Master Class FAQ
Q. What is Master Class and when is it?
Master Class is an intensive day of study held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 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 this year include: Allison Brennan, Karen Dionne, David Ellis, Alex Finlay, Steven James, Tosca Lee, Donald Maass, Isabella Maldonado and Hank Phillippi Ryan. Whether you are a new writer or an experienced one, we’ll offer a class that will elevate your writing to the next level.
Q. Where and at what time is Master Class held?
Master Class is an intensive day of study held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (the Tuesday of ThrillerFest week) at the New York Hilton Midtown. Specific rooms will be announced in Spring 2025, 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.
Q. Are there any packages that contain Master Class?
We have a Master Class & PitchFest package.
Q. How are writers paired with instructors?
A committee reviews the writing samples and questionnaires, then pairs attendees with the instructor who is the best fit.
Q. Can you request to be paired with a specific instructor?
We can’t guarantee placement with any specific instructor, but we try our best. Once you register, please email Ruth Church at ruth@thrillerwriters.org your top three choices in order of preference.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
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