Thriller 101
A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction.
Thriller 101
Community 101: What you need to know
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Hey everyone, David Gwyn here. I want to talk today about something that could change your writing journey forever. if you're a thriller, mystery, suspense, crime writer who has goals of writing your best book ever and signing with a literary agent in 2025, then the Storyteller Society is designed specifically for you. If you've ever felt stuck, isolated, or frustrated by the kind of endless cycle of self doubt and rejection, then this is for you, and I can tell you that because I've been there. You know, if you're not interested in the community, that's no problem. I know it's not for everyone, but the industry professionals that I talk to are always talking about the importance of community building. So if you're not ready to join the Storyteller Society, you might get a few ideas of what you want in a community okay, so I wanted to check in today really because I keep getting some of the same questions about the Storyteller Society and I want to share a bit about what we do, why it's unique, and how it's going to help you achieve your publishing goals. If you're serious about making your publishing dreams come true, then You really don't want to miss this. The Storyteller Society isn't just another writing group, it's a fully loaded powerhouse community specifically designed for thriller, suspense, mystery, and crime fiction writers. I say, and I truly believe this, I think this is the best genre specific community that's out there. And so I'll talk a little bit about that here. First, some logistical frequently asked questions right off the bat. To sign up, you have to fill out the form linked in the description below in the, in the notes for this episode. It's not enough to be subscribed to the Thriller 101 email list. So if you want in and people are starting to sign up, so be sure to get in there right away. If you want a spot you got to put your name and email address in on the link that's in the, in the notes here for this episode. You don't have to add any payment information. Transcribed when you sign up with just your name and your email, it tells me that you're interested, and so even if you're not 100 percent sure, that's fine, sign up, I'll reach out and see if we're the right fit for your writing goals, and if you have questions, you know, you want to make sure we're the right fit, want to know where the community is headed, and what guests we have coming up, Sign up. When you sign up you don't just get access to future events You also get the bank of recordings for the past events making this a really valuable investment in your writing career And there's a month to month payment option So if you're not sure join us for a month get some free bonuses watch the replays of the guest presentations from the past. Meet our resident book club author for this month Get some feedback on your work, and if it's not your thing, you can cancel your subscription right on the platform. It seems like a safe bet to me. I mean, it's easily worth 47 or about 1. 50 a day to get all of those bonuses, even if it's just for a month and you decide it's not the right fit. This is a question that keeps coming up around cohort three. I don't know when or if I'll open a cohort three. I knew there was always going to be a second cohort. I don't know if there'll be a third. That's kind of yet to be seen. Because people are staying in the community and so I don't necessarily feel the need to add more people if we're kind of at a place where I feel like everyone's getting value out of the community. And the last thing is we provide a lot. You don't have to feel like you need to attend everything. I provide a lot of options because every writer is different. What you need is different from what another writer might need. This is really a suite of offerings that you can kind of pick and choose from. Attend when you're free, watch the recordings on your own time, make time for the things that you think you really need and will benefit your writing career. And if you need a break, take a break. We're here for you when you get back. Okay, let's talk about why most writers struggle when working alone. Let's face it, writing is really, really hard. You're up late at night, scribbling notes on napkins, sacrificing sleep, making notes in your phone, juggling life's other demands, like a job, family, friends exercise, and you're doing all of these things just to try to squeeze in a page or two, and sometimes no matter how hard you try, you hit that wall where your story just won't come together, or you're not sure if you're on the right track, or what an agent is really looking for. I've been there. We've all been there. Now, here's the harsh truth. Going at it alone really doesn't work well. Without accountability, feedback, and genuine community, your writing's going to get stuck at some point. If you're not part of a focused genre specific group, your manuscript might never reach the level it needs to to get the attention of agents and publishers. It's more competitive than ever to land a literary agent, and your dream agent might be overlooking you because of a few small tweaks you need to make in your opening, or your query letter, or something else that just takes another writer working in your genre to see. Don't waste months or even years just trying to figure it out on your own. Imagine if you had a space where every single day you had access to writers who share your struggles and your dreams and your genre, where every month you get real time feedback, where you have accountability check ins if you want them, where you can get access to industry experts. agents, editors, best selling authors who are ready to share their secrets with you. I want you to hear what literary agent Lori Galvin has to say about finding a writing community.
Lori Galvin:I do look for that and I do ask about that. You know, maybe you don't have to have been published, but do you have some sort of, you know, writing community? Do you, are you in a writer's group or do you have beta readers?
David Gwyn:What if you could pitch your book directly to agents after going through our Pitch Perfect Practice session that had agents saying that the storytellers, society, writers had the best pitches they'd ever received? One of those guests was literary agent Amy Nielsen. This is what she had to say about her time working with the writers in the Storyteller's Society.
amy-nielsen--she-her-_1_02-03-2025_161917:their pitches were amazing. Like they did such a good job. Absolutely excellent. Some of the best pitches that I've ever seen. And I'm in a group of other agents and that was a common thread because several of us. We're taking pitches and we're all like, these are some of the best pitches we've ever heard. So whatever you're doing over there with your authors, it's really showing. And I always say, you know, writing is a solitary art, but publishing is a community effort. So it really is. And if anyone's been interested or thinking about joining a community, I highly recommend the Storyteller Society
David Gwyn:What if you could get your query letter, your pitch, your opening pages polished to absolute perfection, all for a fraction of what you pay for a private coach? Because you could piece this together on your own. I did the math. It's on the Thriller 101 website page for the Storyteller Society. You can look and it's thousands and thousands of dollars, or you could join the Storyteller Society for about 1. For all the things you spend money on over the course of your day, isn't your writing career worth less than 12 a week? So let me break down the key benefits for you, just so you can see how powerful this community is. There's daily engagement and accountability. Every day you'll have access to a community, discussions, polls, and resource sharing. You won't be left alone to battle your writing demons in silence. Some writers find dedicated accountability buddies who check in with each other and can help you stick with your goals, even on those most difficult days. We have tailored critique and feedback. With the advanced platform we have, you can get matched with critique partners, beta readers, query feedback partners, and more who are working on similar stories. This means you get the feedback that you need. It's not only relevant, but also deeply insightful. No more random comments from people who just don't really get your genre. Weekly write ins and goal check ins are community write ins are virtual writing sprints where you and other writers focus together, get words on the page in a short focus time. And our goal check ins, they're designed to ensure you're progressing steadily towards finishing your book. Monthly industry expert workshops. Imagine getting two live sessions every month where industry experts break down the secrets to writing a killer thriller. Have questions? We're not like other conferences that charge you hundreds of dollars and make you sit in a virtual audience of maybe hundreds of writers of different genres. Our industry experts tailor their presentations to your genre. And if you have questions, you can ask them, because we're low residency. Our pitch events. I'm really proud of our pitch events. Our Storytellers Society exclusive pitch events are where you can pitch directly to agents. They don't get dozens of pitches like they do at other events. We cap our agents at a certain number so that they remember every single writer they talk to. You're not this blur on the screen that passes by before they can even blink. You are somebody that they get to know over the course of our pitch events. And where we really shine is our pre pitch practice sessions to ensure you're as prepared as possible. One agent said, quote, Their pitches and level of preparation stood out from other pitch events by far. Next is our networking, mentorship, and lifelong connections. This community isn't just about writing. It's about building real relationships. There's a thread going on inside the Storyteller Society right now of writers sharing the full requests that they're getting. Writers from the Storyteller Society are going to land literary agents. One writer said that her request rate has shot up. Another just shared that the feedback that she got on her query helped her get a cold query full request. Imagine being friends with these writers. What could it do for you and your writing career to have the inside scoop on how they got their agent? On advice they'd give for writers on the same path? On what it's like working with an agent. Storyteller. Society is about meeting fellow writers, about getting to know agents and industry professionals. These are the connections that can turn your writing dreams into a reality. I want to hear from author Jessica Payne about the importance of having a writing community.
Jessica Payne:It really is community. It is building a community. It is being a part of a community. And if you are an unagented unpublished writer, now is the time to start that.
David Gwyn:Now, here's the thing. If you tried to piece all of these benefits together on your own, you'd end up spending thousands of dollars. I mean, from private workshops, to one on one coaching sessions, to expensive critique services. I've done the math for you. If you go to thriller, one Oh one. com slash storyteller society, and you check it out, you can see, I broke down how much it would cost if you tried to piece all these things together on your own. But here you could join the storyteller society for just 47 per month. And you get access to everything all in one place with one supportive community that has your back. Okay. So if you don't have a community and you choose not to join the storyteller society. You're likely to face some challenges, and I know because I've been there. Before I found my writing group, I struggled with, like, isolation and feeling stuck. Without a supportive community, my progress stalled, and yours might too. You might keep working in a vacuum without the accountability and feedback that really drive the improvement that you need in order to make a writing career a reality. to the end of a draft and really not know where to go, or if it's even good enough. out on opportunities like our exclusive pitch events. writers sign with agents while you're left wondering what could have been if you'd had that chance. There are going to be some higher costs later if you decide to get all this support later on. You'll likely pay a much higher price for individual coaching, workshops, and critique services, costing you thousands instead of just a few dollars a month. And you're likely to feel some frustration and doubt. I know that I did. The path to getting published is really tough. Without a community to lift you up, those rejections and setbacks can feel even more crushing. I don't want you to go through that. Is it worth risking another year of writing alone, potentially facing more rejection and missing out on the guidance that could transform your manuscript into something that makes your publishing dreams come true? So ask yourself, what is your literary legacy worth? If it's worth more than 1. 50 a day, then maybe it's a good idea for you to check out the Storyteller's Society. And see if we're the right fit. Remember, signing up doesn't require you to make any type of financial payment at all. It's just you saying, Hey, I want to take my writing career seriously. Let's find out if we're the right fit. So this is your chance to join a community that is designed to make your writing your best work ever. Enrollment for Cohort 2 closes on February 28th. However, spots are limited, and I closed early for Cohort 1, I mean days before the actual deadline, just because we filled all the spots we were trying to fill. Don't let another rejection letter or another frustrating writing day hold you back. If you're ready to take your writing to the next level, to be part of a group that's as serious about publishing as you are, join the Storyteller Society today. Click the link in the description, add your name and email address, and I'll reach out with next steps. Remember, the tools, accountability, and industry connections that you need. to invest in your future, and soon, you'll be able to say you're a published author. I truly believe that the Storyteller Society will be the game changer you've been waiting for. The writing journey is hard, but it doesn't have to be lonely or overwhelming. With the right community, the right guidance, and the right network, you can turn your writing dreams into reality. And remember, even if you're not sure Signing up for one month, figuring it out, could be the difference in your writing career. The clock is ticking, enrollment closes soon, and once it's closed, I really don't know if there'll ever be another cohort. So don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your writing and take control of your publishing future. Go down to the description now, and secure your spot before someone else does, and I'll talk to you next week.