International Thriller Writers


International Thriller Writers, was founded October 9, 2004, at Bouchercon XXXV, the "World Mystery and Suspense Conference", in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Six months later, some 150 authors 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 of having over 3,100 members in 28 countries.

Founders and participants

Co-founders Gayle Lynds and David Morrell are the organization's first co-presidents. Its membership includes David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Dale Brown, Sandra Brown, Lisa Gardner, Brian Garfield, David Liss, Lee Child, Lincoln Child, Clive Cussler, David Dun, Joseph Finder, Tess Gerritsen, Raelynn Hillhouse, Gregg Hurwitz, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, John Lescroart, Katherine Neville, Ridley Pearson, Kira Peikoff, Douglas Preston, M. J. Rose, R. L. Stine, M. Diane Vogt, and Stuart Woods, among others.

Events and awards

This is the first professional organization for thriller authors. The first thriller festival for readers was held in June 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona, at which the International Thriller Writers Awards for outstanding work in the field were announced.

Publications

''Thriller'' series

edited the first anthology of all-original thriller short stories, titled Thriller: Stories to Keep You Up All Night, released in June 2006 by Mira.
Clive Cussler edited the second, titled Thriller 2: Stories You Just Can't Put Down, released May 26, 2009 by Mira.
Sandra Brown edited the third, titled Thriller 3: Love Is Murder, released May 29, 2012 by Mira.

''Watchlist'' series

Originally broadcast weekly on Audible.com, as a 17-part serial. It is now available in other formats than audiobook.
The sequel to The Chopin Manuscript.