Imagine being surrounded by your favorite thriller authors for a week-long extravaganza. ThrillerFest, the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers, is a unique week, jam-packed with workshops, classes, panels, cocktail parties, and interviews with top thriller authors. A friendly, professional atmosphere provides the backdrop for thriller enthusiasts. Whether you’re a fan, an aspiring writer, a bestselling author, or an industry professional, there is something for you to enjoy on-site.

Held at the Sheraton Times Square in Manhattan May 30–June 3, this year’s conference offers a strong educational component, including an intensive writing workshop called Master Class, a four-track lecture series on best writing practices called CraftFest, and one-on-one sessions focused on creating compelling queries and synopses at QueryFest. At the CraftFest luncheon, the keynote this year will be Steve Feldberg, v-p of Audible Originals, interviewed by bestselling author Joseph Finder.

Because the annual celebration is held in New York City, ThrillerFest offers the opportunity to pitch to more than 50 agents and editors during the PitchFest part of the program. Over the years, we’ve had countless success stories resulting from the magic that happens when talented aspiring authors meet top agents and editors. Once new writers sign contracts for their first novels, they become part of our debut program, and we support these authors through the process of publication. This year, the debut class will be honored during a breakfast hosted by bestselling author Lisa Gardner.

Every year, we also feature spotlight guests, and this year’s lineup includes the ThrillerMaster Lifetime Achievement Awards, showcasing the iconic careers of Charlaine Harris and Walter Mosley. The Silver Bullet Award, bestowed for charitable efforts, will be awarded to Michael Connelly. And rising stars Jack Carr and Oyinkan Braithwaite will have their impressive work featured, as well.

The conference closes with a gala banquet on Saturday evening, featuring a star-studded ceremony and announcing the winners of the annual Thriller Awards. Last year, S.A. Cosby made history as the only person to win back-to-back Best Hardcover awards for Blacktop Wasteland and Razor Blade Tears. We’re excited to see who will take home the hardware this year.

With more than 5,500 members in 52 countries, International Thriller Writers is the world’s leading organization for thriller writers and its members have accounted for sales of more than 3.2 billion books. ITW helps authors hone their craft, learn about the business aspects of publishing, and connect writers with readers. We celebrate our authors’ accomplishments every year at ThrillerFest, and we expect this year’s gathering to deliver another memorable week.

Kimberley Howe is the executive director of the International Thriller Writers.

Read more from our ThrillerFest feature:

ThrillerMaster Charlaine Harris
The Sookie StackHouse creator discusses some of her influences.

ThrillerMaster Walter Mosley
The author of the Easy Rawlins series continues to branch out into sci-fi.

Silver Bullet Award Winner Michael Connelly
The prolific author “just can’t say goodbye” to series lead Harry Bosch.

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with Erin Adams About Her Latest Novel 'Jackal'
Liz Rocher, the Black narrator of Adams’s 'Jackal' (Bantam), returns to her hometown only to discover that a serial killer of Black girls, whose crimes she survived there, is still active

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with Bradeigh Godfrey About Her First Solo Novel 'Imposter'
Physician Godfrey draws on her experience treating severe neurological injuries in 'Imposter' (Blackstone), her first solo novel.

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with Joey Hartstone About His Latest Novel 'The Local'
In Hartstone’s 'The Local' (Doubleday), a small Texas town is the center of a patent litigation trial that turns into a murder case.

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with T.R. Hendricks About His Latest Novel 'The Instructor'
Hendricks, a former Army intelligence officer, introduces Derek Harrington, a retired Marine, in 'The Instructor' (Forge).

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with Ana Reyes About Her Latest Novel 'The House in the Pines'
In Reyes’s 'The House in the Pines' (Dutton), a woman searches for her lost past while attempting to unmask a serial killer.

Thrillerfest: PW Talks with Iris Yamashita About Her Novel 'City Under One Roof'
In screenwriter Yamashita’s whodunit, 'City Under One Roof' (Berkley), the entire population of an Alaska community lives in one building.