WriterCon

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Leah Paulos, the founder and leader of Press Shop PR, who for more than 25 years has helped promote top titles from major publishers.Note: Because the team was on the road, the sound quality of this episode is not our usual. Apologies. We will be back to normal next time for our 200TH EPISODE!!!0:00 Opening ThoughtsWhat book are you thankful for this year?4:02 News1) Beventi and INKfluence Team to Help Authors Direct Sell Enhanced Books2) Huge Phianthropic Fund for Literary Arts10:39 Craft CornerTamara Grantham (Never Call Me Vampire) explains the importance of giving your characters memorable eccentricities.14:06 Interview with Leah Paulos36:10 Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Cruise! Over 20 hours of writing instruction while we cruise the Eastern Carribean on an 8-day sail leaving from Ft Lauderdale, March 7-15. Seas the Day!Join the WriterCon Facebook Group, a warm and supportive group of writers. Know what's going on in the writing world every day!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars)and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller The Tutor.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Crew talk about recent travels and debate whether Bill is tragically unhip.4:23 NewsThe All-Lawsuit Edition!1) Judge Declares Texas Book Rating Law Unconstiutional2) Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump for Allegedly Trying to Silence HIm3) Big Five P{ublisher Sues the Heirs of Nelson DeMilleNote: when Bill talks about S&S paying $600 and some, he means $600,000+15:18 Interview with Courtney Psak32:02 Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, which is a new destination for us. So beautiful tropical vistas, plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Bil, Lara, Betsey Kulakowski and agent Katharine Sands, who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info. www.writercon.com/cruise

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double."0:00 Opening ThoughtsHow are you celebrating Halloween?05:03 News1) Lawsuit Over Amazon Prime Cancellations Settled2) TikTok and Spotify Launch New Joint Hub12:43 Craft CornerBetsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series, offers advice on character and world-building, and how the two interact. 15:35 Interview with Mary Robinette Kuwal and Sam J MillerParting WordsMark your calendar for the WriterCon Cruise!MARCH 7TH - 15TH 8-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN: GREATER ANTILLES & LEEWARD ISLANDSWhen the boat is at sea, we'll offer more than 20 hours of writing instruction, group and individual, plus we'll have Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency on board to meet privately with each participant. Don't miss it! Click here for more information.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge.0:00 Opening ThoughtsWelcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach our 200th episode in December and we're looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous event. Post your ideas in the Comments section!02:56 News1) New Developments in the Anthropic SettlementHere's a link to the site where you can determine whether any of your books were impropoerly used by Anthropic. You can also submit a Claim Form so you can participate in the settlement—if you qualify.Searchable database: https://secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/?_gl=1x16ddk_gcl_auMjExNTg2NTEzMi4xNzU5NDE1NTc0Submitting Claim Forms: https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/2) New "Book Club" Scam Floods Writers' Email InboxesSupport and follow Writer Beware! https://writerbeware.blog/13:32 Craft CornerBarry Friedman (author of Jack Sh*t 3: I'm the Father) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction.15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield30:58 Parting WordsThe 2026 WriterCon Cruise in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Come join us!

This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there!Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025.Opening ThoughtsWe're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room. News1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper FormatInterview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBeeParting WordsSorry to tell you, but if you’re listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com.WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon.And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Candace Kade, the author of The Hybrid series, a YA sci-fi trilogy.00:00 Opening ThoughtsLAST CALL for WriterCon 2025 at the Skirvin Hilton in OKC over Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers and over 100 breakout sessions, pitching, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other writers, people who share your hopes and dreams, form critique groups or gain beta readers, or present your work at the Open Mic. It is NOT too late to register! Learn more at: www.writercon.com/conference/03:51 News1) Siegel and Shuster Plaza Opens in Cleveland07:43 Craft CornerDesiree Duffy from Black Chateau and Books That Make You explains the FIVE main benefits of writing conferences. Some of them may surprise you...11:59 Interview with Candace Kade25:52 Parting WordsONE LAST TIME! Join us at WriterCon 2025! www.writercon.com/conference

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sydney Pruett, a therapist who helps authors make their characters (fiction and nonfiction) psychologically compelling and consistent.00:00 Opening ThoughtsWriterCon is almost here! Come join the best writers conference in the Southwest. Over 60 speakers, over 100 breakout sessions covering every aspect of the writing life, craft, agents, publishers, marketing, and more. Pitching, consults, manuscript reviews, and much more. It is NOT too late to register. For more info, visit: www.writercon.com03:41 News1) Audiobook Walking Clubs Gain Popularity2) Fan Fiction Leads to Controversial Online Chatter13:07 Craft CornerJon Meyers talks about the vaue of writers conferences—and his upcoming MasterClass on memoir.18:18 Interview with Sydney Pruett30:25 Parting WordsHave I said this already? Come join us at WriterCon! www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Abigail O'Bryan, who recently released her first novel, Iron Rose—a dark YA reimagining of Beauty & the Beast meets Hunger Games.0:00 Opening ThoughtsYou are cordially invited to WriterCon, our annual writers conference, this year at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, starting Friday, August 29. Over 60 speakers and over 100 sessions, pitching, contests, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. But the best thing about it is that this is a real community of writers, people eager to help, people who have your back and understand the challenges of being a writer in today’s world. I think people are often surprised by how warm and welcoming the group is, and how many friends they make and keep after the conference is over.04:36 News1) AI Whistleblower Act Proposed2) You Might Be Able to Copyright Your Face11:07 Craft CornerThis week's writing craft chat comes from Friend of the Podcast Betsey Kulakowski, author of the bestselling Veritas Codex series and a new book, The Veil of Secrets. Today she addresses the gigantic benefit of attending writer conferences.13:37 Interview with Abigail O'Bryan33.21 Parting WordsDid I mention WriterCon yet? Of course I did. Come join us! Take your writing dreams to the next level.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Nove McBee, author of a young adult action-adventure series called Calculated—and a keynote speaker at this year's WriterCon!Opening ThoughtsBill announces his new book scheduled for release in 2026: The Superman Wars: The Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. And everyone shares their excitement about this year's WriterCon.News1) BookCon will return in 2026!2) Marginalia Mania ("Tabbing") is a Hot New BookTok Trend.InterivewNove McBee talks about traveling the world, using math to fuel fiction, and juggling many irons at once so she's ready when the right publisher comes calling.Parting WordsWriterCon 2025 takes place in Oklahoma City on August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers. Over 100 sessions. Free pitching. Contests. One-on-one consultations. Manuscript reviews. Book vendors to help authors. And much more. At thehistoric Hilton Skirvin in Oklahoma City. Come join us and take your writing to the next level!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com  

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L. Dove, WriterCon keynote speaker and bestelling author who scored a huge success earlier this year with her debut novel, Mask of the Deer Woman, a thriller set on a Native America reservation with indigenous characters.00:00 Opening ThoughtsLast Call for the WriterCon Retreat, a five-day immerisve writing workshop at Canebrake Resort, Wagoner OK, from July 16-20.05:39 NewsWe take a deep dive into the ongoing controversies surrounding artificial intelligence and how it affects writers, talking about the recent Anthropic decision, the studio suit against Midjourney, and writers being accused of using AI—even though they didn't.18:36 Craft CornerJon Meyers of Write Better Together discusses the importance of choosing your setting deliberately.23:18 Interview with Laurie L DoveIn this compelling interview, we hear the bestselling debut author discuss her road of many years leading to Mask of the Deer Woman, her chart-topping breakout novel, now planned to launch a series. She talks about how the Murdered and Missing Indiginous Women crisis informed the book and how she devised the plot twists and turns that have led to stellar reviews and high sales.36:38 Parting WordsYes, the Retreat ia almost upon us...so let's start talking about the WriterCon Conference, Labor Day weekend (Aug 29-Sept 1) at the historic Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. Come join us!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com