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International Thriller Writers Debut Authors Program - First Kill

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Hometown:: New York City

About Me:: The Melting Pot by Kelli Stanley

I'm a lot of things, but I've never considered myself a thriller writer. Oh, I hope I can generate thrills when needed--a description of a damp, dank underground religious temple, especially with a corpse on the altar, can coax a few goose bumps. But here I was, already madly crossing genres with historical mystery-cum-hardboiled noir. I never considered joining ITW. Until ...

Until I heard about the Debut Author's program. Until I realized that, like my own writing, ITW crosses genres, crosses labels, and crosses expectations. I soon found that mystery writers, romantic suspense writers, true crime writers-all were comfortably ensconced, all working toward a shared vision of exciting writing, all with a place around the table. ITW was a bubbling, creative melting pot.

Enthused by the potential, energized by the camaraderie, I dashed off an email to David Morrell, who personally echoed the welcome. I was particularly happy to see Eureka, California as a headquarters of sorts-thanks to Vice-President David Dunn. Eureka is a largish town and a smallish city, located in way-up-northern California. It also happens to be a place where I travel often-my parents live up that way. And working with David Hewson, our web king, made me feel as warm as a cup of English Breakfast on a cold London morning.

In short, I was made to feel at home. That's a good feeling, especially for us solitary writer types.

The Debut program is a huge part of that welcome. I thank ITW for offering it, for having the vision to know that it's needed, and the heart to carry it out.

Under the coordination of Lee Child, the Board of Directors, and our own CJ Lyons--and the support and enthusiasm of many of the Killer Year alumni--the program has emerged as an extraordinarily valuable place for a new writer to be. I've met fascinating colleagues, life-long friends, and wonderful, wonderful writers. Through this page, we expect to meet even more--the members of the thousands-strong ITW community.

Thanks for having us, ITW. It's good to be home.

I Am A:: Writer

Website:: http://www.thrillerwriters.org/

Books And Authors I Like:: Crime Fiction in all its various subgenres

Did you know that ITW offers a special Debut Authors Program included as a free benefit with your ITW membership? If you are an active member of ITW, published with an ITW recognized publisher AND never published before in novel length fiction of ANY genre (including self-pubbed, e-pubbed or small press), you may qualify for the ITW Debut Authors Program. Remember—being considered a debut author is like virginity, once it's gone, it's gone. You can only debut once.
Under the guidance of Lee Child, the ITW Debut Authors Program provides a forum for mutual support and expert help for debut authors from published ITW members. It also offers the opportunity for extra exposure for you and your novel on the ITW website's Debut Author Page, at national conferences, and during ITW's own ThrillerFest.

Not a member of ITW yet? What are you waiting for? To see if you qualify for ITW author membership, go to the International Thriller Writers website at this link. Once you join and meet the debut authors qualifications mentioned above, then you’re eligible for all the Debut Authors benefits, including access to the ITW Debut Authors community.

Coordinator:
C J Lyons – Berkley

Advisor:
Bill Cameron – Midnight Ink

Current Members:
Chris Beakey - Ibooks, Inc.
Laura Benedict - Ballantine
Jennie Bentley – Berkley
Jordan Dane – Avon/Harpercollins
Karen Dionne – Berkley
Theo Gangi – Kensington
Rhodi Hawk – TOR
Don Helin – Medallion Press
Julie Kramer – Doubleday
Kelli Stanley – Five Star
Jeffrey S Stephens – IBooks, Inc.

The membership will be evolving as our ranks change for debut authors meeting the criteria for the ITW Debut Authors Program with books released after July 2007. Please join us. We're seeking other debut authors to share this cool experience and challenging year.

ITW Debut Authors - First Kill's Blog

CJ Lyons - Diggin' The Gold

I just returned from a trip filled with firsts. My first trip to Denver; my first time doing the "face" thing with booksellers, asking them to remember my book and perhaps schedule me for an event next March when LIFELINES debuts; my first Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Colorado Gold conference; and my first ever keynote speech.

Can I just say, Wow!!!

I was nervous about all of the above except visiting Denver. Turns out that was the only thing I should…

Continue

Posted on September 19, 2007 at 2:11pm — 1 Comment

Five Secrets to Break Free of the Slushpile

By CJ Lyons

Secret One: Write the damn book!

Of course, the all important first step is to finish a manuscript. Maybe not even one, it might take several. Most people don't realize it, but the average published author writes over half a million words before they sell.

Let me repeat that. Half a million words.

We may hear of those "overnight" successes, but… Continue

Posted on September 16, 2007 at 9:35pm — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (18 comments)

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At 1:43pm on October 1, 2007, JackBludis said…: We're going to need a report from Bouchercon. One my favorites last year, "No Good Deed" by Laura Lipppman, won the Anthony for best novel.

At 1:13am on September 25, 2007, Cyndi Martin said…: Thanks for adding me! Can't wait to see your photos!

At 3:02pm on September 11, 2007, Jordan Dane said…: GREAT to see you on our page, JT. Best wishes to you and Killeryear.

At 1:00pm on September 10, 2007, Jordan Dane said…: I didn't have enough to do so I started this page for my debut buddies, Dennis. Come have a drink with us and we'll watch Gilligan's Island.

At 12:57pm on September 10, 2007, Dennis Leppanen said…: Thanks for the invite. What's up here? I will check it out Tuesday---when I'm back in town.

At 12:54pm on September 10, 2007, Jordan Dane said…: That's why you have on your cool shades...

At 11:52am on September 10, 2007, Debbie Behrens said…: Of course I recognized you, Jordan! I just had fifty things going at once here and was going to come back to you later. I should've known it wasn't a good idea to make you wait. You have no patients, my dear.
Thanks for the invite, I'm feel so very special now!!!

At 11:01am on September 10, 2007, Louisa Christy said…: What an awesome page! Thanks for the invite.
It will be fun seeing how this and you grow. ;D

At 10:01am on September 10, 2007, Laura Benedict said…: I was beat incomplete
Id been had, I was sad and blue
But you made me feel
Yeah, you made me feel
Shiny and new--la la la

(You should be very glad you can't actually hear me!)

At 9:55am on September 10, 2007, Laura Benedict said…: EEEEEEEEE! I'm so excited to be here--and to be a virgin again. Can't wait to tell my hubby! ; )