CraftFest FAQ

  1. Q. What is CraftFest and when is it?

    Running all day Wednesday and Thursday morning, CraftFest is the fastest growing section of the conference, an ideal place to hone your writing skills. Everyone is welcome, from aspiring authors to established authors, and you’ll be privy to writing secrets from New York Times bestsellers and other professionals. In addition to craft classes, CraftFest includes a line-up of information about firearms, explosives, forensics, pathology, and other information that will help you write realistic scenes. Sign up soon so you don’t miss out!

  2. Q. What can I expect at CraftFest?

    CraftFest is a series of hour-long classes taught by some of the most established authors and industry experts in the thriller business. These courses cover everything from your opening sentence to marketing your finished product. You’ll learn how to pitch your manuscripts to agents and editors. You’ll get tips on creating an efficient work process. You’ll learn everything you need to know about writing thrillers. Expect to fill many notepads, as there will be an abundance of helpful advice. CraftFest classes also educate attendees on the business aspects of the publishing industry, with panels on the world of traditional and indie publishing, landing an agent, and finding success in Hollywood. Registration for CraftFest includes access to the Wednesday night CraftFest cocktail party and the Wednesday CraftFest Lunch, a plated meal, where the Best First Sentence Contest winners are announced.

  1. Q. Who are the teachers?

    CraftFest Instructors are generally writing experts or New York Times bestselling authors, such as Ken Follett, Charlaine Harris, Louise Penny, Ruth Ware, Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson, Kelley Armstrong, Liv Constantine, Jeffery Deaver, Karen Dionne, Robert Dugoni, Mark Greaney, Andrea J. Johnson, Donald Maass, R.L. Stine, and countless others. We also have experts from the United States Secret Service, the ATF, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, blood spatter gurus, forensic dentists, and many other talented and knowledgeable individuals. Like the ThrillerFest schedule, the specific list of classes and instructors for CraftFest will be posted in early Spring 2025.

ITW Community

  • patrons
  • sponsors
  • supporters

  • Actives

    • Sandra Brannan

    • Clive Cussler*

    • Dirk Cussler*

    • Shane Gericke*

    • Faye and Jonathan Kellerman*

    • John Lescroart

    • Joanie McDonell

    • Karin Slaughter

    • Larry D. Thompson

    Associates

    • Tucker Andersen

    • Andrew Kimball

  • Actives

    • Kathleen Antrim*

    • David Baldacci*

    • Neal Baer

    • Steve Berry*

    • J. Jackson Bentley

    • Gary Braver*

    • Sandra Brown*

    • Dale Brown*

    • John Case*

    • Lee Child*

    • James Comey

    • Michael Connelly

    • Glenn Cooper

    • Richard Curtis*

    • Jack F. Du Brul*

    • David Dun*

    • Joseph Finder

    • Brian Garfield*

    • Tess Gerritsen*

    • Leslie Glass*

    • Jeff Gunhus

    • Vicki Hinze*

    • Lisa Jackson

    • Alex Kava*

    • Raymond Khoury

    • Deborah LeBlanc

    • Eric Van Lustbader*

    • D. P. Lyle M.D.*

    • Gayle Lynds*

    • Steve Martini

    • Brad Meltzer

    • David Morrell*

    • Katherine Neville*

    • Michael Palmer (2004-2013)*

    • James Patterson*

    • Andrew Peterson

    • Douglas Preston*

    • Lissa Price

    • Keith Raffel

    • Christopher Reich*

    • James Rollins*

    • M.J. Rose*

    • JoAnn Ross

    • Hank Phillippi Ryan

    • John Saul*

    • Andy Siegel

    • Susan Arnout Smith

    • R.L. Stine*

    • Brad Thor*

    • Lisa Unger

    • Paul Vidich

    Associates

    • Maria Carvainis

    • Leisure Books*

    • JK Franko*

    • Ed Mitchell*

    • Henry Morrison*

    • Adrian Muller*

    • Bill Sewell

    • Tor/Forge Books*

    • Your Book Is Your Hook!

  • Actives

    • Steve Alten*

    • Ashok Banker

    • Ted Bell*

    • Emily Benedek

    • Janet Berliner-Gluckman*

    • Gary Birken

    • Mike Bond

    • Sandra Brannan

    • Allison Brennan

    • Mike Brogan

    • Jan Burke*

    • Lorenzo Carcaterra

    • Lincoln Child*

    • Stephen Coonts*

    • Brian D’Amato

    • B. J. Daniels

    • Nelson DeMille

    • Eileen Dreyer*

    • Joanna Elm

    • Linda Fairstein*

    • Vince Flynn (2004-2013)*

    • Chris Fox

    • Joel Goldman*

    • Howard Gordon

    • Heather Graham*

    • Thomas Greanias

    • Gary Grossman

    • Humphrey Hawksley

    • Bonnie Hearn Hill*

    • Mark Imhof

    • Alan Jacobson

    • Judith Kelman*

    • Harley Jane Kozak

    • Jon Land

    • Dennis Lynds (2004-2005)*

    • Patricia McLinn

    • Michael McMenamin

    • Francine Mathews*

    • Nan McCann

    • Kyle Mills*

    • Twist Phelan

    • Christopher Rice*

    • Wendy Roberts

    • John Sandford

    • James Siegel*

    • Carl T. Smith*

    • Deborah Smith*

    • Taylor Smith*

    • L.A. Starks

    • Mariah Stewart*

    • Peter Straub*

    • Lee Strobel

    • M. Diane Vogt*

    • Thomas Waite

    • Stuart Woods*

    Associates

    • Linda Adams*

    • Brilliance Audio*

    • Mike Brogan

    • Brian Godden

    • Steve Hadden*

    • Emory Hackman

    • Inkwell Management, LLC*

    • Jennifer Kreischer

    • Mario Mastro*

    • Vicki Montet

    • Amy Rivers

    • Mike Trigg

*original member joined by June 4, 2005