WriterCon

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L. Dove, WriterCon [https://www.writercon.com] keynote speaker and bestelling author who scored a huge success earlier this year with her debut novel, Mask of the Deer Woman [https://www.amazon.com/Mask-Deer-Woman-Laurie-Dove-ebook/dp/B0CW187KFV/], a thriller set on a Native America reservation with indigenous characters. 00:00 Opening Thoughts Last Call for the WriterCon Retreat, a five-day immerisve writing workshop at Canebrake Resort, Wagoner OK, from July 16-20. 05:39 News We take a deep dive into the ongoing controversies surrounding artificial intelligence and how it affects writers, talking about the recent Anthropic decision, the studio suit against Midjourney, and writers being accused of using AI—even though they didn't. 18:36 Craft Corner Jon Meyers of Write Better Together [https://writebettertogether.com/] discusses the importance of choosing your setting deliberately. 23:18 Interview with Laurie L Dove In this compelling interview, we hear the bestselling debut author discuss her road of many years leading to Mask of the Deer Woman [https://www.amazon.com/Mask-Deer-Woman-Laurie-Dove-ebook/dp/B0CW187KFV/], her chart-topping breakout novel, now planned to launch a series. She talks about how the Murdered and Missing Indiginous Women crisis informed the book and how she devised the plot twists and turns that have led to stellar reviews and high sales. 36:38 Parting Words Yes, the Retreat ia almost upon us...so let's start talking about the WriterCon Conference [https://www.writercon.com], Labor Day weekend (Aug 29-Sept 1) at the historic Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. Come join us! 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]

Note: This episode was delayed for technical reasons, so some may be confused by the opening when William teases his latest book sale. If you follow him on social media, you've already seen The Big Reveal. And if not—check out the next episode. Also, that is indeed William and Lara's dog, Baxter, expressing his enthusiasm for the new Amazon Kindle policy. We could've removed it—but why? Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lauren Smith, the USA Today-bestselling author of many bestselling romance novels, including The Care and Feeding of Rogues [https://www.amazon.com/Care-Feeding-Rogues-Ladys-Guide-ebook/dp/B0CWKCG81F/]—which involves not only romance, but Sherlock Holmes. 00:00 Opening Thoughts All the latest news from Bill, Lara, and Jesse 04:53 News 1) Kindle Readers Can Now Purchase Books Within the App 2) New Book Says "Bibliotherapy" Can Improve Your Health 14:18 Craft Corner Jon Meyers of Write Better Together [https://writebettertogether.com/] discusses the importance of choosing setting deliberately. 20:23 Interview with Lauren Smith Lauren Smith has won multiple awards in several romance subgenres and was a 2018 RITA Finalist in the Romance Writers of America Contest. She was also a 2024 OK Book Awards nominee for The Care and Feeding of Rogues and she will be joining us at the WriterCon Retreat on July 16-20. 36:44 Parting Words Don't forget about the WriterCon Retreat at Canebrake Resort on July 16-20. It's a five-day, small-group writing retreat at the 300-acre resort on Ft. Gibson Lake. Our retreat group will have the resort to ourselves with paths to hike, a pool to enjoy, bikes to ride and much more! Classes every day, small-group work, guest lectures, plus plenty of time to get some writing done in a gorgeous environment. This retreat will leave you inspired to move forward in your writing journey! www.writercon.com/retreat/ [https://www.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]

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Mark Stevens, author of several crime novels, including Trapline. His new novel No Lie Lasts Forever involves a reporter investigating a cold-case serial killer who may have returned. 00.00 Opening Thoughts Jesse has returned from Ireland with a new appreciation of books—especially illuminated ones. 04:29 News 1) MIllion Lives Book Festival Disaster 2) Agatha Christie Rises to Teach Again 15:31 Craft Corner Jon Meyers (Write Better Together [https://writebettertogether.com/]) discusses the use of attachment theory when creating characters and character relationships. 21:30 Interview with Mark Stevens 42:20 Parting Words LAST CALL for the WriterCon Cruise (May31-July 7). Seven days at sea touring Alaska—with lots of writing instruction when the boat is at sea. Over 20 hours of talks, small-group work, plus private interviews with an onbaord literary agent. Register now! [https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/] 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 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]