Author/Showrunner DJ MacHale on Unlocking Stories & Taking Control of Your Writing Career

Join us for a captivating evening with D.J. MacHale, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pendragon series and creator of the cult-favorite TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

From bestselling books to iconic screen moments, D.J. has spent his career crafting stories that resonate across generations. In this exclusive event, he’ll share how he bridges the worlds of publishing and television — revealing the creative decisions, challenges, and unexpected turns that come with telling stories across different mediums. Whether you’re a writer hoping to sharpen your skills or a fan eager for a behind-the-scenes look at your favorite stories, you’ll leave inspired and informed.

D.J. will be joined in conversation by the ISA’s Director of Education, Max Timm, and Scott Markus, who collaborated with DJ for three years on the hit series "Flight 29 Down."

They’ll dive into: 

• The evolution of D.J.’s career and lessons from both the book and TV worlds
• Writing for the screen vs. the page and how to adapt stories across formats
• Crafting compelling plots, building rich worlds, and creating characters that stick
• Why D.J. recently chose the self-publishing route — and what it means for today’s storytellers