WriterCon

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 Bound for Gold and many other wonderful historical novels.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) TikTok's channel #BookTok spurs major book saleshttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/books/booktok-tiktok-video.htmlb) BookClub.com invites you to find writers for your book club discussionshttps://www.bookclub.comc) Fan fiction is sold on Etsy with elegant bindingshttps://www.theverge.com/22311788/fanfiction-bookbinding-tiktok-diy-star-wars-harry-potter-twitter-fandomd) Amazon and the Big Five publishers are sued for alleged price-fixinghttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210325005940/en/Hagens-Berman-Booksellers-Sue-Amazon-and-Big-Five-Publishers-for-Alleged-Monopoly-Price-Fixing-the-U.S.-Print-Book-Markete) Stephen King turns his home into a writers retreathttps://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/stephen-king-house-writer-retreat?fbclid=IwAR3UzJ9eZqOBVUQLWax5i-tp_cp1LYATZBrHW5CpitN49OOqt-EZHQbnII0Chapter 3: InterviewBestselling author William Marin shares the lessons he has learned during his four-decade career as a professional author. You will learn:a) The one work a writer needs to keep in mindb) The importance of a good editorc) How to make the most of opportunity, andd) What the day of a pro writer looks like.Chapter 4: Parting WordsWilliam Bernhardt will present a series of online talks on literary topics through Context Learning. Everyone is invited to watch live, or to watch a recorded version during the following week.April 4-Jane Austen: The Cult of the Janeiteshttps://www.contextlearning.com/products/jane-austen-janeitesApril 11-The History of the Mystery: Sherlock Holmes, Lupin, and Cohttps://www.contextlearning.com/products/sherlock-arsene-mysteryThe next guest on this podcast will be NYT-bestselling author Jacqueline Mitchard, author of The End of the Ocean, the first-ever Oprah's Book Club selection.Keep writing!William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwillbern@gmail.com

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: IntroductionThis 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.orgChapter 2: Newsa) 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.comc) Mark Dawson has launched a new book promotion service. https://hellobooks.com/authorsd) Open AI's GPT-3 beta allows authors to test an AI that can write complete sentences based on your ideas. https://openai.come) Bookchain allows authors to convert their work into NFTs and publish on the Ethereum blockchain. https://www.bookchain.caf) Takeaway quote from the Int'l Publishing Forum: "Books see people through hard times."Chapter 3: InterviewBernhardt interviews bestselling author John Lescroart. Your will learn:How to write a novelHow Lescroart financed his writing before he broke outWhen to quit your day jobHow to use your hobbies to become a better writerHow the book industry has changed most.Chapter 4: Parting WordsVisit the WriterCon website and see if this conference could give you the knowledge and opportunities you need to advance your writing ambitions: www.writercon.orgFor 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: IntroductionWe 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: Newsa) 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; andd) The Panorama Project releases a controversial report on book sales.Chapter 3: InterviewDavid 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 WordsPlease 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: IntroductionStarting with the next episode, the Red Sneaker Writers podcast adds a video edition!Check out the new WriterCon website: www.writercon.orgChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsBernhardt offers suggestions on how to find the literary agent you want—and agents you definitely want to avoid.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews Nathan Bransford, author, former agent, and writing coach about how writers can choose the best path to publication.Chapter 5: Parting WordsConsider 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: IntroductionFinal Verdict is still #1!WriterCon has a new website! Check it out: www.writercon.orgChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsThe 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: InterviewBernhardt interviews Steven James, the author of more than thirty novels, including Opening Moves and other psychological thrillers.Chapter 5: Parting WordsHave 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: IntroductionTwo great new books on sale:Final Verdict (Daniel Pike Legal Thriller #6) by William BernhardtThe Jaguar Queen (Veritas Codex Paranormal Thriller #2) by Betsey KulakowskiChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsEvery 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 Alicia@AliciaDean.com 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 WordsKeep 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: IntroductionBernhardt reminds you that in tumultuous times, people turn to books for solace and wisdom. So keep writing.Chapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsBernhardt offers three questions to help you focus on what you should write in 2021, and how you should aspire to publish it.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews Liz Berry, publisher and marketing expert, about how to build your brand and most effectively market your books.Chapter 5: Parting WordsPlease rate or review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts!William Bernhardtwww.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: IntroductionFinal Verdict (Daniel Pike #6) can now be pre-ordered.Send me your suggestions for the podcast, WriterCon, or the WriterCon website: wb@williambernhardt.com.Chapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsPopular 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: InterviewBernhardt interviews bestselling author Steve Berry about the creation of one of the most successful series characters of the modern era.Chapter 5: Parting WordsMake 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: IntroThis episode was recorded during the first-ever Red Sneaker online writing workshop, which has been a tremendous success.Chapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsSome of the participants in the online Red Sneaker writing workshop share what they've learned.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt 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 WordsPlease spread the word about this podcast and leave ratings and reviews.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:IntroductionLast Chance to register for Bernhardt's Online Writing Workshop, Dec 9-13. Info: www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreatsChapter 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 WordsPlease rate, review, and post about this website!Attend the Online Writing Workshop!And until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.