MANAGING EDITOR

Karen Dionne is the internationally published author of FREEZING POINT, a science thriller nominated by RT Book Reviews as Best First Mystery of 2008. A second environmental thriller about an erupting volcano, a missing researcher, and a radical scheme to end global warming is forthcoming from Berkley in 2010. Karen is also cofounder of the online writers community Backspace, and organizes the Backspace Writers Conferences held in New York City every year.

THRILLERFEST CHAIR & EDITOR

National bestselling thriller writer Shane Gericke spent 25 years as a journalist, most prominently at the Chicago Sun-Times, before plunging into crime thrillers. He's an original member of ITW and the 2010 ThrillerFest chair. His next Emily Thompson cop thriller appears in summer, 2010.

THRILLERFEST CONTENT MANAGER

Matthew Dunn is the author of six novels, including ERASED, an IPPY Award winner in the Suspense/Mystery/Thriller category at the 12th Annual Independent Publishers Book Awards held in Los Angeles in May 2008. Before embarking on his writing career, he worked as a fraud investigator for New York State, earned his CPA license, and started his own accounting and software design business.

WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR & CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Rebecca Cantrell sold her house, quit her high tech job, and moved to Hawaii to write a novel. Her first novel, A TRACE OF SMOKE, starts a mystery series set in Berlin in the 1930s. It will be released in May 2009. As of this writing, she lives in Hawaii with her husband and son.

 

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Mark Terry is the author of the Derek Stillwater thriller series and other novels. His latest, THE FALLEN, will be released in April 2010.

 

 

Mark Combes is an avid sailor and Scuba diver and travels extensively in the Caribbean pursuing his passions. He works in book publishing and RUNNING WRECKED is his first novel.

Keith Raffel has held a top secret clearance to watch over CIA activities and has founded an award-winning Internet software company.  Steve Berry called Keith's latest book, Smasher: A Silicon Valley Thriller, "taut, tight, and suspenseful" and said it "skillfully carries the reader triumphantly from one climax to the next." 

Jeff Ayers is the author of VOYAGES OF IMAGINATION: THE STAR TREK FICTION COMPANION Pocket Books-November 2006. He frequently reviews thrillers for Library Journal and regularly interviews authors for LJ, the Seattle Post-Intellgencer, and Writer Magazine.

Carolyn Haines is the author of the Sarah Booth Delaney Delta mystery series, the latest of which is GREEDY BONES. She is also the editor of the upcoming anthology DELTA BLUES, which will be released in the spring.

 

James Scott Bell is the author of TRY DYING (Center Street) and WRITE GREAT FICTION: PLOT & STRUCTURE (Writers Digest Books). James contributes the monthly Between The Lines features.

USA Today bestselling author Cathy Clamp has co-authored over a dozen award winning paranormal romantic thrillers for Tor Books with C.T. Adams, along with multiple short stories and outdoor articles for magazines and anthologies. The duo's latest paranormal thriller, COLD MOON RISING, hit the shelves in August. They will release the first of a new urban fantasy series with Tor, "The Blood Singer" starting with BLOOD SONG, in summer 2010.  She and her husband live in the Texas hill country where they raise goats--which (usually) keeps her out of trouble.

As a pediatric ER doctor, CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge suspense novels.  Her debut, LIFELINES (Berkley, March 2008), became a National Bestseller and Publishers Weekly proclaimed it a "breathtakingly fast-paced medical thriller."  The second in the series, WARNING SIGNS, was released January, 2009 and the third, URGENT CARE, is due out October, 2009.

Tasha Alexander attended the University of Notre Dame, where she signed on as an English major in order to have a legitimate excuse for spending all her time reading. She lived in Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut and Tennessee before settling in Chicago.

Linda L. Richards is the editor of January Magazine and a contributor to The Rap Sheet.  Her fifth novel, DEATH WAS IN THE PICTURE, will be published St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne January 2009.

Megan Kelley Hall's second novel, THE LOST SISTER (Kensington, Aug. 2009), is a sequel to her debut YA suspense thriller Sisters of Misery and comes out this August. For more information, go to www.megankelleyhall.com.

 

Jonathan Maberry is a multiple Bram Stoker Award winning author and Marvel Comics writer.  His novels include PATIENT ZERO (optioned for TV by Sony), GHOST ROAD BLUES, THE DRAGON FACTORY and THE WOLFMAN.  His nonfiction books include VAMPIRE UNIVERSE, THEY BITE and ZOMBIE CSU.  He writes DOOMWAR and BLACK PANTHER for Marvel Comics.  Check out his publishing industry blog at www.jonathanmaberry.com

Andrew Peterson is working on the next novel in a planned series featuring Nathan McBride, a former Marine Corps sniper and ex-CIA operative. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Andrew attended La Jolla High School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Architecture. Andrew and his wife Carla, live in Central California.

Julie Compton is the author of the critically acclaimed legal thriller TELL NO LIES, published by St. Martin's Minotaur. Her next novel, RESCUING OLIVIA, will be released on February 2, 2010. She lives and writes near Orlando. To learn more, go to www.julie-compton.com.

Mario Acevedo writes the Felix Gomez vampire-detective series for HarperCollins. Besides collecting rejection letters, Mario's experiences include military helicopter pilot, paratrooper, engineer, corporate clock-watcher, and art teacher to incarcerated felons. Mario lives and writes in Denver, Colorado. 

Winner of the AMPAS Nicholl Award for screenwriting, Robert Gregory Browne spent over a decade riding the Hollywood roller coaster before severe motion sickness forced him to jump the track and finally write the novel he'd always been threatening to write.  That novel, a thriller called KISS HER GOODBYE, was bought by St. Martin's Press and is the first of four books he's writing for St. Martin's, Pan Macmillan and Droemer Knaur.  His second thriller, WHISPER IN THE DARK, was released in May in the UK and is due for release in the US in February of 2009.

Sibylle Barrasso's private eye novel DARK WATERS is set in Boston. She was twice a finalist in the St. Martins Press Best First Private Eye Novel Contest, received an award from Sue Grafton at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, and was a contributing author of BAD BOYS AND BAD GIRLS IN THE BADLANDS, a critical anthology about mysteries set in the Southwest.

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Harper has been published for 25 years.  She is the winner of the 2006 Mary Higgins Clark Award.  A former college and high school English instructor, Harper currently writes contemporary suspense for Mira Books and historical novels for Putnam.  She and her husband divide their time between Columbus, Ohio and Naples, Florida.

Contributing editor Sandra Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management, and publicity. BEAN THERE, DONE THAT, the sequel to her Anthony and Macavity-nominated novels, UNCOMMON GROUNDS and GROUNDS FOR MURDER, received a starred review from Kirkus in 2008. Her latest is BREWED, CRUDE AND TATTOOED.

Contributing editor Gerry Doyle is the author of numerous short stories published in the United States, abroad and on the Internet. His first novel, FROM THE DEPTHS, was released in November 2007 by McBooks Press. He worked for nearly a decade as an editor and a reporter for the Chicago Tribune; he currently is an editor at The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He's also OK at ping-pong and has had cocktails on four continents. He doesn't put much stock in astrology but just in case: He's a Leo.

Janice Gable Bashman is co-author (with Jonathan Maberry) of WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil (Citadel Press 2010). She wrote sidebars for THEY BITE:  Endless Cravings of Supernatural Predators (Citadel Press 2009) by Jonathan Maberry and David F. Kramer. She also writes for leading publications, including the NOVEL & SHORT STORY WRITER'S MARKET, THE WRITER, WILD RIVER REVIEW, INDUSTRY TODAY, and FOOD & DRINK QUARTERLY. And, her writing won multiple awards at the 2007 Philadelphia Writer's Conference.

Contributing editor Julie Kramer's MISSING MARK, landed a rave review from People Magazine. "Smart dialogue and a fleet pace make this second outing in Kramer's fledgling series a crowd-pleaser." Her debut, STALKING SUSAN, was a nominee for the Mary Higgins Clark, Anthony, Barry, and Shamus awards. Her third, SILENCING SAM, is coming this summer.

Austin S. Camacho has written a series about private detective Hannibal Jones and a series of adventure novels featuring mercenary Morgan Stark and jewel thief Felicity O'Brien.  To pay the mortgage he answers media queries for the Defense Department.  Camacho lives in Springfield, Virginia with his lovely wife Denise and Princess the Wonder Cat. 

Clare Langley-Hawthorne was raised in England and Australia. She was an attorney in Melbourne before moving to the United States, where she began her career as a writer. Her first novel, CONSEQUENCES OF SIN, has been nominated for the 2008 Sue Feder Memorial Historical Mystery Macavity award. The second in the Ursula Marlow series is THE SERPENT AND THE SCORPION. Clare lives in California with her family.

Christine Goff is the award-winning author of the bestselling "Birdwatcher's Mystery" series.  She began her career writing non-fiction for local, regional and national publication.  Chosen Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' 2002 Writer of the Year, two of her novels were named finalists for the prestigious Willa Literary Award for Best Original Paperback Fiction; and her latest novel, DEATH SHOOTS A BIRDIE, was a named finalist for the Colorado Authors League 2008 Best Genre Fiction Award. Her novels focus on environmental concerns through bird-related issues. Currently, she is working on a new book; a thriller set in Israel. 

Dennis Tafoya is the author of DOPE THIEF, coming from St. Martin's Minotaur in May, 2009. He's an ITW Debut Author and is currently working on his second novel for St. Martin's. He lives and works in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Michael Haskins is the writer of the Mick Murphy Key West Mystery series. CHASIN' THE WIND the first in the series, was published in March 2008 and the second book, FREE RANGE INSTITUTION, will be available in February 2011. He has finished the third book in the series, CAR WASH BLUES. He lives with his wife, family, and sailboat in Key West, Florida. 

John T. Cullen writes fiction and nonfiction. He is the author of A WALK IN ANCIENT ROME, Revised Second Edition (Sep 2009; nonfiction/ancient history); LETHAL JOURNEY (Sep 2009, dark thriller based on a true 1892 crime/ghost story); UMNITSA (WW2 espionage thriller); THE GENERALS OF OCTOBER (suspense: what if we had a Second Constitutional Convention?); and nearly two dozen other books. Visit http://www.johntcullen.com/. 

Julie Korzenko is a senior paralegal at a boutique domestic law firm in Atlanta. Her first book DEVIL'S GOLD hit the shelves in March of 2009. Publisher's Weekly stated that "Fans of Alex Kava, Shannon, McKenna, and Suzanne Brockmann will hope to see more of Cassidy and Jake." She is currently wrapping up its sequel ANGEL FALLS. 

Allyson Roy is actually two people -- Alice and Roy LaPlante, new authors of the Saylor Oz mystery series and originators of a genre they call Madcap Noir. Alice has spent most of her adult life as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. The first book in the series won a Daphne Du Maurier Mystery/Suspense award. Book #2, BABYDOLL, will be out August 2009. 

John Darrin is a consultant on radiological emergency preparedness for homeland security. His work has taken him all over the world, and includes many unique and first-ever projects.  A widower, John lives full-time in his RV and travels the country on the Go Places / Meet People / Do Things Tour. 

Liz Jensen is the author of six previous novels, including the acclaimed THE NINTH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX, and ARK BABY, a New York Times Notable Book. Her work has been nominated three times for The Orange Prize and has been translated into more than 20 languages. THE RAPTURE is currently in development as a major motion picture.

Debra Webb wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn't until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain and within the confining political Walls of Berlin, Germany, that she realized her true calling. A five-year stint with NASA on the Space Shuttle Program reinforced her love of the endless possibilities within her grasp as a storyteller. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Debra has been writing romantic suspense and action packed romantic thrillers since.

Derek Gunn lives in Dublin, Ireland with his wife and three children and is the author of the post-apocalyptic thriller series, VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE, widely praised on both sides of the Atlantic. The first two books in the series are; A WORLD TORN ASUNDER (2006) and DECENT INTO CHAOS (2008). The third Vampire Apocalypse book, FALLOUT, is due out in 2009. An adaptation of Derek's first book is under option and is currently in development as a major movie. 

James A. Moore is the award winning author of the Serenity Falls trilogy and Deeper. He lives in the suburbs of Atlanta and writes thrillers and young adult thrillers. His latest release is the short story collection Slices.

 

Steven Savile's novel PRIMEVAL: SHADOW OF THE JAGUAR was a #1 bestseller in the UK. Primarily known for his fantasy and media tie-in work his debut thriller SILVER is due out from Variance in January 2010.

 

Michael Parker was born in Cuckield, UK 1941. He is the author of six novels and has been writing all his adult life. Parker has been married for 49 years and has 4 sons and ten grandchildren. He is a maintenance technician by trade and served in Royal Air Force. Parker lives in Spain with his wife, Pat. His next novel, A COVERT WAR, is due for publication in 2010. 

Lori A. May is a novelist, poet, and freelance writer whose work has appeared in periodicals and anthologies such as The Writer, Tipton Poetry Journal, and Van Gogh's Ear. She is the author of two romantic suspense novels, THE PROFILER and MOVING TARGET, and is currently working on a YA suspense. Up next for Lori is a book-length collection of poetry, stains, with an autumn 2009 release. Her blog at http://loriamay.blogspot.com focuses on the writing life as well as author interviews, book news and reviews. 

Milton Toby is an author and attorney who writes from his home in Georgetown, Kentucky.  His long-standing involvement with Thoroughbred racing and the horse business, his representation of Death Row inmates, and years spent in the Third World combine to produce fiction crammed with unique twists and turns.  His short stories have won national awards and he recently completed his first novel.  Milton's essay on Lionel Davidson's THE ROSE OF TIBET will appear in the upcoming THRILLERS: 100 MUST READS.    

During Don Helin's career in the military, he spent three tours in the Pentagon, then worked as a lobbyist for industry. These two "Washington Insider" careers have provided him ample material for his thriller novels.  

 

Nate Kenyon is a two-time Bram Stoker Award finalist, P&E Horror Novel of the Year Award winner, and author of BLOODSTONE, THE REACH, THE BONE FACTORY and the upcoming SPARROW ROCK (May 2010). THE REACH has been optioned for film. He also has a trade paperback science fiction novella, PRIME, from Apex Books. Kenyon lives in the Boston area, where he is at work on his next novel. 

Paula L. Tutman is an Emmy Award winning journalist and award winning author of DEADLINE!, currently working as a TV journalist in Detroit.  She has some 30 years in the news business, obviously beginning her career when she was six...no, make that three.  Using her background as a former police reporter, she weaves real life stories and experiences into compelling mystery thrillers.  Her second novel, part two of a series is due November 2009. 

Michael F Stewart is the author of several graphic novels published by Oxford University Press Canada. 24 BONES is his debut supernatural thriller. His next novel, HURAKAN, will be released in early 2010. Michael lives and writes in Ottawa, Canada. 

C.E. Lawrence's debut thriller, Silent Screams, coming out in December, recounts NYPD criminal profiler Lee' Campbell's dark journey into the mind of a serial killer.  (Kensington Press).  She has just completed the sequel, Scorned, to be released in 2010.
 

Cym Lowell is an aspiring thriller writer.  His next novel is in the hands of his agent (Brenden Daneen of Fineprint Literary in New York) and on its way to publishers. Cym is also an international tax lawyer with expertise in cross-border money movement, and a shelf full of professional treatises on these scintillating subjects. 

Missing the romance, relationship drama, and action of her favorite television shows, X-Files, Roswell, and Highlander, Jaime Rush created her own mix in the Offspring series, from Avon Books. Jaime Rush is a pseudonym for bestselling Tina Wainscott, author of eighteen novels for St. Martin's Press and Harlequin. Contests, sneak peeks and more at www.jaimerush.com. 

Terry DiDomenico has spent most of her professional career editing and writing for university publications with a little freelancing on the side. She lives with her husband and two cats on four acres in south central Pennsylvania. She is working on her first novel - a thriller of course.
 

Scott Nicholson is the author of seven thrillers, including THEY HUNGER, as well as six original screenplays, two story collections, and the comic series "Dirt." He was the original bass player in the Killer Thriller Band. His virtual haunt is www.hauntedcomputer.com.

Dan Levy works from his Lincoln, Nebraska home as a freelance writer for the aviation and financial industries. His first novel, THE BLOWDOWN LIMIT, is an aviation-thriller winging its way in search of representation and publication. Bestselling author Jon Land noted, "Dan Levy's THE BLOWDOWN LIMIT reminded me of Michael Crichton's AIRFRAME and Thomas Block's MAYDAY in all the right ways. Levy pilots his tale in a smooth and seasoned fashion that will make this the next book to make people think twice before flying the friendly skies."

Mary Kennedy is a clinical psychologist in private practice and the author of The Talk Radio Mysteries. She lives on the east coast with her husband and eight neurotic cats. The cats have resisted all her efforts to psychoanalyze them, but she remains optimistic.

George Ebey is the author of Broken Clock, Dimensions: Tales of Suspense, The Red Bag, and Widowfield. He is a graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in writing. He lives with his wife, Gail, in Northeast Ohio.

  L.J. Sellers is an award-winning journalist, editor, novelist, and occasional standup comic based in Eugene, Oregon. She writes the Detective Wade Jackson mystery series: Two are in print, The Sex Club and Secrets to Die For, and two more are in the works. L.J. also enjoys cycling, gardening, social networking, and hanging out with her family.

 

INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Gerard Brennan is an emerging Northern Irish writer. When he is not tinkering with a novel, screenplay, stage play or short story he runs Crime Scene NI, a blog devoted primarily to Irish crime fiction. He is represented by Allan Guthrie of Jenny Brown Associates. 

Russel D McLean is a Scottish bookseller working for a national chain. He has run webzines, agonized over reviews for various publications both in print and online, and written several short stories, several of which have been published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine as well as various other crime and noir markets. His debut noir novel, THE GOOD SON, will be available in the UK in November 2008 published by Five Leaves Press.

Mike Nicol is a journalist and writer and now a hard-core crime fiction addict. He's published two crime novels - PAYBACK and OUR TO SCORE (a co-authorship), and is a founder of the blog Crime Beat. He lives on Cape Town's peninsula, up a mountain, in the teeth of the wind.

EVENTS CALENDAR EDITOR

Leighton Gage has lived in Australia, Europe, and South America, traveled widely in Asia and Africa. He's been a copywriter, an advertising creative director, a magazine editor, and a writer/producer/director of documentary films and industrial videos. Leighton now writes full time.  Sequels to his first book, BLOOD OF THE WICKED (Soho Press) are due for release in January of 2009, 2010 and 2111. He has two daughters in The Netherlands and two more in the United States. He and his wife spend much of their time in Brazil, her native country.