Meet the Teaching Artist: 1-on-1 Mentorship for Horror/Thriller Novelists & Screenwriters with Peter Malone Elliott
by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
Peter Malone Elliott is a critically acclaimed horror/thriller novelist and screenwriter whose work has left an indelible mark on the genre, with his latest novel, Blue Ridge, captivating readers since its release in January 2024.
But Peter is not just a master of genre; he is also a seasoned guide for aspiring writers, poised to shepherd the next generation of horror and thriller storytellers through the labyrinthine paths of the publishing and film industries.
Peter’s new 3 Month One-on-One Mentorship for Horror/Thriller Novelists & Screenwriters at WritingWorkshops.com is not for the faint of heart.
This program is meticulously designed to push writers to their limits, helping them to craft the first 15-20k words of their novel or complete the first draft of their screenplay. With a rich background that includes a Best Screenwriting, Motion Picture nomination at the 2022 Leo Awards and a Grand Prize win at the 2018 Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition, Peter brings a wealth of experience and industry savvy to his mentorships.
Born and raised in Virginia, Peter now calls Brooklyn home. Despite his urban surroundings, he carries the essence of the mountains and Southern living close to his heart—a dichotomy that infuses his work with a unique blend of authenticity and suspense. When he’s not engrossed in the intricacies of a new plot or dissecting the elements of a chilling scene, Peter can be found kickboxing, playing soccer, or enjoying a day out in Prospect Park with his beloved pit bull.
In this "Meet the Teaching Artist" feature, we delve into Peter’s journey, his philosophy on mentorship, and what participants can expect from his rigorous yet rewarding program. Aspiring horror and thriller writers, prepare to step into a world where the stakes are high, the deadlines are firm, and the guidance is unparalleled. Welcome to the dark and thrilling universe of Peter Malone Elliott.
Please introduce yourself to our audience.
I’m Peter Malone Elliott, a critically acclaimed horror/thriller novelist and screenwriter, as well as a vastly experienced publishing professional.
Most recently, my novel, Blue Ridge, was released in January 2024 from Level Best Books. Before that, I was a “Best Screenwriting, Motion Picture” nominee at the 2022 Leo Awards and the Grand Prize Winner of the highly prestigious Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition in 2018. Before founding my own business, Fortiter et Recte Literary, I ran Book Pipeline, a highly successful author-discovery platform, from 2019-2023.
Through my meticulous editing and experienced industry knowhow, I have helped writers achieve literary representation, publishing contracts, and long-lasting careers of which they can be proud.
Born and raised in Virginia, I now live in Brooklyn, but still hold the magic of the mountains and Southern living near and dear to my heart. When I’m not writing or editing, you can find me kickboxing, playing soccer, climbing a mountain, or roughhousing with my pit bull in Prospect Park.
What made you want to teach this specific class? Is it something you are focusing on in your own writing practice? Have you noticed a need to focus on this element of craft?
I wanted to teach this class because, while I love working with writers of all genres through my developmental editing business, I most enjoy collaborating with those who write horror/thriller---as that is what I write myself. And I've found in the previous seminars I've done with WritingWorkshops that the attendees are all incredibly motivated, eager to learn, and ready to ACTUALLY get to work---which is not as common as you would think!
Give us a breakdown of how the course is going to go. What can the students expect? What is your favorite part about this class you've dreamed up?
For authors, by the end of our time together, you will come away with:
---15-20k total words completed (3k-5k words each month)
---a compelling yet concise draft of a submission query letter
---a curated list of literary agents to query once your manuscript is complete
For screenwriters, by the end of our time together, you will come away with:
---a completed first draft screenplay (90-110 pages; one Act each month)
---a compelling yet concise draft of a submission query letter
---a curated list of literary managers to query
While I'm looking forward to every single bit of it, if I had to choose one part to be "most excited about," it would be my editorial critique letters of the monthly writing packets. Doing in doc-comments and really diving into the mud to wrestle with the components of your story that are/aren't working is where the magic---and true fun---is.
What was your first literary crush?
How about current? For fiction: SA Cosby; For screenwriting: Taylor Sheridan.
What are you currently reading?
SCORCHED GRACE by Margot Douaihy, ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS by Rob Hart, and THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING by Kimi Cunningham Grant.
How do you choose what you're working on? When do you know it is the next thing you want to write all the way to THE END?
When an idea sticks with me for more than two weeks, that's usually when I know it's worth exploring! But it's when I can concisely distill the essence of the story into a killer logline (for both fiction and a screenplay), that it's truly off to the races.
Where do you find inspiration?
Being raised by a journalist turned NYT best-selling novelist, I don't view writing as an ethereal, magical spectacle where you can only create when inspiration dares to hit. For a hobbyist? That's a fine approach. But if you want to be a genuine professional writer? You need to treat it for what it is: a job. You have to actually show up, put in the proverbial 10,000 hours of work in, and meet your deadlines---even if you're not feeling "up to it" that day.
Besides that though---nothing gives me more joy than discovering the voice of my protagonist. Giving life to him/her/them on the page and turning them into authentic, three-dimensional human beings is an addictive jolt of adrenaline---and one that I will never stop craving.
What is the best piece of writing wisdom you've received that you can pass along to our readers? How did it impact your work? Why has this advice stuck with you?
Don't be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to creating. After all, rules are meant to be broken. Most of my career's biggest successes came from me going against the grain of what was deemed to be the "correct" way of doing things by archaic traditions and hierarchies.
What is your favorite book to recommend on the craft of writing? Why this book?
Studying the film/TV three-act structure in general is invaluable for all novelists---but particularly those writing genre fiction---as it forces you to think economically yet percussively in plot, with brevity yet richness in character development, and utilize show-don't-tell prose.
Bonus question: What’s your teaching vibe?
Creative, collaborative, energetic, and accountability-driven!
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Peter Malone Elliott’s mentorship offers a rare opportunity to learn from a master of horror and thriller writing, combining practical guidance with industry insights that can transform your writing career. Whether you’re looking to complete the first 15-20k words of your novel or finish a screenplay draft, Peter’s program is designed to provide the structure, feedback, and support you need to succeed.
Don’t miss your chance to embark on this thrilling journey with one of the genre’s most compelling voices. Enroll now to secure your spot and start turning your dark ideas into gripping narratives.
