“From the time that I started publishing, my goal was to be able to do it full-time… it took 10 years to get there, but you know, slow and steady wins the race.”

Jen J. Danna hung up her lab coat after over thirty years in infectious diseases research to concentrate on writing thrillers. She is the coauthor of the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries with Ann Vanderlaan, a series of suspenseful crime fiction with a realistic scientific edge. As Sara Driscoll, she writes the FBI K-9s thriller series, starring search-and-rescue team Meg Jennings and her black lab, Hawk. She also writes the NYPD Negotiators series. The first of her new standalone thrillers, ECHOES OF MEMORY, released in 2024.

Among other things, Jen and Carter discuss how Jen writes 3 books a year, AI in the writing industry, and Jen’s decision to re-edit five of her old novels. At the end of their conversation, they make up a descriptive story using a line from John Jakes’s Love and War.

“I figured out at some point along the way that I was happier trying and failing than I was not trying at all.”  

Clémence Michallon is an author and a journalist. Her debut thriller The Quiet Tenant was published in June 2023 and is an international bestseller. Her thriller Our Last Resort came out in July 2025. She was a staff writer at The Independent for five years, and is now a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Time Magazine, Cosmopolitan UK, and more. Clémence graduated from Sciences Po in Paris. She studied journalism at City University of London and received a master’s in Journalism from Columbia University. 

Among other things, Clémence and Carter discuss forcing yourself to be bored to spark creativity, the benefits of having training in journalism, and why they never write the words “The End.” At the end of their conversation, they make up a creepy story using a line from Tana French’s The Searcher.

“You want to bond with the reader, you know? And you want to take the reader and basically say to the reader, I’m about to tell you a story now. You’re not gonna believe this, but bear with me, okay? And once you’ve established trust with the reader, you can go pretty far.”

Joseph Finder is the New York Times bestselling author of 17 suspense novels. His books have won numerous awards, including the Strand Critics Award for Best Novel, the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel and the Barry Award for Best Thriller. The Boston Globe has called him a “master of the modern thriller.”  Two of his novels have been made into major motion pictures, including High Crimes, adapted into the hit 2002 movie starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman; and Paranoia, the 2013 film starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, and Liam Hemsworth. 

Among other things, Joe and Carter discuss writing about what you want to know, how changes in the publishing industry have made things harder for debut authors, and getting blurbed by Stephen King. At the end of their conversation, they make up a tense story using a line from Stephen King’s Just After Sunset.

“I’ve loved the actual act of writing. You know, I meet a lot of people who wanna be writers. I meet very few who wanna write. I always wanted to write.”

Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 27 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks and is an award-winning documentary producer. Gregg has also written comics for AWA, DC, and Marvel. He’s penned dozens of op eds and pieces for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and others. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

Among other things, Gregg and Carter discuss viewing writing as a compulsion, Gregg’s experiences getting published while in college, and learning who to trust when receiving critique and feedback. At the end of their conversation, they make up a suspenseful story using a line from Joseph Heller’s Catch-22.

Wendy Walker is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers including Don’t Look for Me, The Night Before, and All Is Not Forgotten, as well as multiple Audible Originals. Her latest book, Blade, draws from her past as a competitive figure skater and marks a personal and creative turning point in her career. Before writing full-time, Wendy practiced law and raised her three sons.

Among other things, Wendy and Carter discuss what it means to finally write the story that’s been living inside you for years, how immersive storytelling is changing the audiobook landscape, and why hiring help as an author isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy. They also talk about vulnerability in creative marketing, the balance of truth and fiction, and how her latest work came together in a blur of sound design, stress, and storytelling. At the end of their conversation, they create a story about furries using a sentence from a Karin Slaughter novel.

“If you’re not exploring, if you’re not really kind of pushing limits, then you really have to ask yourself, well, what am I doing here? Like, this isn’t accounting, you know what I mean? It’s creative writing.” 

Matthew Sullivan is the author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, an Indie Next Pick, B&N Discover pick, a GoodReads Choice Award finalist, and winner of the Colorado Book Award. He received his MFA from the University of Idaho and has been a resident writer at Yaddo, Centrum, and the Vermont Studio Center. His short stories have been awarded the Robert Olen Butler Fiction Prize and the Florida Review Editors’ Award for Fiction. His writing has been featured in the New York Times Modern Love column and The Daily Beast, amongst others.

Among other things, Matthew and Carter discuss alcohol and writing, writing weird and unconventional novels, and how the unpredictability of success as an author makes you a better writer. At the end of their conversation, they make up a menacing story using a line from Abbott Kahler’s Where You End.

“Writer’s block is a myth. It’s your brain lying to you. Chefs don’t have chef’s block.” 

Tod Goldberg is a New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books, including the Gangsterland quartet, which have won/been a finalist for the Hammett Prize, the International Thriller of the Year and many more. His short fiction and essays appear widely and have been selected in Best American Mystery & Suspense and Best American Essays. He is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside where he founded and directs the Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts.

Among other things, Tod and Carter discuss coming from a family of writers, observations from running a MFA program, and writing from a place of absurdity rather than darkness. At the end of their conversation, they make up a hilarious story using a line from Stephen King’s Everything’s Eventual.

“I’ve just always been drawn to dark stuff. I’m really fascinated by why people do the things that they do—particularly bad things.” 

Jennifer Fawcett is an author, actor, and playwright. She grew up in Canada and spent many years in theatre there before moving to the US. She has an MFA from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop and was a founding member of Working Group Theatre. Her work has been produced in regional theaters across the US and UK. Her play Apples in Winter won the National New Play Network Smith Prize and the Susan Glaspell Award and is published by Original Works. She has written two novels, including Beneath the Stairs and Keep This for Me.

Among other things, Jennifer and Carter discuss making professional connections with other authors, maintaining a relationship with your editor, and advocating for yourself to your publishing team. At the end of their conversation, they make up a descriptive story using a line from Audrey Lee’s The Mechanics of Memory.

“The idea that you could be at the whim of something as mercurial as a muse doesn’t work if you also have to show up for a job and a family and kids.” 

Danielle Girard is the USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author of sixteen novels. Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and more. In addition, two of her titles have been optioned for screen. Her next thriller, Pinky Swear, will be on February 24, 2026. Danielle is also the creator and host of the Killer Women podcast, where she interviews the women who write today’s best crime fiction. 

Among other things, Danielle and Carter discuss writing first-person present tense, Danielle going back to get her MFA after four published books, and the challenge with writing characters who are demographically different from you. At the end of their conversation, they make up a mysterious story using a line from Wendy Walker’s Blade.

“You’re really investing in yourself. And when I actually do get a check, I’m like—wait, I got paid for this one?”

Courtney Psak is the author of two novels, and her third, The Hostess, is being released in April 2026. She graduated with a degree in Communications and Journalism with a master’s degree in Publishing. She is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime and a board member for the Mystery Writers of America.

Among other things, Courtney and Carter discuss Courtney’s detailed outlining and writing process, having a UK publisher, and how mother-in-laws make great unreliable narrators. At the end of their conversation, they make up a gripping story using a line from Chris Pavone’s The Doorman.

“Don’t wait for chapter five to be good. Be good immediately.”

Chris Pavone is an international thriller author whose novels include THE EXPATS, winner of both the Edgar and Anthony Awards; the instant bestseller TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON; and THE DOORMAN, a New York Times Notable Book of 2025. His novels have appeared on all the major bestseller lists and have won or been shortlisted for Edgar, Anthony, Strand, Macavity, and ThrillerFest awards, among others. Chris worked in publishing for nearly two decades and ghost-wrote a couple of nonfiction books.

Among other things, Chris and Carter discuss working in publishing in New York City in the early 90s, why the first page of your manuscript is so important, and how a move to Luxembourg inspired Chris’s first novel. At the end of their conversation, they make up an emotional story using a line from Jeffrey Konvitz’s The Circus of Satan.

“(The CIA) redacted my height and weight. I kid you not—they redacted the color of the sky.” 

I.S. Berry spent six years as an operations officer for the CIA, serving in wartime Baghdad and elsewhere. She has lived and worked throughout Europe and the Middle East, including two years in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. I.S. Berry is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, International Association of Crime Writers, and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. 

Among other things, Carter and I.S. discuss I.S. ‘s experiences with foreign affairs and her path to the CIA, writing a memoir to make sense of her experiences, and playing around with pacing and action in your novels. At the end of their conversation, they make up a suspenseful story using a line from Wendy Walker’s Blade.

“He’s psychotic, you know. That really messed me up… but I think it was good to do—to delve into what is the point of view of someone who’s psychotic.” 

Kika Dorsey is an author and an English lecturer at the University of Colorado, Boulder. While finishing her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, she performed her poetry with musicians and artists. She currently writes and publishes fiction and ghostwrites fiction and nonfiction books and articles. Her poems have been published in The Denver Quarterly and The Columbia Review, among numerous others. She is the author of four poetry collections and has won the Colorado Authors’ League Award. 

Among other things, Kika and Carter discuss the reality of making money as an author, writing unreliable narrators, and why it can be so challenging to get an agent nowadays. At the end of their conversation, they make up a beautiful story using a line from Angie Kim’s Happiness Falls.

“I wrote the first book to try and give my mother comfort and closure. But halfway through, I realized—I wasn’t just telling her story anymore. I was telling mine.”

Casey Sherman is a New York Times Bestselling Author of 13 books including The Finest Hours (now a major motion picture starring Casey Affleck & Chris Pine), Boston Strong (the basis for the film Patriots Day starring Mark Wahlberg), Animal & Hunting Whitey. Sherman is a contributing writer for TIME, Esquire, Washington Post, Boston Herald and Boston Magazine and has appeared as a guest an analyst on more than 100 television news programs. 

Among other things, Casey and Carter discuss Casey’s personal inspiration behind his decades-long investigation into the Boston Strangler case, his approach to investigative journalism for his non-fiction works, and his involvement in Peacock’s recent documentary on the Boston Strangler. At the end of their conversation, they make up a fascinating story using a line from Ben Macintyre’s Operation Mincemeat.

“Is it a good idea that I write in both horror and spy thrillers? No. I think it’s a crap idea. But Hollywood really loves the spy stories.”

Alma Katsu is a NYT bestselling author whose books have been nominated for and won multiple awards including the Stoker, Goodreads Readers Choice, and International Thriller Writers, among others, and appeared on numerous Best Books lists. She has over 30 years’ experience as an intelligence professional at CIA and NSA, and has written two spy novels. The Hunger was named one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories and was on numerous Best Books of the Year lists. Her first book, The Taker, was named one of the top ten debut novels of 2011 by Booklist. 

Among other things, Alma and Carter discuss the pre-publication review process within the CIA, writing in two different genres, and having your book optioned for film/TV. At the end of their conversation, they make up a fast-paced story using a line from Carlene O’Connor’s You Have Gone Too Far.

“You’re trying to beat on these doors in the publishing world… and suddenly this door you didn’t even know was there opens up and says, ‘Hey, come in.’”

Andrew Bourelle is the critically-acclaimed author of Shot Clock, 48 Hours to Kill, and Heavy Metal, as well as a coauthor with James Patterson of the Rory Yates series. Publishers Weekly described him as “a writer to watch”. He teaches creative writing at the University of New Mexico.

Among other things, Andrew and Carter discuss referencing cinema and tv when teaching writing, why you should always be working on your next project, and working with James Patterson. At the end of their conversation, they make up a suspenseful story using a line from C.J. Box’s Battle Mountain.

“The whole concept of working together started when we were in a writer’s room—a Hollywood production company writer’s room—and we learned how to create cliffhangers.”  – Christina Baker Kline 

Christina Baker Kline is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including Orphan Train, The Exiles, Please Don’t Lie (with Anne Burt), and the forthcoming The Foursome (May 2026). Published in more than 40 countries, her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among others. 

Anne Burt is the coauthor of the thriller Please Don’t Lie. Anne’s debut novel, The Dig, was an American Booksellers’ Association Indie Next pick and the Strand Bookstore’s mystery selection of the month. Her essays and fiction have appeared in numerous publications including Salon and NPR, and she is a past winner of Meridian’s Editors’ Prize in Fiction. 

Among other things, Christina, Anne, and Carter discuss how their friendship and writing relationship formed, trying to write with a unified voice in a co-authored novel, and balancing thriller “tropes” with realistic plots. At the end of their conversation, they make up a descriptive story using a line from Wendy Walker’s Blade.

“Readers are giving you such a huge gift—and the gift is their time. So I always feel like to be respectful of that time, I have to be providing them with the best quality book I can.” 

Cynthia Swanson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the psychological suspense novels The Bookseller, The Glass Forest, and Anyone But Her. Cynthia was named 2025 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project, has received the Colorado Book Award and the WILLA Literary Award, and won the Indie Author Project contest. She is also the editor of the Colorado Book Award winning anthology Denver Noir. 

Among other things, Cynthia and Carter discuss taking up writing later in life, Cynthia’s journey to self-publishing, and committing to writing a ghost story. At the end of their conversation, they make up a creepy story using a line from Jacqueline Winspear’s The Comfort of Ghosts.

“I got one life. What do I want to leave behind? And I decided a failed writer was better than a successful attorney.”

Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning to fiction. Her first series, the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, introduced a quirky mother/daughter crime fighting duo. With the Sheriff Bet Rivers Mysteries, Elena returns to her dramatic roots and brings readers much more serious and atmospheric novels. Elena is also a senior editor with Allegory Editing, where she works one-on-one with writers to shape and polish manuscripts, short stories, and plays.

Among other things, Elena and Carter discuss Elena’s path to becoming a playwright, the role of atmosphere in thrillers, and overcoming comparison within the writing community. At the end of their conversation, they make up an incredible story using a line from Mailan Doquan’s Ceylon Sapphires.

“I wrote 90 pages about the most boring man in the world. He drove around, got coffee, thought about life… and after six months, I killed him and buried him in a desk drawer.”

Harry Hunsicker spent his working career as a commercial real estate appraiser. His first novel was the Shamus Award nominated Still River, about a Dallas PI with the unfortunate name of Lee Henry Oswald. Hunsicker has since written and published eight more crime thrillers, including The Life and Death of Rose Doucette, which was recently nominated for a 2025 Thriller Award. Hunsicker also writes screenplays. His short script—the PG13 titled (S)hit Squad, was produced in 2022 and has garnered a number of awards including Best Screenplay by the Twin Lakes Film Festival. 

Among other things, Harry and Carter discuss Harry getting inspiration from his own bookshelves, the art of sending query letters, and receiving Thriller award nominations. At the end of their conversation, they make up a gripping story using a line from Jennifer Chase’s Count Their Graves.

“The muse days and the slog days look the same on the page, but they feel completely different when you’re writing them.”

Aime Austin is the author of the Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series, weaving sharp social commentary into gripping crime fiction. Born in Brooklyn, Aime graduated from Smith College and Cornell Law School before practicing family and criminal law in Cleveland, Ohio. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest, writing thrillers, hosting the podcast A Time to Thrill, and interviewing brilliant women creators. Aime is a 2025 Mystery Writers of America Barbara Neely Scholarship recipient.

Among other things, Aime and Carter discuss Aime’s experiences doing “stringer” work for newspapers, fearing losing momentum in your writing, and attracting new readers as your fanbase ages. At the end of their conversation, they make up a dark story using a line from Tess Gerritson’s The Summer Guests.

“Don’t be afraid of the fact that pretty much every first draft is a failure. Just get the thing out.”  

Scott Graham is the author of the National Park Mystery Series, which includes nine books and counting. In addition to his mysteries, Scott is the author of five nonfiction books, including Extreme Kids, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award. Scott is an avid outdoorsman and advocate for public lands. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, radio disk jockey, city councilor, and coal-shoveling fireman on the steam-powered Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Among other things, Scott and Carter discuss staying relevant between book releases, improving your writing by reading others’, and balancing the reality of murder with hopeful storylines. At the end of their conversation, they make up an unpredictable story using a line from Matt Goldman’s The Murder Show.

“Nothing guarantees anything. A breakout book doesn’t mean your next one won’t flop—and that’s just the reality.”

Andrea Bartz is a reporter, consultant, and New York Times bestselling author. Her third novel, WE WERE NEVER HERE, was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller; it was optioned by Berlanti Productions and Netflix. Her most recent thriller, THE LAST FERRY OUT, was praised by NPR’s Fresh Air, Marie Claire, Publishers Weekly, and more. She is also a journalist whose work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times, and many other outlets, and she’s held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self.

Among other things, Andrea and Carter discuss thinking like a businessperson to make it as a writer, separating your emotions from feedback on your writing, and engaging with readers to show gratitude. At the end of their conversation, they make up a brilliant story using a line from Victoria Houson’s At the Edge of the Woods.

“I always say that both horror and romance are genres of hope.”

Lindy Ryan is an award-winning author, anthologist, and short-film director whose books and anthologies have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal. She was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree in 2020, and in 2022, she was named one of horror’s most masterful anthology curators. Ryan founded Black Spot Books, a specialty press focused on amplifying women’s voices in horror. She is an award-winning professor at Rutgers University.

Among other things, Lindy and Carter discuss their love of Halloween, losing perspective of how dark their writing is, and emphasizing the importance of consequences in writing. At the end of their conversation, they make up a quick story using a line from Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects.

“The only way your journey ends is if you stop trying—and I wasn’t done.” 

Jeffrey Konvitz is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Sentinel. He also wrote its bestselling sequel, The Guardian, and a third bestselling novel Monster: A Tale of Loch Ness. Konvitz is an entertainment attorney, screenwriter and producer. In the 1980s and 90s, he became one of the top independent production executives in Hollywood, where he still resides to this day. 

​Among other things, Jeffrey and Carter discuss changing career paths last minute, writing about the Irish mob, and Jeffrey creating his own publishing company to print the book he had been writing for 25 years. At the end of their conversation, they make up a supernatural story using a line from Greg Isles’s True Evil.