Thriller 101

Send me a Text Message!

Check this out to find out more about what the 2nd Season of the Writerly Lifestyle podcast is all about!

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Tobie's Twitter, Instagram & Tik-Tok
Kelly's Twitter & Instagram
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Building a focused community is important
2. Struggling to stay motivated is common
3. Remembering your ‘why’ you started writing

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to writer and editor Chantelle Aimée Osman about finding a team for your writing and rethinking rejection.

BIO:
Tobie Carter is a fiction writer living in TX with her husband and two children. She writes adult suspense and contemporary romance and also co-hosts the bi-weekly #ThrillsandChills chat with Kelly Malacko on Twitter. She fell in love with reading in seventh grade when her teacher made her read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Her love of writing didn’t appear until a story popped into her head while rocking her daughter to sleep, and since then, she’s written four stories and has no plan on stopping.

Kelly Malacko has a background in Journalism and Communications but focuses on writing fiction now. A boxing coach during the day, she balances writing at a computer with push-ups and sprawls in the gym and hopes her words hit as hard as her left hook. She is the mother of two girls and a six-month-old Airedale Terrier and is married to a police officer who barely flinches when she plots crimes and asks for his input.

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Chantelle's Website
Connect with Chantelle on Twitter!
Polis Books
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Find a team for your writing by finding people who appreciate your work
2. Rethink your ideas about rejection
3. What to look for in an agent

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to debut author, Allison Buccola. It was so fun to talk to her about what it was like to be a debut author. Definitely check that out if you haven't already!

Chantelle's business mindset really reminded me of my interview with Bianca Marais. So if you liked that interview, you’re really going to like this one.

BIO:
Chantelle is the editor of Agora Books. Agora focuses on "socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from award-winning publisher Polis Books."

She was named to Publisher's Weekly Rising Star honoree list in 2020. She's been a freelance editor for over 10 years. She is an instructor at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large and LitReactor. She is the author of  The Quick and Dirty Guides To…, which is a non-fiction series on writing that I recommend checking out.

Chantelle hosts Words of Prey podcast through the Pipeline Artists Network.

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
5 Minute Writer - Sometimes all you have is 5 minutes, but it might be all you need!

SEE INTERVIEW DETAILS:
Interview article

HOW TO FIND ALLISON!
Website
Instagram
Twitter

HANG OUT WITH DAVID!
Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Make small progress every day
2. Edit by re-typing
3. Find a critique group

EPISODE INFO:

If you're an aspiring author, you'll love hearing about how Allison managed to develop her story while managing two kids. Her goal-setting and managing plan is something I plan to emulate. You'll see why!

Plus, she shared an editing tip that I am OBSESSED with. I can't wait for you to hear it!

We talk about: 

• How to get started on Medium
• The biggest mistakes new writers make
• Top tips for writers who want to make money
• How to think of your writing like a business
• Learning to hook readers
• AND MORE!

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

If you listened to my interview with Sinem Günel last week, you'll know I'm taking Medium seriously this month. However, I'm also still working on my own manuscript.

In this episode, I share the books I read and how they might help you with your story! I hope you enjoy!

Get Started on Medium!
Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
5 Minute Writer - Sometimes all you have is 5 minutes...but it might be all you need!

HANG OUT WITH ME!
Follow me on Medium
Connect with me on Twitter

Note: I sometimes use affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may receive compensation for promoting this content. I ONLY promote products and services I have direct experience with. In this instance, I am a Medium user and highly recommend the platform

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Get Started on Medium!
Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
5 Minute Writer - Sometimes all you have is 5 minutes...but it might be all you need!

SEE INTERVIEW DETAILS:
Interview article

HANG OUT WITH SINEM!
Sinem Günel's Website- Medium Writing Academy
Sinem's FREE Medium Writing Advice!
Follow Sinem on Medium

HANG OUT WITH DAVID!
Follow David on Medium
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Treat your writing like a business
2. Give readers what they want
3. Sell your next sentence

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to Christopher Golden, award winning author of books and comics.

Sinem is a Top Medium Writer in more than 15 categories, making more than $5,000 a month solely through her writing on Medium. She reaches hundreds of thousands of readers every month. She also runs an 8,000 person Facebook group. As well as a Medium Writing Academy where she teaches writers how to have success on the platform.

Note: I sometimes use affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may receive compensation for promoting this content. I ONLY promote products and services I have direct experience with. In this instance, I am a Medium user and highly recommend the platform

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Christopher's Website
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Connect with a community
2. Study genre texts and read voraciously
3. Don’t be afraid to explore and take from mediums and genres outside your comfort zone

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to Chantelle Aimée Osman, editor at Agora Books. 

Christopher Golden is the New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of such novels as Road of Bones, Ararat, Snowblind, and Red Hands. With Mike Mignola, he is the co-creator of the Outerverse comic book universe, including such series as Baltimore, Joe Golem: Occult Detective, and Lady Baltimore.

As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, Dark Cities, and The New Dead, among others, and he has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, and a network television pilot.

His work has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award, the Eisner Award, and multiple Shirley Jackson Awards. For the Bram Stoker Awards, Golden has been nominated ten times in eight different categories, and won twice. His original novels have been published in more than fifteen languages in countries around the world.

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Chantelle's Website
Connect with Chantelle on Twitter!
Polis Books
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Find a team for your writing by finding people who appreciate your work
2. Rethink your ideas about rejection
3. What to look for in an agent

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to debut author, Allison Buccola. It was so fun to talk to her about what it was like to be a debut author. Definitely check that out if you haven't already!

Chantelle's business mindset really reminded me of my interview with Bianca Marais. So if you liked that interview, you’re really going to like this one.

BIO:
Chantelle is the editor of Agora Books. Agora focuses on "socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from award-winning publisher Polis Books."

She was named to Publisher's Weekly Rising Star honoree list in 2020. She's been a freelance editor for over 10 years. She is an instructor at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large and LitReactor. She is the author of  The Quick and Dirty Guides To…, which is a non-fiction series on writing that I recommend checking out.

Chantelle hosts Words of Prey podcast through the Pipeline Artists Network.

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Chantelle's Website
Connect with Chantelle on Twitter!
Article Chantelle Referenced: How Amina Akhtar Changed Her Life at 40
Polis Books
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. There's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to start a creative career
2. Why Chantelle decided to start Agora
3. How to “Level-Up” your craft

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to Emma Dhesi, writer and podcaster. She's been shared some awesome content for writers in our interview so definitely check that out if you haven't already.

Chantelle's business mindset really reminded me of my interview with Bianca Marais. So if you liked that interview, you’re really going to like this one.

Chantelle is the editor of Agora Books. Agora focuses on "socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from award-winning publisher Polis Books."

She was named to Publisher's Weekly Rising Star honoree list in 2020. She's been a freelance editor for over 10 years. She is an instructor at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large and LitReactor. She is the author of  The Quick and Dirty Guides To…, which is a non-fiction series on writing that I recommend checking out.

Chantelle hosts Words of Prey podcast through the Pipeline Artists Network.

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!

Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Use this quick tip to make sure readers stay engaged with your writing!

Link to the YouTube Video for this recording.

If you're looking to keep readers reading, try this technique I uncovered while comparing unpublished beta reads to more polished best-selling novels.

Plus, added bonus if you have some nostalgia for the days of JJ Abrams Lost!

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now