• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Marilyn Horowitz

Marilyn Horowitz

Screenwriting Classes, Coaching, and Resources

212-600-1115
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • What is the Word of the Day?
    • Word of the Day Cheat Sheet
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar

Why Go to Thrillerfest?

June 20, 2014 by Marilyn Horowitz

I am a big believer in the power of personal contact, and really agree with Woody Allen that showing up is 80% of the battle. I also am a writer and overcoming my basic desire to stay inside and write is the real war that I fight. Once I actually get off my chair and get there, I am fine, and can even enjoy myself.

I recently forced myself to attend the ASJA conference in New York City, and ended finding the publicist I am going to use for my new novel, The Book of Zev, and the photographer who took the photo for the back cover, Mark Bennington (http://www.benningtonphotography.com/)

So Why Thrillerfest?

Since it seems that BoZ is a thriller, and my new publicist pointed out that since I had never been a thriller writer before, I should get my butt over there and check it out, so that’s what I am doing. But as I said, it’s hard for me, especially if I am not teaching at the event. I have taught at many conferences, mostly screenwriting ones, so at least I have something specific to do. This time I am attending as a student to see what I can learn.

After thinking about all the reasons not to go, I decided after all that it would be foolish not to, and so I am attending for several reasons:

  1. To get a sense of the playing field in this new world.
  2. To pitch my book as a possible movie.
  3. To pitch my upcoming book to try to find a better situation.
  4. To see if I can find some new colleagues to network with – writing is such a lonely business.
  5. To take classes with masters of the genre.

Another reason I am going is to support one of my private students who is writing her first thriller. I convinced her to go in order to pitch her story to the agents and publishers who will be there to see if we can get enough interest to put together a book proposal (look for future blogs on this topic) and maybe get her a deal and an advance before the book is written. While the book is not yet finished, she has a compelling concept and a few chapters that are already written and in decent shape.

Should Screenwriters Attend?

I asked myself, why I as a screenwriter might attend?

Here are a few reasons:

  1. Some of the most successful movies have been adapted from books.
  2. To see if they can hire me to adapt some writer’s thriller into a screenplay.
  3. To learn about the craft of this genre from the best. Suspense transfers to the screenplay form.
  4. Access to literary and film agents who might read a screenplay in this genre.

While Thrillerfest is not cheap, I always feel that investing in your career can never be a mistake. Hope to see you there!

Here’s to your successful and happy writing,

Marilyn Horowitz

Copyright(c)2014 Marilyn Horowitz

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up

for our Screenwriting Newsletter and Receive Our FREE Gift How To Write a Treatment.

Testimonials

Thank you. If it hadn’t been for you Marilyn, I don’t think I would have made the Woodstock film which… Read more “Nancy C.”

I’m very grateful to be able to learn from Marilyn, Her focus on the psychological and spiritual foundations necessary to… Read more ““…grateful to learn from Marilyn””

Marilyn’s techniques helped me stop overthinking and start writing! She gave me exercises to take the pressure off beginning a… Read more “The Word of the Day”

You are always a light. Thank you.

Desiree

“Working with Marilyn Horowitz has challenged every aspect of my creative process from conception to preparation, and most importantly, execution.… Read more “– Larry Lowry”

- Larry Lowry
Writer/Producer, Nickelodeon
View All Testimonials

Television Writing Evaluation & Guidance

Screenwriting Evaluation & Guidance

Classes & Seminars

Footer

Connect

Contact

CLASSES

Contact the office at 212-600-1115

MEDIA & SPEAKING INQUIRIES

Contact Marilyn Horowitz at 212-600-1115

PUBLISHING & FILM INQUIRIES

Contact Koehler Books at 757-289-6006

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • What is the Word of the Day?
    • Word of the Day Cheat Sheet
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar
Copyright © 2023 · Marilyn Horowitz. All rights reserved.