WriterCon

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L. Dove, WriterCon keynote speaker and bestelling author who scored a huge success earlier this year with her debut novel, Mask of the Deer Woman, a thriller set on a Native America reservation with indigenous characters.00:00 Opening ThoughtsLast Call for the WriterCon Retreat, a five-day immerisve writing workshop at Canebrake Resort, Wagoner OK, from July 16-20.05:39 NewsWe 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 CornerJon Meyers of Write Better Together discusses the importance of choosing your setting deliberately.23:18 Interview with Laurie L DoveIn this compelling interview, we hear the bestselling debut author discuss her road of many years leading to Mask of the Deer Woman, 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 WordsYes, the Retreat ia almost upon us...so let's start talking about the WriterCon Conference, 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.comwww.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—which involves not only romance, but Sherlock Holmes.00:00 Opening ThoughtsAll the latest news from Bill, Lara, and Jesse04:53 News1) Kindle Readers Can Now Purchase Books Within the App2) New Book Says "Bibliotherapy" Can Improve Your Health14:18 Craft CornerJon Meyers of Write Better Together discusses the importance of choosing setting deliberately.20:23 Interview with Lauren SmithLauren 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 WordsDon'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/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 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 ThoughtsJesse has returned from Ireland with a new appreciation of books—especially illuminated ones.04:29 News1) MIllion Lives Book Festival Disaster2) Agatha Christie Rises to Teach Again15:31 Craft CornerJon Meyers (Write Better Together) discusses the use of attachment theory when creating characters and character relationships.21:30 Interview with Mark Stevens42:20 Parting WordsLAST 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!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 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 ThoughtsNaNoWriMo has shut down—but don't let that stop you from writing. Create a schedule for yourself and stick to it!News1) Plagiarism Accusations in the Romantasy World2) An AI program "specifically designed for writers"Craft CornerMarty 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 RoudaParting WordsIt'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 Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.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, 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.0:00 Opening ThoughtsCheck out the new books from fabulous Friends of WriterCon (and edited by Lara): Beauty and the Bund by John Wooley and Broadway Dreamer by Lynette Bennett.5:13 News1) Author of the Original Vampire Dairies Books was Blackballed from Her Own Series2) AI-written Poetry is Indistinguishable and More Popular than Human Poetry21:06 Craft CornerDesire Duffy of Black Chateau talks about how to get reviews from readers.25:26 Interview with Matt Goldman, author of The Murder Room45:46 Parting WordsThe WriterCon Alaskan 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 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 www.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Emily Carpenter, a former actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant. She is also the author of the bestselling novels Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and The Weight of Lies. Her new novel is called Gothictown.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Oklahoma Book Awards love WriterCon writers!3:13 News1) Mass-Market Paperbacks are Disappearing Fast2) Dogfluencers Get Major Book Deals14:36 Craft CornerBetsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex series) discusses imposter syndrome and how writers can avoid it.18:36 Interview with Emily Carpenter36: 35 Parting WordsWriterCon Alaskan Cruise: 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 go see glaciers. It’s May 31-June 7 leaving from Seattle. For more info, please visit our website. My novel, Challengers of the Dust, has been released. This is set in 1935 Dust Bowl Oklahoma. Two young men are forced to undertake an impossible mission—find a local bigwig’s wayward daughter—which sends them on a cross-country journey during which they meet many Depression-era people, including the famous or soon-to-be famous. A change of pace for me, but I hope a lot of fun and a good read, especially for those interested in the Great Depression, WWII era, the period that literally transformed America. In a good way.Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Cynthia Pelayo, the author of a new novel, Vanishing Daughters. She is the Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Forgotten Sisters and other genre-blending novels that incorporate fairy tales, mystery, and horror elements. Esquire called her novel Loteria, one of the "Best Horror Books of 2023."0:00: Opening ThoughtsTravel recaps, plus a discussion of which wives prefer, diamonds or acrostics.5:01: News1) ElevenLabs offers Universal AI-narrated Audiobook Options for Authors2) Amazon Ends Downloads from Kindle Devices by USB17:26 Craft CornerDesire Duffy of Black Chateau and Writers Who Make You discusses how to get endorsements for your books.22:19 Interview with Cynthia Pelayo39:34 Parting WordsLDon't forget to register for the WriterCon Cruise. Our reserved room block is running out. Take advantage of the rookm discounts while you can. You’ll get over 20 hours of writing instruction, scheduled when the boat is at sea, not when you’d rather get off and go see the icecaps melt. It’s May 31-June 7 leaving from Seattle. For more info, please visit our website. I’ll leave a link in the show notes. If you have any questions, just email. Let me also remind you that my novel Challengers of the Dust has just been released. This is set in 1935 Dust Bowl Oklahoma. Two young men are forced to perform an impossible mission—find a local bigwig’s wayward daughter—which sends them on a cross-country journey during which they meet many Depression-era people, including the famous or soon-to-be famous. Change of pace, but I hope a lot of fun and a good read, especially for those interested in the Great Depression, WWII era, the period that literally transformed America. In a good way.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 and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lynette Bennett, star of stage and screen, who has written her first memoir, Broadway Dreamer.0:00 Opening ThoughtsThe Oscars are only two DAYS away (my bad) and we ponder why so many Best Film nominess are based on books.7:12 News1) Bookshop.org is Now Selling eBooks Online—For Indie Bookstores2) Cozy Fantasy is Now an Official Alternative to Dark and Spicy Fantasy14:28 Craft CornerDesiree Duffy of Black Chateau explains the importance of editorial book reviews—and how to get them.19:11 Interview with Lynette Bennett47:27 Parting WordsDon't forget the WriterCon Alaksan Cruise, May 30-June 7 leaving from Seattle. Over 20 hours of writing instruction, large group, small, and individual, while the ship is at sea. Our discounted room rate is only guaranteed through March 2, so make your reservations now! Click for more information. www.writercon.com/cruise/

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Betsey Kulakowski, the author of the Veritas Codex series books—mostly recently, The King's Ransom (Book 7).Opening ThoughtsAuthors Acting AwfulNews1) TikTok/BookTok Survives to Sell Books Another Day!2) Circana Bookscan 2024 Sales Figures Show ImprovementCraft CornerAmy M Le explains why you need to be a "HUSTLER."Interivew with Betsey Kulakowski, author of The Veritas Codex paranormal thriller series.Parting WordsDon't forget the WriterCon Alaksan Cruise, May 30-June 7 leaving from Seattle. Over 20 hours of writing instruction, large group, small, and individual, while the ship is at sea. Our discounted room rate is only guaranteed through March 2, so make your reservations now! Click for more information. www.writercon.com/cruise/

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Amy M Le, the award-winning author of the Snow trilogy and founder of Quill Hawk Publishing.0:00 Opening ThoughtsWhat are you reading right now? The hosts share their current obsessions.3:00 News1) Harper Collins Makes Deal with Microsoft for AI Scanning of Nonficiton Titles2) Revelations About Cormac McCarthy's Past Relationship Trouble Readers15:25 Craft CornerJon Meyers and Emily Brooks (Writer Better Together) discuss planning talks for writing conferences17:58 Interview with Amy M LeDuring this chat, Amy discusses:1) the Vietnamese background that led to the Snow trilogy;2) the challenges of historical fiction;3) why she founded Quill Hawk;4) best tips for publishing, and5) why she founded a female-owned, Asian-American company.35:10 Parting WordsJoin us for the WriterCon Alaskan Cruise! You’ll get over 20 hours of writing instruction, scheduled when the boat is at sea, not when you’d rather get off and go see glaciers. Talks, small groups, critiques, one-on-one conversations with agents and others, and much more. It’s May 31-June 7 leaving from Seattle. For more info, please visit our website: www.writercon.comUntil next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardtwww.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com