Mortal Path

Dakota Banks Interview

2026-03-06T12:26:00.000-06:00

Quest - Series Conclusion - Kindle Giveaway of 100 copies - Enter Now!

2026-02-28T16:14:00.013-06:00

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Quest

by Dakota Banks

Giveaway ends March 31, 2026.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

An Amazon Review makes a difference

2026-02-26T17:24:00.000-06:00

Thank you for reading QUEST or any other Mortal Path series book. If the Mortal Path series has meant something to you, a brief Amazon review helps other readers discover the story. Even a single sentence makes a difference to authors like me.

You can review QUEST on Amazon here: Kindle, Mass Market Paperback, or Trade Paperback versions. Heartfelt thanks! 💖

An Excellent Trailer for Dark Time: Mortal Path Book One

2026-02-06T19:34:00.001-06:00

Here is an excellent trailer for Dark Time: Mortal Path Book One. It's worth a watch! The Mortal Path series of high stakes action, mythologically based fantasy/thrillers with a strong heroine is now concluded with the release of Quest: Mortal Path Book Four. Quest is available in eBook, mass market paperback, and trade paperback versions from Amazon.

Don't miss the giveaway of 15 signed paperbacks of Quest, the finale of the Mortal Path series. Only a few days left!

2026-01-24T12:03:00.006-06:00

The end of the Goodreads giveaway of 15 signed paperback copies of Quest: Mortal Path Book Four by Dakota Banks is just days away! Open to US and Canadian residents. Quest is the long-awaited finale of an epic urban fantasy/action-packed/romantic/thriller series featuring Maliha Crayne.

She's a 300-year-old assassin who made a deal with a Sumerian demon to save her life from an unjust death sentence.

After centuries of killing at his command, she's turned rogue, now attempting to balance the scale of lives taken with lives saved.

Get your entry in by the deadline, January 28th. Enter here.

Giveaway - 15 Signed Paperbacks of Quest, Mortal Path Series Finale!

2026-01-14T18:46:00.007-06:00

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Quest
Giveaway:
Starts January 16, 2026
Ends January 28, 2026

See giveaway details
at Goodreads.

15 signed paperbacks!
by Dakota Banks

Mythology-based,
Urban fantasy/thriller,
Series finale!
Open to US and Canadian Residents

Enter Giveaway

Mortal Path eBook series giveaway is HERE!

2026-01-02T18:05:00.029-06:00

Last day is Saturday, January 31st - Enter NOW!

Four eBooks. One epic journey.
The Mortal Path series — Dark Time, Sacrifice, Deliverance,
and Quest (series conclusion) — can be yours.

✵ Giveaway starts Saturday, January 3, 2026.
✵ All four Kindle eBooks — FREE.
✵ Enter using this short form.
✵ Entries accepted until Saturday,
January 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
✵ No tricks. Just an amazing reading experience.
✵ No Kindle device? No problem!
Read on any device with the free Kindle app.

FREE - Limited Time - Quest: Mortal Path Book Four Kindle E-Book

2025-12-18T17:02:00.006-06:00

To celebrate the conclusion of the

Mortal Path series, I’m making the

Kindle edition of Quest

free for a few days.

FREE! Quest: Mortal Path Book Four
(Kindle version),

where urban fantasy meets
suspense and ancient mythology,
is free from

Friday 12/19 - Tuesday 12/23, 2025!

Go to https://amzn.to/3KceZXS

Friday - Tuesday,

regular price $3.99 after
Tuesday, 12/23/2025.

The epic, highly anticipated conclusion to the Mortal Path series is here.

Bound by a demonic pact for three centuries, Maliha Crayne has fought relentless battles to protect humanity and her own soul. With the world on the brink of destruction, Maliha races against time to reassemble the Great Lens, an ancient artifact powerful enough to banish the demons threatening the future of humankind forever. Learn more about the rest of the series here.

Perfect for fans of:

Urban Fantasy • Paranormal Romance • Mythological Fantasy • Supernatural Thrillers • Action-Adventure Fantasy • Strong Female Heroes

"Readers who like their paranormal romantic suspense novels to feature nonstop action, twisting plots, and deadly heroines will devour Banks' clever and compelling
Mortal Path series." - Lisa Gardner - #1 New York Times bestselling author

p.s. No Kindle device? No problem! Read on any device (phone, tablet, computer) by going to read.amazon.com after purchasing the e-book.

Enjoy the read -- and thank you for being part of the Mortal Path Journey!
Dakota Banks

Trailers for Quest: Mortal Path Book Four, series conclusion

2025-12-11T12:19:00.021-06:00

Here are two trailers for the Mortal Path series conclusion, Quest.

Turn up the sound to listen.

Conclusion of the Mortal Path series!

2025-11-26T17:28:00.004-06:00

Quest: Mortal Path Book Four

Series Conclusion!

eBook, $3.99, ISBN-13: 979-8232240738
Trade Paperback, $19.99, ISBN-13: 979-8232641849

The epic, heart-stopping conclusion to the Mortal Path series is here.

Bound by a demonic pact for centuries, Maliha Crayne has fought relentless battles

to protect humanity, and her own soul. Now, the final war is at hand.

With the world on the brink of destruction, Maliha races against time to reassemble

the Great Lens, an ancient artifact powerful enough to banish the demons

threatening the future of mankind forever.

From volcanic peaks to the depths of the Underworld, Maliha and her fearless team face:

• Deadly supernatural enemies
• Ancient Sumerian magic
• Brutal betrayals
• And sacrifices that may cost everything

As the final shards of the Lens fall into place, destiny exacts its ultimate price. The fate of

Maliha—and the fate of Earth, hang in the balance.

Will she finally balance the scales of her past… or will ancient demons claim dominion over

the world?

Immerse yourself in a gripping tale of myth, magic, redemption, and relentless action where

courage is tested, loyalty is forged in fire, and love defies even death.

QUEST delivers:
✔ Urban fantasy packed with nonstop action
✔ Supernatural suspense & dark mythology
✔ A fierce, unforgettable female warrior
✔ Martial arts combat & high-stakes missions
✔ Romance woven into epic adventure
✔ A breathtaking, emotional series finale

Perfect for fans of:
Urban Fantasy • Paranormal Romance • Mythological Fantasy •
Supernatural Thrillers • Action-Adventure Fantasy • Strong Female Heroes

The final battle has begun.

Claim your copy of QUEST today and experience the
legendary conclusion to the Mortal Path series.

Full of action, drama, suspense, paranormal thrills, and romance,

Quest has it all.

Find it on Amazon here.

Read an Excerpt Now!

International Thriller Writers Announces 2024 Thriller Award Winners!

2024-06-02T17:30:00.004-05:00

2024 ITW Thriller Award Winners!

During a gala banquet and celebration held on Saturday, June 1st at the Sheraton Times Square in New York City, the International Thriller Writers announced the winners of the 2024 Thriller Awards.

BEST FIRST NOVEL

I.S. Berry – THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW (Atria)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL

Luke Dumas – THE PALEONTOLOGIST (Atria)

BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL

Robert Swartwood – THE KILLING ROOM (Blackstone Publishing)

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Elizabeth Wein – STATELESS (Little, Brown & Co.)

BEST SHORT STORY

Lisa Unger – UNKNOWN CALLER (Amazon Original Stories)

BEST AUDIOBOOK

Gregg Hurwitz – THE LAST ORPHAN (Macmillan); Narrated by Scott Brick

BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL

S.A. Cosby – ALL THE SINNERS BLEED (Flatiron Books)

Congratulations to all the finalists!

Also receiving special recognition during the ThrillerFest XIX Awards Banquet:

·         2024 ThrillerMaster, Tess Gerritsen
·         2024 ThrillerMaster, Dennis Lehane
·         2024 Spotlight Guest, Steph Cha
·         2024 Spotlight Guest, Ruth Ware
·         2024 Silver Bullet Award, Louise Penny
·         2024 Thriller Legend, Audible
·         2024 ThrillerFan, Ayo Onatade

The Board of Directors and members of the International Thriller Writers wish to congratulate all the winners and nominees of the 2024 Thriller Awards.

Special thanks to the Thriller Award judges for their hard work and dedication!

Submissions for the 2025 ITW Thriller Awards will open on June 12, 2024 at https://www.ThrillerWriters.org.

Tosca Lee
ITW Board of Directors, Vice President, Awards

Screenplay wins Best TV Pilot!

2024-03-15T18:13:00.000-05:00

My screenplay "Bound by Blood," adapted from Dark Time, the first book of the Mortal Path book series, is the winner of the BEST TV PILOT award for the first 2024 cycle of the Colossus Film Festival! I move on to the yearly program now, and I have high hopes there.

International Thriller Writers Announces Finalists for Thriller Awards!

2024-03-11T17:57:00.013-05:00

The International Thriller Writers (ITW) is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 Thriller Awards! Learn more about the finalists by clicking the LINKS to their websites below.

ITW is an honorary society of authors, both fiction and nonfiction, who write books broadly classified as “thrillers.” This would include (but isn’t limited to) such subjects as murder mystery, detective, suspense, horror, supernatural, action, espionage, true crime, war, adventure, and myriad similar subject areas.

ITW’s mission is “To bestow recognition and promote the thriller genre at an innovative and superior level for and through our Active members; to provide opportunities for mentoring, education and collegiality among thriller authors and industry professionals; and to grant awards for excellence in the thriller genre.”

One of the main purposes of the organization is to provide a way for successful, bestselling authors to help debut and midlist authors advance their careers. To that end, ITW has designed numerous, effective programs and events which promote debut and midlist writers and their work, sometimes in partnership with bestselling authors. In addition, ITW promotes literacy, gives money to worthy organizations, supports libraries, and advances the genre. Finally, it brings together almost a thousand writers, readers, publishers, editors and agents at its annual conference, ThrillerFest, as well as at CraftFest, a writing workshop program, and PitchFest, where aspiring authors can meet and pitch top literary agents.

Interested in joining ITW? I've been a member for years! Read about membership qualifications and find out how to apply.

Best Hardcover Novel

S.A. Cosby – ALL THE SINNERS BLEED (Flatiron Books)
Robert Dugoni – HER DEADLY GAME (Thomas & Mercer)
J.T. Ellison – IT’S ONE OF US (Harlequin – MIRA Books)
Mick Herron– THE SECRET HOURS (Soho Crime)
Joe Ide – FIXIT (Mulholland Books)
C.J. Tudor – THE DRIFT (Ballantine Books)

Best Audiobook

I.S. Berry – THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW (Simon & Schuster Audio)
Narrated by Pete Simonelli
Gregg Hurwitz – THE LAST ORPHAN (Macmillan)
Narrated by Scott Brick
Freida McFadden – THE HOUSEMAID’S SECRET (Bookouture)
Narrated by Lauryn Allman
James Patterson, Mike Lupica – THE HOUSE OF WOLVES (Hachette Audio)
Narrated by Ellen Archer
Emma Rosenblum – BAD SUMMER PEOPLE (Macmillan)
Narrated by January LaVoy

Best 1^st Novel

I.S. Berry – THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW (Atria)
Amy Chua – THE GOLDEN GATE (Minotaur)
Margot Douaihy – SCORCHED GRACE (Zando)
Kerryn Mayne – LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER (Bantam Books)
Steve Urszenyi – PERFECT SHOT: A THRILLER (Minotaur)

Best Paperback Original Novel

Tracy Clark – HIDE (Thomas & Mercer)
Luke Dumas – THE PALEONTOLOGIST (Atria)
Tess Gerritsen – THE SPY COAST (Thomas & Mercer)
Lisa Gray – TO DIE FOR (Thomas & Mercer)
Johnathan Maberry – CAVE 13: A JOE LEDGER AND ROGUE TEAM INTERNATIONAL NOVEL (St. Martin’s Griffin)
J. Todd Scott – CALL THE DARK (Thomas & Mercer)

Best Short Story

Chris Bohjalian - SLOT MACHINE FEVER DREAMS (Amazon Original Stories)
J.T. Ellison -THESE COLD STRANGERS (Amazon Original Stories)
Smita Harish Jain - AN HONORABLE CHOICE (Wildside Press)
Richard Santos - RUSH HOUR (Akashic Books)
Lisa Unger - UNKNOWN CALLER (Amazon Original Stories)
Stacy Woodson - ONE NIGHT IN 1965 (Down & Out Books)

Best Young Adult Novel

Sorboni Banerjee, Dominique Richardson – RED AS BLOOD (Wolfpack Publishing LLC)
Darcy Coates – WHERE HE CAN’T FIND YOU (Sourcebooks Fire)
Courtney Gould – WHERE ECHOES DIE (Wednesday Books)
Andrea Hannah – WHERE DARKNESS BLOOMS (Wednesday Books)
Elizabeth Wein – STATELESS (Little, Brown & Co.)

Best E-Book Original Novel

Jeff Buick – THE VULTURE FUND (Self-published)
Rona Halsall – THE BIGAMIST (Bookouture)
Matt Phillips – A GOOD RUSH OF BLOOD (RunAmok Books)
Lisa Regan – CLOSE HER EYES (Bookouture)
Robert Swartwood – THE KILLING ROOM (Blackstone Publishing)
Laura Wolfe – THE IN-LAWS (Bookouture)

Mystery Writers of America Announces Nominees for the 78th Annual Edgar® Awards

2024-03-06T18:49:00.046-06:00

Hello everyone! Mystery Writers of America (MWA) announced the nominees for the 2024 Edgar Allan Poe Award, which will be celebrated on May 1, 2024, at the New York Marriot Marquis in Times Square. This year's Edgar Awards Banquet will be in honor of the 215^th birthday of one of the most famous mystery writers in literary history, Edgar Allan Poe. Purchase banquet tickets here.

MWA is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. I'm an Active member. Some 3,000 members who are fiction and non-fiction writers, screen and television writers, publishers, editors, and literary agents have joined MWA. You can join, too - no need to be published, just a supporter of the genre. See Membership Information.

Here is your chance to get to know each of the nominees in their respective categories!

Best Novel

James Lee Burke (Flags on the Bayou)
S.A. Cosby (All the Sinners Bleed)
Jennifer Cody Epstein (The Madwomen of Paris)
Jessica Knoll (Bright Young Women)
Michael Koryta (An Honest Man)
William Kent Krueger (The River We Remember)
Colson Whitehead (Crook Manifesto)

Best 1^st Novel by an American Author

I.S. Berry (The Peacock and the Sparrow)
Amy Chua (The Golden Gate)
Ken Jaworowski (Small Town Sins)
Kristen Loesch (The Last Russian Doll)
Ritu Mukerji (Murder by Degrees)

Best Paperback Original

A.F. Carter (Boomtown)
Tracy Clark (Hide)
Jess Lourey (The Taken Ones)
Jesse Q Sutanto (Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers)
Scott Von Doviak (Lowdown Road)

Best Fact Crime

Kim Cross (In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America’s Child)
Zeke Faux (Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall)
John Glatt (Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders)
Nathan Masters (Crooked: The Roaring '20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal)
Barbara Rae-Venter (I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur DNA Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever)
Joe Sexton (The Lost Sons of Omaha: Two Young Men in an American Tragedy)

Best Critical/Biographical

David Bordwell (Perplexing Plots: Popular Storytelling and the Poetics of Murder)
Max Allan Collins & James L. Traylor (Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction)
Mark Dawidziak (A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe)
Robert Morgan (Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe)
Steven Powell (Love Me Fierce in Danger - The Life of James Ellory)

Best Short Story

Linda Castillo (“Hallowed Ground”)
Heather Graham (“Thriller,” Thriller)
Rob Osler (“Miss Direction,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sept-Oct 2023)
Ian Rankin (“The Rise,” Amazon Original Stories)
Lisa Scottoline (“Pigeon Tony’s Last Stand," Amazon Original Stories)

Best Juvenile

Elizabeth C. Bunce (Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity)
Adrianna Cuevas (The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto)
Lamar Giles (Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp)
Larry Schwarz & Iva-Marie Palmer (The Jules Verne Prophecy)
Claire Swinarski (What Happened to Rachel Riley)

Best Young Adult

April Henry (Girl Forgotten)
Matthew J. Kirby (Star Splitter)
Cameron Kelly Rosenblum (The Sharp Edge of Silence)
Yvonne Woon (My Flawless Life)
Laura Zimmermann (Just Do This One Thing for Me)

Best Television Episode Teleplay

Wyatt Cain & Charlie Peppers (“Time of the Monkey” - Poker Face)
Liz Heldens (“I’m a Pretty Observant Guy” - Will Trent)
Rian Johnson (“Dead Man’s Hand” - Poker Face)
Graham Roland & John Wirth (“Hózhó Náhásdlii” (Beauty is Restored) - Dark Winds)
Nora Zuckerman & Lilla Zuckerman (“Escape from Shit Mountain” - Poker Face)

Additional Awards to be Presented by MWA

Robert L. Fish Memorial Award

Bill Bassman (“Errand for a Neighbor” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Jan-Feb 2023)
Kate Hohl (“The Body in Cell Two” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May-June 2023)
Sean McCluskey (“The Soiled Dove of Shallow Hollow” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Jan-Feb 2023)
Meghan Leigh Paulk (“It’s Half Your Fault” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July-Aug 2023)
Gabriela Stiteler (“Two Hours West of Nothing” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Setp-Oct 2023)

The Simon & Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award

Lina Chern (Play the Fool)
Carol Goodman (The Bones of the Story)
Anastasia Hastings (Of Manners and Murder)
Kate Robards (The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard)
Mary Winters (Murder in Postscript)

The G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award

Samantha Jayne Allen (Hard Rain)
Linda Castillo (An Evil Heart)
Susan Isaacs (Bad, Bad Seymour Brown)
Val McDermid (Past Lying)
Sarah Stewart Taylor (A Stolen Child)

The Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award

Danielle Arceneaux (Glory Be)
Vivien Chien (Misfortune Cookie)
Jennifer J. Chow (Hot Pot Murder)
Patricia Johns (Murder of an Amish Bridegroom)
Mark Waddell (The Body in the Back Garden)

Special Awards

Grand Masters

Ellery Queen Award

Michaela Hamilton, Kensington Books

Bound by Blood Teleplay Scores Again

2023-05-29T18:24:00.003-05:00

Notching another contest win for Bound by Blood, the Mortal Path series pilot teleplay that covers the first part of BOOK ONE: DARK TIME. An especially fun festival that I was invited to attend. Great people! 😍

Logline: A Colonial woman unjustly burned as a witch struggles to reclaim her soul from the ancient Sumerian demon who saved her and used her as his Ageless assassin for over 300 years.

Mortal Path Teleplay Bound by Blood

2023-05-29T16:24:00.000-05:00

Dakota is pleased to announce the latest contest win for the pilot script for the first book in the Mortal Path series, Bound by Blood. 😀

Bound by Blood Teleplay Official Selection

2021-10-18T17:48:00.002-05:00

The Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition chose the teleplay Bound by Blood, adapted from the first book of the Mortal Path series, as an official selection! 😊😊😊

Bound by Blood is an action-thriller TV Pilot with strong mythological elements

in which a Colonial woman unjustly burned as a witch struggles to reclaim

her soul from the Sumerian demon who saved her from the flames and used

her as his Ageless assassin for over 300 years. Adapted from an award-winning

book series by the same author.

Love it!

Dakota

Mortal Path Screenplay wins Best TV Script!

2021-06-10T18:11:00.001-05:00

WINNER!

Feedback Excerpts for "Bound by Blood," TV Pilot Episode for the Mortal Path series:

The concept for Mortal Path is refreshingly original in both its idea and execution. The way history and mythology are merged to together to create a unique story is astonishingly intelligent. There is a near limitless possibility of episodes in each of Susannah’s attempts to save souls.

Susannah is a deep, complex protagonist that has a tragic, yet interesting story. The teaser is an effective of way showing her heightened spiritual sensibilities and how that arouses skepticism in those around her. Despite her moral failings, there are a lot of scenes showing that she has a deep desire to do good, which makes her more likable.

Mortal Path is rich with impressively written emotionally poignant dialogue. One of the strongest aspects of Mortal Path is the vivid way a wide variety of emotional scenes are depicted in the script. The strong concept gives it an exciting amount of market potential. The dynamic nature of the story easily lends itself to serialization. The fact that its already based on an established book series inspires more confidence in producers looking to pick up the series.

Final Comments:

Mortal Path ("Bound by Blood" TV Pilot) is an impressively written pilot that sets up an amazing idea for a series. The characters are easy to empathize with and the writing of the script is emotionally poignant. The level of detail that went into the vivid descriptions is highly impressive.

New Book Trailer!

2019-04-13T17:20:00.001-05:00

I'm pleased to show off the new cinematic book trailer for Dark Time, the first book in the Mortal Path series. I'd love to see Mortal Path as a TV series and I'm working toward that, with a screenplay named "Bound by Blood" as the pilot episode and this trailer to help stir up interest. Maliha's story is captivating and I think it's binge-worthy, too! Wish me luck.

View Trailer

Want a book trailer like this for your own book? Authors, get the highest quality and an unbelievably low price (really) for a cinematic book trailer at Motion Tank! I'm excited about my new trailer and wouldn't think of looking elsewhere in the future. Why not work with this new company founded by a professional producer/composer to launch your book in style? Don't wait, business is going to be brisk at Motion Tank!

Veterans Day in Paris

2018-11-11T16:25:00.002-06:00

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels. Sentinels, all volunteers, are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), headquartered at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Yet Trump didn't want to get wet in a light rain Saturday and stayed warm and dry inside the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Paris rather than honor American soldiers who died in WWI at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Learn about the cemetery in the video below. Then he skipped town on Sunday as the Paris Peace Forum was about to start. The Peace Forum is a global gathering of leaders dedicated to international cooperation and multilateralism.

Our president is, among many other failings, not a patriot.

ThrillerFest XIV - 2019 Best Prices End October 31st

2018-09-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

ThrillerFest XIV - 2019

Early Bird Registration is Open

LOWEST PRICES FOR THE CONFERENCE
END OCTOBER 31ST

The ThrillerFest team proudly announces that the 2019 conference, held at the Grand Hyatt, New York City from July 9-13, 2019, will include:

2019 ThrillerMaster John Sandford

2019 Silver Bullet Award Harlan Coben

2019 Spotlight Guest Lisa Unger

2018 Silver Bullet Award James Rollins

2019 Thriller Legend Margaret Marbury

2019 Thriller Fan Mystery Mike

ConsultFest: New! One-on-one fifteen minute session with a top acquiring editor or agent to get instant feedback on your query letter or first two pages of your manuscript. The writer will be assigned a time during CraftFest or ThrillerFest. Up to two consultations may be purchased when registering for any package.

ATF Pre-Conference Workshop: Presented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Add authenticity to your thrillers! The pre-conference ATF Workshop is a limited attendance event on the day before the main elements of the ThrillerFest conference. Space is limited and has previously sold out quickly. The workshop will be held at the Grand Hyatt.
Master Class: This one-day intensive writing program allows your instructor to focus on your craft and your story. Everyone is welcome, from beginning writers to well-established authors. Teachers for Master Class 2019 include top-selling members of ITW who will work with you in a small class setting. Instructors this year will be Grant Blackwood, David Corbett<, Karen Dionne, Robert Dugoni, Steven James ,D.P. Lyle, Gayle Lynds, Donald Maass, and F. Paul Wilson. Space is limited, so sign up soon.
CraftFest: Learn the craft of thriller writing from the best in the genre! Hone your thriller writing skills on many topics to provide you with the tools needed to take your writing to the next level. Special feature: CareerFest! Now that you've written that sparkling manuscript, where do you go from there? You don't want to miss it!
PitchFest: Face-to-face pitching with fifty-plus top agents and acquiring editors who are actively looking for new thriller writer clients. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity. Purchase an admittance package that includes PitchFest.
ThrillerFest: Spotlight guests, extraordinary programming, author book signings, and camaraderie. Includes the ThrillerFest Grand Opening Reception on Thursday evening, July 11th.
Thriller Awards Banquet: John Sandford will receive his 2019 ThrillerMaster Lifetime Achievement award. 2018 Silver Bullet Award James Rollins will present the 2019 Silver Bullet Award. All Thriller Award Winners will be announced. Fun, entertainment, and before and after cocktail parties!

Register Now!

Win DARK TIME in an Amazon Giveaway

2017-11-18T16:46:00.002-06:00

Win 1 of 50 free ebooks of DARK TIME: Mortal Path Book One by @DakotaBanks! Yes, 50! No purchase needed. Limited time Amazon Giveaway of this supernatural action thriller.

“Sometimes you just need a kick-ass former demon’s slave to tackle life’s problems. Especially one wielding a whip sword….Not to be missed!” – James Rollins

Enter: http://amzn.to/2hAQGSj

Mortal Path Dark Time Ebook on Sale!

2017-11-02T16:02:00.003-05:00

Dark Time

Deliverance

Mortal Path ebooks are selling well lately, so Amazon and B&N surprised me with an ebook sale:

Dark Time $.99

Kindle

B&N Nook Book

Kobo eBook

What if a woman sells her soul to a demon and 300 years later wants it back?

The compelling story of Maliha Crayne begins in the 17th century when she's ripped from her husband's arms and unjustly set afire as a witch. Saved from the flames by a Sumerian demon, she becomes the Black Ghost, his Ageless assassin gifted with otherworldly skills and superbly trained in martial arts. Centuries pass before she finds a way out of the life she hates. Setting her feet on the Mortal Path, Maliha must save as many people as she's killed as the demon's creature, or face his horrible wrath – forever. The odds aren't in her favor.

"A breakneck ride through worlds visible and invisible — who knew the ancient Sumerians were this thrilling?" – Joseph Finder, Top 10 NYT Bestselling Author

"Seductive, sophisticated, and imaginative. Dakota Banks is firing on all cylinders!" - Steve Berry, NYT and #1 Internationally Best Selling Author

"Dark Time has the flavor of an action thriller urban fantasy novel. The historical aspects and ties to Sumerian legends particularly intrigued me. Maliha has the typical earmarks of an urban fantasy heroine—tough and independent—but there is something else to her. As young-looking, agile and into high tech as she may be, Maliha comes across as a much older soul. It's easy to believe she is 300+ years old. And I really liked that about her." – Musings of a Bookish Kitty, about Dark Time

"Fans of the supernatural and dark fantasy will be intrigued by Maliha Crayne and her quest to save her soul." – Publishers Weekly

"Readers who like their paranormal romantic suspense novels to feature nonstop action, twisting plots, and deadly heroines will devour Banks’ clever and compelling Mortal Path series.” – Lisa Gardner, #1 NYT Bestselling Author

"Deliverance is a gut-kick of a read, with non-stop action and as inventive a world as I’ve ever seen. Maliha Crayne, not a character to be trifled with, could give other Urban Fantasy heroines a pointed lesson in real ass-kicking." – Vicki Pettersson, NYT Bestselling Author

Snickers Photobomb

2017-09-19T15:08:00.001-05:00

One of my book stacks with a Snickers photobomb. She's good at this.

Registration Open for ThrillerFest 2018!

2017-09-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

International Thriller Writers Presents

ThrillerFest 2018, July 10-14, in NYC

Early registration is now open with the best rates!

More guests to come - stay tuned!

ATF Pre-Conference Workshop - Presented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Add authenticity to your thrillers!

Master CraftFest - One day intensive writing workshop in a small class setting with bestselling ITW writers.

CraftFest - Hone your writing skills with the experts.

PitchFest - Face-to-face pitching to top agents actively looking for new thriller clients.

ThrillerFest - Guest interviews, extraordinary programming, book signings, and camaraderie.

The Thriller Awards Banquet - Thriller Award winners announced, entertainment, before and after cocktail parties

ThrillerFest is held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. Don't wait - take advantage of early registration rates. Master CraftFest and the ATF Workshop are standalone events, so you can attend those without attending any other part of the conference. PitchFest has to be combined in a package with Master CraftFest, CraftFest, or ThrillerFest; it's not available as a standalone event.

Conference Information: http://thrillerfest.com
Online registration: http://regonline.com/tfxiii