Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Barry Friedman, top-tier professional standup comic for decades and author of six books, including a new one, the title of which we can’t say on the podcast because then I'd have to check the Adults Only distribution box. "Jack Sh*t" is a collection of anecdotes about Friedman's late father. This book is warm, wonderfully written, and uproariously funny.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Predictions for Publishing in 2023 from Bill, Rene, and Jesse

Chapter 2: News
2022 in Review:
Biggest Authors of the Year: Brandon Sanderson and Colleen Hoover
Biggest Tech Development: ChatGPT writing stories and AI-narrated audiobooks
Biggest Event of the Year: PRH's Failed Attempt to Acquire S&S
Biggest Winner of the Year: TikTok
Biggest Loser of the Year: Big Five Pub (Though Amazon Didn’t Do Great Either)

Chapter 3: Interview
Barry Friedman has millions of fans and followers and there’s a reason—because his work is not only funny, not only insightful, but also, he’s a terrific writer, as he has shown before in a beautifully wrought memoir, Four Days and a Year Later, and his account of life on the road, The Joke Was On Me. His new book, Jack Sh*t, is about his late father. In this interview, you will learn:
1) how to integrate humor in memoir (when the events aren't always funny);
2) mining life for art;
3) the value of revision and good feedback;
4) how to portray the complexity of human relationships, and
5) the importance of voluptuous bagels and flamboyant toupees.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

To subscribe to the free WriterCon e-newsletter, send me an email or sign up at my website.

If 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 versions of these podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@writerconpodcast1307

Learn more about Rene Gutteridge at her website or by following her on social media. She is also a contributor to Writing Momentum.

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

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

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