Shows
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow Do You Write a Thriller When Everyone's Stuck in Their Seats? | Susan WalterWhat do you do when your characters are trapped at 30,000 feet with nowhere to go? Susan Walter wrote a locked room murder mystery on a plane and had to figure out how to keep it moving when everyone is literally buckled in.
In this episode we talk about her writing process, how she went from screenwriter and movie director to bestselling novelist, her brilliant character naming tricks taken from Hollywood, and the lesson her dad taught her about never taking no for an answer that has shaped her entire career.
Susan Walter's book Murder at 30,000...
2026-02-1754 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastThe Machine Will Forget You: The Reality of Writing 4 Thrillers a Year | Brian Drake35-book veteran Brian Drake joins Mark P.J. Nadon to reveal a brutal industry truth: If you aren't publishing fast, the algorithm will forget you. In this episode, we deconstruct how Brian maintains a prolific pace and why he uses a manual typewriter for his first draft.
Inside the Episode:
The 90-Day Churn: The modern algorithm requires high-volume production to stay visible to readers.
The Typewriter Strategy: How Brian uses a manual typewriter to write his first draft
Character Mastery: Moving past "flat" characters to create stakes that actually make readers c...
2026-02-0347 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastUsing Real Technology Without Overloading the Story | J.L. HancockJ.L. Hancock joins me to talk about The Hawk Enigma and how his past work with special operations informed the technical foundation of the story, without letting detail take over.
We discuss how he approached researching the technology, how he decided what information belonged on the page, and why clarity for the reader mattered more than explaining everything he knew.
J.L. Hancock's book The Hawk Enigma: https://a.co/d/aImbPJx
Follow J.L. Hancock online: https://jlhancock.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access...
2026-01-2054 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastCrime Fiction Without Redemption Fantasies | Joel NedeckyIn this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I talk with Joel Nedecky, author of The Broken Detective, about the craft choices behind his debut crime novel.
We discuss building a story around a private investigator who knows he’s going to prison, writing character before plot, and allowing questions of addiction, family, and consequence to emerge during revision.
This conversation focuses on perspective, process, and writing crime fiction without easy redemption.
Joel Nedecky's book The Broken Detective: https://a.co/d/atzlbSo
Follow Joel Nedecky online: https://jnedecky.com/
...
2026-01-0637 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastBONUS: 10 Lessons I Learned from Interviewing 27 Thriller Authors (2025)To kick off Season Two of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, host Mark P.J. Nadon shares ten lessons he learned in 2025 after reading more than 45 thriller novels and interviewing 27 thriller authors.
In this bonus episode, Mark reflects on the patterns that came up again and again across conversations with writers, including the importance of support networks, consistency, flexibility in the writing process, letting go of book one, embracing imperfect first drafts, and why relying on luck is not a sustainable strategy.
The episode also outlines a few changes coming in Season Two, including a new...
2026-01-0111 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastWhy We Tell Dark Stories — and What They Cost | Westley SmithIn this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Westley Smith, author of They Came at Night, to talk about blending psychological thriller and action, and how lived experience shaped the emotional core of the novel.
We talk about writing characters shaped by trauma, balancing tension with restraint, and why some stories aren’t built from research alone. Westley shares how personal loss influenced his approach to story, and what he hopes readers carry with them after the final page.
This conversation explores endurance, resilience, and the ways dark fiction can become a fo...
2025-12-3036 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastKaren E. Osborne on Building Characters from Real Life and Writing Across Dual TimelinesIn this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Karen E. Osborne to talk about how she builds characters from real life and structures stories across dual timelines.
We discuss Justice for Emerson, how observing people in everyday moments helps her capture physical detail and voice, and the way characters become so real to her that she rarely loses track of who they are. Karen also talks about writing across timelines without losing clarity, and how personal history and lived experience quietly shape the emotional core of a story.
This conversation focuses on...
2025-12-2340 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow Adam Roach Turned a 100-Word Flash Fiction into a Thriller SeriesIn this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Adam Roach, author of The Ritualist. Adam talks about how a 100-word flash fiction piece he wrote for a horror contest became the starting point for his thriller series.
We discuss the original flash fiction, what judges said about expanding it, and how that idea eventually became a full-length novel. Adam also talks about writing scenes by visualizing them like a movie, how his approach to outlining changes depending on the project, and why he doesn’t focus heavily on detailed police procedural research.
Th...
2025-12-1630 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow Melissa F. Miller Blends Fairy Tales, Trauma, and Tension in Psychological ThrillersWhat happens when a real encounter sparks the opening of a psychological thriller?
In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Melissa F. Miller explains how she built Cut Off from Sky and Earth around memory, trauma, and the dangerous weight of past relationships. We get into how she blended the feel of a fairy tale with a tense, grounded narrative, why she stepped away from legal thrillers for this story, and how she writes three POVs without outlining.
With more than fifty books behind her, Melissa shares the instincts she trusts, the tension she chases...
2025-12-0941 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow Andrew Warren Writes Smart, Tactical VillainsIn this episode, international best-selling author Andrew Warren, joins me to talk about how he created White Tiger — a villain who’s as tactically intelligent as he is physically dangerous. We dig into writing action that’s fast but clear, how to use strategy to shape a fight scene, and why a smart antagonist raises every aspect of a thriller.
Andrew also talks about returning to the Thomas Caine world for Book Six, keeping a long-running series fresh, and the choices that help each story feel different without losing what readers love.
If you’re writing...
2025-12-0245 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastWhen the Mind Breaks: Jo Loveday on Addiction, Identity, and Psychological HorrorJo Loveday joins me to discuss Campus of Shadows, a psychological horror thriller that follows a vulnerable mind as it begins to break. We talk about crafting a believable mental decline, how Jo’s nursing and psychiatric training informed Dave’s deterioration, and why portraying addiction felt personal.
Jo also opens up about living with dyscalculia and how it helped shape Dave’s character, the challenge of writing from a male POV, and the ten-year journey of learning story structure, rewriting, and cutting entire early chapters to sharpen the emotional core of the book.
It’s a thou...
2025-11-2529 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastTrust the Story: Mark Philbin on Writing Tense Plots and Characters with AgencyHow do you build a high-stakes thriller without losing sight of character? In this episode, Mark Philbin joins me to talk about Kill Them All, a plot-driven thriller built around a twelve-city murder spree and a protagonist who sees patterns others miss.
We discuss where the idea began, how he shaped the “12 victims in 12 months” structure, and why grounding a twisty plot in character growth matters just as much as pacing. Mark shares how his radio background shaped his writing style, how he created a team of distinct FBI agents, and why trusting your outline — and your voice...
2025-11-1846 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow M.M. Deluca Builds Twisted Friendships in Multi-POV Psychological Thrillers | EP18What makes a friendship unravel, and how do you show every side of it on the page?
In this episode, author M.M. Deluca joins me to talk about The Divorce Party, a psychological thriller set in Las Vegas that explores secrets, tension, and the fragile balance between loyalty and betrayal. We talk about writing from multiple perspectives, shaping believable relationships between flawed friends, and grounding suspense in realism drawn from real life.
For thriller writers, this conversation offers insight into how story structure and character perspective can heighten emotional tension, while readers get an...
2025-11-1140 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastHow T.R. Hendricks Turns Real Military Experience into Authentic Action Thrillers | EP17How do you write action that feels real without losing your voice as a storyteller?
In this episode, author T.R. Hendricks joins me to talk about The Instructor, a military thriller shaped by his experience in the army. We discuss how real-world training translates to believable fiction, the discipline it takes to finish a manuscript, and how sixty rejections became part of his journey to publication.
For writers chasing authenticity and perseverance in their craft, this episode is a masterclass in turning experience into story.
T.R. Hendrick's book: https://trhendricksauthor.com...
2025-11-0442 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastWriting 5,000 Words a Day and Staying Real | Maria Frankland on Psychological Thrillers | EP16How do you write 5,000 words a day and still love what you do?
In this episode, author Maria Frankland joins me to talk about I Don’t Like Mondays, a psychological thriller that began with a single thought on a crowded Yorkshire train platform: what if someone was pushed in front of the train? Maria shares how that moment became her 22nd novel, how she built a full-time writing career, and the discipline that keeps her moving forward. We talk about creative routines, lingering self-doubt, and the determination it takes to turn writing into a life.
...
2025-10-2831 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastThomas Stewart on Writing Without Rewrites | Deliberate Storytelling in Horror Thrillers | EP15What happens when a horror-thriller author refuses to rewrite?
In this episode, Thomas Stewart joins host Mark P.J. Nadon to discuss his novel Allison’s Tears, a ghost story written in just three months — every sentence deliberate, every emotion intentional.
They talk about writing through instinct, finding empathy in fear, and why giving villains depth makes them even more terrifying.
The Thriller Pitch Podcast is where bestselling, award-winning, and emerging authors share the craft, emotion, and real-world experiences behind today’s most gripping stories.
Thomas Stewart's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d...
2025-10-2129 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastMelissa Roos on Writing from Emotion and Instinct in Tennessee Wishes | EP14Author Melissa Roos joins me to talk about Tennessee Wishes — a romantic-suspense set in Nashville where a dream, a spark, and a shadowy crime wave collide. We get into how she writes from instinct as a self-described pantser, why the opening took several passes to finally “click,” how beta feedback shaped the book, and the choices behind a grumpy, coffee-fueled detective and a memorable K-9 who feels like a character of his own. We also touch on grounding the story in real places (Broadway, honky-tonks, a concrete silo), giving every character emotional weight (including Dorothea), and keeping the tension rising...
2025-10-1420 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastSecrets, Justice, and a Double Agent | Spy Girls by Joanna Vander Vlugt | EP13Spy Girls is a gripping spy thriller with assassins, pursuit and resilience. A CIA action officer is released from prison. A Chief Justice is murdered, and the Law Society is scrutinizing Jade Thyme’s conduct. Jade’s life can’t get much worse until she is coerced into finding an elusive double agent. Tangled in lies and political agendas, high speed chases and sticky bombs, can Jade outplay a dangerous Russian assassin before her own life is terminated?
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Joanna Vander Vlugt and I talk about how real cases in Britis...
2025-10-0727 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastCovert Ops and Cartel Wars in Cuba | Caribbean Harvest by Steve Stratton | EP12Caribbean Harvest is a high-stakes international thriller about drugs, politics, and pursuit. When El Chapo sets his sights on Cuba as the next hub for his empire, Wolf and Parker must use their mix of military and law enforcement skills to stop him before the island becomes another Afghanistan. With Mexican law enforcement, the U.S. president, and ruthless cartel forces all in play, the chase becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Steve Stratton and I talk about pacing Lance’s growth across the Shadow Tier series, wh...
2025-09-3030 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastVigilante Thriller Cartel Hunter by Robert Goluba | Thriller Pitch Ep 11Cartel Hunter is a vigilante justice thriller about family, morality, and survival. When Air Force pararescueman Jason Mulder returns home after his brother’s murder, he’s forced to confront a ruthless cartel hiding in Arizona’s vast pine forests. With training, grit, and unlikely allies, Jason takes the fight to those who threaten his family, but always on his own moral terms.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Robert Goluba and I talk about why he chose a pararescueman instead of a Navy SEAL or Green Beret, how Arizona’s rugged terrain inspired the setting...
2025-09-2327 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastInternational Best Selling Action Thriller Blunt Force by Aiden Bailey | Thriller Pitch Ep 10Blunt Force is a high-octane action thriller about espionage, betrayal, and survival. When investigative journalists expose corruption on a global scale, the Trigger Man, Mark Pierce, is tasked with protecting them from elite kill teams sent by Syrian and Russian intelligence. From Spain to Luxembourg to Iceland’s frozen wilderness, Pierce battles assassins and uncovers a conspiracy that strikes closer to home than he ever imagined.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Aiden Bailey and I talk about the real-world experiences that shaped the Trigger Man series, how he balances relentless action with character depth, an...
2025-09-1633 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastPsychological Thriller Every Fall by award winning author Angela Douglas | Thriller Pitch Ep 9Every Fall is a chilling psychological thriller about police culture, family trauma, and the thin line between reality and haunting. After tragedy strikes on the job, Jake’s spiral of guilt and grief leaves Bree isolated and haunted in her own home. To protect her children, she must face the one person she thought would always keep them safe.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Angela Douglas and I talk about the messy beginnings of creating Every Fall, the research that went into its creation, and she shares great advice for future authors.
An...
2025-09-0927 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastAward winning Medical Thriller Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin | Thriller Pitch Ep 8The Award winning novel Deadly Vision is a medical thriller about Dr. Taylor Abrahms, a pioneer in medical virtual reality whose groundbreaking Virtual Heart Project becomes the target of political sabotage, scientific rivalry, and murder as a presidential election looms.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, T.D. Severin and I talk about how the idea first came to him in 1994 while researching the possibilities of medical virtual reality, the thirty-year journey of rewriting the novel from its earliest draft, the balance between outlining and discovery writing, and how characters like Malcolm and Helen came...
2025-09-0233 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastAdventure Thriller The Devil's Eye by Ox Devere | Thriller Pitch Ep 7The Devil’s Eye is an adventure thriller about a lost alchemist’s notebook that surfaces at a London auction and sparks a high-stakes race across Europe. CIA operatives Ridley Samaras and Booker Douglas must decipher its codes and track down a mystical relic before a ruthless billionaire uses it to seize ultimate power.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Ox Devere and I talk about how the story was inspired by real-world figures like Jeffrey Epstein, the meticulous research behind the European settings, the challenges of writing both heroes and despicable villains, and why some...
2025-08-2626 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastVigilante Thriller Power Surge by Lizzie Qnert | Thriller Pitch Ep 6Power Surge is a vigilante thriller about CC Crane, a 52-year-old ad executive who targets sexual predators, only to draw the attention of a violent male-supremacist group that threatens her daughter and her own survival.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, Lizzie and I talk about how the story idea grew out of a male-supremacist hate group targeting her daughter’s work, the different characters and why she chose multiple viewpoints, and the research that shaped the novel.
Lizzie Qnert's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9A9mnoA
Follow Lizzie on...
2025-08-1924 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastDark Psychological Thriller The Dollhouse by Sara Ennis | Thriller Pitch Ep 5The Dollhouse is a dark psychological thriller about siblings Angel and Bud, captives in a place where a madman’s cruel games decide who lives and who dies.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, author Sara Ennis shares the inspiration behind The Dollhouse and its connection to an Idaho abduction, her lifelong love of storytelling, and how she comes up with her plot ideas.
Sara Ennis' book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8RZNXVw
Follow Sara on her website: https://www.justcallmesara.com/
Support the show & get a free no...
2025-08-1234 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastAward Winning Domestic Thriller Inside Outside by Faye Arcand | Thriller Pitch Ep 4Inside Outside is a tense domestic thriller about two women—Leslie and Selena—trapped by secrets, obligation, and the pressure to appear fine when nothing really is.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, author Fay Arcand talks about the her experience with the muse and how it shaped this novel, the joy of writing by the seat of your pants, and her background in criminal justice.
Faye Arcand's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bPpUE48
Follow Faye on her website: https://fayearcand.com/
Support the show & get a free...
2025-08-0526 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastAction Thriller Metal Spies by Cole Chase | Thriller Pitch Ep 3Metal Spies is a fast-moving action-thriller about a conman fronting a metal band—and getting blackmailed into stopping a billionaire’s plot against the U.S.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, author Cole Chase talks about where the idea came from, how his tech background influences his storytelling, and some of the research involved in his books.
We talk about:
- His daughters influence on the idea behind a metal band heist crew
- His life experience that shaped his novel and the research he did to bring it to life...
2025-07-2924 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastInternational Best Selling Action Thriller Tokyo Black by Andrew Warren | Thriller Pitch Ep 1Tokyo Black is an action thriller about a betrayed CIA operative forced into a dangerous new mission in Japan.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, international bestselling author Andrew Warren shares the inspiration behind Thomas Caine, how he explored Tokyo virtually and on foot to build the setting, and the surprising bit of pop culture that sparked a key plot device.
We talk about:
The spark that led to writing Tokyo Black
Visiting and virtually researching Japanese locations
What sets Caine apart from typical spy heroes
2025-07-2234 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastPsychological Thriller The Cemetery Spot by Jenna Moquin | Thriller Pitch Ep 2The Cemetery Spot is a psychological thriller about two sisters bound by blood—and a secret that could destroy them both.
In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, author Jenna Moquin shares how the story took shape from a NaNoWriMo draft, why she chose to center it on two sisters, and how she tightened the plot by cutting scenes that slowed the pace.
We talk about:
Writing sibling dynamics inspired by real life
Taking a story from NaNoWriMo to a full novel
What she chose to cut to ke...
2025-07-2221 min
The Thriller Pitch PodcastPitch. Hook. Connect. What This Podcast Is All About | Thriller Pitch Podcast Ep 0Welcome to The Thriller Pitch Podcast, where thriller authors pitch their stories and we dig into the why behind the words.
Each episode starts with a sharp, compelling pitch from a thriller author, followed by a relaxed conversation about the characters, themes, and what inspired the book.
It’s fast, honest, and designed to help readers find their next great read.
Support the show & get a free novella by Mark, plus stories and art from some guests:
• Join the Patreon → https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Authors: Want to be a guest?
•...
2025-07-2004 min
The Author’s Lounge with Briel O'Cyrus#25 - Editor/author, MARK PJ NADON on writing a military phycological thriller & being a full-time writer!Want to learn more about Mark PJ Nadon? Click the link below:https://markpjnadon.ca/
2025-05-0830 min
LUEURDialogue avec Lou ArteauLou Arteau s’impose dans le paysage culturel québécois à la fois comme assistante metteur en scène, régisseure, metteur en scène, directrice artistique, productrice déléguée, directrice de production et de tournée, ainsi qu’à la coordination artistique d’événements majeurs. Le Cirque du Soleil lui confie la direction artistique de tournée de son tout premier spectacle aux USA ; l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal lui propose plusieurs concerts populaires dont Starmania Symphonique à la Place des Arts où elle accompagne la production jusqu’à Séoul en Corée ; Musicor Spectacles lui fait confiance pour...
2023-11-151h 00
Filsinger Games Roll UpGalacticon 1 RoundtableWe might not find the grail, this ain't the golden age of Camelot, and the table's not so much round as it is a Zoom meeting room, but we have a very cool episode as we are joined by Mark Ashby, Jack Durakos, Tim Dalton, Kirk Campbell, Rod Nadon, Mike Fortune, and Chad Olson to discuss the very first Galacticon! The genesis of the con, favorite memories, ghost stories, tournaments, costumes, and more! We continue the Road to Galacticon with this look back on the one that started it all.
2021-07-011h 22