the society

Shadows & Secrets: The Society is a membership for mystery, thriller, suspense, and horror authors who are looking for a community of like-minded writers, as well as coaching, craft instruction, and more!

The Society launched on April 15, 2025.

Ready to apply? Click the button below to be taken to The Society application.
We review applications on a rolling basis.

the Details

Shadows & Secrets: The Society is the writing community that Sam and Kerry wanted to join, so they built it! (Sound familiar?)

  • Where: Online, via our private community. (We’re leveraging the Heartbeat app, if you’re curious.)

  • What/Who: Just like our retreats, the Society is a place for serious mystery, thriller, suspense, and horror authors:

    • All experience levels are welcome.

    • Whether you are noodling on an idea, drafting, in revision hell, or prepping to pitch or self-publish your manuscript, we’re here to help you take the next step(s) in your writing journey.

    • Adult and YA are the best fit. As Sam and Kerry focus on adult fiction, if you’re writing a kid-lit or MG novel, this may not be the place for you, but you are welcome to check us out! Just know that there is age-level expertise that we don’t have.

    • Sub-and cross-genres welcome (i.e., historical, Sci-Fi, fantasy, romance, etc.)

  • What You Get

    • A pre-vetted community of like-minded writers who are all speaking the same language—if you’ve ever been coached by Sam or Kerry, you know what we’re talking about! This is also a monitored and moderated safe space for MTS writers. Just like at our retreats, we are wildly inclusive and very serious about building and maintaining a place for everyone to feel welcome. Our ‘No jerks :-)’ policy is in full effect.

    • Monthly hot seat coaching sessions (first come, first served) with Sam and Kerry

    • Live “Deep Dive” recordings (Sam and Kerry deconstruct our favorite thrillers) with Q+A sessions after the main discussion, exclusively for Society members

    • Free access to the Shadows & Secrets webinar library and free entrance to all paid webinar events

    • Semi-monthly co-writing sessions

  • Investment: $49/month USD or $490/year

  • Already stoked and ready to join? Fill out the application by clicking here. The Society’s virtual doors open on April 15, 2025; you won’t be charged until then. 

  • Want to learn more? Sign up for our email list here, or at the bottom of this page. We do occasional public webinars and events where we discuss The Society and The Retreats.

The Shadows & Secrets society is now open.

To join, click the button below to fill out the short application, and if you’re a good fit, Sam and Kerry will invite you to join.

Get on the list!

Join our exclusive Shadows and Secrets email list to be the first to learn about free related writing webinars and deconstruction of a few of our favorite well-known thrillers to understand how they tick.