WriterCon

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American/dp/B0FLKBB8JC/] and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge [https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Shanna-Hatfield-ebook/dp/B0F9RQVLP8/]. 0:00 Opening Thoughts Welcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach our 200th episode in December and we're looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous event. Post your ideas in the Comments section! 02:56 News 1) New Developments in the Anthropic Settlement Here's a link to the site where you can determine whether any of your books were impropoerly used by Anthropic. You can also submit a Claim Form so you can participate in the settlement—if you qualify. Searchable database: https://secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/?_gl=1x16ddk_gcl_auMjExNTg2NTEzMi4xNzU5NDE1NTc0 [https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/] Submitting Claim Forms: https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/ [https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/] 2) New "Book Club" Scam Floods Writers' Email Inboxes Support and follow Writer Beware! https://writerbeware.blog/ [https://writerbeware.blog/] 13:32 Craft Corner Barry Friedman (author of Jack Sh*t 3: I'm the Father [https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Sh-Im-Father-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0FR9XSMJ7/]) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction. 15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield 30:58 Parting Words The 2026 WriterCon Cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/] in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Come join us! [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]

This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there! Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025. Opening Thoughts We're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room.  News 1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating 2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds 3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper Format Interview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBee Parting Words Sorry to tell you, but if you’re listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com. WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon. And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Candace Kade, the author of The Hybrid series, a YA sci-fi trilogy. 00:00 Opening Thoughts LAST CALL for WriterCon 2025 at the Skirvin Hilton in OKC over Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers and over 100 breakout sessions, pitching, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other writers, people who share your hopes and dreams, form critique groups or gain beta readers, or present your work at the Open Mic. It is NOT too late to register! Learn more at: www.writercon.com/conference/ [https://www.writercon.com/conference/] 03:51 News 1) Siegel and Shuster Plaza Opens in Cleveland 07:43 Craft Corner Desiree Duffy from Black Chateau and Books That Make You explains the FIVE main benefits of writing conferences. Some of them may surprise you... 11:59 Interview with Candace Kade 25:52 Parting Words ONE LAST TIME! Join us at WriterCon 2025! www.writercon.com/conference [https://www.writercon.com/conference/]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sydney Pruett, a therapist who helps authors make their characters (fiction and nonfiction) psychologically compelling and consistent. 00:00 Opening Thoughts WriterCon is almost here! Come join the best writers conference in the Southwest. Over 60 speakers, over 100 breakout sessions covering every aspect of the writing life, craft, agents, publishers, marketing, and more. Pitching, consults, manuscript reviews, and much more. It is NOT too late to register. For more info, visit: www.writercon.com [https://www.writercon.com/conference/] 03:41 News 1) Audiobook Walking Clubs Gain Popularity 2) Fan Fiction Leads to Controversial Online Chatter 13:07 Craft Corner Jon Meyers talks about the vaue of writers conferences—and his upcoming MasterClass on memoir. 18:18 Interview with Sydney Pruett 30:25 Parting Words Have I said this already? Come join us at WriterCon! www.writercon.com [https://www.writercon.com/conference/]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Abigail O'Bryan, who recently released her first novel, Iron Rose [https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Rose-Abigail-OBryan-ebook/dp/B0D4C3KM1Y/]—a dark YA reimagining of Beauty & the Beast meets Hunger Games. 0:00 Opening Thoughts You are cordially invited to WriterCon [https://writercon.com/conference/], our annual writers conference, this year at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, starting Friday, August 29. Over 60 speakers and over 100 sessions, pitching, contests, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. But the best thing about it is that this is a real community of writers, people eager to help, people who have your back and understand the challenges of being a writer in today’s world. I think people are often surprised by how warm and welcoming the group is, and how many friends they make and keep after the conference is over. 04:36 News 1) AI Whistleblower Act Proposed 2) You Might Be Able to Copyright Your Face 11:07 Craft Corner This week's writing craft chat comes from Friend of the Podcast Betsey Kulakowski, author of the bestselling Veritas Codex [https://www.amazon.com/Veritas-Codex-Paranormal-Thriller-Book-ebook/dp/B08F2V1LYW/] series and a new book, The Veil of Secrets [https://www.amazon.com/Veil-Secrets-JB-Caine-ebook/dp/B0FBT7ZT7G/]. Today she addresses the gigantic benefit of attending writer conferences. 13:37 Interview with Abigail O'Bryan 33.21 Parting Words Did I mention WriterCon [https://writercon.com/conference/] yet? Of course I did. Come join us! Take your writing dreams to the next level. Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit. William Bernhardt  www.williambernhardt.com [http://www.williambernhardt.com/] www.writercon.com [http://www.writercon.com]