Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about M.E. ShaoEllie Monago EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 that we get to hear from someone who's in the middle of that publishing process.. My guest today has signed with an indie press and his book comes out in 2024, but he's in the process of editing and revising before the book can go to publication.  This is an interesting perspective that, honestly, as writers, we can learn a lot from and we don't hear enough about.BIO:Born in Baltimore, MD, Matt Shao, who writes under the pen name M.E. Shao, grew up in a suburb of Music City in what was then a very small town called Mount Juliet, TN. He attended the local public high school before being recruited to play baseball at nearby Nashville’s Vanderbilt University. Graduating in Spring of 2009 with a degree in Economics and Corporate Strategy, he still carries the life lessons and influence inspired by legendary college ball coach Tim Corbin. Matt first began writing in August of 2015, immediately following the loss of his beloved mother, Elizabeth Louise. His debut work, a science fiction novel entitled "Continuity", was published in April 2016, and was followed by a sequel called “Continuity: Coalescence” two years later. The two books have since been compiled into one installment as the first in what will become a series, and is scheduled for release in December of 2024 care of Wild Ink Publishing, LLC.Matt’s writing portfolio includes columns & short stories for newspapers, published poetry, business copy, and more. His freely available content can be found on his website, howtheworldshouldwork.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Ellie MonagoMichelle Glogovac EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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, there’s so many ways to get your book out there. Which way is the best? Well, today we’re going to hear from an author with a variety of publishing backgrounds. That way you can decide what’s right for you.BIO:Ellie Monago is a novelist and practicing therapist. She moved from California to Canada three years ago with her family. Her novel, THE CUSTODY BATTLE, was just released, and a related novel called THE DIVORCE LAWYER is available for pre-order now and comes out in May. Ellie also writes under the name Holly BrownTweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Michelle GlogovacConnect with Michelle on Twitter (X)Connect with Michelle on InstagramLearn more about the MLG CollectiveCarey Blankenship-Kramer EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE INFO:Have you ever thought about being a guest on a podcast? It’s never to early to build your author platform. And in today’s episode my guest is going to talk about why you should want to be on a podcast as a writer and author, and how to do it.Today’s guest is something a little bit different than my normal interviews but I had the chance to talk to Michelle and I couldn’t be more excited.So whether you’re planning on being on podcasts this year or it’s in the future plans to happen for you at some point, you’re going to love this episode.BIO:Michelle Glogovac is THE Podcast MatchmakerTM, an award- winning publicist, host of the My Simplified Life podcast and author of How To Get On Podcasts (McGraw Hill, 2024). Michelle is working with clients who make an impact by defining their stories and matching them with the perfect podcasts. She has helped entrepreneurs, authors, nonprofits and advocates hone their storytelling abilities, grow their businesses, and elevate themselves as thought leaders on over 1,000 podcasts. Michelle is a sought-after speaker in this niche and has presented to thousands of publicists and groups on how to not only perfectly pitch a podcast but to create marketing content from every interview. She has coached 14,000 authors through the process of creating and launching a podcast book tour through the Nonfiction Writers Association.Michelle is a wife, mom of two, stepmom of two, and a fur mom. She has her B.A. and M.S. in Law, and is the Founder + CEO of The MLG Collective®. Michelle resides in the Bay Area and is a sushi lover.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Carey Blankenship-KramerConnect with Carey on Twitter (X)Mel Mattison EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 more on this episode of Thriller 101 where Belcastro literary agent shares all her top tips for hooking a literary agent. BIO:After growing up surrounded by books and people who loved to read them, Carey debut novel, GHOST SCOUTS HONOR, is being published by Scholastic January 2025. And yes, she does have experience with how ghosts have zero respect for personal space. She is currently repped by Sheyla Knigge at High Line Literary Collective.​Carey graduated from Berry College with a dual degree in English and Creative Writing. She later received her master’s in Writing and Digital Communications from Agnes Scott College. She has experience working with both publishing houses and literary agencies and loves her role as Junior Agent at Belcastro Agency. Outside of work and writing, you can usually find Carey spending time with her small zoo and husband, getting way too competitive on the tennis court, gardening, playing video games, or eating candy. Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Mel MattisonConnect with Mel on Twitter (X)Ash Clifton EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 through a novel. And often those ideas come from two or three ideas mashed together. You'll hear that in Mattison's story of how he came up with the idea for his novel, QUOZ.Writers often talk about how best to introduce a character but in a lot of ways less is more. In today's episode, we hear how to create concise character descriptions to keep readers engaged without overloading them with character descriptionBIO:Mel Mattison is a writer and financial services veteran. Leveraging over twenty years’ experience in the realm of high finance, he brings real-world authenticity to his fictional narratives. Mel holds an MBA from Duke University and studied creative writing at Loyola University Chicago.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Ash CliftonConnect with Ash on Twitter (X)Lisa Unger EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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? Luckily, Ash Clifton is here to help us with that and so much more!BIO:Ash Clifton was raised in Gainesville, Florida, where he attended the university and got a B.A. in English. He then earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. His short fiction has appeared in The Missouri Review, The Massachusetts Review, Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts, and StepAway Magazine. His debut novel, Twice the Trouble, is forthcoming from Crooked Lane Books on March 5, 2024.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Lisa UngerConnect with Lisa on Twitter (X)Sandy Lu EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 characters that feel so incredibly real. This episode contains advice and a mindset around character development that I’ve never heard before. It might change how you think about writing your characters.BIO:LISA UNGER is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels, including Confessions on the 7:45and Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. An award-winning and acclaimed writer with millions of readers worldwide, Lisa is widely regarded as a master of suspense. Her books are published in thirty-three languages and have been voted "Best of the Year" or top picks by the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound and many others. In 2019, her novel Under My Skin and her short story "The Sleep Tight Motel" were both nominated for the prestigious Edgar Award. Her nonfiction work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR and Travel + Leisure. Lisa lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Sandy LuConnect with Sandy on Twitter (X)Vera Kurian EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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! And my guest is going to share so many tips you’re going to want to pay close attention with this one. If your goal is to land a literary agent as soon as possible, then this will be one of the most valuable things you do for your writing career this week.BIO:Sandy Lu founded Book Wyrm Literary Agency in 2020 after working as a literary agent for more than a decade at other boutique agencies, most recently the L. Perkins Agency. Her client list includes Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and The New York Times bestsellers, Anthony Award, Hammett Prize, and Stoker Award nominees, Goodreads Choice Awards finalists, and New York Times Best of the Year recipient.Born and raised in Taiwan, Sandy immigrated to the United States when she was sixteen and has lived in New York ever since. She holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese.  Prior to becoming an agent, she worked in various business positions in the theater industry. Her areas of study and work experience greatly inform her interest in submissions. Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Vera KurianVera Kurian SubstackJason Powell EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 to give us some advice on how she absolutely crushed the setting of her new novel A STEP PAST DARKNESS out now. I read an advanced reader copy for this one and, seriously, this is going to be one of those books people talk about for years to come..Go grab a copy. You won’t be disappointed. But before you go buy her book, she’s going to teach us how to write a setting as epic and all-encompassing as hers.BIO:Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist based in Washington DC. Her debut novel, NEVER SAW ME COMING (Park Row Books, 2021) was an Edgar Award nominee, was named one of the New York Times’ Best Thrillers of 2021, and has sold in 15 countries. A STEP PAST DARKNESS, is out now. She has a PhD in Social Psychology, where she studied intergroup relations, ideology, and quantitative methods. You can find her on Substack or InstagramTweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestThriller 101 NewsletterLearn more about Jason PowellElle Grawl EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 one I’ve covered on the podcast and Jason will share why he thinks it works so well. Plus, the slight change he made with his agent to make it even stronger.BIO:Jason Powell is an Author and New York City Firefighter. When he isn't at the firehouse or at a desk, he can be found in the city with his back pack filled with snacks, water, a notebook and a novel. Born the youngest of 9 kids, his household of eleven people taught him to appreciate alone time and sweet escapes. He has found there is no better place to escape to than in between the covers of a book.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch ContestConnect with Elle GrawlLast time I talked to Elle GrawlTori Westminster EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 elements that work toward building tension. My guest today is going to share the two she used in her most recent novel and why she chose them.If you want to level-up your writing and stand out in your query, you're going to love this interview today.BIO:Elle Grawl is a lawyer and author of ONE OF THOSE FACES and WHAT STILL BURNS. After obtaining her B.A. in English Literature, she took a detour into law before returning to her love of writing. Her lifelong interest in true crime and experiences as an attorney have provided her with plenty of writing material. Elle enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their two dogs.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Download the Official Thriller 101 Hook Checklist HereTweet me @DavidRGwyn

Refer 3 Friends for Query Letter and Pages FeedbackConnect with T.C. Westminster Grab your copy of THE HOSTNatasha C. Sass EpisodeConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 makes author platforms fun! So if you want to improve the quality and quantity of your author platform this year, there’s a simple framework my guest today used to get more than 20k followers on social media. And honestly, it’s way simpler than I expected it to be.Tori’s new novel, THE HOST, is out now. It’s a phenomenal thriller that I’ll let her talk about, but it’s one of those books that gets under your skin and you just can’t seem to get it out. She also shares the harrowing story of how the book came to be, and her method of finding the right kind of followers on social media.BIO:Some of Tori Westminster’s closest author friends joke that she lives in a bunker, much like the one in her book, THE HOST. She doesn't often leave the house because she lives with chronic illness and a neurological disorder that involve extended periods of intense pain. During those periods, she has learned to distract herself with stories. These stories and characters have kept her spirits up when her body failed her.Outside of writing, she’s homeschooled her gifted children and do her best to keep up with her adventuring family despite her physical limitations. They're even willing to cart her around the wilderness in a wheelchair when necessary, so she doesn’t miss out. They go the extra mile for an experience.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Join the Thriller 101  newsletter for exclusive updates Download Natasha's Cozy Mystery Workbook Episode with Erin Flanagan Connect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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.BIO:Natasha has been in the publishing industry for 20 years. She's helped to organize regional conferences for authors, and teaches classes on writing and self-publishing. As a former corporate trainer, she breaks down the complex into understandable pieces to make the business of writing faster and easier. She loves to see her students succeed. Visit her and find her workshops at natashacsass.comShe's been in the cozy mystery space since 2021 where she publishes under the pen name Julia Koty.Her bestselling book How to Write a Cozy Mystery Step-by-Step is now available.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Join the Thriller 101  newsletter for exclusive updates  Click here to rate and review the podcast!Find out more about Erin FlanaganEpisode with Mandy McHughConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 incrementally increase tension over the course of a novel. Plus, we cover some major misconceptions about the publishing business. We’re busting myths out here so come along for the ride.BIO:Erin Flanagan is the author of two short-story collections and three novels including Deer Season, winner of the 2022 Edgar for Best First Novel, and the most recent Come with Me. She is an English professor at Wright State University and a regular book reviewer for Publishers Weekly. For more information about her and her writing, please visit www.erinflanagan.net or say hello on Twitter and Instagram at @erinlflanagan.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Download the Official Thriller 101 Hook Checklist HereClick here to rate and review the podcast!Find out more about Mandy McHugh Connect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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, read Mandy McHugh’s work.BIO:Mandy McHugh is an author from upstate NY. She received her MA in English Lit from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and her BA in English from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.  Her debut novel, CHLOE CATES IS MISSING, was one of Popsugar's best mysteries and thrillers of 2022. IT TAKES MONSTERS is out now!Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Download the Official Thriller 101 Hook Checklist HereClick here to rate and review the podcast!Find out more about Amy Nielsen Listen to Last Time: Catherine McKenzie Connect with David on TwitterEPISODE 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 submission that shows a ton of promise! Amy is going to share so many tips with use that you’ll find yourself pausing, rewinding, and (safely) taking notes. If your goal is to land a literary agent ASAP then this will be one of the most valuable things you do for your writing career this week.BIO:Amy Nielsen spent nearly twenty years sharing her love of books with young readers on the other side of the writing aisle as a youth librarian. Daily immersion in story took root, and she started penning her 2024 YA debut, Worth It, behind her checkout desk.           She left the library after her youngest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and began writing full-time. She also began working with other authors helping them to elevate their craft and go on to pursue publication deals. While she will always enjoy pursuing her own writing goals, helping other authors has become a passion. She is honored to now serve as an associate literary agent at The Purcell Agency.          Amy also has a background in television production and creates book trailers for authors to use as a marketing tool. She started Mayflower Media where she works collaboratively with writers to bring the heart of their stories from the page to the screen.          In addition to her debut, Amy is the author of It Takes a Village: How to Build A Support System for Your Exceptional Needs Family, the picture book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Teaching Television Production, Beyond the Morning Newscast. She is the co-author of the upcoming title Navigating the Wild World of Publishing: A Workbook for Indie and Self-Published Authors and the co-host of the Author(ish) podcast.          When not writing or reading she and her family can be found boating in Tampa Bay. You can find Amy at www.amynielsenauthor.com.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Free 5-Day Email Mini Course on Hooking an Agent with Your OpeningPaula Hawkins on LitHubTweet me @DavidRGwyn

Free 5-Day Email Mini Course on Hooking an Agent with Your OpeningClick here to rate and review the podcast!Find out more about Catherine McKenzieLink to the last time Catherine was on the podcastConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE INFO:In today’s episode, we’re going to hear from a best-selling author about how she plans and organizes her novels.Anyone who writes in the thriller, mystery, suspense, or crime genre considers multiple points of view and multiple timelines. So few pull it off as well as Catherine McKenzie.Listen to how she does it here!BIO:Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law for twenty years before leaving the practice to write full time. An avid runner, skier and tennis player, she’s the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, FRACTURED, THE GOOD LIAR and I’LL NEVER TELL. Her works have been translated into multiple languages and PLEASE JOIN US and I’LL NEVER TELL have all been optioned for development into television series.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn

Free 5-Day Email Mini Course on Hooking an Agent with Your OpeningClick here to rate and review the podcast!Find out more about Emmy Nordstrom HigdonLink to the last time Emmy was on the podcastConnect with David on TwitterEPISODE INFO:In today’s episode, we’re going to hear from a literary agent about what you need in your opening pages. If you’re hoping to sign with an agent this year, then you’ll love the clear, actionable steps outlined in this episode.BIO:emmy (they/them) holds a PhD in justice-oriented social work with a focus on critical animal studies from McMaster University, with peer-reviewed publications in public health and psychology. In 2019, they made a lateral career move into publishing after four years as a bookseller at a local independent bookstore.They are a literary agent at Westwood Creative Artists, a faculty member for the Manuscript Academy, and an advisor for the Festival of Literary Diversity and Sheridan College Creative Writing and Publishing programs. In their agenting work, they use a hands-on, conscious editing approach.emmy is a queer, trans, and non-binary colonizer originally from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq, now based on the Haldimand Tract, which is the territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Attawandaran peoples. emmy is autistic, has psychiatric disabilities, and a hormone-related chronic illness.emmy lives with their partner, a Deaf Dalmatian named Pavot, two formerly feral Maine coon cats, Whisper and Willow, and their collection of plants, informally nicknamed The Leafy Bois. They keep busy with vegan cooking, needlework, wholesome games, snail mail, their sticker collection, TTRPGs, and… obviously, reading.Tweet me @DavidRGwyn