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Hot.jpg David Baldacci, Steve Martini, and R.L. Stine

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Joseph Finder Interview!
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4-book-may.jpgThis month's BIG THRILL is loaded with a record-breaking number of thrillers ranging from exciting debut authors on up to the top names in international bestsellers. And we've included a BETWEEN THE LINES in-depth interview with the first of our three 2008 ThrillerFest Spotlight Guests, Eric Van Lustbader. So check out this month's amazing selection and then head for your favorite bookstore with your May Big Thrill reading list compiled for you by the best thriller writers on the planet.

There's a thrilling month of reading ahead from your friends at the International Thriller Writers
Joe Moore
Editor

scholarship.jpgAre you a debut author with a book out in 2008 or 2009? Would you love to attend ThrillerFest in New York City but haven't quite figured out how to pay for it?

ITW is offering two scholarships for debut authors to attend ThrillerFest 2008 in New York City July 9-12. The scholarship is for the conference registration fee, CraftFest, and any ITW sponsored meals (including the Thriller Awards Dinner.) Lodging and transportation is not offered as part of the scholarship.

Criteria

You must have a debut novel published or scheduled to be published in 2008 or 2009 by an ITW recognized publisher. Individuals previously published by non-ITW recognized publishers or in a short story format (under 40,000 words) are eligible provided that the novel to be published in 2008 or 2009 is their first full-length novel published by an ITW recognized publisher.
across-borders-logo.jpgSummer's fast approaching. Thinking of traveling abroad?  Maybe you won't (dollar's too low) or can't (too busy writing), but that doesn't mean your book has to stay home.  Your thriller wants to go overseas.  And guess what?  It can.

More thriller writers than ever before are entertaining readers in all corners of the world.  But it's not always easy: getting your book to cross borders is a lot like taking an international trip: you need a valid passport, you need to research the local sights and ask for recommendations...you may even need a shot.  The same goes for your book.  Do you know how to get your break-out thriller into the Berlin bookstores?  Or why you need to know who your foreign rights agent is?  And when to build a Spanish-language section on your website?
Monthly Book Giveaway

books2.jpgCongratulations to Norman Glick, the winner of this month's BIG THRILL giveaway. Norman will receive an assortment of signed thrillers including ISLAND LIFE by MICHAEL W. SHERER, THE LAST NIGHTINGALE by ANTHONY FLACCO, SEASON OF STRANGERS by KAT MARTIN, KISS HER GOODBYE by WENDY CORSI STAUB, and NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM by JORDAN DANE.

All subscribers to THE BIG THRILL webzine are automatically eligible for the monthly drawing. Click here to subscribe to the BIG THRILL email.
By Michelle Gagnon

Ironically, Graham Brown almost missed the Thrillerfest 2007 Agent luncheon. Thanks to a flight delay--on the red-eye, no less--he arrived late at JFK and made it to the Hyatt just as the event was about to begin. "I was completely wiped out at that point, and decided to skip the lunch. All I wanted was to check into my room and get some sleep." Graham confessed. "But another attendee got in the elevator with me, and by the time the doors opened on the ballroom level he'd convinced me to go. So I sat at the very last table and met Barbara, who was not only listening to pitches but helping authors make them better. My first thought was, 'This person had WAY too much coffee today.' I proceeded to come up with the worst pitch of all time, which she politely listened to."

By the end of lunch, Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman agency had invited Graham to submit his manuscript. "He was able to mark it with the coveted words 'Requested Submission,' insuring that his query would avoid the quagmire that can befall unsolicited manuscripts." Barbara said.  "I read it within days of Thrillerfest, and didn't even make it to the bottom of page one before picking up the phone to request the full."
Here's what was featured in the April edition of THE BIG THRILL.

lynds-gayle.jpgFriendships sometimes vanish.  Too little time and too much distance are often the culprits, and one mourns for what might have been.  How are they now?  Who are they now?

We knew the first ThrillerFest was going to be special.  After all, no one had ever created an international gathering to celebrate the field.  But there were other remarkable bonuses in store....

As I was walking past the Biltmore bar (why do so many interesting moments erupt in or near bars?) when I heard a woman call my name.  I spun, and there was Jean Jenkins's beautiful face.  She's a wonderful writer from San Diego.  I'm from Santa Barbara, and here we'd met in Phoenix - at ThrillerFest.  I hadn't known she'd changed directions and was writing in the field.  We sat together and caught up on that and five years of life. So beware ... it's not only new friendships one finds at ThrillerFest, but old cherished ones. ~ Gayle Lynds

Don't miss your priceless ThrillerFest moments. Register now!

itw-store.jpgAnything and everything ITW is at the Store. Key rings, T-shirts, hats, mouse pads, coffee mugs--you name it and we've got it. So visit the official ITW Store today and display your pride in being a part of the International Thriller Writers.
Monthly Book Giveaway

books2.jpgCongratulations to Colleen Robbins, the winner of this month's BIG THRILL giveaway. Colleen will receive an assortment of thrillers including LEADING LADY by HEYWOOD GOULD, EMPTY EVER AFTER by REED FARREL COLEMAN, ISLAND LIFE by MICHAEL W. SHERER, A HARD DAY'S DEATH by RAYMOND BENSON, SHAKE DOWN by JOEL GOLDMAN, TWISTED by ANDREA KANE, THE AMATEUR SPY by DAN FESPERMAN, THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS by JEFF SHERRATT, and NAMELESS by DEBRA WEBB.

All subscribers to THE BIG THRILL webzine are automatically eligible for the monthly drawing.
Click here to subscribe to the BIG THRILL email.

CraftFest is ITW’s annual pre-ThrillerFest writers’ university, where serious writers of all skill levels can study craft from the very best in the publishing industry. Boasting the largest number of New York Times best selling writers and instructors to teach under one roof, CraftFest is unmatched in quality.

CraftFest is a place to hone your craft, make industry connections, see old friends, and make many new ones. This year CraftFest will take place over two days and will offer Bonus Power Workshops for those available the morning of Wednesday, July 9th.

CraftFest officially begins on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 9th and concludes at lunch on Thursday, July 10th. As before, there will be three tracks of classes taught by some of the biggest names in the thriller genre. Wednesday evening there will be a group book signing for all of the instructors followed by a cocktail reception. On Thursday Tor/Forge presents a special luncheon event featuring a very special guest.

Thursday afternoon, ITW offers AgentFest, a chance to speed date with agents and editors to pitch your projects. That evening ITW will host another group book signing prior to the Cocktail Reception presented by Random House that will serve as the official kick-off to ThrillerFest 2008.

Home

International Thriller Writers Inc represents professional authors from around the world. Here you can learn more about them, their work, and the sources from which they draw their inspiration.


Subscription

Are you receiving the BIG THRILL email each month? Get news and information on the latest thrillers being published that month along with in-depth stories and interviews. Plus get a chance to win first edition signed thrillers by your favorite authors. Click the icon and subscribe today!

ThrillerFest

ITW's annual celebration of the thriller world is the largest event of its kind, a meeting place for authors, readers, budding writers, and publishing industry professionals.

This year we're in the heart of New York in July, with two special add-on events, CraftFest and AgentFest, where authors of all levels can meet the professionals.

Grand Hyatt NYC

ThrillerFest 2008 will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. There are limited rooms available at our conference rate. As soon as you register, please make your hotel reservation--don't wait! Once our block of rooms is filled, there will be no space available at the conference rate. You must be registered for the conference before making a hotel reservation. You can use our direct link to make your reservation online with the ThrillerFest rate.

Would you like to place an ad in the ThrillerFest Program Book? Please contact us.

Calendar

Use our calendar system to see where ITW authors are appearing around the world, check publication dates, and browse international book events. You can submit your own public events too.

Coming events

About ITW

ITW welcomes new author and associate members. Here you can find out about our organization, its history and its background.

You can read about membership qualification and how to apply. And current members can learn how to maintain their account on our new online system.

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This weblog is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

The Big Thrill

In this month's webzine you can read about the latest books from upcoming and established authors.

Sign up to our monthly newsletter telling you about the latest titles and you could win your own set of thriller first editions, signed by the authors. Get your name on the list today!

Community

Discover who belongs to ITW. Find out about the Debut Author program. Browse our online events calendar which is open for submissions from everyone.

Patrons (Actives)
Clive Cussler*
Dirk Cussler*
Faye and Jonathan Kellerman*
John Lescroart*


Sponsors (Actives)
Kathleen Antrim*
David Baldacci*
Steve Berry*
Gary Braver*
Sandra Brown*
Dale Brown*
John Case*
Lee Child*
Glenn Cooper
Richard Curtis*
Jack F. Du Brul*
David Dun*
Joseph Finder*
Brian Garfield*
Tess Gerritsen*
Leslie Glass*
Vicki Hinze*

Lisa Jackson
Alex Kava*
Deborah LeBlanc
Eric Van Lustbader*
D.P. Lyle, M.D.*
Gayle Lynds*
Brad Meltzer
David Morrell*
Katherine Neville*
James Patterson*
Douglas Preston*
Christopher Reich*
James Rollins*
M.J. Rose*
JoAnn Ross
John Saul*
Susan Arnout Smith
R.L. Stine*
Brad Thor*

Supporters (Actives)
Steve Alten*
Ted Bell*
Emily Benedek
Janet Berliner-Gluckman*
Allison Brennan
Jan Burke*
Lorenzo Carcaterra
Lincoln Child*
Stephen Coonts*
Brian DAmato
Eileen Dreyer*
Linda Fairstein*
Vince Flynn*
Chris Fox
Joel Goldman*
Heather Graham*
Thomas Greanias
Humphrey Hawksley


*original member joined
by June 4, 2005

Bonnie Hearn Hill*
Alan Jacobson
Judith Kelman*
Harley Jane Kozak
Jon Land*
Dennis Lynds*
Francine Mathews*
Kyle Mills*
Andrew Peterson
Twist Phelan
Christopher Rice*
James Siegel*
Taylor Smith*
Carl T. Smith*
Mariah Stewart*
Peter Straub*
M. Diane Vogt*
Stuart Woods*

Patrons (Associates)
Tucker Andersen

Sponsors (Associates)
Baror International, Inc.*
Maria Carvainis
Leisure Books*
Ed Mitchell*
Henry Morrison*
Adrian Muller*
Tor/Forge Books*

Supporters (Associates)
Linda Adams*
Robert P. Bellin*
Brilliance Audio*
Emory Hackman*
Helen Heller*
Inkwell Management, LLC*
Vladimir Lange*
Mario Mastro
L.A. Starks
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