WriterCon

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Randy Varnell, video game designer and writer at Gearbox.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) Sales reports for traditional publishing in 2019 show double-digit declines
b) Mike Shatzhin reports that traditional pub new titles sell low numbers
c) Oprah Book Club choice stirs controversy
d) SF pub yanks story after LGBTQ+ controversy
e) Avon launches LGBTQ+ line
f) RWA leaders cancel awards and resign in midst of controversy
g) Audible settles lawsuit regarding Captions

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt recommends the MSWishlist website and Twitter streams for writers interested in what prominent agents want, and also suggests developing a large and appealing premise for your work before you start writing it.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Randy Varnell about the importance of storytelling to a successful video game.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
The next podcast will be recorded during the WriterCon Cruise.

The latest book in the Red Sneaker Writers Book Series, What Writers Need to Know, is on sale now.

Contact info:
www.williambernhardt.com
[email protected]

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the author of nineteen successful young adult novels.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) Writer Beware offers warnings about scams targeting aspiring writers.
b) New report offers insight on Amazon's market share.
c) Findaway Voices report suggests advantages to marketing "wide."
d) Can you buy your way onto the New York Times bestseller list? Yes.
e) Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing was the top-selling book on 2019.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt discusses the furor arising at Romance Writers of America from a member's online accusation of racism--and how all Red Sneaker Writers should protect themselves so this doesn't happen.

Chapter 4: Interview
Bernhardt interviews Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the author of nineteen young adult novels, about what works in YA, what she sees in the future of YA, and how to write a YA novels that appeals to adult readers as well.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
The latest book in the Red Sneaker Writers Book Series, What Writers Need to Know, is now available for pre-order at Amazon and other online booksellers.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews USA Today-bestselling romance author Lauren Smith.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) 2019 sales are down in brick-and-mortar bookstores.
b) Bertelsmann buys out Pearson to control Random House.
c) Random House president makes forecasts for 2020.
d) BookBub offers free Book Marketing 101.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt discusses the most important takeaways from 2019 and how writers can put them to use in 2020. Amazon, advertising, audiobooks, series characters, and much more.

Chapter 4: Interview with Lauren Smith
Bernhardt interviews bestselling romance author Lauren Smith about the key elements of a successful romance, how to write a compelling sex scene, and how she built her huge fanbase.

Chapter 5: Parting Words

The next book in the Red Sneaker series is What Writers Need to Know: Essential Topics, which can be ordered now: https://amazon.com/What-Writers-Need-Know-Essential-ebook/dp/B0838NMFNM/

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews Barry Friedman, comic and author of Four Days and a Year Later.

Chapters

1) Introduction. Trial By Blood, the third book in William Bernhardt's Daniel Pike legal thriller series, will be released on December 17, 2019.

2) News
a) Could the Big Five become the Big Four? Simon & Schuster may be sold.
b) Another foolhardy attempt to trademark a common word.
c) Amazon is now the #3 ad platform in the US.
d) One analyst predicts audiobook sales will soon overtake eBook and print sales.
e) Stuck in your outline? Try Drama Plot Generator.

3) Interview with Barry Friedman
In his memoir, Four Days and a Year Later, Barry Friedman confronts the death of his son with strength, honesty, and talent. In the interview, he discusses how to turn the difficult challenges in your life into prose of value to yourself and others. His takeaway? Love forward. There are other people who still need your love.

4) Parting Words
William Bernhardt's Trial by Blood, and Barry Friedman's Four Days and a Year Later, are both on sale December 17, 2019.

www.williambernhardt.com
[email protected]

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Victoria Saravia, co-founder of BeauteBook, an online firm offering book covers and other graphic design services for writers.

Chapter 1: Introduction
William Bernhardt's new novel, Trial by Blood, can now be ordered!

Chapter 2: News
a) Headcanon creates a platform for books presented in serialized format via voice-activated devices like Amazon's Alexa.
b) Two more states propose legislation like California's AB5 to protect freelance writers and others in the "gig economy."
c) IntheBox.com poll results reveal the average age of first-time bestselling authors.
d) Barnes & Noble CEO makes changes and promises more.
e) New York Times analysis suggests that a rating increase of one star equals a 26% increase in sales.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Bernhardt discusses the importance of being part of a writing community and a new website called Crit Collective designed to help writers get feedback on their work.

Chapter 4:
Bernhardt interviews Victoria Saravia of BeauteBook about what makes a great book cover, what to avoid, and how to use covers to maximize your sales.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
To subscribe to the free Red Sneaker Newsletter, visit: www.williambernhardt.com.
Trial by Blood (Daniel Pike #3) can be ordered now from most online booksellers.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the worlds of books and publishing, then interviews Kathleen Sweeney, Customer Service Manager for Book Brush.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) Independent bookstores are creating an online bookstore called Bookshop
b) Successful fantasy author Melissa Marr moves into independent publishing.
c) Romance publisher Harlequin undergoes restructuring and consolidation to adapt to the changing romance market.
d) Kobo Writing Life adds POD distribution in France.
e) Amazon KDP adds print distribution in Canada.
f) Christian book publisher identifies hybrid publishing as a huge factor for the next five years.
g) TalktoTransformer.com allows you to sample the online book writing AI.

Chapter 3:
Bernhardt interview Kathleen Sweeney of Book Brush about the large array of services they provide authors, including graphics, templates, ads, 3D book covers, box set images, individualized business cards, videos, and much more.

Chapter 4:
Bernhardt notes that Book Brush will be exhibiting at WriterCon 2020.

Links:
WriterCon 2020: www.writercon.org

New Orleans Five-Day Retreat at the Le Richlieu Hotel. Five days near the French Quarter focusing on your work-in-progress: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

The WriterCon Cruise. Seven days on the Caribbean improving your work and knowledge of the writing business in a beautiful Pacific setting: https://www.williambernhardt.com/cruise

Book Brush: www.bookbrush.com

Design a Custom Ebook Card Using Book Brush: https://authors.bookfunnel.com/help/design-a-custom-ebook-card-using-book-brush/

Easy Business Card Design for Graphically Challenged Authors: https://bookbrush.com/easy-business-card-design-for-authors-plus-templates/

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Tara Cremin, Author Experience Manager for Kobo Writing Life.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) A new report from Bowker shows the number of self-published books has skyrocketed, as has the Christian book market.
b) Audible Originals is now accepting pitches from anyone.
c) ACX University returns for its seventh year of instruction.
d) Google announces a new voice-recording app that transcribes in real time.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
William Bernhardt considers what writers can take away from a new comprehensive study by Written Word Media analyzing the common characteristics of authors making more than $100,000 per year.

Chapter 4: Interview with Tara Cremin
Bernhardt talks with the Author Experience Manager for Kobo Writing Life about what the Kobo self-publishing platform has to offer writers, including support, non-exclusivity, and global reach.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
Writers can sign up for the free Red Sneaker Writers e-newsletter: www.williambernhardt.com

You can support this podcast and the other Red Sneaker programs at whatever level you like by joining the Patreon program. Visit: www.patreon.com/willbern

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Dan Millman, author of the breakthrough inspirational blockbuster The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: News
a) Plagiarism claim involving Jojo Moyes
b) Could Smart Compose predictive text finish your book?
c) Research shows 73% of all adults read a book last year, and 20% listened to an audiobook
d) Federal judge will hear the Audible Captions case
e) James Daunt discusses plans for Barnes & Noble
f) Amazon retires Amazon Giveaways and Kindle Matchbook
g) Amazon launches first Kindle for children
h) Findaway Voices adds new markets and becomes first "feed" for Apple audiobooks
i) California Assembly Bill 5 may restrict or impair business for freelance writers

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
At the 2019 Writers Digest Annual Conference, Kilby Blades discussed the importance of setting accurate and precise goals--then designing a campaign to help you achieve them.

Chapter 4: Interview
Dan Millman talks about creative nonfiction, memoirs that matter, and the path that led him to the blockbuster inspirational book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

Chapter 5: Conclusion
For more info about the WriterCon Cruise: https://www.williambernhardt.com/cruise

For more info about the New Orleans Small-Group Writing Retreat: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Lara Bernhardt, author of Shadow of the Taj.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: News
a) Kobo adds audiobook distribution
b) Draft2Digital adds audiobooks to Universal Book Links
c) BookFunnel adds audiobook service to its landing pages

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
Get control of your busy writing life in four steps: Picture Your Ideal Life, Prioritize Your Current Activities, Plan Ahead, and Perform.

Chapter 4: Interview with Lara Bernhardt
Lara Bernhardt is the author of The Wantland Files series of supernatural suspense novels, but her new book, Shadow fo the Taj, is a complete departure, a serious novel of an American woman in India who resolves to rescue a young girl from a brothel. All Lara's work has been characterized by strong, empathetic characters, and she discusses her strategies for creating characters that draw readers into the story.

Chapter 5: Closing Words

Sign up for the free Red Sneaker Writers e-newsletter: www.williambernhardt.com
Learn more about the WriterCon cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruise
Join us for the New Orleans five-day writing retreat:
https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Michael Beverley of AMS AdWerks about how to manage a successful Amazon book advertising campaign.

Chapter 1: News about the WriterCon Cruise in February 2020.

Chapter 2: News
a) Kickstarter: Should you crowdsource your next book?
b) Hoopla data indicates that more people are listening to audiobooks at home, at night--and not doing anything else at the same time.

Chapter 3: Writing Tips
a) Zeroing in on your target audience.
b) Bootstrapping your advertising campaign for maximum impact without spending maximum dollars.

Chapter 4: Interview with Michael Beverley
Michael Beverley of AMS AdWerks discusses ideal strategies for writers hoping to successfully marketing books, including what books to write, how to find keywords, and what approaches prove most successful.

Chapter 5: Parting Words
There's still space on the WriterCon Cruise, and if you're looking for a writing mentor, check out William Bernhardt's Patreon page.

Links:
WriterCon Cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruise

William Bernhardt's Mentoring on Patreon: www.patreon.com/willbern