Thriller 101
A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction.
Episodes
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Lisa Kusel
Jessica Payne Episode
Heather Levy Episode
Lisa Unger Episode
EPISODE INFO:
Ever wondered how authors create those unforgettable characters that seem to linger in your mind after the last page? You know, those characters that feel like they’re living and breathing? Well, today, we’re talking to a master at character voice. Lisa i...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Jessica Payne
Previous episode with Jessica Payne
Jennifer Chevais Episode
EPISODE INFO:
You’re going to get insights into exactly how Jessica writes her books now that she’s a seasoned author.
And then you’ll hear why she says you should, under no circumstances, copy her process.
We’re going to talk about all that and more in today’s episode a...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Jennifer Chevais
Dr. Leslie Dobson Episode
Read Roxie Key's Article
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you ever find yourself wondering what agents think about while reading your submission, then you’re in the right place.
If you ever find yourself wondering what agents think about while reading your submission, t...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Dr. Leslie Dobson
Alex Kenna Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Dr. Leslie Dobson is not my typical guest on Thriller 101.
But when I say she delivered for the writing community, I mean it.
By the end of this episode you’ll have a better sense of how to build character motivation—and why it might be just as important to think ...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Pitch Your Article to Thriller 101
Learn more about Alex Kenna
Roxie Key Episode
Viviana Vasiu's article: 3 Agent Offers in 48 Days
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
I firmly believe that quality thrillers, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction use this technique where there’s tension in the main plot (or what I call the professional plot...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Pitch Your Article to Thriller 101
Learn more about Roxie Key
Daniel Hurst Episode
Eloise Corvo's article: Turning a Standalone Mystery into the First in a Series
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
How should you start your novel? Should you have a prologue? Should you jump right into the action? Or spend time with the characters? Today’s ...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Thriller 101 Agent Pitch Contest
Learn more about Daniel Hurst
Michelle Jackson Episode
Jody Wenner's "On Brand "article
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
By the end of today’s episode you’ll understand
- Why Daniel decided to go from self-publishing to working with an independent press
- His writing process
- You’ll have a better ...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Thriller 101 Agent Pitch Contest
Learn more about Michelle Z. Jackson as an agent
Learn more about Michelle Z. Jackson as an author
Heather Levy Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you’re hoping to land an agent this year, you’re going to love this conversation with Michelle.
We talk about:
- Connecting your pitch to your opening
- How...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Want to Hear More about a Thriller Community?
Learn more about Heather Levy
Catherine Mack Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Should you be writing characters first?
Or maybe you should develop your plot?
How do you write books with multiple timelines? Do you write them chronologically? Or linearly in relation to the thread of the story?
H...
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Submit an Article to Thriller 101
Learn more about Catherine Mack
Matt Shao Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
We’ve all had those moments where we wonder if it’s time to take on something new with our writing.
Something bolder or more daring.
Maybe it’s a new genre, new point of view, different structure or something else entirely.
Well im...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about M.E. Shao
Ellie Monago Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
On the Thriller 101 podcast, we hear a lot from authors who are published.
I also get the opportunity to share writers who are submitting to agents through the Thriller 101 pitch contest.
However, it's rare t...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Ellie Monago
Michelle Glogovac Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
There are more avenues to publication now than there have ever been.
Whether it’s publishing by partnering with a literary agent, or small or independent publishers, or even self-publishing, the...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Michelle Glogovac
Connect with Michelle on Twitter (X)
Connect with Michelle on Instagram
Learn more about the MLG Collective
Carey Blankenship-Kramer Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Have you ever thought about being a guest on a podcast?
It’s never to ea...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Connect with Carey on Twitter (X)
Mel Mattison Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Should you include a theme in your summary?
How do agents read queries anyway?
And what do you need in your opening to catch an agent’s attention?
All this and...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Mel Mattison
Connect with Mel on Twitter (X)
Ash Clifton Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you want to learn how to effectively introduce characters to your readers, you’re going to love today’s guest.
Mattison talks about finding a big idea that will carry you t...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Ash Clifton
Connect with Ash on Twitter (X)
Lisa Unger Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
How much backstory is too much backstory? Can there be any backstory at all? I mean, your characters have to have something going on…right? But what does that look like? Luckil...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Lisa Unger
Connect with Lisa on Twitter (X)
Sandy Lu Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Do you want to write characters with as much depth as a New York Times and international bestselling author?
Today, we’re going to hear how Lisa Unger writes the kinds of charact...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Sandy Lu
Connect with Sandy on Twitter (X)
Vera Kurian Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you’re hoping to sign with your agent this year, you’re going to love this episode today.
We’re going to dive deep into a fantastic submission to the Thriller 101 podcast!
A...
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