Episodes

  • This is a Job for...Superman Writer Elliot S! Maggin

    This is a Job for...Superman Writer Elliot S! Maggin
    Mar 25 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Elliot S! Maggin, author of novels and comic book stories, including now-classic tales for Superman.
    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    Lara updates us on her recent acitvities
    2:50 News
    1) DNF Rating Added to Goodreads
    2) Solarpunk Genre Presents Positive Futures That Address Climate Change
    11:51 Craft Corner
    Lara Bernhardt (The Wantland Files) explians how to Get to the Heart of Your Story
    16:54 Interview with Elliot S! Maggin
    38:40 Parting Words
    Bill explains a moment in the Maggin interview, then invites you to the WriterCon Retreat, a small-group workshop to help improve your work-in-progress.
    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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    41 mins
  • Writing to Build Empathy with Carol Van Den Hande

    Writing to Build Empathy with Carol Van Den Hande
    Mar 11 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Carol Van Den Hande, author of the Goodbye Orchid series.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    Bill got his first review for The Superman Wars! And it's good (or he would'nt have mentioned it). Jesse is just back from the Star Trek Cruise. He has been assimilated.

    3:47 News
    1) Bookstreaming Comes to Twitch
    2) Bindery Books Lets Book Influencers Become Acquiring Editors

    11:56 Craft Corner
    Betsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series of paranormal adventures, talks about how to create dread.

    16:18 Interview with Carol Van Den Hande

    28:51 Parting Words
    The cruise ship has sailded, but you can still participate in the WriterCon Small-Group Retreat (July 15-19 at the Canbrake Resort near Tulsa, and the WriterCon Main Even—the Writer's conference, Labor Day weekend, Sept 4-7, at the historic Skirvin Plaza Hotel in Oklahoma City.

    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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    32 mins
  • Up Up and Away with Nonfiction Author Steve Younis

    Up Up and Away with Nonfiction Author Steve Younis
    Feb 25 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Steve Younis, host of the Superman Homepage and author of a new book, Man of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: A Calendar of Significant Birthdays, Premieres, and Milestones in Superman's History.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    We chat about hockey romances and why they are having their moment.

    6:44 News
    1) BookSpot Offers Unique Reading Challenge
    2) Spotify Offers PodMatch for Audiobooks

    13:35 Craft Corner
    Tamara Grantham, author of many fantasy novels, including Never Call Me Vampire, explains the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing and the advantages and disdvantages of both.

    17:36 Interview with Steve Younis

    37:56 Parting Words
    Make plans now to attend the WriterCon Retreat (July 15-19) and the WriterCon Conference (Sept 4-7). 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
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Writing for Children with Mark McCraw

    Writing for Children with Mark McCraw
    Feb 12 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Mark McCraw, acclaimed author of twelve children's books.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    There's still time to file a claim in the Anthorpic lawsuit.

    3:48 News
    1) Substack is Coming to Television
    2) "Autofiction" takes off in Scandinavia

    14:00 Craft Corner
    JD Caine, co-author of the Manifest Destiny series, explains how to scare your readers.

    17:58 Interview with Mark McCraw

    33:57 Parting Words
    FINAL CALL for the WriterCon Cruise, March 7-15, Eastern Caribbena itinerary leaving from Ft. Lauderdale. Over twenty hours of writing instruction specifically tailored to the needs of the particpants. You'll have opporunities to interact, make friends, and meet individually with all the writers plus a top literary agent. Seas the Day!

    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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    37 mins
  • The Intersection of Music and Writing with Heather Snodgrass

    The Intersection of Music and Writing with Heather Snodgrass
    Jan 28 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Heather Snidgrass about her new book, A Love Letter to Reading, a thriller that incorporates music throughout. She also discusses how listening to music improves her writing.

    Opening Thoughts
    Bill, Lara, and Jesse make their predictions for 2026 and the world of writing.

    News
    1) Spotify is Producing Dramatized Audiobooks Based on Original Material
    2) Publishers Are Using AI to Review Submissions and Pick Books to Publish

    Craft Corner
    Marty Ludlum (At First I Was Afraid) talks about words to avoid.

    Interview with Heather Snodgrass

    Closing Words
    Don't forget the WriterCon Cruise, March 7-17. We leave from Ft. Lauderdale and cruise through beautiful locations, plus you get over 20 hours of writing instruction, personalized to meet the needs of the group, while the boat is at sea (we won't bother you when the boat is in port). Have some fun and take your writing skills to the next level. For more info, visit 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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    33 mins
  • Historical Fiction Strategies with John Phillips

    Historical Fiction Strategies with John Phillips
    Jan 14 2026
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview John Phillips, author of the Vietnam-era historical fiction, Dress Whites.

    Opening Thoughts
    The crew re-examines their predictions for 2025—and didn't do half bad.

    News
    1) Readers Rebel Against Titles with Excessive SEO Keywords
    2) Harlequin Uses AI Translation Service

    Craft Corner
    Betsey Kulakowski (The Veritas Codex) discusses why you should write the book only you can write.

    Interview with John Phillips

    Parting Words
    Don't forget to register for the WriterCon Cruise! This time, we’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day voyage. So beautiful tropical vistas plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Lara and I, plus Betsey Kulakowski and an onboard agent (Katherine 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.

    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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    45 mins
  • High-Tech Thrillers with Janet Yeager

    High-Tech Thrillers with Janet Yeager
    Dec 22 2025
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Janet Yeager, author of the high-tech thriller, Two Birds, One Stone.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    How Writers Prep for the Holidays

    4:51 News
    1) Amazon Offers Free AI Foreign-Language Translations
    2) Grammerly Becomes Superhuman with AI Assistant

    15:26 Craft Corner
    Our panel of experts discuss the use of Amazon and AI by Writers

    19:57 Interview with Janet Yeager

    40:18 Parting Words
    The WriterCon Cruise worked for Janet Yeager. Could it do the same for you? We’re leaving from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, beautiful tropical vistas combines with over twenty hours of writing instruction, plus an onboard agent 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.

    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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    44 mins
  • 200th Anniversary Episode!!! with Will and Julia Bryan Thomas

    200th Anniversary Episode!!! with Will and Julia Bryan Thomas
    Dec 11 2025
    Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Will Thomas, author of the Victorian-era Barker & Llewelyn mysteries, and Julia Bryan Thomas, author of five novels, most recently The Kennedy Girl.

    0:00 Opening Thoughts
    The Best Memories from 200 episodes

    4:14 News
    This is a 200th Anniversary News roundup focusing on the two topics that appeared most recently in the news during our previous episodes: Amazon and AI.

    13:36 Craft Corner
    Marty Ludlum (At First I Was Afraid) continues his discussion of writing conferences, focusing on the people you should be looking for to advance your writing career.

    20:10 Interview with Will & Julia Bryan Thomas

    43:12 Parting Words
    The 2026 WriterCon Cruise departs from Ft Lauderdale for an eight-day trip through beautiful tropical vistas plus over twenty hours of writing instruction from Lara and I, plus Betsey Kulakowski, plus an onboard 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.

    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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    46 mins