Countdown to WriterCon with William Martin

Find What You Do Best with Lou Berney

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lou Berney, the USA Today-bestselling author of seven novels, including Crooks, Dark Ride, November Road, and The Long and Faraway Gone. He has won the Edgar, Hammett, Steel Dagger, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity awards and is a four-time finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize. 0:00 Opening Thoughts Bill's book was promoted in Times Square! And WriterCon [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/] is just around the corner (Sept 4-7)! 8:08 News 1) Classmate Says Memoirist Stole Her Story 2) Music Group Hopes to Acquire Author Backlists 18:36 Craft Corner Tyler Lenz explains LitRPG 21:24 Interview with Lou Berney 37:42 Parting Words WriterCon [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/] is September 4-7, in Oklahoma City at the historic and haunted Skirvin Hilton. Lara and I will be there, plus Jesse, plus about sixty other writers, agents, publishers, and others connected to the publishing industry. You can review the schedule on our website, www.writercon.com [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/]. WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles on breaking issues. Go to Substack [https://writerconmag.substack.com/]. If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273] 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]

Countdown to WriterCon with William Martin

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview WriterCon keynote speaker William Martin, the New York Times-bestselling author of twelve novels, a PBS documentary, book reviews, magazine articles, and a cult-classic horror movie. His most recent book is December ’41, which Steve Berry (who has also keynoted at WriterCon), called “Another masterpiece from a master, and that’s exactly what William Martin is.” 0:00 Opening Thoughts Updates on the Commonwealth Prize controversy—and WriterCon '26! 5:11 News 1) Self-Published Book Sells Over 2.5 Million Copies! 2) AI Stories Favor Elias Thorne and Lighthouses 16:53 Craft Corner Christina Kaye discusses how to treat your books like a business, not a hobby 20:17 Interview with William Martin 49:46 Parting Words Bill's book The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/] is about a writer, just like you, and the struggles he suffered are still with us today. Jerry Siegel, the kid who came up with the idea for Superman, was the first American writer to sue his publishers, and many other writers now benefit from what became the most important creator-rights battle of modern times. WriterCon [https://www.writercon.com] is September 4-7, in Oklahoma City at the historic and haunted Skirvin Hilton. Lara and I will be there, plus Jesse, plus William Martin, plus about sixty other writers, agents, publishers, and people connected to the publishing industry. You can review the schedule on our website, www.writercon.com [https://www.writercon.com]. If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. Click here! [https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273] 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]

A Trip to the Doctor's Office with Christina LePort

Bestselling author William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Cristina LePort, a cardiologist and writer of medical thrillers, including Dissection [https://cristinaleport.com/dissection/], Change of Heart [https://cristinaleport.com/change-of-heart/], and Defrosted [https://cristinaleport.com/defrosted/].  0:00 Opening Thoughts AI stories are winning awards??? Calgon, take me away... 6:27 News 1) Author/Murderer Sentenced to Life 2) Human Authors Can Now Verify That They're Human 14:50 Craft Corner Lara Bernhardt Discusses the Value of Writing Contests 19:26 Interview with Christina LePort 37:57 Parting Words One more plug for Bill's new book, The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]. This book is about a writer, just like you. Jerry Siegel was the first American writer to sue his publisher, and many other writers now benefit from his fight. Learn more about the most important creator-rights battle in modern history. The WriterCon Retreat is at Canebrake Resort near Tulsa, July 15-19. Lauren Smith will be there, with John Wooley and agent Hunter Strickland. Come join us! www.writercon.com/retreat/ [https://writercon.com/retreat/] The annual WriterCon Conference is September 4-7, in Oklahoma City at the historic Skirvin Hilton. Lara and I will be there, plus Jesse and about sixty other writers, agents, publishers, and others connected to the publishing industry. You can review the schedule on our website, www.writercon.com [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/].

Up, Up & Away with William Bernhardt

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview...William Bernhardt, whose 67th published book is The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/], the true story of Superman's creator, Jerry Siegel, and his fight to create, then recover, his iconic character. 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/], WriterCon 2026, and the host steps into the interview chair! 4:25 News 1) Protest Filed Over AI Audiobooks—Including One from John Grisham 2) New Literary Scout Program Wants to Send Your Work to Hollywood 15:21 Interview with William Bernhardt The guest would like you to know that when he talked about Jerry Siegel serving his "company," he of course actually meant "country," but he just gets so excited when he talks about Siegel and Superman that his stutter returns and he trips over his own tongue. Which Superman would never do.  47:34 Parting Words WriterCon 2026 [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/] will take place in Oklahoma City on Sept 4-7 with over sixty presenters headlined by #1 NYTimes bestselling author William Martin, and Edgar Award-winner Lou Berney. Visit the website for more info: www.writercon.com [https://writercon.com/writercon-2026-conference/] If you want a small-group enviroment and a chance to workshop your work-in-progress, consider the WriterCon Retreat [https://writercon.com/retreat/], at Canebrake Resort near Tulsa on July 15-19. More info on the website: www.writercon.com/retreat/ [https://writercon.com/retreat/] 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]

Genre-Smashing with Rick London

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Rick London, author of The Dancing Wolfeman. Opening Thoughts William Bernhardt's new book, The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/], is ON SALE NOW! The book has already garnered rave reviews and a host of interviews, plus the #1 New Release flag on Amazon. This is the story of Jerry Siegel, the man who came up with the idea for Superman—only to find himself jobless and penniless. This is a story of interest not just to comic fans, but to anyone who cares about creator rights and protecting creative work from the predators who sadly still exist. Get your copy today! News 1) Trad Wife Fiction Has Become the Year's Most Talked-About Genre 2) Sacha Black Has Her Own Fulfillment Service Craft Corner Betsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex [https://www.amazon.com/Veritas-Codex-Paranormal-Thriller-Book-ebook/dp/B08F2V1LYW/]) explains how writers can protect themsleves from the pervasive scams and spam. Interview with Rick London Parting Words Up, up and way! Get your copy of The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American-ebook/dp/B0GN9Q7VK9/] today! Only a few spots left in the WriterCon Retreat [https://www.writercon.com/retreat] (July 15-19). Join us and workshop your work-in-progress! Register for WriterCon 2026 [https://www.writercon.com] before the Early Bird pricing ends! Visit