only $20-$30 bucks to spare. Never fear, weary and shoeless traveler. Head down to the Hyatt lobby and ride the escalator down to the street level. Turn right and walk past GCT. Cross the street and keep going for about a block to 60 E 42nd St. and you’ll find a conveniently placed Payless Shoe Source store. Happy feet are here again.

Thus ends my list of tips for today. I have more on other subjects, especially where to find cheap but good food, and will continue to post them in the coming weeks. May these serve to fill most of your needs and help to keep your budget from spiraling out of control. (After all, that’s what the TF book room is for, right?)

Jeannie Holmes
CRIMSON SWAN
www.jeannieholmes.com

Virginity

By Matt Hilton
ITW Debut Author of DEAD MEN'S DUST

I’m a Thrillerfest virgin. The 2009 event in New York City will be my first and I have to say that I am really looking forward to what promises to be an exciting and thrilling experience. Just look for the wide-eyed Englishman who has a passing resemblance to Meatloaf (according to some), John Candy (according to others) and to George Clooney (according to me) and that will undoubtedly be me.

Not many people will know my name as I write this, but hopefully (hands clasped firmly in prayer) by the time Thrillerfest comes around some - or even better many - of you will have read my debut book, DEAD MEN'S DUST. Thrillerfest will be my first real opportunity to gauge people’s reaction to the book in the US and I look forward to hearing their views with a mix of excitement and not a little trepidation. It’s scary stuff, but tempered by this will be the fact that I’ll be reacquainting myself with friends I met at last years Bouchercon in Baltimore and meeting some new friends who until now I’ve only ever talked to via the medium of email and blogs. I’m a member of ITW’s Debut Author Programme and part of the attraction of attending will be to shake hands with some of the nicest, most supportive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

This won’t be my first time in NY. But it will be my first opportunity to take a look around a city that grabbed my attention the first time I saw King Kong topple from the top of the Empire State Building (in black and white). My last visit was a quick 2 hour turn around where I got off an Amtrak train at Penn station, came out by Madison Square Garden, took a couple photos on my mobile phone of said ESB sans Kong, then was whisked to a traditional Jewish diner by my US agent. I ate great food, though I’ve no idea what it was, then went directly back to Penn Station and back on a train heading for Baltimore. I only remember New York in a series of disjointed flashbacks, so I’m going to take my time and have a good look around this time. I can’t wait.

I don’t really know what to expect, but that’s all part of the thrill.

http://www.matthiltonbooks.com/

http://www.joehuntervigilante.com

http://matthiltonbooks.blogspot.com