What Really Happened at ThrillerFest 2025?
Last week I found myself in New York City for ThrillerFest—one of the biggest gatherings for thriller and suspense writers.
The event promised encounters with big names, and it delivered. I got to meet John Grisham, James Patterson, Lisa Gardner, and David Baldacci. It was thrilling. (Pun intended.) Each offered insights into how they work and think about storytelling. Their advice was generous, their presence a reminder of what’s possible.
But here’s the thing: that wasn’t the part that stuck with me.
The 90-Second Gauntlet
The highlight was PitchFest. Here's the setup: writers get ninety seconds to pitch their novel to an agent. Ninety seconds to sell a story they've spent years crafting.
It's a pressure cooker. Honestly, it might be harder than an NFL combine.
Most of these writers are introverts who've toiled in solitude, shaping their stories word by word. And now—boom—here's a ticking clock and someone deciding their fate.
Seriously, imagine what that must be like. Everything riding on 90 seconds. Talk about Stand And Deliver!
What stood out wasn’t just their ambition.
It was their courage. Heaps of courage.
And I think it’s AWESOME!
Something to Say
Almost every writer I met shared something in common: they were really good, down-to-earth people. Grounded, open-hearted, and humble—despite some of them having more wealth than a small country. No ego. Just people who care about storytelling and striving to give readers something they haven’t seen before.
Most of the attendees weren’t stars. They still had their day jobs and they came from everywhere—teachers writing at midnight, parents grabbing time between soccer practice, and retirees chasing dreams.
What united them was this: they believe what they're doing matters.
Many of their stories dealt with justice, survival, grief, connection. Most of them believed thrillers could do more than entertain—they could reveal something true. Maybe even make a dent.
What Stays With Me
Yes, meeting the bestsellers was incredible. But the real pulse of the event was in the hallway conversations. The nervous energy outside PitchFest.
And here’s the truth: the legends? No overnight successes. David Baldacci wrote for 20 years before being discovered. John Grisham sold his books out of his car. And James Patterson? Well, he might have been the exception—I think he got a pretty quick start (400+ books and counting).
As I left New York, I wasn’t thinking about the photos or handshakes.
I was thinking about the writers still in the trenches—trying, failing, showing up, writing again. It was inspirational and I couldn’t wait to get back to my desk.
To the writers I met at ThrillerFest: keep going.
Your stories matter.
They always have.
