Kristin | Always With a Book

Last batch of memories from #ThrillerFest - A most fabulous dinner with killer women. -The absolutely packed debut author breakfast (shoutout to @pennyzang , @michellemmaryk , and @jennvdk ). I was quite moved by all the authors’ stories. - A very special brunch at @thewhitby_hotel celebrating @ljross_author with a fun bunch - And I wrapped with a panel about secondary characters. Fairly apt for We Would Never Tell since it’s a big cast! Not pictured: the fun signing that followed, during which I met a few lovely people. All in all, a great experience and my voice is still not fully back to normal a week later 😂

Last week's ThrillerFest was a blast as always, seeing so many old friends and making new ones. I failed to take many photos so I borrowed most of these from others' posts: Selfie with Paris buddy SA Cosby and pals @andepliegowrites and @k2reader The pink hats are for The Hot Girl Murder Club -- for @ashleywinsteadbooks 's upcoming masterpiece thriller -- with pal @jenevaroseauthor (not sure why Ashley was massaging my wife's face at the bar). @sarahpekkanen 's facial expression shows how she really feels about me. But she at least gave me a blue shirt with her face on it from her recent international tour (she's big in Macedonia ). I could go on with others in the photos like the group from @livconstantine2 's dinner and @jonlindstrom @jenniferhillierbooks @ktnguyen_author @johannacopelandwrites @authorsamanthaskal @elisehartkipness @nursevicreads @jeankwokauthor @wendywalkerauthor @tessawegert and those not pictured, @carterwilsonauthor @cw_books Kim and Russ Howe, @toscalee and Bryan, @daniellegirardbooks , friends from the @lizaroyceassoc , @joe.brosnan and Marisa, and of course my publishing team and so many others. And how did I not get photos with two of my faves @candice_reads and @david_ellis_author ? Anyway, I'm leaving many out but it's really an honor to be part of this thriller writing community.

ThrillerFest XXI Post 2: getting to moderate a panel on psychological thrillers with some of my favorite authors and thought-leaders, who also happen to be hilarious, interesting, exceptional people? 😍🎉🔥 Selfies with rad, brilliant people: part 1. More ATF dog content. The delightful group of attendees who came to my 8am Wednesday CraftFest lecture on twists. You all get gold stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #thrillerfest by @internationalthrillerwriters

Part 2! MORE highlights of Thrillerfest: 🌟 my amazing friend @the__reading__beauty , moderated a panel with @matthewbeckerbooks and @matthewlavoie8181 , followed by other great authors! 🌟 a debut breakfast celebrating so many friends, especially @michellemmaryk , @kelseycoxwriter , @amrangowani , @jennvdk , @marisacwalz , among so many other magnificent debuts. 🌟 a brunch hosted by @ljross_author & @crimebythebook / @poisonedpenpress at the @thewhitby_hotel ! 🌟 this was Friday but nonetheless important - a Bookstagram lunch with @robyn_reads1 , @candice_reads , @candice_reads , @k2reader , @bookswithjams , @the__reading__beauty , @scaredstraightreads , @sydneyinbooks , @bookedbyelle , @brian.reads , @spinesvines , @bonechillingbooks and special guest star, author @taragoedjen ! 🌟 More FABULOUS panels, getting to see @harlancoben again (I met him at Iceland Noir 2 years ago). Seeing @rl_stine1 every year is also my favorite thing. 🌟 followed by my first ever Thrillerfest banquet, which was a really fun time! I got my favorite photo with Harlan Coben and @lisascottoline . Long story short- if you’ve been thinking about attending Thrillerfest, let this be me trying reallly hard to convince you that it’s so worth it! Thanks @internationalthrillerwriters for everything 🫶🏼 #thrillerfest2026

What a wonderful week joining a panel at Thrillerfest! @internationalthrillerwriters And especially in the company of @jessiegarcia_author @billschweigart @yvonneventresca @dedakisjohn with wonderful moderator @marcia.markland33 . Loved seeing wonderful friends and colleagues @tessawegert @nursevicreads @rendainalaska @k2reader @courtneypsak_author @thrilledtoreadya @bookedbyelle @booked.and.loving.it @lizandgregwrite @daniellegirardbooks @jenevaroseauthor @bonechillingbooks @may_cobb @readtrhendricks @andepliegowrites and SO many more I don’t have photos with like my editor @luisacruzsmith and publishing sisters @debbiebabittauthor @mandymchugh @authormailan @jaimelynnhendricksauthor @lyndsayfaye @amybloomwriter !! Congratulations to @andibartz and @megancollinswriter on their well deserved awards! Till next year, friends!

Thank you @internationalthrillerwriters for making every ThrillerFest a new adventure! Authors supporting authors who become friends-and the agents, editors, influencers, volunteers, and readers who help make everything possible! #thrillerfest #internationalthrillerwriters #mysterywritersofamerica

More great pals to share from last week at #ThrillerFest2026! Every single one of these people is genuine, hardworking, and professional. I continue to find joy when we go to these conferences. I feel like I've found my "tribe" and look forward to more fun in the future! ♥️ @internationalthrillerwriters

✨🥂Thrillerfest Nights… the Final Installment 🥂✨ Still recovering 😵‍💫from the reasonably controlled debauchery that is Thrillerfest (though my voice is still pretty raspy 😉). From the hotel 🍸 parties, to @bookmarked ‘s fab shindig at @pollysnyc 🥂 and back to the hotel bar… Hanging out with too many wonderful friends old and new to be able to tag them all…💖🥂 See you all in Calgary?? 😉✨✨📚 #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #thrillerfest #nightlife #writingcommunity

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TBR 📚 What’s next on your reading list? Tell meeeeee👇 #bookstagram #bookstack #books #reading #horrorbookstagram

Book influencers have done THE MOST to boost the publishing industry. The majority have full-time jobs and post for the love of the book. ITW invited some of the premier book influencers to Thrillerfest XXI including @pavisfrancesca who travelled from the UK. @crimebythebook moderated one of the conference’s best panels, featuring @timehrenberg @brian.reads @spinesvines @scaredstraightreads @bonechillingbooks @notesbynnenna Had a blast with @candice_reads @k2reader @bookswithjams @nursevicreads @the__reading__beauty @sydneyinbooks @bookshelfbytori

#Thrillerfest 2026 in the books! Loved making trouble with these fabulous authors, let’s do it again next year! 😃