International Thriller Writers - Debut Authors

International Thriller Writers (ITW) is a community of professional authors and associated members banded together in order to promote the thriller genre.

ITW's Mission is: “To bestow recognition and promote the thriller genre at an innovative and superior level for and through our Active Members; to provide opportunities for mentoring, education and collegiality among thriller authors and industry professionals; and to grant awards for excellence in the thriller genre.” ITW By-laws: Article II, Purposes, Section 2.

ITW provides an excellent program for debut authors who have their first thriller due for release by a ITW recognised publisher. I am fortunate to now be part of this program in the lead up the the release of my first thriller. The program provides access to great information and fellow authors. Information that we may not know about if we were to tread this new release path alone. I have only been with this group a short time and have learnt so much about publishing and have taken away many valuable tips and met many great authors.

I am looking forward to the next year or so as many of my fellow debut authors release their novels. We will share the same nervous anticipation and support through our network of fantastic thriller writers and readers.

JJ

Five Quick Questions with JA Konrath

JA Konrath is the author of the popular LT Jacqueline 'Jack' Daniels Mystery series. A prolific writer, his books have received great reviews from the likes of Lee Child, David Morrell and James Rollins (plus many more).

JA has kindly agreed to join us and answer five quick questions

What's one thing we may not know about JA Konrath?

My fifth Jack Daneils novel, Fuzzy Navel, will be out July 8, 2008.

Okay, maybe you do know that already, but it's worth repeating. So I will.

Fuzzy Navel, July 8, 2008. I'll give a free copy to anyone who tattoos that on their forehead.

As for truly unknown JA Konrath facts, I wrote a book called Afraid under a pseudonym, Jack Kilborn. It's coming out in Australia and the UK this year, as a trade paper and a hardcover respectively, and then next year as a paperback in the US.

Okay, maybe you already knew that too.

Did I mention when Fuzzy Navel is coming out soon?

What television show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

Good Eats, starring Alton Brown. I'm nuts for that show. I want to be the Lady of the Refrigerator.

What's your greatest sporting moment?

I swam across a lake on a bet. I was damn proud I didn't drown. Unless I actually did drown, and this is the afterlife, in which case, where are all the strippers?

What's your ideal holiday destination?

Someplace I can go bass fishing. I've been neglecting vacations lately due to my work schedule, which isn't fair to my family, but hey, eating is more important than lying in the sun. Hopefully someday soon we'll be able to schedule proper time for vacation. In the meantime, the family tries to go camping, once a month, in the living room, using the sofa cushions and a bedsheet to make a tent. It's great, except when it rains.

How many comments to this blog post would I need to have you read and comment on my first thriller, The Interrogator? Note: JA kindly offered for me to send him a copy of Interrogated for comment when it is ready to go out. He provided the following response as general tips.

I know how hard it is to find readers, whether you book is just finished, agented, or has been published for five years. Personally, I've got a giant to-be-read pile and won't be able to read anything new until we're off foreign oil. But here are some tips.

a) Join or start a writers' group, at your local library or bookstore. Every writer should do that.
b) Find an agent. I know, easier said than done. But getting a good agent is a sure sign that your writing is finally good enough, which is a question that plagues all of us.
c) Attend writing conventions, meet other authors, and offer to trade manuscripts. Quid pro quo works on all levels, from newbie to longtime pro.
d) Google is your friend. Look for places online where you can meet fellow writers to critique your prose. I'm partial to http://www.bksp.org/.
e) If you really really really want me to read your book, fly to Chicago and buy me a nice meal with a lot of beer. Yeah, that's expensive, but I'm worth every penny...

Thanks, JA. Please check JA's website for details of his latest release and some great writing tips.

JJ

My First Interview, and Other Places I'm Popping Up

The first as the interviewee.

http://carolinewilson.typepad.com/

We belong to the same writer's site and Caroline asked if I would do an interview. Cool. Hope they're all that easy.

If any of you find the time, may I ask that you have a look and leave a comment for Caroline

I also got a mention on Lisa Unger's Blog - http://lisaunger.com/blog/

And, I'm now on the Debut Author's page of International Thriller Writers

Thanks in advance.

JJ

Five Quick Questions with Lisa Unger

Lisa Unger is the New York Times Bestselling author of Beautiful Lies and Sliver of Truth. Her novels have been published in twenty-six countries. She has just released her third thriller, Black Out. The new novel has received high praise from the likes of Harlan Coben, Tess Gerristen and Joseph Finder.

Lisa has kindly agreed to join us and answer five quick questions.

What's one thing we may not know about Lisa Unger?

I'm an introverted extrovert. Meaning that I exhibit all the qualities of an extrovert -- you can dress me up and take me out to a party, I'll chat and dance and laugh and be sociable. But by the end of the evening, I'll be drained and exhausted. In my heart, I'm just a hobbit who'd rather be at home with a cup of tea, making up stories.

What television show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

"Alias" -- no hesitation. I need a hot pink wig and a pair of leather boots, some type of coat that swings dramatically with all my way-too-cool kung fu kicks. I want to be a bad-girl, turned good-girl, with a dark past and a bad attitude. Or maybe a good-girl turned bad-girl, pretending to still be a good girl. Hmmm ... the plot thickens.

What's your greatest sporting moment?

This question assumes that I've had some type of sporting moment, that I've ever actively played in or watched some type of organized sporting event of my own free will. Which I haven't. I did study Kung Fu for eight years until the small matter of pregnancy and motherhood derailed my martial arts aspirations. In spite of many years of hard work, I did remain persistently mediocre in my kung fu practice, though I enjoyed and miss it immensely. I'm also an avid kayaker. But I'm not sure there's much sports glory in paddling about the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal with one's two-and-a-half year old. No crowd-cheering, anyway. But it IS a special, quiet, kind of great moment to share something I love so much with someone I love so much. So I guess that would be it.

What's your ideal holiday destination?

Well I live in a subtropical climate, just a short walk to the beach. So, I dream of snowy holidays ... fire places and warm blankets, mountains and towering pines. I've always wanted to go snowshoeing or cross country skiing but have never done that. So I suppose that's my dream holiday destination. Though I have a month in Paris coming up this summer. And you won't find me weeping into my crepe over that, either.

How many comments to this blog post would I need to have you read and comment on my first thriller, The Interrogator?

I'd be thrilled to read your book, JJ. Just send it my way. But I hope you get a million comments to this blog post and that everyone runs right out to buy five copies of your book each as soon as it goes on sale. Congrats on a huge accomplishment. And best of everything to you!

Thanks Lisa. Please check Lisa's wonderful website for the details of her latest release, Black Out, and her other fantastic books.

JJ

Five Quick Questions with Kelly Curtis

Kelly Curtis, M.S., is a school counselor, writer, speaker, and believer in the power of the Developmental Asset approach. Her book, Empowering Youth includes tips, activities, and real-life stories to inspire youth workers, teachers, parents, and other caring adults to empower young people.

Kelly has kindly agreed to join us and answer five quick questions.

What's one thing we may not know about Kelly Curtis?

I homeschooled my kids for one year, while we transitioned from one school district to another.

What television show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

Hannah Montana. My kids would flip!

What's your greatest sporting moment?

I showed horses as a kid, and I'll never forget winning English Pleasure at the International POA show, on a three-year-old gelding. We were both underdogs.

What's your ideal holiday destination?

That depends upon which holiday! In the winter we love anything on the west coast of Florida. But in the summer, there's no better place than our lake cabin in northern Wisconsin.

How many comments to this blog post would I need to have you read and comment on my first thriller, The Interrogator?

Hahaha! None! I'd love to read it! Umm, I mean I'd need to see a minimum of 15 comments for that (Thurston Howell III accent.)

Thanks Kelly. Please check Kelly's website for details of her writing and her blog, which features a series on becomming a writer.

JJ