We sit down with thriller author and audiobook narrator JR Mason to unpack how she turns books into fully immersive audio with sound effects, music, and performance level acting. Along the way, we get honest about burnout, reviews, writing from real life, and what it means to build suspense that actually earns the “thriller” label.
• getting into audiobook narration after a layoff and learning production the hard way
• re-recording early work for consistency and upgrading a home recording space
• dual narration versus duet narration and why duet editing takes more time
• performing sex scenes, breath control, and building believable timing
• sound design choices, royalty-free music, and premium audiobook packages
• writing thrillers as a Black author without relying on characters making foolish choices
• pulling characters and scenes from real neighbors, coworkers, and workplace experiences
• dictating novels into a phone, then editing for a conversational voice
• writing specifically for audiobook drama and avoiding audio problem words
• bonus chapters, intrusive thoughts, and making audiobooks feel like an event
• dealing with random one star ratings and the impact of platform drama
• what a thriller must include, especially twists and sustained suspense
I am author underscore Jr. Mason on Instagram and TikTok, and I'm just Jr. Mason on Facebook

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We sit down with author Adrian Thomas to talk about her nine-year writing hiatus, her return to indie publishing, and why Hooked On Onyx hits so hard even when it makes you mad. We unpack dark urban fiction choices, reader expectations like trigger warnings, and the craft behind characters who feel too real.
• stepping back from writing because of procrastination and discouragement after leaving a publisher
• the shift from publisher support to indie self-publishing and learning the new industry
• trigger warnings as a courtesy and how the “new batch of readers” changes book culture
• how Adrian creates characters at random and why King’s obsession drives the story
• nature versus nurture in Onyx’s mindset and how family influence shapes her choices
• jealousy, hidden motives, and side characters that bring comedy and chaos
• writing tropes after the draft rather than chasing tropes on purpose
• mental health themes, drugs, and how trauma can speed up a breakdown
• dramatic endings, cliffhanger reactions, and whether book two is coming
• where to start next with Adrian’s books and what she has coming up
"if you go to my page you'll just you'll see like the forms to submit for the read for the readers and they can win like you know free copies and a gift card as well"

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We sit down with Anna J, Octavia Grant, and Olivia Renee Wallace to unpack Vengeance, a thriller built around a funeral home legacy and a family inheritance that comes with rules, secrets, and consequences. We talk craft, research, and how three distinct writers create a single voice while still keeping the story wild, funny, and grounded.
• how Vengeance is born through community connections and DMs
• why trust matters more than writing sprints for co-authoring
• building character profiles and letting characters drive the plot
• using afterlife narration and flashbacks to reveal motive
• shaping Celine and Solana as intentional opposites
• researching funeral homes, crime details, and realism in thriller fiction
• therapy and writing as a safe outlet for dark ideas
• the meaning behind “Precision Is Key” as a professional code
• real-life experiences with emergency departments, morgues, and funeral work
• upcoming book events, exclusives, and new releases
Be sure to come to the table and give me a hug.

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We sit down with therapist and author Geletta Shavers to unpack the real emotions and ethical choices behind her Dragged Into Darkness books. We talk horror, trauma, bullying, manipulation, and how indie publishing lets her protect her voice while building a supportive author community.
• how a mental health background shapes writing and boundaries around trauma
• what inspires Jasmine’s vengeance arc without depicting sexual assault
• why the victims face a 30-day countdown and what that choice signals
• how the series shifts from horror into psychological thriller territory
• Michael’s obsession, trauma, and the mental health lens behind his behaviour
• the planned future of the series including Joe Evil’s origin and the mother’s final spotlight
• why we choose indie publishing and what we learn about trust, editing, and logistics
• how beta readers and ARC readers strengthen the bullying backstory and character motives
• what Geletta Shavers is building next including The Black Castle horror concept

So you can follow me on Facebook. It’s Geletta Shavers. On Instagram, it is author underscore Geletta underscore one two three. TikTok is at author Geletta Shavers. And also my website is GelettaPShavers.com.

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We talk with erotic romance author Skyline A. Millbow about writing My Kind of Love with heat, consent, and emotional weight after life changed her relationship to romance. We dig into Club Inana, character inspiration, indie publishing lessons, and what it takes to keep writing when the story keeps talking back.
• moving from erotica reader to debut author and choosing erotic romance on purpose
• writing infertility and a hysterectomy without defaulting to pregnancy tropes
• building Club Inana as a consent-centred lifestyle club with clear boundaries
• using research and beta readers for lifestyle and BDSM-adjacent accuracy
• creating Enobi, Bronson, Zeke, and Jody from real experiences and friendships
• shaping trauma scenes through developmental editing and lived grief
• finding editors, ARC readers, and trustworthy collaborators through community
• indie author realities: cover art, marketing, shipping, timelines, and scams
• dealing with platform quirks like Amazon review changes
• upcoming releases The Fall and Where I Sleep plus future ideas like The Eve Gene
Make sure that you guys follow her across all her social media platforms

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Get ready for a literary experience like no other! In this episode of Lex.Btw.TheLines, we’re sitting down with event coordinators Toni Larue and Tanisha Stewart to talk all things Licensed 2 Thrill one of the first-ever events dedicated to celebrating the brilliance of Black authors in thriller, horror, suspense, and speculative fiction.

We’re diving into everything you need to know before you go—from ticket sales and how to secure your spot, to insider details on what attendees can expect over this unforgettable two-day experience. Think powerful panels, meaningful networking, and a chance to connect with some of the most talented voices in the genre.

Whether you’re an avid reader, aspiring writer, or just love a good thrill, this episode is your official guide to why Licensed 2 Thrill is a can’t-miss event.

So go ahead—turn the volume up, get your tickets ready, and prepare to step into a world where suspense meets culture.

Keep turning those pages and your nose in a book. 📚🔥

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We trace Lex’s path from closed-door romance to dark romance and into horror, breaking down why anti-heroes, revenge arcs, and detailed prose changed how we read and review. We trade messy trope confessions, memory hacks for multi-reading, and how BookTok helped us show up on camera with our full voices.

• shifting from soft romance to dark romance, thrillers and horror
• why revenge horror and splatterpunk land on the page
• when spice enhances plot and when it distracts
• favorite tropes including enemies to lovers and secret baby
• reading anywhere with zero shame and some strategy
• DNF rules, mood reading and avoiding “homework” books
• note-taking, highlights and memory systems for multi-reading
• prepping author interviews with catalog deep dives
• BookTok as community, confidence and creative practice
• choosing formats, series styles and favorite narrators

You guys can find her on TikTok and Instagram and on Facebook as Lex Between the Lines. That’s BTW.

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We meet author Anna J, trace her path from urban drama to erotic thriller, and dig into how she builds unforgettable characters like Monica and Dylan. We unpack why representation matters, how warnings protect readers, and what’s coming next in her expanding thriller universe.

• creating the book she wanted to read when no one else was writing it
• designing Monica as a disruptive, cautionary force
• flipping zodiac traits to subvert character expectations
• crafting The Hunt as an erotic thriller with a Black lead
• balancing realism, terror and informed consent with trigger warnings
• using dialect and a glossary for authentic island voices
• co‑writing methods and pushing boundaries in Erotic Snapshots
• side projects including Big Back coloring books and Black‑centric journals
• previewing Copycat, a Morgan prelude and the name to remember, Zanaya
• rebuilding confidence after an eight‑year break and returning gloves off

Follow Anna on Facebook: author Anna J; Instagram: author Anna J; TikTok: scribeatphilly. “Type in Anna J. I’m on the Google, I’m on air.”

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