Épisodes

  • Thrillers Come Home with Courtney Psak

    Thrillers Come Home with Courtney Psak
    Nov 12 2025
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars)and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller The Tutor.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    The Crew talk about recent travels and debate whether Bill is tragically unhip.

    4:23 News
    The All-Lawsuit Edition!
    1) Judge Declares Texas Book Rating Law Unconstiutional
    2) Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump for Allegedly Trying to Silence HIm
    3) Big Five P{ublisher Sues the Heirs of Nelson DeMille
    Note: when Bill talks about S&S paying $600 and some, he means $600,000+

    15:18 Interview with Courtney Psak

    32:02 Parting Words
    Join us for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, which is a new destination for us. So beautiful tropical vistas, plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Bil, Lara, Betsey Kulakowski and agent Katharine Sands, who will happily talk to every participant. Don’t miss out. Plan now to be with us March 7-15. Visit the WriterCon website for more info. www.writercon.com/cruise
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    34 min
  • SciFi Doubles with Kuwal & Miller

    SciFi Doubles with Kuwal & Miller
    Oct 29 2025
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double."

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    How are you celebrating Halloween?

    05:03 News
    1) Lawsuit Over Amazon Prime Cancellations Settled
    2) TikTok and Spotify Launch New Joint Hub

    12:43 Craft Corner
    Betsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series, offers advice on character and world-building, and how the two interact.

    15:35 Interview with Mary Robinette Kuwal and Sam J Miller

    Parting Words
    Mark your calendar for the WriterCon Cruise!
    MARCH 7TH - 15TH
    8-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN: GREATER ANTILLES & LEEWARD ISLANDS
    When the boat is at sea, we'll offer more than 20 hours of writing instruction, group and individual, plus we'll have Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency on board to meet privately with each participant. Don't miss it! Click here for more information.
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    41 min
  • Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield

    Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield
    Oct 16 2025
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    Welcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach our 200th episode in December and we're looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous event. Post your ideas in the Comments section!

    02:56 News
    1) New Developments in the Anthropic Settlement
    Here's a link to the site where you can determine whether any of your books were impropoerly used by Anthropic. You can also submit a Claim Form so you can participate in the settlement—if you qualify.

    Searchable database: https://secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/?_gl=1x16ddk_gcl_auMjExNTg2NTEzMi4xNzU5NDE1NTc0

    Submitting Claim Forms: https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/

    2) New "Book Club" Scam Floods Writers' Email Inboxes

    Support and follow Writer Beware! https://writerbeware.blog/

    13:32 Craft Corner
    Barry Friedman (author of Jack Sh*t 3: I'm the Father) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction.

    15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield

    30:58 Parting Words
    The 2026 WriterCon Cruise in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Come join us!
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    33 min
  • LIVE from WriterCon 2025: The Joy of Writing

    LIVE from WriterCon 2025: The Joy of Writing
    Oct 8 2025
    This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there!

    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025.

    Opening Thoughts
    We're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room.

    News
    1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating
    2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds
    3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper Format

    Interview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBee

    Parting Words
    Sorry to tell you, but if you’re listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com.

    WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don’t want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon.

    And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273
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    32 min
  • "Have a Fulfilling LIfe—Then Write About It" with Candace Kade

    "Have a Fulfilling LIfe—Then Write About It" with Candace Kade
    Aug 21 2025
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Candace Kade, the author of The Hybrid series, a YA sci-fi trilogy.

    00:00 Opening Thoughts
    LAST CALL for WriterCon 2025 at the Skirvin Hilton in OKC over Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers and over 100 breakout sessions, pitching, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other writers, people who share your hopes and dreams, form critique groups or gain beta readers, or present your work at the Open Mic. It is NOT too late to register! Learn more at: www.writercon.com/conference/

    03:51 News
    1) Siegel and Shuster Plaza Opens in Cleveland

    07:43 Craft Corner
    Desiree Duffy from Black Chateau and Books That Make You explains the FIVE main benefits of writing conferences. Some of them may surprise you...

    11:59 Interview with Candace Kade

    25:52 Parting Words
    ONE LAST TIME! Join us at WriterCon 2025! www.writercon.com/conference
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    28 min
  • Analyzing Characters with Sydney Pruett

    Analyzing Characters with Sydney Pruett
    Aug 18 2025
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sydney Pruett, a therapist who helps authors make their characters (fiction and nonfiction) psychologically compelling and consistent.

    00:00 Opening Thoughts
    WriterCon is almost here! Come join the best writers conference in the Southwest. Over 60 speakers, over 100 breakout sessions covering every aspect of the writing life, craft, agents, publishers, marketing, and more. Pitching, consults, manuscript reviews, and much more. It is NOT too late to register. For more info, visit: www.writercon.com

    03:41 News
    1) Audiobook Walking Clubs Gain Popularity
    2) Fan Fiction Leads to Controversial Online Chatter

    13:07 Craft Corner
    Jon Meyers talks about the vaue of writers conferences—and his upcoming MasterClass on memoir.

    18:18 Interview with Sydney Pruett

    30:25 Parting Words
    Have I said this already? Come join us at WriterCon! www.writercon.com
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    32 min
  • Romantasy & Fairy Tales with Abigail O'Bryan

    Romantasy & Fairy Tales with Abigail O'Bryan
    Aug 7 2025
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Abigail O'Bryan, who recently released her first novel, Iron Rose—a dark YA reimagining of Beauty & the Beast meets Hunger Games.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    You are cordially invited to WriterCon, our annual writers conference, this year at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, starting Friday, August 29. Over 60 speakers and over 100 sessions, pitching, contests, manuscript reviews, private consultations, etc. But the best thing about it is that this is a real community of writers, people eager to help, people who have your back and understand the challenges of being a writer in today’s world. I think people are often surprised by how warm and welcoming the group is, and how many friends they make and keep after the conference is over.

    04:36 News
    1) AI Whistleblower Act Proposed
    2) You Might Be Able to Copyright Your Face

    11:07 Craft Corner
    This week's writing craft chat comes from Friend of the Podcast Betsey Kulakowski, author of the bestselling Veritas Codex series and a new book, The Veil of Secrets. Today she addresses the gigantic benefit of attending writer conferences.

    13:37 Interview with Abigail O'Bryan

    33.21 Parting Words
    Did I mention WriterCon yet? Of course I did. Come join us! Take your writing dreams to the next level.

    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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    35 min
  • Math and Mysterious Moments with Nova McBee

    Math and Mysterious Moments with Nova McBee
    Jul 23 2025
    Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Nove McBee, author of a young adult action-adventure series called Calculated—and a keynote speaker at this year's WriterCon!

    Opening Thoughts
    Bill announces his new book scheduled for release in 2026: The Superman Wars: The Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. And everyone shares their excitement about this year's WriterCon.

    News
    1) BookCon will return in 2026!
    2) Marginalia Mania ("Tabbing") is a Hot New BookTok Trend.

    Interivew
    Nove McBee talks about traveling the world, using math to fuel fiction, and juggling many irons at once so she's ready when the right publisher comes calling.

    Parting Words
    WriterCon 2025 takes place in Oklahoma City on August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers. Over 100 sessions. Free pitching. Contests. One-on-one consultations. Manuscript reviews. Book vendors to help authors. And much more. At thehistoric Hilton Skirvin in Oklahoma City. Come join us and take your writing to the next level!

    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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    35 min