Slaying the Craft: Inside the Mind of a Thriller Writer

Crafting Interiority & Twists in Thrillers with Samantha Skal

In this episode, Sabrina Thatcher talks with thriller writer, book coach, and ThrillerFest executive director Samantha Skal for a deep dive into the mechanics behind compelling suspense. They explore why villains should be treated as the heroes of their own stories, how interiority becomes the “connective tissue” that shapes reader experience, and the art of revealing just enough information to create tension without losing momentum. They discuss writing twists, managing exposition, balancing reader expectations, and building characters whose decisions feel emotionally inevitable—even when they seem irrational.

Crafting Historical Crime Fiction with Melanie Anagnos

In this episode of Slaying the Craft, host Sabrina Thatcher sits down with crime novelist Melanie Anagnos to talk about her debut novel Night Swimming, a late-1970s police procedural centered on Jamie, a patrol officer unexpectedly stepping into investigative work. Melanie shares her winding path to publication, her decision to write outside her usual genre, and how embracing discomfort became part of her creative process. She shares how the idea for the novel arrived unexpectedly while working on a completely different project, what it was like writing from a male point of view, and how extensive research—including immersing herself in crime fiction and detective interviews—helped her build authenticity.

Crafting Fiction Through Reality with Adam Plantinga

In this episode, Adam Plantinga joins Sabrina Thatcher for a high-energy deep dive into crafting action-packed, morally grounded thrillers, tracing the evolution of his Kurt Argento series from the over-the-top prison chaos of The Ascent to the mystery-driven expansiveness of Hardtown and Dark Country. Drawing from more than two decades in law enforcement, Plantinga shares how real-world policing, subject-matter expertise, and a commitment to “armoring fiction with reality” shape his stories, while also unpacking the challenges of writing earned twists, balancing violence with moral consequence, and creating a wandering protagonist readers can root for.

Crafting Queer Joy & Murder with Brianna Heath

In this episode, Sabrina Thatcher talks with Brianna Heath about her debut book Robbie McNeil’s Hit List—a genre-bending, queer mystery about lesbian contract killers running a karaoke bar while staging musicals and navigating murder, friendship, and identity. Brianna shares how a joke between friends became a sharp, heartfelt thriller, discusses writing morally gray characters, queer joy without trauma as the central narrative, neurodivergence and craft, and the balance between chaos and structure in storytelling. The episode blends hilarious behind-the-scenes research on “accidental” murders with thoughtful reflections on representation, community, and why sometimes the darkest stories can still feel like a fairy tale.

Crafting High Stakes Adventures with Jack McTavish

In this episode, host Sabrina Thatcher sits down with retired U.S. Army Colonel turned author Jack McTavish to talk about his debut action-adventure novel Royal Diamonds and the long, often humbling road to publication. Drawing on a 36-year military career and a love of high-stakes storytelling, Jack shares how he evolved from writing a shelved romance novel to crafting a fast-paced Caribbean treasure hunt filled with pirates, family legacies, and dangerous secrets. He dives into his writing process—from structuring stories around “commander’s intent” to balancing action with character—along with candid insights on rejection, indie publishing, and learning the craft through persistence. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at building a story (and a writing career) that prioritizes adventure, escapism, and just plain fun.