WriterCon

Capturing Media Attention for Your Book with Leah Paulos

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLKBB8JC?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp]) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Leah Paulos, the founder and leader of Press Shop PR [https://www.pressshoppr.com/], who for more than 25 years has helped promote top titles from major publishers. Note: Because the team was on the road, the sound quality of this episode is not our usual. Apologies. We will be back to normal next time for our 200TH EPISODE!!! 0:00 Opening Thoughts What book are you thankful for this year? 4:02 News 1) Beventi and INKfluence Team to Help Authors Direct Sell Enhanced Books [https://beventi.co/INKfluence] 2) Huge Phianthropic Fund for Literary Arts 10:39 Craft Corner Tamara Grantham (Never Call Me Vampire [https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Legends-Crimson-Paranormal-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B08LQTNYYN/]) explains the importance of giving your characters memorable eccentricities. 14:06 Interview with Leah Paulos [https://www.pressshoppr.com/] 36:10 Parting Words Join us for the WriterCon Cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]! Over 20 hours of writing instruction while we cruise the Eastern Carribean on an 8-day sail leaving from Ft Lauderdale, March 7-15. Seas the Day! Join the WriterCon Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273], a warm and supportive group of writers. Know what's going on in the writing world 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/] www.writercon.com [http://www.writercon.com]

Thrillers Come Home with Courtney Psak

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 Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller The Tutor [https://www.amazon.com/Tutor-gripping-psychological-thriller-stopping-ebook/dp/B0DNSTSGS6/]. 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Crew talk about recent travels and debate whether Bill is tragically unhip. 4:23 News The All-Lawsuit Edition! 1) Judge Declares Texas Book Rating Law Unconstiutional 2) Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump for Allegedly Trying to Silence HIm 3) Big Five P{ublisher Sues the Heirs of Nelson DeMille Note: when Bill talks about S&S paying $600 and some, he means $600,000+ 15:18 Interview with Courtney Psak 32:02 Parting Words Join us for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, which is a new destination for us. So beautiful tropical vistas, plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Bil, Lara, Betsey Kulakowski and agent Katharine Sands, who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info. www.writercon.com/cruise [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]

SciFi Doubles with Kuwal & Miller

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 Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double." 0:00 Opening Thoughts How are you celebrating Halloween? 05:03 News 1) Lawsuit Over Amazon Prime Cancellations Settled 2) TikTok and Spotify Launch New Joint Hub 12:43 Craft Corner Betsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP1PD2C], offers advice on character and world-building, and how the two interact.  15:35 Interview with Mary Robinette Kuwal and Sam J Miller Parting Words Mark your calendar for the WriterCon Cruise! MARCH 7TH - 15TH  8-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN: GREATER ANTILLES & LEEWARD ISLANDS When the boat is at sea, we'll offer more than 20 hours of writing instruction, group and individual, plus we'll have Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency on board to meet privately with each participant. Don't miss it! Click here for more information. [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/]

Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield

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/]

LIVE from WriterCon 2025: The Joy of Writing

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