WriterCon

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the book world, offers writing tips, and interviews Caro Begin, author and expert on writer websites.Chapter 1: IntroductionIt's our Golden Anniversary episode (sort of)!Chapter 2: Newsa) Controversy surrounds Mark Dawson purchasing a large quantity of his own novel to push it onto the Top Ten of the Sunday Times bestseller list.b) Author promotes the first-ever drive-in book event.c) B&N closes its experimental “kitchen” bookstore.d) Yet another author is “Twittered” out of her book release.e New developments at the US Copyright Office permit registration of multiple short works published online for a flat fee.f) Publishers announce new imprints for literary fiction and nonfiction promoting diversity, New Age topics, and picture books.Chapter 3: Writing TipsA four-year old poet gets a great book deal! When will you be published? Here’s the best way to make it happen.Chapter 4: Interview with Caro BeginBernhardt interviews this accomplished author and expert on author websites about her work and how Red Sneaker Writers can have the most effective websites.Chapter 5: Parting WordsWriterCon 2020 is still happening! You can attend in person or stream it from wherever you are. Visit www.writercon.org for more information.

In this special podcast episode recorded live at William Bernhardt's Writers Retreat in Eureka Springs, he discusses the latest news from the world of books, invites other attending writers to offer writing tips, and interviews Marcia Preston, author of The Butterfly House and winner of the Mark Higgins Clark Ward for suspense fiction.Chapter 1: IntroductionThis episode was recorded live at the annual Writers Retreat conducted by William Bernhardt at the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.Chapter 2: News1) Major authors, the Authors Guild, Amazon Publishing, and Penguin Random House join forces to sue the online KISS Library charging that it allows users to download copyrighted books.2) Barnes & Noble dismisses many employee/buyers, possibly as part of a change in policy emphasizing local control over the inventory.3) Amazon forms a Counterfeit Crimes Unit to crack down on counterfeit books.4) Sales increase for books on cooking, gardening, and financial planning.5) Ingram increases its print-on-demand programs.6) Consumer spending at Amazon has grown by 50% since last year.Chapter 3: Writing TipsShelley Levisay, Dan Snell, and Thomas Miller offer writing tips they've gained from their time at Writers Retreat.Chapter 4: Interview with Marcia PrestonBernhardt interviews Marcia Preston, the award-winning author of The Butterfly House and many other books about her characters, where she finds ideas for her novels, the revision process, and her new novel, The Spiderling.Chapter 5: Parting WordsIf you'd like to take a deep dive into your work-in-progress and obtain feedback designed to make it better, consider attending Bernhardt's next Writers Retreat.WriterCon will take place over Labor Day weekend. You can attend in person, or stream the entire three-day conference. For more information, visit: www.writercon.org.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Joanna Penn, host of The Creative Penn podcast and the author of many novels and nonfiction books.Chapter 1: IntroductionDazzling Description: Painting the Perfect Picture is now on sale. This is the tenth volume in Bernhardt's series of books on writing fiction.Chapter 2: Newsa) Many writer organizations experience allegations and criticism for insufficient attention to minority representation, including International Thriller Writers, the National Critics Circle, and The Poetry Foundation.b) The National Internet Archive has cancelled its plan to make free eBooks available online.c) James Daunt announced that Barnes & Noble will increase its support of the Nook.d) Apple announces that it is discontinuing iBooks Author.e) The Guardian suggests that the COVID-19 lockdown may have a permanent impact on the way novels are written.Chapter 3: Writing TipsSometimes it's difficult to come up with the perfect word or phrase to express exactly what you're trying to write. Bernhardt suggests several techniques for dealing with this problem, including a new online thesaurus called OneLook.Chapter 4: Interview with Joanna PennBernhardt interviews the author and host of The Creative Penn, who discusses the importance of committing to your writing, "going wide," distribution strategies, foreign rights for independent writers, advertising, and many other topics.Chapter 5: Parting WordsBernhardt has ten books in his Red Sneaker series on writing, and the annual writers conference he hosts every Labor Day weekend, WriterCon, will take place in Oklahoma City, though you can stream all sessions online for the same registration fee.Dazzling Description: Painting the Perfect PictureWriterCon 2020: www.writercon.org

Best-selling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Dan Millman, internationally acclaimed author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.Chapter 1: IntroductionRegister for WriterCon 2020 while the Early Bird price is still available. You can attend the conference in person, stream the conference, or both.Chapter 2: Newsa) Black Lives Matter and protests all across the nation are impacting books. Black-owned bookstores are seeing increased sales, as are books treating issues of race.b) Bookstores are cautiously reopening.c) Major publishers have sued The Internet Archive for digitizing books without consent from copyright owners.d) Bernhardt recounts his experience using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to stop illegal downloads of his books from Twitter.Chapter 3: Writing TipsA recent study indicates that men will give up on a book they aren't enjoying after fifty pages while women stay for about 100—but you want your readers to finish the book and love every page. Bernhardt discusses approaches to writing irresistible openings that hook readers and keep them reading.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews Dan Millman, past WriterCon keynote speaker and the author of seventeen books, including The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. He talks about how transformative character arc can make your story one that readers not only enjoy but remember long after the reading experience has ended.Chapter 5: Parting Wordsa) ConsciousStyleGuide.com offers tips, language, and vocabulary advice for writing about sensitive subjects involving minority groups.b) Jane Friedman has complied a list of websites where you can make financial contributions to support various organizations trying to support the African-American commuunity, protestors, and grieving families: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Pf76L5azQN9ahbhbt7MRmKb5sBZgeUWbXKLoPJO592Y/edit?ts=5edbd445#gid=0c) Register now to attend or stream WriterCon2020: www.writercon.org

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the publishing world, offers writing tips, and interviews Damon Courtney of Book Funnel on how writers can maximize sales and find “superfans.”Chapter 1: IntroductionThe Early Bird registration fee for WriterCon 2020 (writercon.org) expires on June 15. You can attend in person or stream the conference online and even have private meetings with agents and editors by Skype.Chapter 2: News1)Lawsuits between authors writing in the fan fiction “Omegaverse” illuminate how copyright law can be “weaponized” and the impossibility of owning a world that you did not originate.2)Author sues major publisher claiming AI “text spinning” was used to plagiarize original work.3)Book sales improved in April.4)In the wake of racism claims, RWA retires the Rita Award and launches the Vivian.5)Draft2Digital partners with Vivlio to distribute books to European markets.6)Kindlepreneur adds a book description generator/formatter to its webpage.Chapter 3: InterviewBernhardt interviews Damon Courtney of BookFunnel about how to maximize sales with landing pages, freebies, newsletters, mailing lists, and other services designing to help writers acquire and keep “superfans.”Chapter 4: Parting WordsRegister for WriterCon 2020 today! www.writercon.org

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of publishing, offers writing tips, and interviews Mag Dimond, author of the beautiful travel and meditation memoir, Bowing to Elephants.Chapter 1: Introductiona)Twisted Justice by William Bernhardt breaks new sales records.b)The Early Bird price for registering for WriterCon 2020 (Sept 4-6) expires on June 1.c)Bernhardt will lead a small-group writing retreat at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow on July 8-12.Chapter 2: Newsa)Apple Books creates a portal to allow writers to upload books directly.b)The president of Simon & Schuster passes.c)The Big Five are having problems. Macmillan releases employees while other major publishers post declining sales.d)Books-A-Million is reopening.e)Bernhardt predicts we are witnessing a milestone moment in the history of publishing, a decrease in the importance of New York publishing and an increased turn toward digital books, online sales, and print-on-demand.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses a study by David Gaughran analyzing the Amazon Bestseller list versus the Amazon Popularity list and what it indicates. Writers should make sure their work sends a clear message about its genre and target audience. Covers matter, titles matter, and price matters.Chapter 4: Interview with Mag DimondThe author of Bowing to Elephants discusses what she has learned from her travels and the importance of mindfulness and mediation.Chapter 5: Parting WordsKeep safe, keep sane, and keep writing.For info about WriterCon: www.writercon.orgFor info about Bernhardt’s small-group writing retreat: www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Lara Bernhardt, author of Ghosts of Guthrie and editor-in-chief at Balkan Press.Chapter One: IntroductionWriterCon 2020, William Bernhardt’s annual writers conference, will take place on September 4-7. Streaming options will provide an optional way to attend. Chapter Two: Newsa)Alaska School Board removes The Great Gatsby and other classics from the curriculumb)UK protests arise when anonymous donation to indie bookstores is revealed to have come from…a surprising source.c)Bookfinity.com helps readers find new booksd)The Internet Archive states that it will remove authors’ work (made available for download without compensation to authors) upon request. So Bill tests the claim…e)COVID-19 Impact Report: Libraries see increases in eBooks and eMagazines borrowing. Print book sales are up 10% over the previous week. Major publishers are turning to POD for print editions. Bookstores are starting to reopen. Penguin Random House delays payment of advances. f)Barnes & Noble delays payment of author royalties. Draft2Digital agrees to pay those author royalties to its authors out of its own pocket.g)This may be a pivotal moment in the evolution of the publishing world.Chapter Three: Writing TipsDo you have conversations with your fictional characters? Don’t worry about it—a new study shows that most writers do. There’s nothing wrong with it—in fact, it may be a good way to make characters three-dimensional, to develop a voice, and to write convincing dialogue.Chapter Four: Lara Bernhardt, author of Ghosts of Guthrie and editor-in-chief of Balkan Press and Conclave magazine, offers a top five list of advice for writers working with authors.Chapter Five: Parting WordsWilliam Bernhardt’s new novel, Twisted Justice (Book 4 in the Daniel Pike series) is now on sale. Lara Bernhardt’s new novel, Ghosts of Guthrie (Book 3 in the Wantland Files series) is also on sale. WriterCon 2020 will happen, September 4-7 in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit: writercon.org.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews New York Times-bestselling author Steve Berry, author of the Cotton Malone historical thrillers.Chapter One: IntroductionTwisted Justice (Daniel Pike Legal Thriller #4) can be ordered now!Chapter Two: NewsBooks sales are down during the pandemic (except in juvenile nonfiction), but eBooks constitute a larger percentage of overall sales.Many indicators suggest that the pandemic will cause serious problems for traditional publishers.Comic book stores and independent bookstores are hit hard by the pandemic.The largest US printer has filed for bankruptcy.Barnes & Noble is late on royalty payments.Harlequin adds a non-disparagement clause to freelance contracts.The National Emergency Library continues to offend by offering access to eBooks without obtaining author consent.Congratulations to winners of the Walt Whitman and Conclave prizes.There are many sources of financial aid for writers in need.Chapter Three: Writing TipsShould you write about the coronavirus pandemic?Chapter Four: InterviewSteve Berry has sold more than 25 million copies of his historical thrillers worldwide. In this interview, he talks about the lessons he has learned during this incredibly successful writing career.Chapter Five: Parting WordsDid I mention that Twisted Justice is now on sale?This podcast was edited by Jesse Ulrich, CEO of Rant9 Productions

Bestselling author William Bernhardt analyzes the latest news from the world of books, offers tips for writers during the coronavirus crisis, and interviews New York Times-bestselling author William Martin.Chapter 1: IntroductionBernhardt offers listeners a free Red Sneaker Writers book.Bernhardt's new thriller, Twisted Justice, can now be ordered.Bernhardt's sons have a movie review YouTube channel. Search for: William BernhardtChapter 2: NewsScribd is offering free access for 30 days.Kindle Unlimited subscriptions are free for two months.Apple is offering free eBooks and audiobooks.The Internet Archive has created a controversial National Emergency Library to distribute free eBooks during this crisis--with no compensation to the authors.Book sales continue to drop in most areas--but not in juvenile nonfiction.Penguin Classics is diversifying its list of classics.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt shares what has inspired him to write these past thirty years--hoping to inspire listeners. Use this time to write!Chapter 4: Interview with William MartinWilliam Martin has been a bestselling author of historic thrillers, most recently Bound for Gold, for almost forty years. He shares some of the secrets and lessons he has learned during this amazing career.Chapter 5: Parting WordsFor your free book, email: wb@williambernhardt.comPlease consider ordering Bernhardt's latest thriller, Twisted JusticeThanks to the composer of our new theme music:Funny Adventures by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6048-funny-adventuresLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/Summer Hit by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6036-summer-hitLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Bestselling author William Bernhardt analyzes the latest news from the book world, offers writing tips, OFFERS FREE BOOKS, and interviews successful ghostwriter and Christian writer Melanie Hemry.Chapter 1: IntroductionWhile we persevere through this world crisis, William Bernhardt is offering all podcast listeners a free copy of any one of his nine books on writing--your choice. Email him at willbern@gmail.com and tell him which book you want. Chapter 2: News1) Book events cancelled during the coronavirus crisis.2) Simon & Schuster for sale for $1.2 billion.3) Baker & Taylor reveals which genres libraries buy most.4) Amazon, Scribd and others make special offers to readersChapter 3: Writing TipsWilliam Bernhardt encourages authors who are homebound or quarantined during the coronavirus scare to USE THIS! If this has given you extra time to work at home, double-down on your writing. Emerge from this crisis with something wonderful.Chapter 4: Interview Melanie Hemry discusses her ghostwriting career, largely in the Christian book market, which has led to great success and more than fifty published books.Chapter 5: Parting WordsStay safe. And write.For a free digital copy of one of the Red Sneaker books on writing, email: willbern@gmail.com.