Agents are waiting to hear your in-person pitch at AgentFest! Get to know them before the conference. Check out the information personally supplied by the agents to let you know:

• What interests them
• What authors they represent
• Recent titles sold
• Background
• Personal Remarks

 If you're searching for an agent, you're going to be thrilled with this lineup! AgentFest is unique--you won't find this many highly-talented agents ready give their full attention to you, agents who are looking for new clients--gathered together in one place anywhere else. Thriller writers, if you miss this professional opportunity, someone ELSE will be sitting face-to-face with your dream agent!

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."

Terrorism, Weapons, Bombs and Intelligence are great fodder for thrillers today. So, we're bringing in the experts to feed the curiosity of our readers and provide authors with the real scoop.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) will be our distinguished guest at ThrillerFest 2008.

Supervisory Special Agent Joseph Green of New York City's ATF field office  will discuss the role the ATF plays in protecting America from threats, both foreign and domestic.

Several Special Agents will demonstrate the weapons and tools the ATF uses in day-to-day operations. See and handle weapons used by law enforcement plus confiscated street guns and trafficking handguns! Learn about explosives and more! Get answers straight from the experts. (Hover cursor over weapons for identification.)

When Joseph Finder signed up to attend Thrillerfest in 2007, he had no idea how his life would change over that single weekend. His novel, Killer Instinct, won the best thriller of the year award. This year, he was a head judge for the contest and will be teaching two classes at Craftfest.

How has your life and writing changed as a result of winning best thriller?

Well, my writing life hasn't changed a bit -- I still go into the office every day and plug away at a new book. But winning the award was a huge lift -- and I'm still jazzed from it. I keep it on my desk right next to my computer monitor. It reminds me, when I need a little bucking up, that maybe I actually know how to do this. I forget sometimes.

by Kathleen Antrim
     Vice President of National Events
     International Thriller Writers

This could happen to you!

Among many exciting reasons to attend, we are learning that ThrillerFest has become the best networking option for both authors trying to further their careers and aspiring authors. Here are just two of the recent success stories we've heard:

Agent Barbara Poelle, of the Irene Goodman Agency, was just beginning discussions with author Jamie Freveletti. Here's what agent Poelle had to say. "I met her (Jamie Freveletti) in person at Thrillerfest. It provided the right kind of environment for me to see how truly dedicated she was to the craft, and I was blown away by her; she has a kind of whip-crack intelligence that comes exploding across in person that I may not have had the opportunity to experience through e-mails and phone calls. So I directly attribute ThrillerFest with signing her."

Poelle sold Freveletti's book to HarperCollins in January.

Volunteering at Craftfest and/or Thrillerfest is a great way to meet folks--writers, readers, publishers, agents--and to really feel like a part of the conference. We'll have opportunities at the registration desk, monitoring panels and bonus sessions, signing sessions, escorting guests and VIPs, distributing Advance Reading Copies of soon-to-be-released thrillers, helping out with the auctions, and seating and directing traffic at the banquet. We'll do our very best to accommodate any special requests or needs you might have. We know our volunteers' time is precious and we want you to have a great conference experience!

Interested? Please contact us.

"My best moment came just before the first ThrillerFest in Phoenix - I arrived from Europe a day early because of airline issues and decided to spend the time in the Arizona Biltmore's famous spa ... so there I was, lounging around in nothing but a (very small) towel ... and in walks Libby Hellman, also wearing nothing but a (very small) towel ... we became friends fast and now when we meet we always say, sorry, didn't recognize you with your clothes on." ~ Lee Child



"For me, one of the greatest thrills of last year's ThrillerFest was interviewing Clive Cussler. He's been a literary hero of mine going back to Junior High when I first read Raise the Titanic. He was charming, witty, and gracious. It was both an honor and a thrill to share the stage with this literary giant." ~ James Rollins




"I was at a ThrillerFest reception and suddenly realized how many authors I admired were in every direction around me.  The experience reminded me of what MGM used to say about having more stars than there were in the sky." ~ David Morrell






"Talking to Lee Child and discovering, from his chapter in The Chopin Manuscript, that he's even more of an audio geek than I am (as his chapter in Chopin proves)." ~ David Hewson





A Toast to ThrillerFest by M.J. Rose

I was sitting at the signing table on Sunday of ThrillerFest when a gentleman approached with a copy of my latest novel, The Venus Fix and a copy of the ITW anthology Thriller, and asked me to sign both. Of course, I said. I asked him his name and proceeded to inscribe both books. I'm  slightly in awe when someone asks me to do this - of all the things that make me "feel like a writer" it's this moment and I love the chance to stop and talk to readers: find out what they like, what they're tired of, what else they read, anything -- I'd be happy to talk to readers all day.

I handed him back both books and he proceeded to hand me a bottle of wine. A gift he said, for me, and explained that authors give him so much pleasure that he likes to give them something back as a thank you.

The "thank you" I told him is buying the book - but wine too? It was his pleasure he assured me.

I was tired, it was the last day of the conference, it had been a lot of fun and work for those of us who were involved in the event and when this man gave me this gift out of the blue, I was not only blown away, I was speechless.

The cost of ThrillerFest - $300 plus
The cost of the two books - $32.00
The cost of the bottle of wine - $15
The moment: Priceless


Friendships 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


At the first Thrillerfest, in Phoenix, I got to do a wonderful panel with John Lescroat and MJ Rose, moderated by Steve Berry, called "Sex in Thrillers:  With Booze."  To get the audience in the mood, so to speak, we made Screaming Orgasms in pitchers and poured as people entered (damn, you really can't discuss this stuff without becoming self conscious about word choice, can you?  Or at least I can't) the room.  As one woman walked in, I approached with my standard line -- "Can I offer you a Screaming Orgasm?" -- to which she, with a satisfied smile, replied, "No thanks, I just had one." I imagine that for her, the panel was anticlimactic... ~ Barry Eisler

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

AgentFest Q&A

Question: What is AgentFest?

Answer: AgentFest is a series of "pitch" sessions. It is an opportunity for you to sit in front of an agent and pitch your manuscript concept. It is important for you to understand that the emphasis is on "pitching" your work, as these are not meant to be "get to know you" sessions.

These pitch sessions are designed to be short, in order to get you to meet as many agents as possible in the limited time that we have with them.

It is important that you come to AgentFest prepared to pitch your work in a very concise manner.

Question: What if I don't know how to "pitch" my work?

Answer: New York Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer and Bestselling author Kathleen Antrim will be holding a "Power Bonus Session" on Wednesday morning, July 9th, to teach how to pitch your work to an agent or editor in 25 words or less. These skills are very valuable as you will use them not only to pitch to an agent, but this pitch may also be used when:

» Your agent is selling your book to an editor

» The editor is explaining your book to the sales/marketing team

» The sales/marketing team is selling your book into the stores

» You will use your pitch again and again, when folks ask you what your book is about

Drum roll please!

After much arduous and painstaking labor by our three panels of esteemed judges--overseen and orchestrated by this year's Award Chair, the talented Vicki Hinze--the nominees for this year's "Thriller" awards have been selected. Out of a field of over five hundred books, the list has been winnowed down to five titles in each of the following categories:  Best Novel, Best First Novel, and Best Paperback Original.

The winners will be announced this summer at Thrillerfest 2008 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City during a gala banquet on Saturday, July 12th.

But why keep you in the dark any longer?  Without further ado, here is the list of nominees in each category:

BEST NOVEL 2008

No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay (Bantam)
The Watchman by Robert Crais (Simon & Schuster)
The Ghost by Robert Harris (Simon & Schuster)
The Crime Writer by Gregg Hurwitz (Viking)
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman (Putnam)

BEST FIRST NOVEL 2008

Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell (Dutton)
Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover (William Morrow)
From the Depths by Gerry Doyle (McBook Press)
Volk's Game by Brent Ghelfi (Henry Holt and Co.)
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (William Morrow)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL 2008

The Last Nightingale by Anthony Flacco (Ballantine)
A Thousand Bones by P.J. Parrish (Pocket)
The Midnight Road by Tom Piccirilli (Bantam)
The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon (Pocket)
Shattered by Jay Bonansinga (Pinnacle)

And lastly, I wanted to pass on a special thank-you and acknowledgment to this year's panel of judges.  They each deserve a huge congratulation for all the hard work and sleepless nights during this year-long judging process.  Without their painstaking labor, none of this would have happened.  So if you see them at ThrillerFest, pat them on the back, buy them a drink, or order one of their books...or better yet, do all of the above!

Award Chair
Vicki Hinze

BEST NOVEL
Joseph Finder, Chief Judge
Jeff Ayers
Carolyn Haines
Lisa Unger
Allen Wyler

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Allison Brennan, Chief Judge
Nelson Erlick
Elaine Flinn    
David Montgomery
Patricia Rosemoor

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
Phillip Margolin, Chief Judge
Lisa Scottoline
Liam Jackson
Deborah LeBlanc
C.J. Lyons

David Baldacci, Steve Martini, and R.L. Stine join the ThrillerFest Lineup!

David Baldacci has published sixteen novels: Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, Saving Faith, Wish You Well, Last Man Standing, The Christmas Train, Split Second, Hour Game, The Camel Club, The Collectors, Simple Genius, and Stone Cold; and in his young adult series, Freddy and the French Fries: Fries Alive! and Freddy and the French Fries: The Adventures of Silas Finklebean. He has also published a novella for the Dutch entitled Office Hours, written for Holland's Year 2000 "Month of the Thriller." Baldacci authored a short story, "The Mighty Johns," as part of a mystery anthology published in 2002.

His works have been in numerous worldwide magazines, newspapers, journals, and publications. Baldacci has authored seven original screenplays. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold in more than 80 countries. All of his books have been national and international bestsellers. Over 50 million copies of Mr. Baldacci's books are in print worldwide. He has made many television and radio appearances and has been featured in numerous national and international publications. Mr. Baldacci has been designated as the 2008 recipient of ITW's Silver Bullet Award, given annually in recognition of outstanding achievement in the promotion and advancement of literacy.

Interview by Jeff Ayers

Elizabeth Berry, Executive Director for Thrillerfest, sat down with me to answer a few questions.

Jeff: How did you get involved in the International Thriller Writers Organization?

Elizabeth: ThrillerFest is a major undertaking. In 2007, the Board realized they needed someone full-time on the job, and lucky me got drafted. I had the time, and really wanted to do it, so I think it's worked out great for everyone.

What exactly does your position of Executive Director entail?

It involves 6-8 hours every day, usually 6 days a week, overseeing committee chairs and volunteers. We have superb people working on this year's ThrillerFest - who by-the-way do the vast majority of the work - I'm simply the point person. Together, we plan and execute every detail, and hopefully learn how to make the 2009 event even better. There's a lot that goes into putting on ThrillerFest. I didn't realize how much, but after almost a year on the job, I now understand. The old cliche is true - the devil is in the details. Absolutely.

What were your duties at last year's Thrillerfest?

I came on board during the last 60 days to assist Diane Vogt. So basically, I did whatever Diane told me to do. It was a great apprenticeship.

What was your most memorable moment at last year's conference?

Kathleen Antrim is the award-winning author of the political thriller CAPITAL OFFENSE, a columnist for the San Francisco Examiner newspaper, a correspondent for NewsMax Magazine, and a political commentator appearing on radio and television. She can be heard regularly on San Francisco's KSFO HotTalk 560 AM, The Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan Show, and has appeared on such shows as the Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes.

For the last two years, Antrim has divided her time between working in California and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Shirley Kennett: What persuaded you to take on the role of ITW's Vice President-National Events? Do you have experience in heading up a national conference?

Kathleen Antrim: It was a natural fit for me to step up and produce ThrillerFest and oversee ITW's National Events. Besides being a writer, I also own several companies with my husband, so I understand business. And I've developed and run charity events that raise money for children in need. I was a founder of the Ruby Hill Giving Thanks Charity Ball, which raised over 2.4 million dollars for children, and I was President of the Wine Growers Foundation Board, which has raised over 2.5 million dollars for Northern California charities. Since its inception, I've been a member of the board of directors for the San Francisco Writers Conference.

If anyone would have told me years ago that all my experience in raising money and event planning for charity would become part of my work as a writer, I would have laughed. But it's funny how life has a way of coming full circle and experiences tie together.

It has nothing to do with the Lone Ranger.

David Baldacci has been designated as the 2008 recipient of ITW's Silver Bullet Award.

The Silver Bullet Award was created by the International Thriller Writers to recognize outstanding and meritorious achievement in the pursuit of literacy and the love of reading. Recipients are chosen on an annual basis representing the corporate, literary and entertainment worlds. Past recipients of the Silver Bullet Award include authors Sandra Brown and R.L. Stine, publisher Tom Doherty, actor Tony Plana (UGLY BETTY), the Nestle Company, and Capital One.

This year, David Baldacci will accept his award from R.L. Stine and will also participate in a Saturday panel at ThrillerFest.

David Baldacci has published sixteen novels with over 50 million copies in print worldwide. His works have been in numerous worldwide magazines, newspapers, journals, and publications. Baldacci has authored seven original screenplays. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold in more than 80 countries. All of his books have been national and international bestsellers.

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.

 Making your travel plans for ThrillerFest? Consider flying American Airlines.

American Airlines 5% Discount

Be sure to enter promotion code A7878AK in box number 8.
Certain restrictions apply.

Need a rental car while in New York City? ThrillerFest attendees are eligible for a great discount from Avis Rent a Car from July 6 - 15, 2008. Call Avis at 1-888-754-8878, and request the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number G028325. If you prefer, you can use the direct link below to make your car reservation online. The AWD will appear automatically.

With great discounts and the highest levels of service, there's never been a better reason to rent with Avis!