Episodes

  • Barry Friedman Goes to Portugal—and Writes

    Barry Friedman Goes to Portugal—and Writes
    Jan 8 2025
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Barry Friedman. Barry has been a prominent professional standup comic for decades, but in recent years, he’s started writing. He’s got six books published to date, including his warm and witty series about his father (Jack Sh*t). But he also has a popular humor/political newsletter, and he does…geology writing?

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    Bill. Lara, and Jesse make book world predictions for 2025.

    7:32 News
    1) Deluxe Book Editions Surge in Popularity
    2) Arkansas Judge Strikes Down Book-Banning Law

    16:21 Craft Corner
    Jon Meyers and Emily Brooks, the authors of Write Better Together, discuss the best approaches to narrating your character’s experiences, specifically targeting that old adage you’ve probably heard, “Show don’t tell.” What’s it mean?

    19:25 Interview with Barry Friedman
    In this hilarious interview, you will learn:
    1) how Barry got started in standup comedy;
    2) how he transitioned into writing;
    3) dealing with grief and death in prose;
    4) how his series honors his father; and
    5) why he's moving to Portugal.

    52:23 Parting Words
    Join us for the WriterCon Alaskan Cruise (May 31-June 6, departing from Seattle). 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 see glaciers. For more info, please visit our website. I’ll leave a link in the show notes. If you have any questions, just email: william@writercon.com.

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    55 mins
  • DC Frost Nipping at Your Nose

    DC Frost Nipping at Your Nose
    Dec 20 2024
    Happy holidays! This is our last episode for 2024, but we will be back in January with more news and interviews!

    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview DC Frost.

    (0:00) Opening Thoughts
    Lara and Jesse make New Years resolutions.

    (3:26) News
    1) Taylor Swift Self-Publishes Eras Tour Book Thru Target. (This segment was recorded before the boo-boo-ridden book was released and dubbed the "Errors Tour Book.")
    2) TikTok Expands its Publishing Ventures

    (14:25) Craft Corner
    Desiree Duffy of Black Chateau and Books That Make You offers suggestions for writers in 2025.

    (19:04) DC Frost discusses writing and her books and so muhc more!

    (35:47) Parting Words
    Bill mentions two Christmas books: his novel, The Midnight Before Christmas and an anthology he edited featuring writers using their series characters in holiday stories, Christmas Tapestry. Lara's holiday offering is Christmas Spirit, the 5th in her Wantland Files series.

    Happy holidays!
    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    38 mins
  • Falling to Fly with Todd Fahnestock

    Falling to Fly with Todd Fahnestock
    Dec 4 2024
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Todd Fahnestock, author of Charlie Fiction and Falling to Fly: The Book to Read Before You Give Up on Your Writing Dream.

    (0:00) Opening Thoughts
    Bill, Lara, and Jesse discuss books that make great Christmas gifts.

    (6:32) News
    1) James Patterson Starts a Substack Newsletter
    2) John Grisham is Involved in Controversy Over Use of Source Materials

    (17:26) Craft Corner with Desiree Duffy
    The owner of Black Chateau (terrific book marketing firm) and Books That Make You offers suggestions on what to prioritize when promoting your book.

    (20:37) Interview with Todd Fahnestock
    Todd is the author of numerous fantasy novels (most recently, Charlie Fiction) and Falling to Fly: The Book to Read Before You Give Up on Your Writing Dreams

    (35:25)
    Speaking of Substack newsletters, WriterCon has one too, and you can get it for free by subscribing on Substack here.

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    38 mins
  • Disco and Danger with Marty Ludlum

    Disco and Danger with Marty Ludlum
    Nov 20 2024
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Marty Ludlum, author of the new mystery novel, At First I Was Afraid, the first book in his Disco Divas series.

    (0:00) Opening Thoughts
    Do you listen to music while you write?

    (3:34) News
    a. Amazon is Shuttering the Vella Program for Serialized Fiction
    b. Written Word Media 2024 Survey Reveals Surprises

    (15:39) Craft Corner
    Lara Bernhardt discusses how and why to add evocative imagery to your work.

    (18:02) Interview with Marty Ludlum, author of At First I Was Afraid
    In this interview you will learn:
    a. why Marty has been working on this book for almost thirty years;
    b. where he got the idea for his protagonist, Donna Summer Wyznecki;
    c. the importance of the Disco Divas;
    d. how he benefitted from a WriterCon cruise; and
    e. why this is the right book to read now.

    (37:20) Parting Words
    Register now for the WriterCon cruise! The cruise departs from Seattle on May 31 for a week through gorgeous Alaska. Over 20 hours of writing instruction—large group, small group, and private—while the ship is at sea. Prices vary depending upon the roon you choose. For more information, visit www.writercon.com/cruise/ or email willbern@gmail.com

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    37 mins
  • Worlds of Wonder with Miss Peregrine's Ransom Riggs

    Worlds of Wonder with Miss Peregrine's Ransom Riggs
    Nov 7 2024
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview the #1 New York Times  bestselling author of the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children novels, which have sold over ten million copies and led to Tim Burton’s film adaptation. His new book is Sunderworld, a portal fantasy planned as the first installment in a new series.

    Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
    Have you ever thought the movie was better than the book?

    Chapter 2: News
    1) AI Podcasts Have Arrived
    2) Audible/ACX Now Allow AI/Human Hybrid Narrators

    Chapter 3: Craft Corner
    Today's segment is on book marketing by Desiree Duffy, head of Black Chateau and Books That Make You, and longtime friend and sponsor for WriterCon. No one knows more about book marketing than she does.

    Chapter 4: Interview with Ransom Riggs
    In this interview, the author of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children discusses:
    1) how old photos led to a novel;
    2) how modern LA led to Sunderworld;
    3) how movies and VHS tapes figure in Sunderworld;
    4) writing a novel with a series in mind; and
    5) structuring your writing day.

    Chapter 5: Parting Words
    WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles on writing issues and allows provides the latest on new agents and publisers. Go to Substack.

    If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers.

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    41 mins
  • Celebrity Interviews & Bios with Glenn Plaskin

    Celebrity Interviews & Bios with Glenn Plaskin
    Oct 24 2024
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Glenn Plaskin, the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, includingHorowitz and Katie Up and Down the Hall, Glenn’s profiles of interview subjects, including Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, and Robert De Niro, have appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times, among many others.

    Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
    Everybody loves a good celeb interview...

    Chapter 2: News
    1) Brandon Sanderson is Opening His Own Bookstore.
    2) Romantasy is Going to the Movies.

    Chapter 3: Craft Corner
    Jon Meyers and Emily Brooks address how to retain authenticity in your writing. Visit their website.

    Chapter 4: Interview with Glenn Plaskin

    Chapter 5: Parting Words

    WriterCon has its own newsletter and you don’t want to miss a single next issue. www.writerconmag.substack.com

    If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. Click here.

    You can find the video version of these podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@writerconpodcast1307

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    50 mins
  • Bestselling Thrills with Robert Dugoni

    Bestselling Thrills with Robert Dugoni
    Oct 10 2024
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Robert Dugoni, the New York Times-bestselling author with a new novel, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, the second in his new legal thriller series featuring Keera Duggan.

    Chapter 1: Opening Thoughts
    Welcome to Season 4! We have great plans to make this the best writer podcast EVER!

    Chapter 2: News
    1) Book Bars Are Growing in Popularity
    2) Anti-Billionaire Books are Surging

    Chapter 3: Craft Corner
    Don't Confuse "Stuff Happening" with Conflict
    by Lara Bernhardt

    Chapter 4: Interview with Robert Dugoni
    In this interview, you will learn:
    1) how a difficult childhood led to writing;
    2) why he's returning to legal thrillers;
    3) where his literary novels come from;
    4) why he's writing a female protagonist; and
    5) what he's learned over the course of more than a dozen bestsellers.

    Chapter 5: Parting Words
    WriterCon has its own newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles for writerss and news on breaking issues. Learn more.

    If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers. Learn more.

    Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
    William Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    43 mins
  • LIVE FROM WRITERCON! Season Finale! Romantasy Authors Pike & Lemming!

    LIVE FROM WRITERCON! Season Finale! Romantasy Authors Pike & Lemming!
    Sep 9 2024
    LIVE FROM WRITERCON 2024! Recorded before a live audience! No cuts, no edits!

    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Aprilynne Pike, the #1 NYTimes-bestselling author of Wings and many other novels, and Kimberly Lemming, the USA Today-bestselling author of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon.

    Ch apter 1: Opening Thoughts
    We are at WriterCon 2024 and loving every minute! Learn what everyone enjoys most about this one-of-a-kindconference.

    Chapter 2: News
    1) "Freida McFadden" is Now the Bestselling Thriller Author in the US.
    2) Amazon (Finally) Adds Identity Verification to KDP.

    Chapter 3: Interview with Aprilynne Pike and Kimberly Lemming
    We had the rare opportunity to chat with two authors flying high with success in fantasy and "romantasy." (Best quote from Aprilynne: "I was writing romantasy for years before they gave it a cute name.") Gain insights on how they create their bestselling stories, how the business has changed in recent years, and where they see it going in the future.

    Chapter 4: Parting Words
    Don't miss WriterCon 2025 (OKC, August 30-Sept 3)!

    For more updates on WriterCon and the writing world, get the free newsletter: writerconmag.substack.com

    For daily updates and news from the WriterCon community, join our Facebook page: 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
    www.writercon.com
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    34 mins