WriterCon

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Kaira Rouda, the author of many bestselling novels of domestic suspense, translated into more than a dozen languages. Her new novel is Jill is Not Happy. Openting Thoughts NaNoWriMo has shut down—but don't let that stop you from writing. Create a schedule for yourself and stick to it! News 1) Plagiarism Accusations in the Romantasy World 2) An AI program "specifically designed for writers" Craft Corner Marty Ludlum, author of At First I Was Afraid, discusses the importance of choosing the rights words to bring your story to life. Interview with Kaira Rouda Parting Words It's not to late to register for the WriterCon Alaskan Cruise, May 31-June 6, departing from Seattle. Over 20 hours of instruction, meetings with a major literary agent, plus one-on-ones focusing on your work-in-progress. Workshop your book while admiring some of the most beautiful vistas on earth. For more information about the cruise, the retreat, and the annual conference, visit www.writercon.com. 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/]

Errata: William acknowledges that the fifth book in the Douglas Adams Hitchhiker series is "Mostly Harmless," not "Mostly Serious" although he thinks both equally inaccurate. The Faulkner quote he butchers is "The past is never dead. It's not even past." The title of the Barry Friedman series we didn't say aloud is Jack Sh*t 1 & 2 [https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Voluptuous-Bagels-Concerns-Friedman/dp/1954871678/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZEWWCRFI1G82&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DTX_Ye4t0P_rreTyin6YLOTaOR7p5Ir18pH_SOHkdFX0k-HqYEyjf4iF7zZQ9CTY.jU-5jcIQ6dQAdbvK_jS3wQaKjZQPubtobO73ArV47ZU&dib_tag=se&keywords=jack+sh*t+barry+friedman&qid=1744988004&s=books&sprefix=jack+sh+t+barry+friedman%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1], lovely vignettes of his father's colorful wit and wisdom. This Week on WriterCon: Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Matt Goldman, New York Times bestselling author, playwright, and Emmy Award-winning television writer for Seinfeld, Ellen, and other shows. He has now written a novel, The Murder Show. [https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Show-Matt-Goldman-ebook/dp/B0D1P94NH1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EM7PA3PLULHQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NMwyUfIVZXKfk0q9Ddo9aNoN2PVCo92-nJp2N6OELLd5ctIKLgi_378A1lux9GQoowPfD242jdRCgqXm9PwSho8_f0XsmGKKwdvt3YWM4nKfnO2V_jJTZWKumLmqe5yJhcAYLot-7Wqan9hfj6WHaNSJR-Ih34WNmcpJeS7gIbQRwIiElcKwSe5QT9buZhC9J0Wxny6iOJDfhxQwyZ0puyhhNB2pVLb9v9DPKYKH4Ek.XLOQf-8TSUHv4phxGaXIbgYYpOQHcubzkTU3bVnuU4E&dib_tag=se&keywords=murder+show+goldman&qid=1744988038&s=books&sprefix=murder+show+goldman%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1-1] 0:00 Opening Thoughts Check out the new books from fabulous Friends of WriterCon (and edited by Lara): Beauty and the Bund [https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Bund-Robert-Brown-ebook/dp/B0F2JBML3V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X5XJLOAEF3G5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-dXTzvVJKMZxpNN5MmwozQ.zR-62wR06UVExmrn2XEQz9OwnAnMIivsQyd9v8k7hnk&dib_tag=se&keywords=beauty+and+the+bund&qid=1744988104&s=books&sprefix=beauty+and+the+bund%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1] by John Wooley and Broadway Dreamer [https://www.amazon.com/Broadway-Dreamer-York-Actors-Memoir-ebook/dp/B0DX5W1C1V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LBWVYJSVCTJT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4vXUh4RNLh0szFFPEYfoNqdGrBpChXk_OgL5FNozHGrGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.y8Ui_PiEpXlxG11BSEtawl_aOqH7dQPjw6nmF2HxfTw&dib_tag=se&keywords=broadway+dreamer&qid=1744988137&s=books&sprefix=broadway+dreamer%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1-1] by Lynette Bennett. 5:13 News 1) Author of the Original Vampire Dairies Books was Blackballed from Her Own Series 2) AI-written Poetry is Indistinguishable and More Popular than Human Poetry 21:06 Craft Corner Desire Duffy of Black Chateau [https://www.blackchateauenterprises.com/] talks about how to get reviews from readers. 25:26 Interview with Matt Goldman, author of The Murder Room [https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Show-Matt-Goldman-ebook/dp/B0D1P94NH1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EM7PA3PLULHQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NMwyUfIVZXKfk0q9Ddo9aNoN2PVCo92-nJp2N6OELLd5ctIKLgi_378A1lux9GQoowPfD242jdRCgqXm9PwSho8_f0XsmGKKwdvt3YWM4nKfnO2V_jJTZWKumLmqe5yJhcAYLot-7Wqan9hfj6WHaNSJR-Ih34WNmcpJeS7gIbQRwIiElcKwSe5QT9buZhC9J0Wxny6iOJDfhxQwyZ0puyhhNB2pVLb9v9DPKYKH4Ek.XLOQf-8TSUHv4phxGaXIbgYYpOQHcubzkTU3bVnuU4E&dib_tag=se&keywords=murder+show+goldman&qid=1744988038&s=books&sprefix=murder+show+goldman%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1-1] 45:46 Parting Words The WriterCon Alaskan Cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/] departs from Seattle on May 31. Wouldn't you like to be writing and learning about writing on the high seas? The WriterCon Retreat [https://writercon.com/retreat/] is July 17 at the Canebrake Resort not far from Tulsa OK. Take a deep dive into your work at this gorgeous location. Small and Large groups meetings every day. Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit. William Bernhardt  www.williambernhardt.com [http://www.williambernhardt.com/] http://www.writercon.com www.writercon.com [http://www.writercon.com]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Emily Carpenter, a former actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant. She is also the author of the bestselling novels Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and The Weight of Lies. Her new novel is called Gothictown. [https://www.amazon.com/Gothictown-Emily-Carpenter-ebook/dp/B0DB3Z1H4Q/] 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Oklahoma Book Awards love WriterCon writers! 3:13 News 1) Mass-Market Paperbacks are Disappearing Fast 2) Dogfluencers Get Major Book Deals 14:36 Craft Corner Betsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex series [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP1PD2C?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1743002523&sr=8-1]) discusses imposter syndrome and how writers can avoid it. 18:36 Interview with Emily Carpenter 36: 35 Parting Words WriterCon Alaskan Cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]: We have worked double-hard to find something beautiful but affordable. You’ll get over 20 hours of writing instruction, scheduled when the boat is at sea, not when you’d rather get off and go see glaciers. It’s May 31-June 7 leaving from Seattle. For more info, please visit our website. [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/] My novel, Challengers of the Dust [https://www.amazon.com/Challengers-Dust-William-Bernhardt-ebook/dp/B0DYFCFC91/], has been released. This is set in 1935 Dust Bowl Oklahoma. Two young men are forced to undertake an impossible mission—find a local bigwig’s wayward daughter—which sends them on a cross-country journey during which they meet many Depression-era people, including the famous or soon-to-be famous. A change of pace for me, but I hope a lot of fun and a good read, especially for those interested in the Great Depression, WWII era, the period that literally transformed America. In a good way. 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/]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Cynthia Pelayo, the author of a new novel, Vanishing Daughters [https://www.amazon.com/Vanishing-Daughters-Thriller-Cynthia-Pelayo-ebook/dp/B0CW9S7W79/]. She is the Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Forgotten Sisters and other genre-blending novels that incorporate fairy tales, mystery, and horror elements. Esquire called her novel Loteria, one of the "Best Horror Books of 2023." 0:00: Opening Thoughts Travel recaps, plus a discussion of which wives prefer, diamonds or acrostics. 5:01: News 1) ElevenLabs offers Universal AI-narrated Audiobook Options for Authors 2) Amazon Ends Downloads from Kindle Devices by USB 17:26 Craft Corner Desire Duffy of Black Chateau [https://www.blackchateauenterprises.com/] and Writers Who Make You discusses how to get endorsements for your books. 22:19 Interview with Cynthia Pelayo [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cynthia-Cina-Pelayo/author/B006GEK4YG?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] 39:34 Parting Words LDon't forget to register for the WriterCon Cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]. Our reserved room block is running out. Take advantage of the rookm discounts while you can. You’ll get over 20 hours of writing instruction, scheduled when the boat is at sea, not when you’d rather get off and go see the icecaps melt. It’s May 31-June 7 leaving from Seattle. For more info, please visit our website [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]. I’ll leave a link in the show notes. If you have any questions, just email.  Let me also remind you that my novel Challengers of the Dust [https://www.amazon.com/Challengers-Dust-William-Bernhardt-ebook/dp/B0DYFCFC91/] has just been released. This is set in 1935 Dust Bowl Oklahoma. Two young men are forced to perform an impossible mission—find a local bigwig’s wayward daughter—which sends them on a cross-country journey during which they meet many Depression-era people, including the famous or soon-to-be famous. Change of pace, but I hope a lot of fun and a good read, especially for those interested in the Great Depression, WWII era, the period that literally transformed America. In a good way. 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]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lynette Bennett, star of stage and screen, who has written her first memoir, Broadway Dreamer. 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Oscars are only two DAYS away (my bad) and we ponder why so many Best Film nominess are based on books. 7:12 News 1) Bookshop.org is Now Selling eBooks Online—For Indie Bookstores 2) Cozy Fantasy is Now an Official Alternative to Dark and Spicy Fantasy 14:28 Craft Corner Desiree Duffy of Black Chateau [https://www.blackchateauenterprises.com/] explains the importance of editorial book reviews—and how to get them. 19:11 Interview with Lynette Bennett 47:27 Parting Words Don't forget the WriterCon Alaksan Cruise, May 30-June 7 leaving from Seattle. Over 20 hours of writing instruction, large group, small, and individual, while the ship is at sea. Our discounted room rate is only guaranteed through March 2, so make your reservations now! Click for more information. www.writercon.com/cruise/ [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]