Thrillerfest IX finished up a long weekend of seminars and panels with its annual ITW Thriller Awards, with Andrew Pyper's The Demonologist winning Best Hardcover Novel. But Thrillerfest isn't about awards as much as it is about celebrating the art of writing (and scaring).
Attendees of the event's first two days, called Craftfest and Pitchfest, receive a crash course in the entire pubishing process, from starting your book, to pitching it to an agent, to marketing the final version. And the attendees' newly learned tricks are put right to the test with Pitchfest, an intense 3-1/2 hour block where they can pitch their book to as many agents as possible.
In fact, one of the panels I attended on Friday (The Long Road to Publication) featured Glen Hamilton, a new author who found his agent at last year's Pitchfest.
All in all, the panels offered the rare chance to hear authors speak passionately about their work. And naturally, when you combine a handful of creative people and ask them to speak for an hour, you're bound to yield some motivational and funny moments. Here are a few of the standouts:
“We're all here because we have so many ways of killing people.” — James Hannibal
(On the perks of being an author) “[There's] less socially acceptable binge drinking than I thought there'd be.” — Justin Kramon
“If it sounds like writing, I try to do it over again.” — Douglas Preston quoting Elmore Leonard
“Simple plot can allow for a more complex story.” A. X. Ahmad
(On how he handles a less than successful book debut) “It's not a book, it's a career.” — Douglas Preston
All this is incredibly cool, but perhaps the coolest thing to come out of Thrillerfest IX is Faceoff. Organized by the ITW board, Faceoff features 22 famous characters facing off in 11 stories, each written by famous authors. Dennis Lehane against Michael Connelly. Lee Child versus Joseph Finder. Steve Berry and James Rollins. This book is a thriller fan's wet dream. And it could be yours!
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FACEOFF Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2014/07/thrillerfest-ix-sights-sounds-and-sweepstakes beginning at 08:45 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) July 15, 2014. Sweepstakes ends 08:44 a.m. ET July 21, 2014. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010. Please see full details and official rules here.
Unteresting concept, difficult to pull off successfully. But if any group of writers can do it…
Interesting book.
Certainly sounds interesting.
And I feel I should point out that the offical rules page leads to a 404 error.
Sounds great. Count me in.
Sounds interesting
Interesting idea. This is already on my to be read list.
I have been dying to read this book!
What a great idea for a book!
always looking for new authors
I would love to read this book
I would love this book. Can’t wait to read it!
I read this book. It was great! The combination of authors with their specific characters partnering on stories made for very interesting reading. I would love to have a copy!
FACEOFF, 22 characters, 11 stories, and lots of Author power……..what more could you ask for?! 🙂
Those are all my favorite authors. Count me in.
It’s hot here. I am slick with sweat and I need this badly. I am not kidding here…..It would really help.
so many good authors. would love to read the book!
i love mysteries and thrillers.
I got in line for our library’s audio copy of FaceOff. But having my own copy would be better …
P.S. uh, Joe? How did the late Elmore Leonard manage to take part in one of the panels you attended??
Love to read this, sounds like fun. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
I bought a copy for myself, but I would love to win this for a friend. It’s fantastic!
I wish they had Thrillerfest around where I live.
I’m pulling for Reacher.
I will be reading this book. It sure would be nice to win it! Thanks for the opportunity!
Oh, please pick me!
Thanks for this great giveaway.
Looks like a fun book.
What a great idea. Hope there are subsequent volumes.
I love the idea of the book. So naturally I’d like to win one.
Beach Read!
I Love It! The Best of the Best. Need I say anything else!
This book sounds wonderful and I love that it is written by so many great authors. Thanks for this chance to win it.
Can’t wait to read thi book.
These are some of my favorite authors and I’ve had this on my list as a future purchase or win. Count me in!
Sounds like a great event and book!
I would love to read Faceoff.
I’d love to check this out 🙂
Thanks much for the oppurtunity! 🙂
sounds intere3sting. Would love to read. Hope I win.
Fingers crossed!
I love alot of these writers. I woukd kove to read this.
Looks like a blast! Love these authors!
I need to win! Yes!
Sounds fabulous!
Sounds great!
Please enter me in the sweeps.
Thanks and best wishes.
This looks like a MUST read !
Ooooohhh… some of my fave authors !!!! My hubby would love this too!
I really like the occasional ‘crossover’ episode (remember Law & Order and Homicide?) that finds its way onto TV. The head-to-head concept for this book sounds like the crossover on steroids!
Interesting concept. Would love to read it.
Sounds awesome!!
Wow, what a great lineup of authors. Would love to see how the concept plays itself out on the page.
Borrowed from the library – would love to own a copy.
I would love to read this book!
Sounds great count me in.
A great book for discovering authors I haven’t read and reconnecting with those I have.
Count me in.
I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance.
This book sounds so exciting. I’m intrigued.
Gold mine of authors in one place~mother lode!!
I love the concept of this book, also see many of my favorite authors listed. Although you mentioned Elmore Leonard, did you mean his son, Peter?
Nice!
Count me in, please!
Interesting concept. I don’t know that I’d call it a competition as much as an amazing compilation of great crime writers. Crying to be in my library!!!
You had me at “a thriller fan’s wet dream.” Shut up and take my money.
This is a terrific idea! I’ve read all these authors so it will be very interesting to see how the stories develop.
Thank you.
Thanks for the chance!
The Demonologist was great, but I thought it was more head gamey than a number one. (Does tht make sense?)
Anywho, Denis Lehane vs, Michael Connelly? I am so there!
OMGosh! I would just eat up that book!
I’d love to read it!
I like the idea of it can’t wait to see if they pulled it off.
What a great group of writers. I’d love to read this.
Always good to have you recommend new books
It will be fun to read what happens when all those characters come together!
Terrific concept. Can’t wait to see how my favorites stack up to the competition.
I’m planning to read this anyway, but would *love* to have my own copy!
I would like to read this book.
This sounds like a very cool book.
Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!
Wish I had been there but a book would be a consolation prize. Thanks for the chance.
great writers love to red this book
An interesting concept. I look forward to reading it.
this sounds like an interesting book.
A wonderful concept, can’t wait to read all these authors.
I haven’t read all of these authors, but the book concept is awesome. I would really like to read it!
Oh, yes, please! Looks great! Thanks.
I would love a copy of FACEOFF!!!!
Lots of potential here. Looking forward to the F. Paul Wilson and Lee Child stories, in particular. Also love the idea that it supports the International Thriller Writers Association, which is something we all should get behind.
some of my favorite authors, would love to win this.
What an interesting concept. I would love to win this
Another great giveaway!!
I would any suspense. This would be great, thanks.
Interesting concept. Would love to win!
This sounds like a bordom buster!
Would love to win!
How they got paired must be interesting, a lot of very strong writers. Would love it!
Sounds like a blast!
Sounds like fun!
WOW…what a great contest. Count me in!
I’m ready to win and read!!!!
I’m ready to win and read!!!!!!
Sounds great. Thx for the book.
Hope I win; thanks for the chance!
looks like a great summer beach read
This looks Aweome! Thank you so much for the chance.
i need this for my vacation trip!
all in
oh yeah
Looks good!
like to read
I would love to read it 🙂
Sounds wonderful – count me in please 🙂
I would love to check it out. I am intrigued…
interesting concept for a book – would love to read
WHAT A WONDERFUL LIST OF AUTHORS AND STORES
sounds like an interesting one
what a group of authors – can only be entertaining!
I could use these to read on my vacation
Can’t wait to read it!
Want to read!
sounds great! 🙂
I would like to read this compendium by David Baldacci!
What a great read!!
Thanks for the giveaway!
this would be a good one to have, thanks
Looks like the book would be a good read! Would love to have a copy.
I would love to Read this book! Please Let Me WIN! Thanks for the chance!
I would love this!
I expect to be winning this!
Some of my favorite authors all in one book? I want to read this!
Fantastic lineup!
Sounds good!
Put my name in the hat – this sounds very interesting.
Only in a court room please.