WriterCon

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

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Dan Millman, author of the breakthrough inspirational blockbuster The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Plagiarism claim involving Jojo Moyesb) Could Smart Compose predictive text finish your book?c) Research shows 73% of all adults read a book last year, and 20% listened to an audiobookd) Federal judge will hear the Audible Captions casee) James Daunt discusses plans for Barnes & Noblef) Amazon retires Amazon Giveaways and Kindle Matchbookg) Amazon launches first Kindle for childrenh) Findaway Voices adds new markets and becomes first "feed" for Apple audiobooksi) California Assembly Bill 5 may restrict or impair business for freelance writersChapter 3: Writing TipsAt the 2019 Writers Digest Annual Conference, Kilby Blades discussed the importance of setting accurate and precise goals--then designing a campaign to help you achieve them.Chapter 4: InterviewDan Millman talks about creative nonfiction, memoirs that matter, and the path that led him to the blockbuster inspirational book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.Chapter 5: ConclusionFor more info about the WriterCon Cruise: https://www.williambernhardt.com/cruiseFor more info about the New Orleans Small-Group Writing Retreat: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Lara Bernhardt, author of Shadow of the Taj.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Kobo adds audiobook distributionb) Draft2Digital adds audiobooks to Universal Book Linksc) BookFunnel adds audiobook service to its landing pagesChapter 3: Writing TipsGet control of your busy writing life in four steps: Picture Your Ideal Life, Prioritize Your Current Activities, Plan Ahead, and Perform.Chapter 4: Interview with Lara BernhardtLara Bernhardt is the author of The Wantland Files series of supernatural suspense novels, but her new book, Shadow fo the Taj, is a complete departure, a serious novel of an American woman in India who resolves to rescue a young girl from a brothel. All Lara's work has been characterized by strong, empathetic characters, and she discusses her strategies for creating characters that draw readers into the story.Chapter 5: Closing WordsSign up for the free Red Sneaker Writers e-newsletter: www.williambernhardt.comLearn more about the WriterCon cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruiseJoin us for the New Orleans five-day writing retreat: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews Michael Beverley of AMS AdWerks about how to manage a successful Amazon book advertising campaign.Chapter 1: News about the WriterCon Cruise in February 2020.Chapter 2: Newsa) Kickstarter: Should you crowdsource your next book?b) Hoopla data indicates that more people are listening to audiobooks at home, at night--and not doing anything else at the same time.Chapter 3: Writing Tipsa) Zeroing in on your target audience.b) Bootstrapping your advertising campaign for maximum impact without spending maximum dollars.Chapter 4: Interview with Michael BeverleyMichael Beverley of AMS AdWerks discusses ideal strategies for writers hoping to successfully marketing books, including what books to write, how to find keywords, and what approaches prove most successful.Chapter 5: Parting WordsThere's still space on the WriterCon Cruise, and if you're looking for a writing mentor, check out William Bernhardt's Patreon page.Links:WriterCon Cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruiseWilliam Bernhardt's Mentoring on Patreon: www.patreon.com/willbern

Bestselling author William Bernhardt records live from WriterCon 2019!Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: News1) Audible is sued over its new plan to add captions to audiobooks.2) Hugh Howey is interviewed by The Knowledge Project.3) A new Chinese AI reads audiobooks--in the author's voice.4) A new app has a frightening approach to eliminating writer procrastination.Chapter 3: Bernhardt interviews some of the people attending WriterCon.Chapter 4: Bernhardt interview Barry Friedman, standup comic and author of Road Comic, and John Wooley, author of Seventh Sense and other horror novels. Both authors were presenting at WriterCon, so Bernhardt took this opportunity to talk to them about their approaches to writing, collaboration, and finding truth through their work.Chapter 5: Parting WordsSorry you missed WriterCon this year? You can sign up now for next year's WriterCon. And in February 2020, we are offering the first ever WriterCon Cruise--seven days in the Caribbean with some of the best writers and writing instructors in the business.To register for WriterCon 2020: www.writercon.orgFor more info about the WriterCon Cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruise

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews Erin Hennicke, movie/tv book scout for Franklin & Siegal, about how to make your stories more appealing to Hollywood.Chapter1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Barnes & Noble reports a large spike in sales of romance novels.b) Harper Collins launches the Harper Horizons imprint to focus on positive-lifestyle nonfiction.c) Audible signs deal with Skybound to increase its audio-original content.d) Facebook Ads introduce new features.e) The New York Times reports on book piracy--unauthorized and poorly translated editions of books violating American copyright laws.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses the recent article in The Atlantic on Amazon Publishing, which now publishes a significant share of the books sold at Amazon, including books by major authors such as Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, and Robert Dugoni. Its "vertical integration" with the retailing branch of the parent company gives Amazon Publishing, Amazon's traditional publishing branch (not to be confused with self-publishing at KDP), many advantages and should considered by authors making sales plans.Chapter 4: Interview with Erin HennickeErin Hennicke is a movie/tv book scout for Franklin & Siegal, actively scouting projects for Universal Studios' film division and Paramount TV. She discusses her work and what makes books and stories more attractive to Hollywood producers.Chapter 5: Closing WordsRegister for WriterCon, the annual book conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, with more than 50 presenters, 70 breakout sessions, contests, pitching opportunities, agents, editors, and much more.WriterCon: www.writercon.orgDavid Gaughran's Blog: https://davidgaughran.com/blog/

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews several writers at Litfest, a library literary festival in Oklahoma City.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: NewsBernhardt provides more details on the multi-book contract signed by Dean Koontz with Amazon Publishing, the success of Amazon's ads program, and the breakout hit When the Crawdads Sing, a first novel published when the author (Delia Owens) was 69 years of age.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt interviews Staci Mauney about how she turned her blog into four successful inspirational books--and how what worked for her might work for you. He also chats with Sarah Brown, organizer of Litfest.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews four highly successful middle-grade and young-adult writers: Kim Ventrella, author of Skeleton Tree, Wendy Spinale, author of the Everland series, Brad McLelland, author of Legends of the Lost Causes, and Sonia Gensler, author of The Revenant. They discuss what works in today's YA market, what kids are reading, how to pry them away from phones and televisions, and how to break into the market.Chapter 5: Parting WordsIt's not too late to attend WriterCon 2019! For more information, visit: writercon.org.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news of interest to writers, then interviews several of the attendees at his current writing retreat about the benefits of retreats to authors and aspiring authors.NOTE: This is a special live recording from the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and thus subject to the imperfections attendant to any live presentation. You will hear background sounds (like a truck rolling by during the news segment, and people passing the microphone). Host Bernhardt has occasional slips of the tongue ("audiobook" instead of "ebook," "publisher" instead of "author"). We hope you agree that these imperfections enhance the spontaneous fun of a live recording.News:1) Audible announces a plan to add captions to its audiobooks--and a firestorm erupts in the writing world.2) The CASE Act--a small-claims court for copyright suits--nears passage.3) Wattpad announces two monetization programs, including a Paid Stories program that will pay writers for their work.4) Dean Koontz signs with Amazon Publishing.In the interview segment, Bernhardt interviews the attendees at his writing retreat, including Julio Pinera, Lynette Bennett, John Fulton (The Janitor Must Die), Maithili Fulton, Suzi Korzak, and Lara Bernhardt (The Wantland Files). Attendees explain what brought them to the writers conference and the benefits they have found there, focusing on their work-in-progress and receiving directed, personal instruction and editing to help them advance their skills and improve their work.Bernhardt's next writing retreat will take place December 8-12, 2019, in New Orleans. For more information, visit, www.williambernhardt.com.It is not too late to register to attend WriterCon, the annual Red Sneaker writers conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend (August 30-September 2, 2019). For more information, visit writercon.org