International Thriller Writers (ITW), was founded October 9, 2004, at Bouchercon XXXV, the "World Mystery and Suspense Conference", in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Six months later, some 150

authors An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...

with more than one billion books sold worldwide had joined the organization as founding members. As of October 5, 2014, the organization's website boasts more than 3,100 members in 28 countries.

History

On October 9, 2004, at Bouchercon XXXV, the "World Mystery and Suspense Conference", in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, International Thriller Writers was founded. The organization was founded by

Gayle Lynds Gayle Lynds is an American former journalist, editor and author. Lynds is known as the Queen of Espionage Fiction for her spy fiction or spy thrillers novels. Lynds is the co-founder of International Thriller Writers. Early life In 1945, Lynd ...

and David Morrell and they became the organization's first co-presidents.

Membership

Its membership includes

David Baldacci David Baldacci (born August 5, 1960) is an American novelist. An attorney by education, Baldacci writes mainly suspense novels and legal thrillers. Biography Early life and education David Baldacci was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. ...

, Steve Berry, Dale Brown,

Sandra Brown Sandra Lynn Brown, née ''Cox'' (born March 12, 1948) is an American bestselling author of romantic novels and thriller suspense novels. Brown has also published works under the pen names of Rachel Ryan, Laura Jordan, and Erin St. Claire. E ...

Lisa Gardner Lisa Gardner (born 1972) is a #1 ''New York Times'' bestselling American novelist. She is the author of more than 20 suspense novels, published in more than 30 countries. She began her career writing romantic suspense under the pseudonym Alicia S ...

Brian Garfield Brian Francis Wynne Garfield (January 26, 1939 – December 29, 2018) was an Edgar Award-winning American novelist, historian and screenwriter. A Pulitzer Prize finalist, he wrote his first published book at the age of eighteen. Garfield went on ...

, David Liss,

Lee Child James Dover Grant (born 29 October 1954), primarily known by his pen name Lee Child, is a British author who writes thriller novels, and is best known for his ''Jack Reacher'' novel series. The books follow the adventures of a former American ...

Lincoln Child Lincoln Child (13 October 1957) is an American author of techno-thriller and horror novels. Though he is most well known for his collaborations with Douglas Preston (including the Agent Pendergast series and the Gideon Crew series, among other ...

Clive Cussler Clive Eric Cussler (July 15, 1931 – February 24, 2020) was an American adventure novelist and underwater explorer. His thriller novels, many featuring the character Dirk Pitt, have reached ''The New York Times'' fiction best-seller list ...

, David Dun,

Joseph Finder Joseph Finder (born October 6, 1958) is an American thriller (genre), thriller writer. His books include ''Paranoia (novel), Paranoia'', ''Company Man (Finder novel), Company Man'', ''The Fixer (Finder novel), The Fixer'', ''Killer Instinct (nove ...

Tess Gerritsen Tess Gerritsen (born Terry Tom; June 12, 1953) is the pseudonym of Terry Gerritsen, an American novelist and retired general physician. Early life Tess Gerritsen is the child of a Chinese immigrant and a Chinese-American seafood chef. While grow ...

, Raelynn Hillhouse,

Gregg Hurwitz Gregg Andrew Hurwitz is an American novelist, screenwriter, and comic book writer. Most of his novels are in the thriller fiction genre. His script writing work includes a film adaptation of his book '' Orphan X'', a TV adaptation of Joby War ...

Faye Kellerman Faye Marder Kellerman (born July 31, 1952) is an American writer of mystery novels, in particular the " Peter Decker/ Rina Lazarus" series, as well as three nonseries books, ''The Quality of Mercy'', ''Moon Music'', and ''Straight into Darknes ...

Jonathan Kellerman Jonathan Seth Kellerman (born August 9, 1949) is an American novelist, psychologist, and Edgar- and Anthony Award–winning author best known for his popular mystery novels featuring the character Alex Delaware, a child psychologist who consults ...

John Lescroart John Lescroart (; born January 14, 1948) is a ''New York Times'' bestselling author known for his series of legal and crime thriller novels featuring the characters Dismas Hardy, Abe Glitsky, and Wyatt Hunt. His novels have sold more than 10 mi ...

, Katherine Neville,

Ridley Pearson Ridley Pearson (born March 13, 1953 in Glen Cove, New York) is an American author of suspense and thriller novels for adults, and adventure books for children. Some of his books have appeared on ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list. Literary ...

Kira Peikoff Kira Lily Peikoff (; born May 21, 1985) is a journalist and novelist, based in New York City."About the Author"< ...

, Douglas Preston, M. J. Rose,

R. L. Stine Robert Lawrence Stine (; born October 8, 1943), sometimes known as Jovial Bob Stine and Eric Affabee, is an American novelist, short story writer, television producer, screenwriter, and executive editor. Stine has been referred to as the "St ...

, M. Diane Vogt, and

Stuart Woods Stuart may refer to: Names *Stuart (name), a given name and surname (and list of people with the name) Automobile * Stuart (automobile) Places Australia Generally *Stuart Highway, connecting South Australia and the Northern Territory Northe ...

, among others.

Events and awards

This is the first professional organization for thriller authors. The first thriller festival (ThrillerFest) for readers was held in June 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona, at which the

International Thriller Writers Awards The International Thriller Writers Awards are awarded by International Thriller Writers International Thriller Writers (ITW), was founded October 9, 2004, at Bouchercon XXXV, the "World Mystery and Suspense Conference", in Toronto, Ontario, Canad ...

for outstanding work in the field were announced.

Publications

''Thriller'' series

James Patterson James Brendan Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an American author. Among his works are the ''Alex Cross'', '' Michael Bennett'', '' Women's Murder Club'', '' Maximum Ride'', '' Daniel X'', '' NYPD Red'', '' Witch & Wizard'', and ''Private'' s ...

edited the first

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically catego ...

of all-original

thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

short stories, titled '' Thriller: Stories to Keep You Up All Night'', released in June 2006 by

Mira Mira (), designation Omicron Ceti (ο Ceti, abbreviated Omicron Cet, ο Cet), is a red-giant star estimated to be 200–400 light-years from the Sun in the constellation Cetus. ο Ceti is a binary stellar system, consisting of a var ...

edited the second, titled '' Thriller 2: Stories You Just Can't Put Down'', released May 26, 2009 by Mira.

edited the third, titled ''Thriller 3: Love Is Murder'', released May 29, 2012 by Mira.

''Watchlist'' series

Originally broadcast weekly on Audible.com (25 September 2007 to 13 November 2007), as a 17-part serial. It is now available in other formats than audiobook. The sequel to ''The Chopin Manuscript''.

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Thriller writers International professional associations Organizations established in 2004