The Thriller Pitch Podcast

Karen E. Osborne on Building Characters from Real Life and Writing Across Dual Timelines

In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Karen E. Osborne to talk about how she builds characters from real life and structures stories across dual timelines.
We discuss Justice for Emerson, how observing people in everyday moments helps her capture physical detail and voice, and the way characters become so real to her that she rarely loses track of who they are. Karen also talks about writing across timelines without losing clarity, and how personal history and lived experience quietly shape the emotional core of a story.
This conversation focuses on character, structure, and the small, human details that make fiction feel alive.
Karen E Osborne's book Justice for Emerson: https://a.co/d/9P7NHXj
Follow Karen E. Osborne online: https://www.kareneosborne.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

How Adam Roach Turned a 100-Word Flash Fiction into a Thriller Series

In this episode of The Thriller Pitch Podcast, I’m joined by Adam Roach, author of The Ritualist. Adam talks about how a 100-word flash fiction piece he wrote for a horror contest became the starting point for his thriller series.
We discuss the original flash fiction, what judges said about expanding it, and how that idea eventually became a full-length novel. Adam also talks about writing scenes by visualizing them like a movie, how his approach to outlining changes depending on the project, and why he doesn’t focus heavily on detailed police procedural research.
The conversation also touches on writing villains, long-running antagonists, and how Adam thinks about continuing a story across multiple books.
Adam Roach's book The Ritualist: https://a.co/d/2hovKOO
Follow Adam Roach online: https://www.adamroachbooks.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

How Melissa F. Miller Blends Fairy Tales, Trauma, and Tension in Psychological Thrillers

What happens when a real encounter sparks the opening of a psychological thriller?
In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Melissa F. Miller explains how she built Cut Off from Sky and Earth around memory, trauma, and the dangerous weight of past relationships. We get into how she blended the feel of a fairy tale with a tense, grounded narrative, why she stepped away from legal thrillers for this story, and how she writes three POVs without outlining.
With more than fifty books behind her, Melissa shares the instincts she trusts, the tension she chases, and the character choices that shaped this novel.
If you’re writing psychological suspense or juggling multiple POVs, this episode is packed with takeaways.
Melissa F. Miller's book Cut Off From Sky and Earth: https://a.co/d/c5VEcU6
Follow Melissa F. Miller online: https://melissafmiller.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

How Andrew Warren Writes Smart, Tactical Villains

In this episode, international best-selling author Andrew Warren, joins me to talk about how he created White Tiger — a villain who’s as tactically intelligent as he is physically dangerous. We dig into writing action that’s fast but clear, how to use strategy to shape a fight scene, and why a smart antagonist raises every aspect of a thriller.
Andrew also talks about returning to the Thomas Caine world for Book Six, keeping a long-running series fresh, and the choices that help each story feel different without losing what readers love.
If you’re writing thrillers or looking for a deeper look at how villains and action scenes work together, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
 
Andrew Warren's book White Tiger: https://a.co/d/j6QRo5f
Follow Andrew Warren online: https://andrewwarrenbooks.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

When the Mind Breaks: Jo Loveday on Addiction, Identity, and Psychological Horror

Jo Loveday joins me to discuss Campus of Shadows, a psychological horror thriller that follows a vulnerable mind as it begins to break. We talk about crafting a believable mental decline, how Jo’s nursing and psychiatric training informed Dave’s deterioration, and why portraying addiction felt personal.
Jo also opens up about living with dyscalculia and how it helped shape Dave’s character, the challenge of writing from a male POV, and the ten-year journey of learning story structure, rewriting, and cutting entire early chapters to sharpen the emotional core of the book.
It’s a thoughtful conversation about identity, vulnerability, and writing psychological darkness with care and realism.
Jo Loveday's book: https://a.co/d/gAgs2Al
Follow Jo Loveday online: https://joloveday.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including his psychological action tech thriller, The Genesis Project: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

Trust the Story: Mark Philbin on Writing Tense Plots and Characters with Agency

How do you build a high-stakes thriller without losing sight of character? In this episode, Mark Philbin joins me to talk about Kill Them All, a plot-driven thriller built around a twelve-city murder spree and a protagonist who sees patterns others miss.
We discuss where the idea began, how he shaped the “12 victims in 12 months” structure, and why grounding a twisty plot in character growth matters just as much as pacing. Mark shares how his radio background shaped his writing style, how he created a team of distinct FBI agents, and why trusting your outline — and your voice — is essential when you’re trying to stand out in a crowded thriller market.
If you’re interested in building tense plots, crafting characters with agency, or simply love hearing authors break down their creative decisions, this conversation is a great one.
Mark Philbin's book: https://a.co/d/gayzNd0
Follow Mark Philbin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mphilbinwriter/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels including the Armageddon Descendants trilogy bundle: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

How M.M. Deluca Builds Twisted Friendships in Multi-POV Psychological Thrillers | EP18

What makes a friendship unravel, and how do you show every side of it on the page?
In this episode, author M.M. Deluca joins me to talk about The Divorce Party, a psychological thriller set in Las Vegas that explores secrets, tension, and the fragile balance between loyalty and betrayal. We talk about writing from multiple perspectives, shaping believable relationships between flawed friends, and grounding suspense in realism drawn from real life.
For thriller writers, this conversation offers insight into how story structure and character perspective can heighten emotional tension, while readers get an inside look at what drives M.M. Deluca’s storytelling.
M.M. Deluca's book: https://a.co/d/c2u4aSn
Follow M.M. Deluca on her website: https://www.marjoriedeluca.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

How T.R. Hendricks Turns Real Military Experience into Authentic Action Thrillers | EP17

How do you write action that feels real without losing your voice as a storyteller?
In this episode, author T.R. Hendricks joins me to talk about The Instructor, a military thriller shaped by his experience in the army. We discuss how real-world training translates to believable fiction, the discipline it takes to finish a manuscript, and how sixty rejections became part of his journey to publication.
For writers chasing authenticity and perseverance in their craft, this episode is a masterclass in turning experience into story.
T.R. Hendrick's book: https://trhendricksauthor.com/books/the-infiltrator/
Follow T.R. Hendricks on his website: https://trhendricksauthor.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get early access to episodes, bonus after-show segments with guests, and my free novella Cognitive Breach. You’ll also be able to support the show and help me keep bringing on great thriller authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

Writing 5,000 Words a Day and Staying Real | Maria Frankland on Psychological Thrillers | EP16

How do you write 5,000 words a day and still love what you do?
In this episode, author Maria Frankland joins me to talk about I Don’t Like Mondays, a psychological thriller that began with a single thought on a crowded Yorkshire train platform: what if someone was pushed in front of the train? Maria shares how that moment became her 22nd novel, how she built a full-time writing career, and the discipline that keeps her moving forward. We talk about creative routines, lingering self-doubt, and the determination it takes to turn writing into a life.
Maria Frankland's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8nwHk41
Follow Maria on her website: https://mariafrankland.co.uk/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get my free novella Cognitive Breach, bonus stories from guests, early access to episodes, and the chance to submit your own questions for future authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Bonus question not shared anywhere else:• Subscribe to the newsletter → https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1441401/156148451269150067/share
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow Mark on his Amazon Author Page:• https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-PJ-Nadon/author/B0D572CK4Y?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1753025997&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=229df4e7-ebe3-47d8-b0dd-0a03704db684
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon

Thomas Stewart on Writing Without Rewrites | Deliberate Storytelling in Horror Thrillers | EP15

What happens when a horror-thriller author refuses to rewrite?
In this episode, Thomas Stewart joins host Mark P.J. Nadon to discuss his novel Allison’s Tears, a ghost story written in just three months — every sentence deliberate, every emotion intentional.
They talk about writing through instinct, finding empathy in fear, and why giving villains depth makes them even more terrifying.
The Thriller Pitch Podcast  is where bestselling, award-winning, and emerging authors share the craft, emotion, and real-world experiences behind today’s most gripping stories.
Thomas Stewart's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/enasjBL
Follow Thomas on his website: https://www.corpsechildssanctuary.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get my free novella Cognitive Breach, bonus stories from guests, early access to episodes, and the chance to submit your own questions for future authors.https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's SponsorMark P.J. Nadon's novels: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest?Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Bonus question not shared anywhere else:• Subscribe to the newsletter → https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1441401/156148451269150067/share
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon:• https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow on Social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon