WriterCon

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews John Lescroart, New York Times-bestselling author of The 13th Juror and many other spellbinding thrillers.

Chapter 1: Introduction
This podcast is now recorded live, then distributed as both a video (on YouTube) and an audio podcast. Subscribe to the William Bernhardt YouTube channel so you'll be alerted when a new video is recorded or uploaded.

Consider attending WriterCon this Labor Day weekend, or streaming the writers conference from home. For more information, visit: www.writercon.org

Chapter 2: News
a) The new Copyright Small Claims Court has a website. https://copyright.gov/about/small-claims/
b) Podium Audio is looking for self-published books that could become audiobooks. https://podiumaudio.com
c) Mark Dawson has launched a new book promotion service. https://hellobooks.com/authors
d) Open AI's GPT-3 beta allows authors to test an AI that can write complete sentences based on your ideas. https://openai.com
e) Bookchain allows authors to convert their work into NFTs and publish on the Ethereum blockchain. https://www.bookchain.ca
f) Takeaway quote from the Int'l Publishing Forum: "Books see people through hard times."

Chapter 3: Interview
Bernhardt interviews bestselling author John Lescroart. Your will learn:

How to write a novel
How Lescroart financed his writing before he broke out
When to quit your day job
How to use your hobbies to become a better writer
How the book industry has changed most.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
Visit the WriterCon website and see if this conference could give you the knowledge and opportunities you need to advance your writing ambitions: www.writercon.org

For more info about William Bernhardt, visit: www.williambernhardt.com

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books and interviews David Morrell, "Rambo's daddy," author of First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, and many other bestselling thrillers.

Chapter 1: Introduction
We are now live-streaming the recording of this podcast. Subscribe to the William Bernhardt channel on YouTube or the William Bernhardt Author page on Facebook so you will be notified when each livestream takes place. The livestream will contain a longer interview and other special features.

Chapter 2: News
a) Harper Collins adds a new imprint for women's and historical fiction;
b) Astra Publishing House launches a new literary journal;
c) Findaway Voices launches a report on audiobook use based upon APA data; and
d) The Panorama Project releases a controversial report on book sales.

Chapter 3: Interview
David Morrell created the character John Rambo for his novel First Blood. He has also written The Brotherhood of the Rose and many other novels spanning his amazing forty-year career.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
Please rate and review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
To watch the video version of this podcast, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBwxLgoFEY&t=25s

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Nathan Bransford, author of How to Write a Novel and professional writing coach.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Starting with the next episode, the Red Sneaker Writers podcast adds a video edition!
Check out the new WriterCon website: www.writercon.org

Chapter 2: News
a) Amazon allows you to nominate your book for special Kindle Deals.
b) Morals clauses are popular in contracts with traditional publishers.
c) Census Bureau data suggests bookstore sales plummeted in 2020.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt offers suggestions on how to find the literary agent you want—and agents you definitely want to avoid.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Nathan Bransford, author, former agent, and writing coach about how writers can choose the best path to publication.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Consider attending WriterCon this year, either live or by streaming: www.writercon.org

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Steven James, author of the critically acclaimed Bowers Files series of psychological thrillers.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Final Verdict is still #1!
WriterCon has a new website! Check it out: www.writercon.org

Chapter 2: News
a) Spotify plunges into podcasts and audiobooks.
b) Authors Guild opposes acquisition of Simon & Schuster.
c) Books sales decline for schools and libraries.
d) CASE Act is now law.
e) PPE Loans may be available for self-pub authors.
f) Ilona Andrews explains the advantages of self-publishing.
g) Barnes & Noble raises royalty rates to compete with Amazon and Apple.
h) They read so much fan fiction they crashed the website!

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
The first page and first paragraph of your manuscript are the most important. Bernhardt offers tips on how to use those pages to engage the reader.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Steven James, the author of more than thirty novels, including Opening Moves and other psychological thrillers.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Have you read Final Verdict? Is this the year you attend WriterCon?

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews David Gaughran, book marketing expert and author of Amazon Decoded.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Two great new books on sale:
Final Verdict (Daniel Pike Legal Thriller #6) by William Bernhardt
The Jaguar Queen (Veritas Codex Paranormal Thriller #2) by Betsey Kulakowski

Chapter 2: News
a) Publishers Weekly creates a new virtual book show.
b) Josh Hawley finds a new publisher—distributed by Simon & Schuster.
c) Publishers Marketplace reports that book deals increased in 2020.
d) Ebook customers file antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.
e) The new President and VP star in their own comic books.
f) Braydon Harrington and Amanda Gorman (Inaugural Poet) have books forthcoming.
g) Call the Poetry Hotline!

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Every author needs a good editor, and until the end of January, one of the best editors, Alicia Dean, is offering a great sale—only $200 for a content or developmental edit of the entire manuscript. Email [email protected] for details.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt talks to David Gaughran, author of a new edition of Amazon Decoded, on how writers can maximize their book sales in the current marketplace.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Keep writing!

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Liz Berry, publisher of 1001 Dark Nights and Blue Box Press, about book branding and marketing.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Bernhardt reminds you that in tumultuous times, people turn to books for solace and wisdom. So keep writing.

Chapter 2: News
a) Simon & Schuster cancels Josh Hawley's forthcoming book.
b) Print book sales from retail outlets reportedly increased by 12% in 2020.
c) Audiobooks and podcasts are being eyed by major companies, providing opportunity to writers.
d) Works first published in 1925 enter the public domain.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt offers three questions to help you focus on what you should write in 2021, and how you should aspire to publish it.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Liz Berry, publisher and marketing expert, about how to build your brand and most effectively market your books.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Please rate or review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Steve Berry, New York Times-bestselling author of The Warsaw Protocol and many other historical thrillers featuring series character Cotton Malone.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Final Verdict (Daniel Pike #6) can now be pre-ordered.
Send me your suggestions for the podcast, WriterCon, or the WriterCon website: [email protected].

Chapter 2: News
a) Unpublished manuscripts are being hijacked by an unknown source.
b) The CASE Act creates a small claims court for copyright cases.
c) Portrait of 2020: Book sales are up, Amazon is soaring, but independent bookstores are hurting.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Popular fiction novels can reference the real world and engage with the issues of the day, but avoid being preachy and let your protagonist's actions set an example.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews bestselling author Steve Berry about the creation of one of the most successful series characters of the modern era.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Make your New Years Day resolution to write every day (or as close as possible)!

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews William Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of the Peter Fallon historical thrillers, including Bound for Gold.

Chapter 1: Intro
This episode was recorded during the first-ever Red Sneaker online writing workshop, which has been a tremendous success.

Chapter 2: News
a) ABA announces that it will discontinue its annual trade show, BookExpo.
b) Critics and commentators weigh in on the sale of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House.
c) Barnes & Noble fires a third of its staff.
d) Amazon Publishing is talking to DPLA, which distributes books to libraries.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Some of the participants in the online Red Sneaker writing workshop share what they've learned.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt talks to William Martin, the New York Times-bestselling author best known for his historical thrillers about how he mines history and incorporates it into his bestselling books.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
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Keep Writing!

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Lauren Turow, Head of Growth at Lately AI.

Chapter 1:Introduction
Last Chance to register for Bernhardt's Online Writing Workshop, Dec 9-13. Info: www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Chapter 2: News:
a) Bertelsmann (owner of Penguin Random House) will buy Simon & Schuster for $2.2 billion.
b) Barack Obama’s memoir posts the largest first-day sales for any book published by Penguin Random House.
c) Due to the complaints from authors, ACX has changed its payment policy for returned audiobook titles.
d) Binge Books launches a book discovery site for fiction.
e) Ebook distributor Draft2Digital announces payment splitting.
f) Audiobooks can now be delivered through BookFunnel.
g) Elephind is a free resource for researching historical newspapers online.
h) James Patterson was the decade’s bestselling author.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips:
Take advantage of the new features available on your Amazon Author Central page.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Lauren Turow, the Head of Growth for Lately AI, a service that helps authors maximize their social media presence.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
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Attend the Online Writing Workshop!
And until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews J.A. Ludwig, author of the high fantasy novel Bloodfall Arena.

Chapter 1: Introduction
We have power again! I'm back in the recording studio!

Chapter 2: News
a) Amazon allows publishers and authors input on their series pages.
b) ACX claims production delays are due to large numbers of low-quality submissions.
c) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is for sale.
d) Kindle Owners Lending Library is ending.
e) UK publishers are putting major authors into Kindle Unlimited.
f) Penguin Random House parent company buys Quad printing operations.
g) According to a new study, literary fiction and popular fiction affect the brain differently.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt discusses the challenges of adding diversity and inclusion to your writing and how to do it the right way—to improve your book, rather than simply making token gestures.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews J.A. Ludwig, author of the Blood Magic high fantasy series, which leads with the novel Bloodfall Arena. She discusses her path to becoming a writer and what she has learned along the way.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Please rate this podcast or leave a review!

Join William Bernhardt for his five-day online writing workshop. Get direct feedback on your manuscript. Get the answers you need to succeed. For more info, visit: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats