Master Class FAQ

  1. Q. What is Master Class 1.0?

    Master Class 1.0 is an intensive day of study held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 before CraftFest, and it requires additional registration. Please take advantage of this unique opportunity to work in small groups under the tutelage of bestselling authors. Our instructors in 2026 include: Samantha M. Bailey, Don Bentley, Allison Brennan, Karen Dionne, David Ellis, Steven James, Donald Maass, Wanda M. Morris, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Tessa Wegert.

    Whether you are a new writer or an experienced one, we’ll offer a class that will elevate your writing to the next level.

  2. Q. Where and at what time is Master Class 1.0 held?

    Master Class 1.0 is an intensive day of study held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (the Tuesday of ThrillerFest week) at the New York Hilton Midtown. Specific rooms will be announced in Spring 2026. Badge and swag pick-up opens at 7:00 AM, and the class will run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A lunch break (on your own) will be from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. We recommend wearing layers, as the temperatures in the individual rooms can vary.

  3. Q. What is Master Class 2.0?

    In our brand-new Master Class 2.0, ITW is focused on authors eager to meet the challenge of a growing career – to raise the bar, up their game, and grow in technique, imagination, and skill. Maybe even change genre. In these four-hour limited-size intensive sessions (which require separate registration), your 10-page manuscript will be analyzed and critiqued by one of the most experienced writing coaches in our community. Master Class 2.0 sessions are in-person at ThrillerFest on Thursday, May 7, 2026. You may choose between a morning session (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) or an afternoon session (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.). Our instructors in 2026 include: Steven James, Isabella Maldonado, and Mark Sullivan.

    Don’t be “one and done.” If you are seriously invested in growing your career, Master Class 2.0 can be your secret weapon.

    *Applicants for MasterClass 2.0 must have published at least one novel-length work of 80K words or more and be an Active ITW member.

    Learn more at thrillerfest.com/master-class/master-class-2/

  4. Q. Where and what time is Master Class 2.0 held?

    Master Class 2.0 is an intensive four-hours of workshop-style study held in person at ThrillerFest on Thursday, May 7, 2026, available only to ITW member-authors with at least one published novel of at least 80K words. You may choose between a morning session (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) or an afternoon session (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.) All sessions take place at the New York Hilton Midtown. Specific rooms will be announced in Spring 2026. We recommend wearing layers, as the temperatures in the individual rooms can vary. Learn more at thrillerfest.com/master-class/master-class-2/

  1. Q. Are there any packages that contain Master Class?

    Yes. Master Class 1.0 is available in a package with PitchFest. You can learn more, and register, here: https://thrillerfest.com/register/

  2. Q. How are writers paired with instructors?

    For both Master Class 1.0 and Master Class 2.0, a committee reviews the writing samples and questionnaires, then pairs attendees with the instructor who is the best fit.

  3. Q. Can you request to be paired with a specific instructor?

    We can’t guarantee placement with any specific instructor for Master Class 1.0, but we try our best. Once you register, please email Ruth Church, Deputy Director ThrillerFest / Master Class 1.0, at ruth@thrillerwriters.org your top three choices in order of preference. Instructor assignments are emailed to Master Class 1.0 attendees roughly four weeks in advance of ThrillerFest.

    Master Class 2.0 is set up differently, and registrants for Master Class 2.0 will be assigned an instructor. Instructor assignments are emailed to Master Class 2.0 attendees roughly four weeks in advance of ThrillerFest. If you have questions, please email Kerry Savage, ITW Communications Director at kerry@thrillerwriters.org. 

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*

    • Brian Hand

    • 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