WriterCon

Bestselling author William Bernhardt hosts this podcast for Red Sneaker Writers--writers who are serious about building a writing career and looking for useful information to help them do it. In this podcast, he discusses the latest news, offers writing tips, and interviews Liz Berry, co-publisher of the 1001 Dark Nights romance line.Chapter 1: IntroductionThere's new content on the WriterCon website! Register now to get the Early Bird price!Chapter 2: NewsIngram announces new content integrity standardsSimon & Schuster is for saleCli-fi genre emergesHallmark and Walmart announce a new romance lineScott Carney Reddit posts discusses the merits of self-publishingChapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses the importance of setting and advises writers to choose a setting that will heighten the key elements of your novel.Chapter 4: Interview with Liz BerryBernhardt interviews the book marketer and co-founder of the 1001 Dark Nights romance line. Liz explains how in five years she built a company that has already sold over three million books.Chapter 5: Parting WordsRegister now for WriterCon while you can still get into the small-group Lunches with the Stars, the banquet, and the Monday Masterclasses. Learn more at writer con.org

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the book world, offers tips for increasing sales of your books, and interviews Laurel Thomas, author of the novel River's Call.Chapter 1: IntroductionRecovering from the WriterCon Cruise--and planning the cruise for next year.Chapter 2: Newsa) Colin Kaepernick opts to self-pub his memoir and makes deal with Audibleb) Codex Group says Amazon Publishing has the most clicked coversc) Two new romance imprints have been announcedd) Details on Audible settlement over Captions programe) Entire RWA Board resignsf) Poetry sales soared last yearg) Proposed Missouri law could charge librarians for "age-inappropriate" materialsh) Twitter account nominated for literary prizeChapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses the takeaways from a panel at the SF Conference describing how Amazon Publishing promotes a debut novel, which includes strategic marketing, visibility, pricing, and much more.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews Laurel Thomas, a regular face at the annual WriterCon conference in Oklahoma City, and the author of her first novel, River's Call. She discusses how the book came to be and her personal road to publication.Chapter 5: Parting WordsBernhardt invites comments on the podcast. Email him at: wb@williambernhardt.comWriterCon: www.writercon.orgSummer Writing Retreat: www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Bestselling author William Bernhardt podcasts live from the 2020 WriterCon Cruise.Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, presents writing tips, and interviews Rick Ludwig, author of the Maui Mysteries, most recently Pele's Fire.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) The American Dirt controversy intensifies.b) Independent online bookstore Bookshop launches.c) Amazon sales reports indicates many self-pub authors are making over $100,000.Chapter 3: Writing TipsThree writers attending the WriterCon Cruise--Betsey Kulakowski, Cary Herwig, and Martin Ludlum, share what they have learned.Chapter 4: Interview with Rick LudwigThe author of Pele's Fire discusses the unique flavor of his Maui Mysteries, what makes a great mystery, and how to survive in the modern publishing world.Chapter 5: Parting WordsWriterCon will sponsor another cruise in 2021. In the meantime, William Bernhardt will host a summertime small-group writing retreat in Eureka Springs, and the annual writing conference, WriterCon 2020, will take place in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend.Retreats: https://www.williambernhardt.com/red-sneaker-writersConference: https://writercon.org

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: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Sales reports for traditional publishing in 2019 show double-digit declinesb) Mike Shatzhin reports that traditional pub new titles sell low numbersc) Oprah Book Club choice stirs controversyd) SF pub yanks story after LGBTQ+ controversye) Avon launches LGBTQ+ linef) RWA leaders cancel awards and resign in midst of controversyg) Audible settles lawsuit regarding CaptionsChapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt 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 WordsThe 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.comwb@williambernhardt.com

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: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsBernhardt 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: InterviewBernhardt 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 WordsThe 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: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsBernhardt 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 SmithBernhardt 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 WordsThe 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.Chapters1) Introduction. Trial By Blood, the third book in William Bernhardt's Daniel Pike legal thriller series, will be released on December 17, 2019.2) Newsa) 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 FriedmanIn 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 WordsWilliam Bernhardt's Trial by Blood, and Barry Friedman's Four Days and a Year Later, are both on sale December 17, 2019.www.williambernhardt.comwb@williambernhardt.com

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: IntroductionWilliam Bernhardt's new novel, Trial by Blood, can now be ordered!Chapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsBernhardt 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 WordsTo 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: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Independent bookstores are creating an online bookstore called Bookshopb) 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.orgNew 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-retreatsThe 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/cruiseBook Brush: www.bookbrush.comDesign 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: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) 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 TipsWilliam 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 CreminBernhardt 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 WordsWriters can sign up for the free Red Sneaker Writers e-newsletter: www.williambernhardt.comYou 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