COACH + AUTHOR OF THE SCARY AND SUSPENSEFUL
Hi! I’m Sam.
A fan of the scary, mysterious, and suspenseful, Samantha Skal (she/her) is the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the co-founder of Shadows & Secrets Writing Retreats (a series of thriller/mystery focused writing retreats; 2024’s was in Salem, MA’s most haunted hotel), and an Author Accelerator certified book coach who specializes in coaching mystery, thriller and suspense authors from novel planning through the delightful hell that is revision.
An enthusiast of homemade sourdough and cheese of all kinds, Sam writes stories that keep her up at night and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Learn more at www.samanthaskal.com.
Twists are developed via the protagonist’s assumptions of motivations, and are defined as the reveal of the villain’s truth, as told by the protagonist.
Brainstorming twists is my coaching superpower.
I love to educate and believe firmly that story craft can be taught.
Here’s what I’m involved in…
Executive Director of Thrillerfest, International Thriller Writers (ITW)'s annual writing conference.
The Co-Founder of Shadows & Secrets Writing Retreats, a retreat focused on mystery/thriller/suspense authors and transformation at an outline, big-picture level.
The former Co-Director of PitchFest at Thrillerfest, and the former Co-Director of Thrillerfest.
A frequent craft-expert presenter for ProWritingAid
A volunteer mentor for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA).
I specialize in brainstorming twists and reveals, and recently released my first standalone mini-course for blocked thriller writers: Find Your Final Twist.
A guest contributor to Jane Friedman’s blog: janefriedman.com/author/samantha-skal/
View my full presentation resume here: samanthaskal.com/presentation-resume
Author Accelerator is on a mission to raise the bar on book coaching – to help book coaches run successful, sustainable businesses helping writers do their best work.
They have trained and certified more than 100 book coaches** (including me!) through their Book Coach Certification Program.
If you’re interested in doing this dream job, click here to learn more and become a certified book coach yourself.**As a proud affiliate of the book coaching program, I receive an affiliate payment if you use this link.
**As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I am qualified to coach writers using Author Accelerator's strategy, methods, and materials, but I operate independently of Author Accelerator and am not affiliated with them.
I take coaching seriously, so I got certified.
“Your story will be stronger than you could have ever done on your own.
Sam blew me away with her attention to detail. She was able to read my manuscript for the first time and pick out so many elements that needed attention/revision in order for my story to make the most sense -- something I desperately desired!
You will feel more successful and fully inspired. You won't regret a single penny.”
- Trevor Brooks, Author + Book Coach.
“Within a couple of weeks of working with Sam, I made more progress on my manuscript
than I had made in years of working on my own and with writing groups!
She provided me with clear and actionable steps on how I could move forward successfully. It is such an invaluable experience to have someone who knows your book almost as if it is their own.
- Rochelle Sangabriel, Author and Book Coach
I do a free discovery call with every prospective client. We'll hop on a Zoom call for 25-minutes and make sure you get your questions answered, and I learn about your project and writing pain points.
If we mutually determine we're a good fit, we'll talk about moving forward together.
If we're not, I have an extensive network of Coach-friends, all of whom I highly recommend, and I'd be happy to connect.
My biggest goal is that you end up unblocked and with a path forward.