Thriller 101

David
  • 4.9 (27)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction. 

  1. 4d ago

    153 Former Reality TV Editor Timothy Hedden Shares How He Published and Marketed His Debut Novel

    Send me a Text Message! In this episode, Timothy Hedden shares why he self-published his debut, Dead Housewives of Philadelphia. He talks about the formatting mistake that pushed him to learn Vellum, why he cut the prologue agents kept passing on, and how he's marketing the book himself with local TV, a mailing list, and merch built from his characters' taglines. Perfect for thriller writers deciding between querying and self-publishing. Timothy also reveals what he spent his vacation money...spoiler alert: It wasn't a vacation! What You'll Learn: Why cutting a fun prologue made his opening strongerThe one self-publishing tool that saved him moneyHow to pitch yourself as an indie authorClick here to learn more about Timothy Hedden Timothy on Instagram: @heddenwrites Guest Bio: Timothy Hedden grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and moved to New York City at twenty-one to pursue a career in entertainment. He spent twenty-five years working in reality television, first in casting and field production and later as an editor, including a decade working on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, New Jersey, and Potomac. His claim to fame is editing the iconic "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. A lifelong storyteller, Timothy spent most of his life believing his dyslexia would keep him from becoming a writer. At fifty-seven, he proved himself wrong. His first published essay was picked up by NBC News and went on to win a national journalism award. Dead Housewives of Philadelphia, a darkly funny murder mystery set behind the scenes of reality television, is his debut novel. Timothy lives in Manhattan with his husband, Michael, and their dog, Bruno. Episodes I think you'll love... 145 How to Stand Out in the Query Trenches with Literary Agent Tommy DeanFirst Page Formula: April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript OpeningWhy Your Perfect Manuscript Isn't Enough And What to Do About It with Author Tamara Miller 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

  2. 5d ago

    Thriller 101 Season 4 Launch

    Send me a Text Message! 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

  3. Sep 2

    152 Letter from an Editor: Demi Michelle Schwartz shares her critique of my manuscript

    Send me a Text Message! What actually happens when you talk to an editor who has read your manuscript? In this episode, I talk to editor and author Demi Michelle Schwartz to go through the notes she gave me on my manuscript.  Demi shares what worked and where it needed work.  Then I share the three lessons I took from her feedback so you can apply it to your own writing. @demimschwartz on Instagram demimschwartz.com Episodes I think you'll love: Developmental Editor and Former Literary Agent, Mary Kole Shares Her Top Revision StrategiesEditor Turned Literary Agent, Shelly Romero Shares Important Insights on Traditional Publishing150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais 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

  4. Feb 24

    151 - Unhinged Characters and the Truth About Getting Published with Marisa Walz

    Send me a Text Message! Debut author Marisa Walz joins the show to talk about her psychological suspense novel Good Intentions. It's story about obsession, grief, and moral ambiguity that kept her up all night plotting after a single book inspired her to finally write it.  Marisa shares:  What the publishing journey really looks likeHow she balances writing unlikable protagonistsThe unexpected challenges that come after you finally land that book dealBio: Marisa Walz is the author of Good Intentions, her debut psychological suspense novel. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two young children. Learn more about Marisa here: https://www.marisawalz.com/ Connect with Marisa here: https://www.instagram.com/marisacwalz/ Episodes I think You'll Love:  150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais What Editors Really Want Right Now with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Who Provides a Sneak Peek Inside Simon & Schuster's Newest Imprint 141 Literary Agent Vicky Weber on Why Most Writers Aren't Agent-Ready (And How to Fix It) 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

  5. 10/29/2025

    150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais

    Send me a Text Message! What if the secret to writing unforgettable characters isn't interrogating them with questionnaires, but letting them reveal themselves organically?  In this episode, bestselling author Bianca Marais shares how she "pantsed" her way through writing her newest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder.  It’s especially impressive because this novel is a complex mystery with 12+ POVs, choose-your-own-adventure chapters, interactive puzzles, and a character who emails readers back.  If you've ever wondered how to build three-dimensional characters that feel alive, balance ambitious storytelling mechanics without losing narrative control then this conversation is perfect for you!  Bianca reveals the unique writing techniques that allowed her to juggle multiple perspectives while maintaining emotional depth, and why giving up control might be the key to unlocking your best work. Bianca's Instagram Bianca's Website The Art of Dual POV & Crafting Psychological Thrillers with Liz AltermanWriting Character Backstory with Author Liz AltermanLiterary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing IndustryGet 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

  6. 10/22/2025

    149 How to Write a Thriller that Gets Attention: Character and Plot Advice from Chevy Stevens

    Send me a Text Message! New York Times bestselling author Chevy Stevens pulls back the curtain on what separates a good thriller from an unforgettable one.  And it might not be what you think.  In this episode, Chevy reveals her unconventional process for crafting antagonists that readers love to hate.  She also shares the exact mindset shift that helped her sustain an eight-book career. If you are...  struggling to create believable villainsfeeling stuck in your thriller's plotwondering how to build a lasting writing career in today's marketThis conversation will give you the tools to break through.  What Listeners Will Learn: • How to create antagonists that traditional publishers love • The "enough juice" test for evaluating thriller concepts • Why your second book matters more than your first Connect with Chevy: Website Twitter Instagram Chevy Stevens lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and daughter. When she isn’t working on her next book, she’s spending time with her family and their two dogs. Her books, including Still Missing, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel, have been published in more than thirty countries. Episodes I think You'll Love: Author Liz Alterman Reveals Her Weekly Writing Ritual That Transforms First Drafts Into Gold And How to Know When Your Story Idea Is Worth WritingLiterary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Fix Your Opening Pages Literary Agent Jessica Berg Shares How to Catch an Agent's EyeHow to Write an Opening Chapter that Keeps Readers Reading with Author David McCloskey 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

  7. 10/15/2025

    148 Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace

    Send me a Text Message! Struggling with how to write a thriller that grabs readers immediately?  In this interview, writing expert Daniel David Wallace shares game-changing writing tips for crafting plots that keep readers hooked from page one.  Daniel, creator of the Character First Writing Approach and host of Escape the Plot Forest summit, reveals why traditional plotting advice often fails thriller writers. And he offers three essential strategies for developing compelling, character-driven narratives.  Whether you're working on your first manuscript or polishing a novel for traditional publishing, these writing techniques will help you avoid the common pitfalls that cause readers to abandon your story.  Learn how to create protagonists with immediate momentum, maintain emotional connection through plot twists, and structure midpoints that trap both your characters and your readers in the story. Learn more about Daniel here... Daniel David Wallace is the host of Escape the Plot Forest, an annual online conference for writers. He spent four years of a PhD researching new ways to help writers tell a great story. His stories, reviews, and essays have been published in great magazines like Tampa Review, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Air Schooner, and his writing has won him awards like the Toni Brown scholarship and the Hodges prizes. Daniel designed a way of teaching plot, the "character-first" approach that aims to return writers to their original love of storytelling (because it teaches you to write according to how your ideal readers will experience your book). This approach has resonated with so many people: more than 13,000 writers read his newsletter each week. Literary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing IndustryFirst Page Formula: Author and Writing Coach April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript OpeningHow to Edit Your Own Writing with Author & Editor Chantelle Aimée Osman 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

  8. 10/09/2025

    147 How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark

    Send me a Text Message! What if the setting you choose could be as morally complex as your protagonist?  In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Aaron Philip Clark pulls back the curtain on how he crafts crime fiction that thrills and matters.  Aaron reveals: his process for weaving heavy themes into page-turners without slowing the pacewhy he writes from a place of frustration and injusticehow to make every setting choice deliberate and loaded with meaning. If you're tired of writing surface-level thrillers or struggling to add depth without killing your momentum, this conversation will change how you approach your craft.  Aaron's insights on creating "literary humans" instead of plot devices alone are worth the listen, but his framework for balancing suspense with substance is something I personally will be implementing in my work. https://www.aaronphilipclark.com/ https://x.com/RealAPCBooks https://www.instagram.com/realapcbooks/ Episodes I think you'll love... How to Develop Characters and Themes with Author Aaron Philip Clark Writing Action Scenes with Author Aaron Philip Clark Literary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing Industry First Page Formula: Author and Writing Coach April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript Opening 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

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4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction. 

Information

  • Creator
    David
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Thriller 101
  • Show Website
    Thriller 101

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