WriterCon

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Steven Joseph, author of Cranky Superpowers.Chapter 1: Opening ThoughtsThis podcast is being released on Oscar Sunday, so the Crew make their predictions, including one involving a red carpet gown, and ponder why movies get so much attention when the books they are based upon do not.Chapter 2: News1) Romantasy Authors Reclaim "Smut"2) AI-Narrated Audiobooks Available in Major Markets—Including AmazonChapter 3: Interview with Steven JosephDuring this chat, you will learn:1) what are cranky superpowers;2) what are your cranky superpowers;3) how to give rise to the possibility of the unimaginable;4) why arguments take away your power; and5) where crankiness will take Steven next.Chapter 4: Parting WordsLAST CALL for the WriterCon Cruise! Over 20 hours of instruction during a seven-day cruise through the Western Caribbean, focused on you and your writing goals. Join us!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Kelly Anne Manuel, a children's book author who is launching 31 books at the same time.Chapter 1: Opening ThoughtsOnly one week left to register for the WriterCon Cruise! Lara is already packing! Over 20+ hours of classroom, small-group, and private instruction. Plus we have fun! Seven days at sea writing in the most creativity-conducive environment imaginable. Join us!Chapter 2: News1) Critics Complain Hugo Awards Were Rigged2) Reading is SexyWilliam Bernhardt apologizes for his slip of the tongue. While reading, Kendall Jenner's book was covered in green Post-It notes, not her body!Chapter 3: Interview with Kelly Anne ManuelDuring this chat, you will learn:1) how she stumbled into writing;2) why she writes for children;3) how she "meets the child in their journey;"4) why she is "the good kind of contagious;" and 5) why she's releasing 31 books at once.Chapter 4: Parting WordsAgain, only one week left to join us for the WriterCon Cruise. Seven days at sea traveling down the Western Caribbean coastline, with seven WriterCon instructors ready to provide whatever you need to advance your writing career. Plus Game Night! Karaoke! Swag bags! The cost is low and the benefits are high. Join us!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lauren Smith, bestselling romance author of many popular books, including Dukes & Diamonds.Chapter 1: Opening ThoughtsWhy don't we have the literary equivalent of a Taylor Swift?Chapter 2: News1. Florida Censors Goblin Butts—By Drawing Over Them2. Random House Encourages Readers to Buy a Taylor Swift Book—That She Didn't WriteChapter 3: Interview with Lauren SmithDuring this chat, you will learn:1) why she turned to romance;2) how she navigates the current publishing world;3) how she deals with foreign rights;4) why Titanic made such an impression on her; and5) why she plans her books before writing them.Chapter 4: Parting WordsOnly two more weeks to register for the WriterCon Cruise! Over 20 hours of instruction in the most relaxing, writer-conducive environment imaginable. Classes, small-group sessions, and one-on-one meetings with literary agent Katharine Sands or anyone else on the faculty. We will read your manuscript and give you direct specific feedback. This is a unique opportunity, extremely affordable, and lots of fun. Join us!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 interview the hosts of the new UnFreakingBelievable podcast, Betsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex series), Jennifer Labranche, and JB Caine, who will present incredible true stories each episode. They explain what the podcast is about and where it came from—then present a special episode for listeners to the WriterCon podcast.

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news in the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Katharine Sands, the highly-sought-after literary agent from the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency.Opening ThoughtsYes, Bill and Lara are married and live together, they just broadcast from different rooms. But it doesn't matter because there are books and superheroes in all of them.News1) AI Program Lets You Speak to the Dead2) First-Time Author with Major Book Deal is Cancelled Due to Online BehaviorInterviewDuring this chat with Katharine Sands, you will learn:1) how she became an agent;2) what she's looking for:3) hot trends she's seeing for 2024;4) how to perfect your pitch; and5) what she'll be doing on the WriterCon Cruise.Closing ThoughtsLara wants you to join her for the WriterCon Cruise. Lots of instruction, both large-group and small, guaranteed one-on-one meetings with the agent and others, chances to make new writer friends and learn new writer tricks. Plus we have a blast, and Lara is talking about wearing a swimsuit! Join the adventure: https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.com www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Debbie Babitt, thriller author of First Victim and Saving Grace.Opening RemarksThe WriterCon podcast is praised on social media...by Pirr.NewsYour hosts make prognostications for 2024 on critical book-world topics, like emerging genres, book banning, AI, and the FTC suit against Amazon.Interview with Debbie BabittDuring this chat, you will learn:1) why she writes thrillers;2) how she broke into the business;3) where she finds inspiration;4) how she helps other writers; and5) what happenjs next.Parting WordsLara wants everyone to join us on the WriterCon Cruise in April. We have negotiated excellent discounted prices you will not find anywhere else. The Cruise offers over 20+ hours of instruction, plus one-on-one meetings with a top-ranked agent and anyone else on our eight-person faculty. Plus, we have tons of fun! Join us!Remember writers, you cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwillbern@gmail.comwww.writercon.comwww.williambrnhardt.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing and publishing tips, and interview Micah Leydorf, inspirational writer of The Unseen Battle.Opening ThoughtsBill's thriller Dark Eye (2005) has been banned in Florida. He is very excited about it.Lara is more excited about the forthcoming WriterCon Cruise.News1) Lord of the Rings Fan Fiction Author Loses in Court—Twice2) Steamboat Willie, Tigger, and Other Valuable IPs Go Public DomainInterview with Micah Leydorf:During this chat you will learn:1) what distinguishes spiritual or faith-based fiction;2) how to break into the market;3) how she merges politics and faith;4) her path to publication; and5) why she calls herself "the wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur who writes out of obedience.” Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Cruise, April 21-29, 2024! Since the last podcast, we’ve added three more faculty members, so we now have eight instructors on our Cruise faculty, four authors (including two major-list bestsellers), two publishers, an audiobook engineer, and a top agent from the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency. This will be the third WriterCon cruise—and four of our previous attendees are now published with excellent houses. On the cruise, you will receive more than 20 hours of on-board instruction, plus a private meeting with the agent (and anyone else you request). You may even be able to squeeze in time for the hot tub. You will learn (but we also have lots of fun). Click here for more information.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.com www.writercon.comwillbern@gmail.com

Happy New Year! For our final episode of 2023, we're combining two previous interviews (from two separate episodes) with Erin Heinecke. Erin is with the largest firm in the US specializing in book-to-movie deals, which saw a big upswing in 2023. How can you be a part of this? Listen to Erin.We'll be back in 2024 with more interviews, more writing tips, more news analysis, and more information about forthcoming programs like the Cruise, the Retreat, the Magazine, and of course, the WriterCon conference itself.Thanks for listening to this podcast! Tell your writing friends about us!William Bernhardtwillbern@gmail.comwww.writercon.comwww.williambernhardt.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Dan Short, co-author of The Santa Claus Chronicles, with Rene Gutteridge.Note: Due to the circumstances—Dan giving us an interview between Santa gigs—the audio is imperfect. Apologies, but we didn't want you to miss out on Dan's wonderful stories.Chapter 1: Opening ThoughtsWe are ready for the holidays!During the holiday break, we will release a classic compilation episode featuring Erin Heinecke, the prominent movie/tv literary agent.Chapter 2: News1) Big 5 Publishers Use AI to Select Manuscripts2) Wattpad Launches Premium Subscriptions3) Wall Street Journal Cancels its Bestseller ListChapter 3: Interview with Dan ShortDuring this chat, you'll learn:1) how Dan started writing;2) how he started being Santa;3) how he brings the joy of the season to his work; and 4) the experiences and lessons of his life.Chapater 4: Parting WordsLara Bernhardt's Christmas Spirit is marked down for the holidays!William Bernhardt has a Kenzi Rivera short story int he holiday anthology Christmas Tapestry.The holiday issue of WriterCon Magazine has been released. Subscribe today!William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Dan Martin, head writer for Star Trek: Resurgence and many other computer/video games. He has also worked as a Hollywood script reader.Chapter 1: Opening ThoughtsJesse is elated by the prospect of a guest relating to Star Trek.Chapter 2: News1) Book/Movie Deals are on the Upswing2) Amazon Sues Scam PublishersThe You Tube scam-hunter Lara mentions is Kitboga.Chapter 3: Interview with Dan MartinDuring this chapter, you will learn:1) what Hollywood script readers are looking for;2) how to write a game script;3) handling the infinite branches of a gaming story;4) creating layered characters in a plot-driven story; and5) how to break into this billion-dollar industry.Chapter 4: Parting WordsLara Bernhardt's novel Shadow of the Taj is now on sale. William Bernhardt has a Kenzi Rivera story in the anthology Christmas Tapestry.The holiday issue of WriterCon Magazine is now on sale, featuring articles about writing holiday stories, marketing holiday stories, inspirational pieces, gift lists for writers, and much more. Get it at: writercon.substack.com.