Thriller 101
A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction.
Episodes
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...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Vera Kurian
Vera Kurian Substack
Jason Powell Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
You know when people say that the setting became like it’s own character?
And you sit there thinking…how do I make readers feel like that?
Well Vera Kurian is going t...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Jason Powell
Elle Grawl Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you want the kind of opening that gets an agent's attention, you'll want to listen to what Jason Powell has to say.
The opening for his novel, No Man's Ghost opening might be the most unique on...
Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Connect with Elle Grawl
Last time I talked to Elle Grawl
Tori Westminster Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If all you’re doing is writing a thriller the way they used to be written, you might be missing out on some untapped potential.
I’ve been reading a lot of thrillers recently that have some extra, added ...
Refer 3 Friends for Query Letter and Pages Feedback
Connect with T.C. Westminster
Grab your copy of THE HOST
Natasha C. Sass Episode
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
The words “author platform” can make any writer roll their eyes. However, it’s also one of those important aspects of being a writer that isn’t much about actually being a writer.
Luckily, today’s guest ma...
Join the Thriller 101 newsletter for exclusive updates
Download Natasha's Cozy Mystery Workbook
Episode with Erin Flanagan
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
Does it feel like Cozy Mysteries are making a come back? Well it did to me. So I reached out to Cozy expert, Natasha C. Sass. She quite literally wrote the book on cozy mysteries.
Join the Thriller 101 newsletter for exclusive updates
Click here to rate and review the podcast!
Find out more about Erin Flanagan
Episode with Mandy McHugh
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
The art methodically rising tension is a tricky one...because there really isn’t a hard and fast rule.
However, while talking to our guest today, I learned so much about how to i...
Download the Official Thriller 101 Hook Checklist Here
Click here to rate and review the podcast!
Find out more about Mandy McHugh
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you’re into morally gray characters, then you’re going to love today’s guest.
And you’re going to love her even more if you want to write great dialogue.
Seriously, if you need to improve your dialogue writing...
Download the Official Thriller 101 Hook Checklist Here
Click here to rate and review the podcast!
Find out more about Amy Nielsen
Listen to Last Time: Catherine McKenzie
Connect with David on Twitter
EPISODE INFO:
If you’re hoping to sign with your agent in the next few months, you’re going to love this episode with my guest today.
We’re going to dive deep into a fantastic submi...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.