Bringing culture and suspense together, the third edition of the Thriller Festival will be a highlight of the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), running from November 7 to 10, 2024. This year’s event will provide a unique opportunity for readers to connect with renowned crime and thriller authors from both regional and international backgrounds.
Featuring 14 authors from the Arab world and beyond, the festival, in collaboration with Thriller Festival NY, mirrors the rising global interest in gripping narratives. Through panel discussions, workshops, and book signings, the festival will delve into the cultural significance of crime fiction and the universal fascination with suspense over four immersive days.
The event will be headlined by some of the most prominent voices in thriller writing. Tess Gerritsen, the award-winning author behind hits like The Spy Coast and Gravity, will be one of the key speakers. With 32 novels translated into 40 languages and over 40 million copies sold, Gerritsen is a leading figure in the suspense genre.
Joining her is Isabella Maldonado, the acclaimed author of Fatal Intrusion and A Killer’s Game. With three successful thriller series under her belt, and a fourth co-authored with Jeffery Deaver, Maldonado is a force to be reckoned with in crime fiction.
John J. Nance, known for his 16 New York Times bestsellers, including Final Approach and Why Hospitals Should Fly, will also feature at the festival. Celebrated American author Steph Cha, whose award-winning novels include Your House Will Pay and the Juniper Song trilogy, is also among the international guests.
Other featured authors include Canadian K.J. Howe, known for international bestsellers like Skyjack and The Freedom Broker, and American novelist Kathleen Antrim, whose works such as Capital Offense have earned widespread critical acclaim.
The Arab lineup will be led by Egyptian novelist Ahmed Mourad, whose works, including The Blue Elephant and Diamond Dust, have been successfully adapted into blockbuster films. Mourad’s award-winning debut novel Vertigo has been translated into multiple languages and adapted into a TV series. Joining him will be bestselling Egyptian author Amir Atef, known for works like Emergency and Logarithm, and Yehia Safwat, celebrated for his philosophical thrillers The Notebook of Naout and What the Ashes Concealed.
Panels, Workshops, and Exclusive Book Signings
The festival kicks off on Thursday, November 7, with a panel titled “How to Create a Believable Hero or Villain,” featuring Tess Gerritsen, Saad Abed Al Fahad, and Fayez Al-Qurashi, moderated by Kathleen Antrim. On Friday, November 8, another exciting session, “Book to Film: Bringing Novels to the Screen,” will feature Isabella Maldonado, John J. Nance, and Yehia Safwat, moderated by K.J. Howe.
Ahmed Mourad will lead a three-day workshop on thriller writing from November 8 to 10, while Tess Gerritsen will host a session on November 9, titled “What Makes a Book Thrilling?”
The festival will conclude on Sunday, November 10, with a workshop led by Isabella Maldonado, titled “The Mind of a Serial Killer.” This will be followed by a panel discussion, “Crafting the Perfect Opening for a Thriller,” featuring Steph Cha, Amir Atef, Osman Abed, and Mohammed Al Nasser, moderated by K.J. Howe. Book signings will follow each session, giving readers a chance to meet their favorite authors.
The third edition of the Thriller Festival at SIBF 2024 promises to be an unmissable event for lovers of crime and suspense fiction, offering an engaging exploration of the genre from every angle.
