WriterCon

Bestselling author William Bernhardt records live from WriterCon 2019!Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: News1) Audible is sued over its new plan to add captions to audiobooks.2) Hugh Howey is interviewed by The Knowledge Project.3) A new Chinese AI reads audiobooks--in the author's voice.4) A new app has a frightening approach to eliminating writer procrastination.Chapter 3: Bernhardt interviews some of the people attending WriterCon.Chapter 4: Bernhardt interview Barry Friedman, standup comic and author of Road Comic, and John Wooley, author of Seventh Sense and other horror novels. Both authors were presenting at WriterCon, so Bernhardt took this opportunity to talk to them about their approaches to writing, collaboration, and finding truth through their work.Chapter 5: Parting WordsSorry you missed WriterCon this year? You can sign up now for next year's WriterCon. And in February 2020, we are offering the first ever WriterCon Cruise--seven days in the Caribbean with some of the best writers and writing instructors in the business.To register for WriterCon 2020: www.writercon.orgFor more info about the WriterCon Cruise: www.williambernhardt.com/cruise

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews Erin Hennicke, movie/tv book scout for Franklin & Siegal, about how to make your stories more appealing to Hollywood.Chapter1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Barnes & Noble reports a large spike in sales of romance novels.b) Harper Collins launches the Harper Horizons imprint to focus on positive-lifestyle nonfiction.c) Audible signs deal with Skybound to increase its audio-original content.d) Facebook Ads introduce new features.e) The New York Times reports on book piracy--unauthorized and poorly translated editions of books violating American copyright laws.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses the recent article in The Atlantic on Amazon Publishing, which now publishes a significant share of the books sold at Amazon, including books by major authors such as Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, and Robert Dugoni. Its "vertical integration" with the retailing branch of the parent company gives Amazon Publishing, Amazon's traditional publishing branch (not to be confused with self-publishing at KDP), many advantages and should considered by authors making sales plans.Chapter 4: Interview with Erin HennickeErin Hennicke is a movie/tv book scout for Franklin & Siegal, actively scouting projects for Universal Studios' film division and Paramount TV. She discusses her work and what makes books and stories more attractive to Hollywood producers.Chapter 5: Closing WordsRegister for WriterCon, the annual book conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, with more than 50 presenters, 70 breakout sessions, contests, pitching opportunities, agents, editors, and much more.WriterCon: www.writercon.orgDavid Gaughran's Blog: https://davidgaughran.com/blog/

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews several writers at Litfest, a library literary festival in Oklahoma City.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: NewsBernhardt provides more details on the multi-book contract signed by Dean Koontz with Amazon Publishing, the success of Amazon's ads program, and the breakout hit When the Crawdads Sing, a first novel published when the author (Delia Owens) was 69 years of age.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt interviews Staci Mauney about how she turned her blog into four successful inspirational books--and how what worked for her might work for you. He also chats with Sarah Brown, organizer of Litfest.Chapter 4: InterviewBernhardt interviews four highly successful middle-grade and young-adult writers: Kim Ventrella, author of Skeleton Tree, Wendy Spinale, author of the Everland series, Brad McLelland, author of Legends of the Lost Causes, and Sonia Gensler, author of The Revenant. They discuss what works in today's YA market, what kids are reading, how to pry them away from phones and televisions, and how to break into the market.Chapter 5: Parting WordsIt's not too late to attend WriterCon 2019! For more information, visit: writercon.org.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news of interest to writers, then interviews several of the attendees at his current writing retreat about the benefits of retreats to authors and aspiring authors.NOTE: This is a special live recording from the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and thus subject to the imperfections attendant to any live presentation. You will hear background sounds (like a truck rolling by during the news segment, and people passing the microphone). Host Bernhardt has occasional slips of the tongue ("audiobook" instead of "ebook," "publisher" instead of "author"). We hope you agree that these imperfections enhance the spontaneous fun of a live recording.News:1) Audible announces a plan to add captions to its audiobooks--and a firestorm erupts in the writing world.2) The CASE Act--a small-claims court for copyright suits--nears passage.3) Wattpad announces two monetization programs, including a Paid Stories program that will pay writers for their work.4) Dean Koontz signs with Amazon Publishing.In the interview segment, Bernhardt interviews the attendees at his writing retreat, including Julio Pinera, Lynette Bennett, John Fulton (The Janitor Must Die), Maithili Fulton, Suzi Korzak, and Lara Bernhardt (The Wantland Files). Attendees explain what brought them to the writers conference and the benefits they have found there, focusing on their work-in-progress and receiving directed, personal instruction and editing to help them advance their skills and improve their work.Bernhardt's next writing retreat will take place December 8-12, 2019, in New Orleans. For more information, visit, www.williambernhardt.com.It is not too late to register to attend WriterCon, the annual Red Sneaker writers conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend (August 30-September 2, 2019). For more information, visit writercon.org

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the trends, topics, and news from the world of books, then interviews John Wooley, author of horror novels and much more.In this episode, Bernhardt combines the news and writing features to discuss how the content of books is changing in the digital era--for instance, romance novels that break barriers or read like romcoms, and literary novels that imploy horror tropes.In the interview segment, Bernhardt talks to John Wooley, a veteran of more than forty years as a professional novelist. He is best known as a horror writer, but has also written comic books, comic strips, biography, science fiction, and much more--and has gained much wisdom and insight along the way.It is not too late to register for WriterCon, the annual writers conference in Oklahoma City during Labor Day weekend, sponsored by the Red Sneaker Writers Center. For more info, visit: writercon.org.For more information about Bernhardt's writing retreats, including the December retreat in New Orleans, visit: www.williambernhardt.comBernhardt's latest novel, Court of Killers, Book 2 in the new Daniel Pike series, is not available for pre-order.

Bestselling author William Bernhardt (Court of Killers) discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, then interviews David Gaughran, author of many works of fiction and nonfiction, including Let's Get Digital.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Bernhardt reports on a recent discussion by literary agents and editors of current trends in adult fiction.b) A report from the Cannes Film Festival on what books scouts are seeking for movie/tv adaptations.c) New NBD Bookscan data provides the latest information on book sales, what's selling and what's not.Chapter 3: Writing Tips. Bernhardt discusses the Kathleen Hale controversy resulting from Hale's response to a negative review on Goodreads--and what it should tell you about handling reviews.Chapter 4: Interview with David Gaughran. Bernhardt interviews the acclaimed author of Let's Get Digital about what online book marketing is most effective, whether to go wide or be Amazon-exclusive, and many other related topics.Chapter 5: Parting Words. Bernhardt, Gaughran, and many others will be at WriterCon, the annual writers conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend. Bernhardt's newest novel, Court of Killers, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.For information about WriterCon: www.writer con.orgFor information about Bernhardt and the Red Sneaker Writers Center: www.william bernhardt.comTo pre-order Court of Killers: https://amazon.com/Court-Killers-Daniel-Pike-Book-ebook/dp/B07TN2ZQ31/

This episode was recorded live at the Red Sneaker Writing Retreat in Eureka Springs. Because it was recorded live and in one take, the sound quality is not quite up to our usual standards, and host William Bernhardt fears he tripped on his tongue a bit more than usual. We assume you will join us in feeling this makes the whole podcast experience more authentic.In this episode, bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews author and renowned writing instructor James Scott Bell.Chapters:1) Introduction2) Newsa) Barnes & Noble has two potential buyers, suggesting that the nation's only national bookstore chain may continue to operate for the foreseeable future.b) An author dropped by her publisher after igniting an online firestorm sues her former publisher.c) Amazon awards a series of grants to worthy nonprofit organizations promoting writers and literature.d) Amazon Publishing celebrates its tenth anniversary with a series of high-dollar acquisitions and an impressive sales record.4) Closing remarks. Bernhardt will host another writing retreat July 24-28. For more information, visit: https://www.williambernhardt.com/writing-retreats. James Scott Bell will be the keynote speaker at WriterCon in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend. For more information about the annual Red Sneaker writers conference, visit: www.writercon.org.

Bestselling author and host William Bernhardt interviews Rene Gutteridge, author of Christian novels, screenplays, novelizations, comedy, and much more. Gutteridge also (with Bernhardt) co-hosts WriterCon, one of the best writers conference in the nation. They discuss how to survive in the world of writing and how Gutteridge has managed to write in many genres successfully.William Bernhardt: www.williambernhardt.comWriterCon: www.writercon.org

Bestselling writer William Bernhardt (The Last Chance Lawyer) discusses the latest news from the world of books, then interviews Jeffrey Yamaguchi, marketing director for Blackstone Audio.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Newsa) Several authors have had trouble with people on social media accusing them of racism, body shaming, or Islamophobia;b) The wholesaler Baker & Taylor discontinues distribution to bookstores; and c) The Self-e program for distributing indie titles to libraries adds a few options that could result in payment to writers.Chapter 3: Interview with Jeffrey YamaguchiThe marketing director for Blackstone Audio--which has recently expanded into print books--discusses audiobooks, his work with writers, and practical, step-by-step marketing advice for building an author platform based upon what he has seen work in the past.Chapter 4: Register now for WriterCon 2019 while the Early Bird price is still available and save yourself $50! Visit: www.writercon.org (WriterCon takes place in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend--August 30 to September 2).You cannot fail unless you quit!William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwillbern@gmail.com

Bestselling author William Bernhardt discusses the latest news from the world of books, offers writing tips, and interviews editor Marcia Markland about the paths to writing and publishing success.Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: NewsThe Canadian bookstore chain Indigo opens its first store in the United States.Nora Roberts files a lawsuit against an alleged plagiarist in Brazil.Audiobooks sales have increased even more than people realized, and a survey suggests that the leading audio genre is mystery and the primary place people listen is in their cars.Chapter 3: Writing TipsBernhardt discusses the advantages of audiobooks, not only to increase the market for your work but also as a tool for improving your work.Chapter 4: Interview with Marcia MarklandMarcia Markland worked as an editor for decades at houses such as St. Martin's and Thomas Dunne, and now works as a writing coach. She offers her insights on publishing, the independent publishing boom, and which path might be best for you.Chapter 5: Closing WordsWriterCon 2019 (www.writercon.org) is the official Red Sneaker conference in Oklahoma City during Labor Day weekend (August 30-Sept 2). And there are many other Red Sneaker programs and offerings, including a free bi-weekly newsletter. When you sign up for the newsletter, you will receive the free Red Sneaker Handbook. Register at: www.williambernhardt.com