Mastering the Dark Side: Essential Sessions for Thriller Writers at Killer Nashville 2025

Calling all crime and thriller fans—writers, readers, and curious minds—these sessions are designed with you in mind.

Are you ready to take your crime fiction to the next level? This year at Killer Nashville, we’re thrilled to present two sessions designed to sharpen your storytelling, deepen your characters, and bring gritty authenticity to every page.

Ever wondered what it really takes to go undercover? Forget the Hollywood clichés—this session pulls back the curtain on the true logistics, risks, and psychological tolls faced by those who live double lives. We’ll show you how to infuse your writing with the details that make readers feel the tension and danger of undercover work. Whether you’re penning your first thriller or your tenth, you’ll walk away with practical insights and inspiration to make your stories leap off the page.

Crime fiction isn’t just about solving puzzles—it’s about confronting the gray areas where right and wrong blur. In this session, we’ll explore how ethical dilemmas can drive your plots, challenge your characters, and leave your readers breathless. Learn how to craft moments that force your protagonists—and your audience—to question what they would do when the stakes are life and death.

Save the Date:

Mark your calendar for Killer Nashville 2025! August 21-24.

Spread the word! Share this blog post and our newly updated website with your fellow thriller enthusiasts. The more, the merrier in our community of suspense lovers! Here's to many more spine-tingling adventures together!

Stay thrilled,

Chris Berg and Paul James Smith

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