Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Barry Friedman. Barry has been a prominent professional standup comic for decades, but in recent years, he’s started writing. He’s got six books published to date, including his warm and witty series about his father (Jack Sh*t). But he also has a popular humor/political newsletter, and he does…geology writing?

0:00 Opening Thoughts
Bill. Lara, and Jesse make book world predictions for 2025.

7:32 News
1) Deluxe Book Editions Surge in Popularity
2) Arkansas Judge Strikes Down Book-Banning Law

16:21 Craft Corner
Jon Meyers and Emily Brooks, the authors of Write Better Together, discuss the best approaches to narrating your character’s experiences, specifically targeting that old adage you’ve probably heard, “Show don’t tell.” What’s it mean?

19:25 Interview with Barry Friedman
In this hilarious interview, you will learn:
1) how Barry got started in standup comedy;
2) how he transitioned into writing;
3) dealing with grief and death in prose;
4) how his series honors his father; and
5) why he's moving to Portugal.

52:23 Parting Words
Join us for the WriterCon Alaskan Cruise (May 31-June 6, departing from Seattle). We have worked double-hard to find something beautiful but affordable. You’ll get over 20 hours of writing instruction, scheduled when the boat is at sea, not when you’d rather get off and see glaciers. For more info, please visit our website. I’ll leave a link in the show notes. If you have any questions, just email: [email protected].

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Happy holidays! This is our last episode for 2024, but we will be back in January with more news and interviews!

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview DC Frost.

(0:00) Opening Thoughts
Lara and Jesse make New Years resolutions.

(3:26) News
1) Taylor Swift Self-Publishes Eras Tour Book Thru Target. (This segment was recorded before the boo-boo-ridden book was released and dubbed the "Errors Tour Book.")
2) TikTok Expands its Publishing Ventures

(14:25) Craft Corner
Desiree Duffy of Black Chateau and Books That Make You offers suggestions for writers in 2025.

(19:04) DC Frost discusses writing and her books and so muhc more!

(35:47) Parting Words
Bill mentions two Christmas books: his novel, The Midnight Before Christmas and an anthology he edited featuring writers using their series characters in holiday stories, Christmas Tapestry. Lara's holiday offering is Christmas Spirit, the 5th in her Wantland Files series.

Happy holidays!
Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Todd Fahnestock, author of Charlie Fiction and Falling to Fly: The Book to Read Before You Give Up on Your Writing Dream.

(0:00) Opening Thoughts
Bill, Lara, and Jesse discuss books that make great Christmas gifts.

(6:32) News
1) James Patterson Starts a Substack Newsletter
2) John Grisham is Involved in Controversy Over Use of Source Materials

(17:26) Craft Corner with Desiree Duffy
The owner of Black Chateau (terrific book marketing firm) and Books That Make You offers suggestions on what to prioritize when promoting your book.

(20:37) Interview with Todd Fahnestock
Todd is the author of numerous fantasy novels (most recently, Charlie Fiction) and Falling to Fly: The Book to Read Before You Give Up on Your Writing Dreams

(35:25)
Speaking of Substack newsletters, WriterCon has one too, and you can get it for free by subscribing on Substack here.

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Marty Ludlum, author of the new mystery novel, At First I Was Afraid, the first book in his Disco Divas series.

(0:00) Opening Thoughts
Do you listen to music while you write?

(3:34) News
a. Amazon is Shuttering the Vella Program for Serialized Fiction
b. Written Word Media 2024 Survey Reveals Surprises

(15:39) Craft Corner
Lara Bernhardt discusses how and why to add evocative imagery to your work.

(18:02) Interview with Marty Ludlum, author of At First I Was Afraid
In this interview you will learn:
a. why Marty has been working on this book for almost thirty years;
b. where he got the idea for his protagonist, Donna Summer Wyznecki;
c. the importance of the Disco Divas;
d. how he benefitted from a WriterCon cruise; and 
e. why this is the right book to read now.

(37:20) Parting Words
Register now for the WriterCon cruise! The cruise departs from Seattle on May 31 for a week through gorgeous Alaska. Over 20 hours of writing instruction—large group, small group, and private—while the ship is at sea. Prices vary depending upon the roon you choose. For more information, visit www.writercon.com/cruise/ or email [email protected]

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview the #1 New York Times  bestselling author of the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children novels, which have sold over ten million copies and led to Tim Burton’s film adaptation. His new book is Sunderworld, a portal fantasy planned as the first installment in a new series.

Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
Have you ever thought the movie was better than the book?

Chapter 2: News
1) AI Podcasts Have Arrived
2) Audible/ACX Now Allow AI/Human Hybrid Narrators

Chapter 3: Craft Corner
Today's segment is on book marketing by Desiree Duffy, head of Black Chateau and Books That Make You, and longtime friend and sponsor for WriterCon. No one knows more about book marketing than she does.

Chapter 4: Interview with Ransom Riggs
In this interview, the author of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children discusses:
1) how old photos led to a novel;
2) how modern LA led to Sunderworld;
3) how movies and VHS tapes figure in Sunderworld;
4) writing a novel with a series in mind; and 
5) structuring your writing day.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles on writing issues and allows provides the latest on new agents and publisers. Go to Substack.

If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers. 

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Glenn Plaskin, the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, includingHorowitz and Katie Up and Down the Hall, Glenn’s profiles of interview subjects, including Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, and Robert De Niro, have appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times, among many others.  

Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
Everybody loves a good celeb interview...

Chapter 2: News
1) Brandon Sanderson is Opening His Own Bookstore.
2) Romantasy is Going to the Movies.

Chapter 3: Craft Corner
Jon Meyers and Emily Brooks address how to retain authenticity in your writing. Visit their website.

Chapter 4: Interview with Glenn Plaskin

Chapter 5: Parting Words

WriterCon has its own newsletter and you don’t want to miss a single next issue. www.writerconmag.substack.com

If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. Click here.

You can find the video version of these podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@writerconpodcast1307

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Robert Dugoni, the New York Times-bestselling author with a new novel, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, the second in his new legal thriller series featuring Keera Duggan.

Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
Welcome to Season 4! We have great plans to make this the best writer podcast EVER!

Chapter 2: News
1) Book Bars Are Growing in Popularity
2) Anti-Billionaire Books are Surging 

Chapter 3: Craft Corner
Don't Confuse "Stuff Happening" with Conflict
by Lara Bernhardt

Chapter 4: Interview with Robert Dugoni
In this interview, you will learn:
1) how a difficult childhood led to writing;
2) why he's returning to legal thrillers;
3) where his literary novels come from;
4) why he's writing a female protagonist; and
5) what he's learned over the course of more than a dozen bestsellers.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
WriterCon has its own newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles for writerss and news on breaking issues. Learn more.

If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers. Learn more.

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

LIVE FROM WRITERCON 2024! Recorded before a live audience! No cuts, no edits!

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Aprilynne Pike, the #1 NYTimes-bestselling author of Wings and many other novels, and Kimberly Lemming, the USA Today-bestselling author of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon.

Ch apter 1: Opening Thoughts
We are at WriterCon 2024 and loving every minute! Learn what everyone enjoys most about this one-of-a-kindconference.

Chapter 2: News
1) "Freida McFadden" is Now the Bestselling Thriller Author in the US.
2) Amazon (Finally) Adds Identity Verification to KDP.

Chapter 3: Interview with Aprilynne Pike and Kimberly Lemming
We had the rare opportunity to chat with two authors flying high with success in fantasy and "romantasy." (Best quote from Aprilynne: "I was writing romantasy for years before they gave it a cute name.") Gain insights on how they create their bestselling stories, how the business has changed in recent years, and where they see it going in the future.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
Don't miss WriterCon 2025 (OKC, August 30-Sept 3)!

For more updates on WriterCon and the writing world, get the free newsletter: writerconmag.substack.com

For daily updates and news from the WriterCon community, join our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com 
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Bob Saenz, a mutil-talented script writer who will be speaking at WriterCon 2024. Bob works in television and film, including the movies Extracurricular Activities and Help for the Holidays.

WriterCon 2024 (August 30-September 2) is coming soon—but there’s still time to register, sign up for consults, schedule lunch with agents, plan your pitches, and learn from over 70 speakers in over 90 sessions. We have a record number of agents attending. Every genre is covered by multiple agents. Every writing topic is covered by breakout sessions or evening roundtables. Some of the other features at WriterCon include:

• Unlimited pitching at no additional cost
• Lunches with Agents
• Monday MasterClasses!
• One-on-One Consultations
• Free Professional Author Photos
• Lunch Buffet provided by Black Chateau and Plottr
• Coffee and bagels provided by Draft2Digital and Edit.co
• Advance planning through the conference phone app
• Author Book tables
• Open Mic
• Karaoke!
• Swag bags!
• WriterCon is more than just a conference. It’s a family of people eager to support fellow writers and share the knowledge we all need. Register now! www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Aprilynne Pike, the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Wings and many other wondeerful works of YA and romantasy.

WriterCon 2024 (August 30-September 2) is only three weeks away—and there’s still time to register, enter contests, sign up for consults, and plan your pitches. We have a record number of agents attending. Every genre I can think of is covered by multiple agents, so your chances of landing one have never been better. Every topic I can think of (and I can think of a lot) is covered by breakout sessions or evening roundtables. Some of the other features at WriterCon include:

• Unlimited pitching at no additional cost
• Lunches with Agents
• Monday MasterClasses!
• Contests in 9 categories for unpublished work
• One-on-One Consultations
• Free Top-Flight Author Photos
• Lunch Buffet provided by Black Chateau and Plottr
• Advance planning through the conference phone app
• Author Book Sales tables
• Open Mic
• Karaoke!
• Swag bags!
• WriterCon is more than just a conference. It’s a family of people eager to support fellow writers and share the knowledge we all need. Register now! www.writercon.com