Building a Writing Career with Lauren Smith

This is the final episode of our fifth season, as always culminating in this LIVE recording made on Sunday afternoon during the conference with keynote speaker and NYT #1 bestseller William Martin, USA Today bestseller Dani Pettrey, and game writer and designer Dan Martin. We're taking a break for the rest of September, but we will return in early October with our sixth season!Opening ThoughtsWe LOVE WriterCon!News1) Defendant ordered to pay attorney fees for Tracy Wolff2) AI detection kills $2M book dealJESSE'S GAME!In the first of what I hope will be a new feature, Jesse, always obsessing over James Patterson, created a game for the panel: James Patterson Books: Real or Fake. He gives you the titles and co-writers, and you have to decide whether it is a real Patterson book. The audience loved it.InterviewWith three great writers all at once, we investigated how they became writers, their writing process, and also took a deep dive into some offbeat questions that provoked some very unexpected answers.Parting WordsLet me also remind you that WriterCon has its own newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles on breaking issues. Go to Substack.If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe, then rate or review wherever you get podcasts. It does make it easier for new listeners to discover us.You can find the video version of these podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@writerconpodcast1307Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com 

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) 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 books, some romance, some romantasy, and some involving Sherlock Holmes. She has published over 90 books that have been translated into at least 6 languages. She was a Semi-Finalist award for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award and a 2018 RITA ® Finalist in the Romance Writers of America Contest.0:00 Opening ThoughtsOf course, all we can think of is WriterCon, our annual writers conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, Sept 4-7—barely two weeks away! It is not too late to register! Come join us and take your writing career to the next level! www.writercon.com4:05 News1) Amazon Sponsors Pop-Up Library for Indie Authors2) Atlantic Report Reveals 20% of Self-Pub Books Use AI14:32 Craft CornerLeticia Gomez talks about how to make the perfect pitch18:08 Interview with Lauren Smith47:16 Parting WordsCome to WriterCon! It's all we can think about! This will be the biggest and best conference yet and you need to be a part of it. Join us! Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Letitia Gomez, an Editor-at-Large for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp, who has helped her clients secure deals with the largest publishers in the world and has seen several of her projects successfully optioned for TV and film adaptation. 0:00 Opening ThoughtsWriterCon is almost upon us—but it is not too late to register! Come join us in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, Sept 4-7. Over 60 speakers! More than twenty agents and publishers! And so much more. Visit the website: www.writercon.com/conference/8:20 News1) New S&S Imprint Seeks Self-Published Authors2) Agents Can Charge Fees to Clients—Ethically?20:45 Craft CornerOur guest instructor is Jeff Provine, who has written nonfiction books, comics, and much more. He’s discussing Nonfiction Research Used for Fiction.23:07 Interview with Leticia Gomez57:38 Parting WordsJoin us for WriterCon: www.writercon.com/conference/Subscribe to the free WriterCon newsletter: https://writerconmag.substack.com/Learn what's happening in the writing world at our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/writercongroupUntil next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) 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 ThoughtsBill's book was promoted in Times Square! And WriterCon is just around the corner (Sept 4-7)!8:08 News1) Classmate Says Memoirist Stole Her Story2) Music Group Hopes to Acquire Author Backlists18:36 Craft CornerTyler Lenz explains LitRPG21:24 Interview with Lou Berney37:42 Parting WordsWriterCon 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.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.If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it now! Join this wonderful community of writers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) 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 ThoughtsUpdates on the Commonwealth Prize controversy—and WriterCon '26!5:11 News1) Self-Published Book Sells Over 2.5 Million Copies!2) AI Stories Favor Elias Thorne and Lighthouses16:53 Craft CornerChristina Kaye discusses how to treat your books like a business, not a hobby20:17 Interview with William Martin49:46 Parting WordsBill's book The Superman Wars 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 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.If you haven’t joined the WriterCon Facebook Group yet, do it today and join this wonderful community of writers. Click here!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.com www.writercon.com

Bestselling author William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) 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, Change of Heart, and Defrosted. 0:00 Opening ThoughtsAI stories are winning awards??? Calgon, take me away...6:27 News1) Author/Murderer Sentenced to Life2) Human Authors Can Now Verify That They're Human14:50 Craft CornerLara Bernhardt Discusses the Value of Writing Contests19:26 Interview with Christina LePort37:57 Parting WordsOne more plug for Bill's new book, The Superman Wars. 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/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.

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) 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, the true story of Superman's creator, Jerry Siegel, and his fight to create, then recover, his iconic character.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Superman Wars, WriterCon 2026, and the host steps into the interview chair!4:25 News1) Protest Filed Over AI Audiobooks—Including One from John Grisham2) New Literary Scout Program Wants to Send Your Work to Hollywood15:21 Interview with William BernhardtThe 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 WordsWriterCon 2026 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.comIf you want a small-group enviroment and a chance to workshop your work-in-progress, consider the WriterCon Retreat, at Canebrake Resort near Tulsa on July 15-19. More info on the website: www.writercon.com/retreat/Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Rick London, author of The Dancing Wolfeman.Opening ThoughtsWilliam Bernhardt's new book, The Superman Wars, 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!News1) Trad Wife Fiction Has Become the Year's Most Talked-About Genre2) Sacha Black Has Her Own Fulfillment ServiceCraft CornerBetsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex) explains how writers can protect themsleves from the pervasive scams and spam.Interview with Rick LondonParting WordsUp, up and way! Get your copy of The Superman Wars today!Only a few spots left in the WriterCon Retreat (July 15-19). Join us and workshop your work-in-progress!Register for WriterCon 2026 before the Early Bird pricing ends! Visit

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Eloisa James, the reigning queen of romance, who has over 7 million books in print, about her new novel The Last Lady B, which has been called "Jane Austen Meets The White Lotus."0:00 Opening ThoughtsBill wants everyone to know that his new book The Superman Wars is finally on sale. This is the story of Jerry Siegel, the man who came up with the idea for Superman only to lose control and see his character taken from him and his name stripped from the credits. This is a story about art vs commerce, still very relevant, and a cautionary tale for creatives working today.7:45 News1) Character AI Lets People Enter Book Worlds2) Stolen Rare Books Recovered after 40 Years15:48 Craft CornerLauren Smith, USA Today-bestselling author, discusses the Five Essential Ingrdients for a Romantasy Novel25:14 Interview with Eloisa James45:55 Parting WordsThe Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice and an American Icon is NOW ON SALE!!!The WriterCon Small-Group Retreat is July 15-19 at Canebrake Resort near Tulsa OK, Spend five days workshopping your work-in-progress and inproving your writing skills. You'll be glad you did.The WriterCon Annual Convention is Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, at the historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City. Register now to take advantage of the Early Bird prices!For more info about both WriterCon programs, visit www.writercon.com.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview David L Robbins, author of many novels involving 20th Century military history, including War of the Rats, a bestseller set during a critical WWII battle between Germany and Russia. He also helped launch The Mighty Pen Project, an intensive writing program for Virginia's military veterans and their families.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Superman Wars hits the stands on April 28. Order now to read this history/biography of Jerry Siegel, originator of Superman, the first American writer to sue his publisher, and the price he paid for standing up to power. This is a story still very relevant in today's creative world. Order your copy today!5:16 News1) Guess How Many Books Were Published Last Year. FOUR MILLION!2) BookTok Gets Its Own Bestseller List13:55 Interview with David L Robbins36:09 Parting WordsThe Superman Wars is now on sale. Tell your friends!The WriterCon Small-Group Retreat takes place July 15-19 at the Canebrake Resort outside Tulsa.The annual WriterCon conference is Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7) in Oklahoma City.For more infor about WriterCon programs, visit: www.writercon.comUntil next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com