Thriller 101 David

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Learn more about Heather Levy
Catherine Mack Episode
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EPISODE INFO:
Should you be writing characters first? 
Or maybe you should develop your plot? 
How do you write books with multiple timelines? Do you write them chronologically? Or linearly in relation to the thread of the story? 
Heather Levy is going to cover all this and more!
Plus, she struck up a really interesting debate and I’m curious about your take!
BIO:
Heather Levy is a born and bred Oklahoman and graduate of Oklahoma City University’s Red Earth MFA program for creative writing. The New York Times called her Anthony-nominated debut Walking Through Needles “a spellbinding novel at the nexus of power, desire, and abuse that portends a bright future” and the L.A. Times called it “a standout for its frank but sensitive exploration of trauma and desire.” Publisher’s Weekly says her thriller Hurt for Me “delivers both heat and heart.” Her novels focus on kink-positive stories centered around badass women. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two kids, and three murderous cats. Readers can follow her on X and IG @heatherllevy or on her website at www.heatherlevywriter.com 


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Thriller 101 Newsletter
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Learn more about Catherine Mack
Matt Shao Episode
Connect with David on Twitter

EPISODE INFO:
We’ve all had those moments where we wonder if it’s time to take on something new with our writing. 
Something bolder or more daring. 
Maybe it’s a new genre, new point of view, different structure or something else entirely. 
Well imagine if, by making that brave choice, you absolutely nail it. 
My guest today did just that. 
And she pulled it off so well that the NYT reviewed her book.
BIO:
CATHERINE MACK (she/her) is the pseudonym for the USA Today and Globe & Mail bestselling author of over a dozen novels. Her books are approaching two million copies sold worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages including French, German, Portuguese, and Polish. Television rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and its forthcoming sequels sold in a major auction to Fox TV for development into a series, with Mack writing the pilot script. A dual Canadian and US citizen, she splits her time between Canada and various warmer locations in the US.


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Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
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Learn more about M.E. Shao
Ellie Monago Episode
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EPISODE 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.
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Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
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Learn more about Ellie Monago
Michelle Glogovac Episode
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EPISODE 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 Brown
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Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Michelle Glogovac
Connect with Michelle on Twitter (X)
Connect with Michelle on Instagram
Learn more about the MLG Collective
Carey Blankenship-Kramer Episode
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EPISODE 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.
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Click here to submit to the Thriller 101 Pitch Contest
Thriller 101 Newsletter
Learn more about Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Connect with Carey on Twitter (X)
Mel Mattison Episode
Connect with David on Twitter

EPISODE 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.
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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