WriterCon

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Tosca Lee, the award-winning New York Times-bestselling author of many mainstream novels like The Line Between, Biblical novels like The Legend of Sheba, the Books of Mortals series with New York Times-bestseller Ted Dekker, and most recently a historical WWII novel, The Long March Home. She is the recipient of two International Book Awards, Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion, and the ECPA Book of the Year. In addition to the New York Times list, her books have appeared on the IndieBound bestseller list, the Library Journal’s “Best Of” list, and many others.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Burning WriterCon Issues: Will Jesse Sing Karaoke? (and more)

Chapter 2: News
Update: Biden Appoints Supervisor for Book Ban Requests
Update: Amazon Adds AI-generated Review Summaries
Update: Kindlepreneur Adds AI Tool to its book description generator
New Story 1: HarperCollins Bids on Simon & Schuster (with help)
New Story 2: Elizabeth Gilbert Pulls Book After Goodreads Review-Bombing

Chapter 3: Interview with Tosca Lee
In this interview, the author discusses:
1) why she writes without an audience in mind;
2) how she collaborates with other authors;
3) reimagining Biblical characters;
4) planning ahead without restricting yourself; and
5) the benefits of genre-jumping.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
Writing Momentum Has Created a Pre-Conference Video
WriterCon is Sept 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoms City at the Renaissance Waterford, with more than sixty presenters like Tosca Lee, as well as contests, critiques, consultation, classes, plus fun stuff like Open Mic, evening roundtables, and karaoke night. For more info, visit our website: www.writercon.com.

William Bernhard
twww.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Janet Yeager, whose debut novel, Brothers by Honor, has just been released. The book launches a series—the Lakeshore Stories—set in Montana and Oklahoma.

Chapter 1: Introduction
WriterCon is fast approaching—September 1-4, 2023. Take this chance to gain the knowledge you need to advance your writing career. www.writercon.com

Chapter 2: News
1) Amazon Changes Rules on Selecting Book Categories
2) Mary Trump and Jean Carroll Are Writing a Novel!

Chapter 3: Interview with Janet Yeager
In this interview, Yeager explains:
1) how to start your first novel;
2) how to build a writing career;
3) how to find your first publisher;
4) the importance of writing from the heart; and
5) why writing matters in these troubled times.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
WriterCon takes place September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than seventy presenters scheduled, plus a sensational roster of agents, plus movie/tv agents, editors, publishers, and much more. Every year we’ve successfully helped writers find agents, but this year we’re doubling down on innovation, finding new ways to connect writers to agents. For more info, visit our website, www.writercon.com.

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

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Andrew Kooman, a Canadian author who writes for the page, stage, and screen. His writing has been translated into more than 10 languages and published around the world. His stage plays have been produced across Canada and the United States, including Off-Broadway in New York City. His critically acclaimed play She Has A Name became a feature film from Unveil Studios and his most recent book is Popcorn Helmet.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Father's Day and WriterCon webinars
www.writercon.com

Chapter 2: News/Focus on Book Banning
1) LGBTQ Book Sales Rise Despite Book Banning
2) Washington Post Article Suggests 11 People Make Most Book Banning Requests

Chapter 3: Interview with Andrew Kooman
In this interview, Kooman discusses:
a) writing for the stage;
b) the thrill of seeing your words brought to life;
c) how his play became a movie;
d) how he got into children's books; and
e) the challenge of dealing with controversial and heartbreaking events.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
Last Call for the WriterCon Small-Group Retreat, July 19-23 in Branson
WriterCon (the writers conference) is Labor Day weekend (Sept 1-4) in OKC
www.writercon.com

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

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Justine Barron. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, NPR, and on stages across the country. Her investigative stories have been picked up by national news outlets. And she has pursued her longtime interest in justice by investigating and writing about the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore police custody. She has written a new book about it called "They Killed Freddie Gray: The Anatomy of a Police Brutality Cover-Up" which will be released later this year.

Chapter 1: Introduction
WriterCon Small-Group Retreat in Branson, Missouri
WriterCon Writers Conference in OKC Sept 1-4
www.writercon.com

Chapter 2: News
1) Update on "Grief Author" Arrested for Homicide
2) Taylor Swift Spurs Pre-Orders for Mystery Book
3) Reports of Unprofessional Conduct at New Leaf Lit Agency

Chapter 3: Interview with Justine Barron
In this interview, you will learn:
1) how she distinguishes journalism in short forms and books;
2) best research procedures;
3) tackling controversial subjects;
4) working with law enforcement; and
5) the challenges of writing about current events.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
WriterCon is September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than sixty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, publishers, and much more. Every year we’ve successfully helped writers find agents, but this year we’re doubling down on innovation, creating new ways to connect writers to agents. And if you register now, you can take advantage of the Early Bird prices. For more info, visit our website, writercon.com.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Susan Meissner. Susan is this year's Friday keynote speaker at WriterCon. She’s a USA Today-bestselling novelist with more than three-quarters of a million books in readers’ hands and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed and award-winning works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Booklist’s Top Ten, Book of the Month, and Amazon Editors’ Pick. Her newest title is Only the Beautiful, which concerns a young mother’s fight to keep her daughter set against the backdrop of WWII.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Gretting Ready for WriterCon
The conference schedule is now on the website so you can check it out and see if there’s anything that might help you get where you want to go with your writing career. And after you’ve reviewed the schedule, check out the list of Speakers. We have more writers, more agents, more publishers, more providing services to authors than we have ever had before. www.writercon.com

Chapter 2: News
1) Woman Who Penned Grief Book for Kids is Charged with Her Husband’s Murder
2) TikTok Parent Files Trademark for New Publishing Venture

Chapter 3: Interview
In this interview, Susan Meissner will discuss:
1) why reading is essential to writing
2) finding women's stories in history
3) efficient research
4) getting to the emotional heart of relationship, and
5) what she's doing at WriterCon!

CHATPER 4: Parting Words
WriterCon. That’s September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than sixty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, and publishers and much more. Join us! www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Nancy Crochiere, author of the new novel Graceland. For thirteen years, Nancy has delighted readers with her humorous and relatable account of family life in her newspaper column, The Mother Load. Now she’s making her fiction debut with a charming, big-hearted novel about a single mom forced to chase her Elvis-obsessed mother and pink-haired daughter to Memphis to prevent them from revealing…her long-held secret.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Remembering Moms

Chapter 2: News: AI Spotlight
a) Harper Collins Will Use AI in NYC Publishing
b) AI Programs Assimilate Your Webpage, and
c) Author Pubs (and Sells) 40 Books Generated by AI

Chapter 3: Interview with Nancy Crochiere
In this interview, she discusses:
a) the joy of eccentric characters,
b) the joy of courting controversy,
c) the joy of outlining,
d) the joy of a regular writing schedule, and
e) the critical importance of perseverance.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
WriterCon is September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. If you're a writer, aspiring or published, or you know someone who is, this is where you need to be. WriterCon will feature:

• 3 NEW YORK TIMES-BESTSELLING Authors!!!

• 50+ successful writers talking about their art and craft

• 8 top-of-the-line agents who have actully sold books and made great deals for their writers

• 18 excellent publishers with pro-level distribution and sales

• 20+ people providing services for authors and keeping you up-to-date on the latest book-world developments

• Prizes, games, booksignings, swag, Book Expo, PitchFest, First-Page Panel, karaoke, snacks, signings, Lunch with the Stars, mentoring, manuscript critiques, scholarships, contests, merch, Open Mic, evening roundtable chats, AND SO MUCH MORE!

Come join us and take your writing career to the next level!!!
www.writercon.com



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 Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Amy Brewer, senior literary agent at Metamorphosis Literary Agency, a top-flight company with an amazing client list.

Chapter 1: 'Tis the Season (for Graduations)

Chapter 2: News
a) James Patterson Sells 100 Million Print Books;
b) Barnes & Noble Announces Significant Decrease in Returns; and
c) Warner Brothers Announces New Harry Potter TV Series.

Chapter 3: Interview with Amy Brewer
Amy Brewer wears many hats every day, from literary agent at Metamorphosis Literary Agency, to co-author of the Texting Prince Charming series, to social media manager, to yoga teacher. She graduated from Culver-Stockton College with a theater degree because drama, romance, and angst are lifelong passions. Her intuitive human understanding can help other writers bridge the communication gap and jump into the publishing world. Amy's experience in the mental health field and yoga training help her guide and assist clients with stress and anxiety in this highly competitive industry.

In this interview, you will learn:
1) the importance of understanding how modern publishing works;
2) why you should follow your passions;
3) how to reduce the stressful parts of writing;
4) what an agent can do for you;
5) what agents are looking for; and
6) the primary reasons writers don't get published.

For more information about Amy Brewer and Metamorphosis Literary Agency, visit: https://www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com

Chapter 4: Parting Words
We have a five-day writing retreat (July 19-23) in Branson, Missouri, and there is still space available!

The large-group conference, WriterCon, is September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than sixty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, and publishers, and editors, and much more. And if you register now, you can take advantage of the Early Bird prices.

For more info, visit our website, writercon.com.

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 Cary Herwig, the author of many published books, including most recently her Army Brat Hauntings series. The second installment, The World Ends at the River, has just been published.

Chapter 1: Introduction
I organized the WriterCon Cruise! Why did Jesse get a robe and I didn't?

Chapter 2: News
1) James Patterson Angry at NYT Bestseller List
2) Agents Are Looking for Romance
3) Mass Firings at Hachette and Severance Packages at Harper
4) Draft2Digital Adds Print Production & Distribution

Chapter 3: Interview
In this informal chat, Cary Herwig will discuss:
1) why she turned to young adult fiction;
2) where the "Army Brat" idea came from;
3) the appeal of ghost stories;
4) why she's a pantser; and
5) how to sustain a long-term writing career.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
The 2023 Cruise is over but you can still register for the WriterCon Conference. That’s September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than sixty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, and publishers and much more. Every year we’ve successfully helped writers find agents, but this year we’re doubling down on innovation, finding new ways to connect writers to agents. And if you register now, you can take advantage of the Early Bird prices. For more info: www.writercon.com

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 Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Alisa Lynn Valdes, author of The Dirty Girls Social Club and Hollow Beasts.

Chapter 1: Introduction
How a writing cruise could change your life.

Chapter 2: News
1) James Patterson Banned in Florida
2) Publishing Exec Who Stole Manuscripts Pleads Guilty
3) WGA Wants AI to be Allowed to Write Screenplays
4) A TikTok Ban Would Hurt Many Authors

Chapter 3: Interview
Alisa Lynn Valdés is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist and a former staff writer for both The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe. With more than one million books in print in eleven languages, she was included on Time’s list of the twenty-five most influential Hispanics and was a Latina woman of the year as well as an Entertainment Weekly breakout literary star. She is the author of many novels, including The Dirty Girls Social Club and most recently, Hollow Beasts.

In this interview, she will discuss:
1) why she started a mystery series;
2) how she journeyed from journalism to fiction;
3) why she took a ten-year break from writing;
4) the role of setting; and
5) how she gravitated toward outlining.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
We’re taking registrations for the WriterCon small-group retreat, which is July 19-23 at the Stone Castle Convention Center in Branson MO. This is five days of intensive work with no more than eight writers, involving teaching, editing, feedback, and mentoring—and maybe some fun, too. Space is obviously limited, so register today. www.writercon.com/retreat

And after the small-group retreat comes the large-group conference, WriterCon. That’s September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend) in Oklahoma City. We have more than sixty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, and publishers and much more. And if you register now, you can take advantage of the Early Bird prices. Adding new features to improve pitching and adding a Monday ReaderCon. www.writercon.com

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 Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Cheryl McKay, who wrote the screenplay for the James Garner film The Ultimate Gift, based on Jim Stovall’s novel. The Ultimate Gift won a Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival, received three MovieGuide Nominations, and was named one of the Ten Best Family Films of 2007. She’s also written How to Adapt Scripts Into Novels (with Rene Gutteridge).

Chapter 1: Introduction
What Writers Do for April Fools

Chapter 2: News
1) Bowker Reports Huge Increase in eBooks
2) AI Programs Enter the Writing World
3) Roald Dahl is Being Edited/Altered/Censored

Chapter 3: Interview with Cheryl McKay
In this interview, Cheryl discusses:
1) the difference between an original vs. an adapted screenplay;
2) the tricks you must know for writing screenplays;
3) breaking into the screenplay market;
4) writing characters who pop;
5) seeing the big picture; and
6) writing nonfiction about fiction.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
We’re taking registrations for the WriterCon small-group retreat, which is July 19-23 at the Stone Castle Convention Center in Branson MO. This is five days of intensive work with no more than eight writers, involving teaching, editing, feedback, and mentoring—and maybe some fun, too. Space is obviously limited, so register today. www.writercon.com/retreat/

And after the small-group retreat comes the large-group conference, WriterCon. That’s September 1-4 (Labor Day weekend in Oklahoma City. We have more than fifty presenters lined up, plus the best roster of agents we’ve ever had, including movie/tv agents, and publishers and much more. And if you register now, you can take advantage of the Early Bird prices. For more info, visit our website, www.writercon.com

And if you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

And to subscribe to the free WriterCon e-newsletter, send me an email or sign up at my website: [email protected] and www.williambernhardt.comIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe, then rate or review it wherever you get podcasts. It does make it easier for new listeners to discover us.

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