LINWOOD BARCLAY had written several novels by the time he was in his early twenties, but no one wanted to publish them (this may have been because, according to Linwood, they were not all that good). So he decided on a field where he could get paid to write every day. He spent twenty-seven years at Canada’s largest paper, the Toronto Star, the last fifteen as a columnist. But in 2004, with the publication of Bad Move, he finally got to do what he’d always wanted. In 2008, he left the paper to write fiction full-time. Linwood has published more than a dozen novels, which have been translated into nearly thirty languages. They include the best seller No Time for Goodbye and Trust Your Eyes, which has been optioned by Warner Bros. for film. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children. His website is linwoodbarclay.com.
STEVE BERRY is the New York Times and number one internationally best-selling author of nine Cotton Malone adventures, four stand-alone thrillers, and four short story originals. His books have been translated into forty languages with more than seventeen million printed copies in fifty-one countries. History lies at the heart of all of Steve’s novels. It’s his passion, one he shares with his wife, Elizabeth, which led them to create History Matters, a foundation dedicated to historic preservation. Since 2009 Steve and Elizabeth have crossed the country to save endangered historic treasures, raising money via lectures, receptions, galas, luncheons, dinners, and their popular writers’ workshops. He is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries Advisory Board and a founding member of International Thriller Writers — where he served three years as its copresident. For more information on Steve and History Matters, visit steveberry.org.
LEE CHILD has been a television director, union organizer, theater technician, and law student. After being fired, and on the dole, he hatched a harebrained scheme to write a novel, thus saving his family from financial ruin. Killing Floor (1997) was that novel and won worldwide acclaim. The hero first introduced there was Jack Reacher. Seventeen novels later Reacher is a worldwide phenomenon. Millions of copies of those books have been sold in countless languages. In 2012, Tom Cruise brought Reacher to life on the big screen. Lee himself was born in England but now lives in New York City. He likes to say that he leaves the island of Manhattan “only when required to by forces beyond his control.” Visit Lee online at leechild.com.
MICHAEL CONNELLY is the author of twenty-six published novels and a book of nonfiction. He is a former journalist who covered crime and courts for the Los Angeles Times. Eighteen of his novels have featured LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, who debuted in the mystery world in 1992 with The Black Echo. Michael has also written several novels featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller, who debuted in 2005’s The Lincoln Lawyer. More than fifty million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. Two of his novels—Blood Work and The Lincoln Lawyer—have been made into films. Michael was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Florida, and spends much of his time in California where he researches his characters and books. His website is michaelconnelly.com.
JEFFERY DEAVER is a former journalist, folksinger, and lawyer. Now he’s a number one internationally best-selling author, sold in 150 countries and translated into thirty-one languages, with thirty-two novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book to his credit. His The Bodies Left Behind was named 2009 Novel of the Year by International Thriller Writers. He’s also won the Steel Dagger and the Short Story Dagger from the British Crime Writers’ Association and the Nero Wolfe. He’s even entered the world of James Bond, chosen by the Ian Fleming estate to write Carte Blanche (2011), a huge best seller, which also received the Japanese Grand Prix award. Movies are no stranger to him, either. His book A Maiden’s Grave was made into an HBO film starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin. The Bone Collector became a feature release starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. His The Devil’s Teardrop is a Lifetime Network feature film. And, yes, the rumors are true, Jeff did appear as a corrupt reporter on his favorite soap opera, As the World Turns. Jeff was born outside Chicago, has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and a law degree from Fordham University. Learn more about this fascinating writer at jefferydeaver.com.
LINDA FAIRSTEIN spent thirty years as a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. But she is now the author of fifteen New York Times and internationally best-selling Alex Cooper crime novels. She is also the author of a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape. Among her many honors, Linda was awarded the International Thriller Writers’ 2010 Silver Bullet for her work with battered and abused women. You can find out more about Linda at lindafairstein.com.
JOSEPH FINDER is the New York Times best-selling author of ten novels. The Boston Globe called him a “master of the modern thriller.” His first novel, The Moscow Club (1991), was named one of the ten best spy novels of all time. In 2007, his Killer Instinct (2006) was tagged as Best Novel of the Year by International Thriller Writers. He’s also made a successful move into theaters. A major motion picture based on his novel Paranoia, starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, and Liam Hemsworth, was released in 2013. Previously, his novel High Crimes became a hit starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. Joe is a graduate of Yale College and the Harvard Russian Research Center. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. He lives in Boston. Check him out at josephfinder.com.
LISA GARDNER is both a number one New York Times best-selling author and the 2010 winner for Best Hardcover Novel (The Neighbor) from International Thriller Writers. She began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire she took the hint and focused on writing. With sixteen million copies of her books now in print, Lisa’s glad she did. She lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her race car — driving husband, speed-skiing daughter, two extremely barky dogs, and one silly puppy. For the full scoop on Lisa, check out lisagardner.com.
HEATHER GRAHAM is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of over one hundred novels ranging from suspense, paranormal, and historical, to mainstream Christmas fare. She lives in Miami, Florida, which makes for an easy drive down to the Keys where she can indulge her passion for diving. Travel, research, and ballroom dancing also help keep her sane. She is the CEO of Slush Pile Productions, a recording company and production house for various charitable events. Look her up at eheathergraham.com.