エピソード

  • Gothic Horror with Emily Carpenter
    2025/03/26
    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 Thoughts
    The Oklahoma Book Awards love WriterCon writers!

    3:13 News
    1) Mass-Market Paperbacks are Disappearing Fast
    2) Dogfluencers Get Major Book Deals

    14:36 Craft Corner
    Betsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex series) discusses imposter syndrome and how writers can avoid it.

    18:36 Interview with Emily Carpenter

    36: 35 Parting Words
    WriterCon 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 Bernhardt
    www.williambernhardt.com
    www.writercon.com
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    39 分
  • Magic and Horror with Cynthia Pelayo
    2025/03/12
    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 Thoughts
    Travel recaps, plus a discussion of which wives prefer, diamonds or acrostics.

    5:01: News
    1) ElevenLabs offers Universal AI-narrated Audiobook Options for Authors
    2) Amazon Ends Downloads from Kindle Devices by USB

    17:26 Craft Corner
    Desire Duffy of Black Chateau and Writers Who Make You discusses how to get endorsements for your books.

    22:19 Interview with Cynthia Pelayo

    39:34 Parting Words
    LDon'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.com
    www.writercon.com
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    43 分
  • Dancing to Writing Success with Lynette Bennett
    2025/02/28
    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 Thoughts
    The Oscars are only two DAYS away (my bad) and we ponder why so many Best Film nominess are based on books.

    7:12 News
    1) Bookshop.org is Now Selling eBooks Online—For Indie Bookstores
    2) Cozy Fantasy is Now an Official Alternative to Dark and Spicy Fantasy

    14:28 Craft Corner
    Desiree Duffy of Black Chateau explains the importance of editorial book reviews—and how to get them.

    19:11 Interview with Lynette Bennett

    47:27 Parting Words
    Don'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/
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    49 分
  • Write a Book in Three Months with Betsey Kulakowski
    2025/02/25
    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 Thoughts
    Authors Acting Awful

    News
    1) TikTok/BookTok Survives to Sell Books Another Day!
    2) Circana Bookscan 2024 Sales Figures Show Improvement

    Craft Corner
    Amy M Le explains why you need to be a "HUSTLER."

    Interivew with Betsey Kulakowski, author of The Veritas Codex paranormal thriller series.

    Parting Words
    Don'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/
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    33 分
  • Publish Smart with Amy M Le
    2025/01/30
    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 Thoughts
    What are you reading right now? The hosts share their current obsessions.

    3:00 News
    1) Harper Collins Makes Deal with Microsoft for AI Scanning of Nonficiton Titles
    2) Revelations About Cormac McCarthy's Past Relationship Trouble Readers

    15:25 Craft Corner
    Jon Meyers and Emily Brooks (Writer Better Together) discuss planning talks for writing conferences

    17:58 Interview with Amy M Le
    During 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, and
    5) why she founded a female-owned, Asian-American company.

    35:10 Parting Words
    Join 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.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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    38 分
  • Barry Friedman Goes to Portugal—and Writes
    2025/01/08
    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 分
  • DC Frost Nipping at Your Nose
    2024/12/20
    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 分
  • Falling to Fly with Todd Fahnestock
    2024/12/04
    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 分