William Bernhardt
@wbernhardtwriter.bsky.social
Husband, father, poet, writer, musician. Author of the Ben Kincaid and Daniel Pike legal thriller and the Red Sneaker books on writing.
📣 New Podcast! "Capturing Media Attention for Your Book with Leah Paulos" on @Spreaker #bernhardt #books #characters #fiction #literary #literature #marketing #nonfiction #novelist #superman #writer #writing
Capturing Media Attention for Your Book with Leah Paulos
Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLKBB8JC?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Leah Paulos, the founder and leader of https://www.pressshoppr.com/, who for more than 25 years has helped promote top titles from major publishers.
Note: Because the team was on the road, the sound quality of this episode is not our usual. Apologies. We will be back to normal next time for our 200TH EPISODE!!!
0:00 Opening Thoughts
What book are you thankful for this year?
4:02 News
1) https://beventi.co/INKfluence
2) Huge Phianthropic Fund for Literary Arts
10:39 Craft Corner
Tamara Grantham (https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Legends-Crimson-Paranormal-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B08LQTNYYN/) explains the importance of giving your characters memorable eccentricities.
14:06 Interview with https://www.pressshoppr.com/
36:10 Parting Words
Join us for the https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/! Over 20 hours of writing instruction while we cruise the Eastern Carribean on an 8-day sail leaving from Ft Lauderdale, March 7-15. Seas the Day!
Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273, a warm and supportive group of writers. Know what's going on in the writing world every day!
Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
http://www.williambernhardt.com/
http://www.writercon.com
www.spreaker.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
📣 New Podcast! "Capturing Media Attention for Your Book with Leah Paulos" on @Spreaker #bernhardt #books #characters #fiction #literary #literature #marketing #nonfiction #novelist #superman #writer #writing
Ralph's birthday was Monday but I didn't post then because he was in a Philippines hospital. Turned out he had kidney stones. He's fine now and photographing to make up for lost time. He spent most of that hospital time making graphics and AI videos. Even in pain, he didn't lose his sense of humor.
November 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Ralph's birthday was Monday but I didn't post then because he was in a Philippines hospital. Turned out he had kidney stones. He's fine now and photographing to make up for lost time. He spent most of that hospital time making graphics and AI videos. Even in pain, he didn't lose his sense of humor.
Harry recently returned from a trip to Laos. He described it as one of the most beautiful places he's visited, full of lush green landscapes and waterfalls and ancient temples. I've attached some photos. If you'd like to see more, visit his YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/@burnheartsw...
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Harry recently returned from a trip to Laos. He described it as one of the most beautiful places he's visited, full of lush green landscapes and waterfalls and ancient temples. I've attached some photos. If you'd like to see more, visit his YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/@burnheartsw...
Alice had her gall bladder removed about three weeks ago, but I'm pleased that she's recovered and is back to her habit of walking Turkey Mountain trails every day after work. I like walking with her because she's consistent and energetic and doesn't require small talk.
November 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Alice had her gall bladder removed about three weeks ago, but I'm pleased that she's recovered and is back to her habit of walking Turkey Mountain trails every day after work. I like walking with her because she's consistent and energetic and doesn't require small talk.
ONE WEEK ONLY, if you pre-order my forthcoming book, The Superman Wars, I will personally send you a copy of The Florentine Poet (by far the best novel I've ever written) in hardcover and autographed! After you pre-order Superman, send me an email: willbern@gmail.com. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon [Bernhardt, William] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
www.amazon.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
ONE WEEK ONLY, if you pre-order my forthcoming book, The Superman Wars, I will personally send you a copy of The Florentine Poet (by far the best novel I've ever written) in hardcover and autographed! After you pre-order Superman, send me an email: willbern@gmail.com. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
Ralph is in the Philippines and has seen first-hand all the devastation they are suffering, floods and typhoons (one caused his plane to suffer terrible turbulance). He asked me not to share some of the photos because he didn't want to be insensitive, but I think these will tell the story.
November 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Ralph is in the Philippines and has seen first-hand all the devastation they are suffering, floods and typhoons (one caused his plane to suffer terrible turbulance). He asked me not to share some of the photos because he didn't want to be insensitive, but I think these will tell the story.
The William Bernhardt Newsletter is completely free! You can subscribe by visiting Substack and searching for it, or by clicking the link. Desperate to know who my favorite Disney character is and why? There's also some stuff about books in there... williambernhardt.substack.com/p/william-be...
William Bernhardt Newsletter (November 2025)
The Superman Wars Loom Large, like Donald Duck and Ben Kincaid...
williambernhardt.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The William Bernhardt Newsletter is completely free! You can subscribe by visiting Substack and searching for it, or by clicking the link. Desperate to know who my favorite Disney character is and why? There's also some stuff about books in there... williambernhardt.substack.com/p/william-be...
📣 New Podcast! "Thrillers Come Home with Courtney Psak" on @Spreaker #amazon #author #bookbanning #cruise #fiction #lawsuits #melania #nonfiction #superman #wolff #writer #writing
Thrillers Come Home with Courtney Psak
Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American/dp/B0FLKBB8JC/)and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller https://www.amazon.com/Tutor-gripping-psychological-thriller-stopping-ebook/dp/B0DNSTSGS6/.
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. https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/
www.spreaker.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Superman Wars, is now available at online stores. This is the story of Jerry Siegel, the man who invented Superman and with his friend Joe Shuster produced the original stories, only to lose control of the character...
But there's a lot more to it than that.
www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
But there's a lot more to it than that.
www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon [Bernhardt, William] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
www.amazon.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The Superman Wars, is now available at online stores. This is the story of Jerry Siegel, the man who invented Superman and with his friend Joe Shuster produced the original stories, only to lose control of the character...
But there's a lot more to it than that.
www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
But there's a lot more to it than that.
www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
Lara and I and Kadey and Joe attended the Billie Eilish concert last night. She put on a terrific show, and we were on the floor, up close and personal. We could feel the heat from the fire jets and got sprayed with confetti. Very entertaining evening with a performer who is making her own rules.
November 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Lara and I and Kadey and Joe attended the Billie Eilish concert last night. She put on a terrific show, and we were on the floor, up close and personal. We could feel the heat from the fire jets and got sprayed with confetti. Very entertaining evening with a performer who is making her own rules.
Here's my November Superman Minute: Superman inventor Jerry Siegel created "K-Metal," a chunk of the home planet that was deadly to the hero...
All this and more in my forthcoming nonfiction book, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
All this and more in my forthcoming nonfiction book, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
November 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Here's my November Superman Minute: Superman inventor Jerry Siegel created "K-Metal," a chunk of the home planet that was deadly to the hero...
All this and more in my forthcoming nonfiction book, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
All this and more in my forthcoming nonfiction book, The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. www.amazon.com/Superman-War...
Well, it's November, so Ralph is once again photographing squirrels, the subject that won him the Washington Post award. Here's his first official squirrel portrait of 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Well, it's November, so Ralph is once again photographing squirrels, the subject that won him the Washington Post award. Here's his first official squirrel portrait of 2025.
One more Halloween post! Ralph has always loved animals, but sometimes I'm surprised by how much they love him! Here he is innocently setting out Alice's exquisite carved pumpkins for Halloween...when a bird lands on his head. I think my reaction would've been much more dramatic!
November 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
One more Halloween post! Ralph has always loved animals, but sometimes I'm surprised by how much they love him! Here he is innocently setting out Alice's exquisite carved pumpkins for Halloween...when a bird lands on his head. I think my reaction would've been much more dramatic!
An annual Halloween tradition—showing off Alice's carved pumpkins. She did all the work freehand. I particularly like the very literary Headless Horseman art. I'm also posting a pic of Ralph handling treat of treat duties so you could see how great the pumpkins looked outside.
November 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
An annual Halloween tradition—showing off Alice's carved pumpkins. She did all the work freehand. I particularly like the very literary Headless Horseman art. I'm also posting a pic of Ralph handling treat of treat duties so you could see how great the pumpkins looked outside.
Since she's appropriately pumpkin orange, we're letting Winifred wish you a spooooooky Halloween! (Photo by Ralph Bernhardt)
October 31, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Since she's appropriately pumpkin orange, we're letting Winifred wish you a spooooooky Halloween! (Photo by Ralph Bernhardt)
I don't know how I missed this, but apparently yesterday was National Cat Day. Bustopher was very disturbed that he wasn't featured in my social media posts. See the look he gave me, with those big sad eyes? So I'm compensating today. (Photo by Ralph Bernhardt.)
October 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I don't know how I missed this, but apparently yesterday was National Cat Day. Bustopher was very disturbed that he wasn't featured in my social media posts. See the look he gave me, with those big sad eyes? So I'm compensating today. (Photo by Ralph Bernhardt.)
Did you know Superman helped build the Hubble Space Telescope? Pete Simmons was having trouble getting Congress to approve it. DC agreed to include the telescope in a story. Pete distributed copies of the comic to every senator. And in 1977, they approved the telescope. Superman saved the day!
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon [Bernhardt, William] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon
www.amazon.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Did you know Superman helped build the Hubble Space Telescope? Pete Simmons was having trouble getting Congress to approve it. DC agreed to include the telescope in a story. Pete distributed copies of the comic to every senator. And in 1977, they approved the telescope. Superman saved the day!
📣 New Podcast! "SciFi Doubles with Kuwal & Miller" on @Spreaker #amazon #double #fiction #kuwal #miller #novel #novelist #prime #saga #science #tiktok #writer #writing
SciFi Doubles with Kuwal & Miller
Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American/dp/B0FLKBB8JC/) 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 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP1PD2C, 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! https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/
www.spreaker.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I'm mourning my friend and fellow writer Jon Meyers, who died unexpectedly yesterday. He co-wrote the nonfiction book Writer Better Together and was very proud of having finished his first novels. We will miss his enthusiasm and knowledge, but mostly we will remember him as a warm, generous friend.
October 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I'm mourning my friend and fellow writer Jon Meyers, who died unexpectedly yesterday. He co-wrote the nonfiction book Writer Better Together and was very proud of having finished his first novels. We will miss his enthusiasm and knowledge, but mostly we will remember him as a warm, generous friend.
Yesterday we celebrated my mother's 97th birthday. I'm pleased to say she's still walking and just as smart as ever. She requested no gifts so we all brought homemade cards. The group photo has, from left to right, Alice and several of my nieces and nephews, Michael, Elizabeth, Corey and Lane.
October 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Yesterday we celebrated my mother's 97th birthday. I'm pleased to say she's still walking and just as smart as ever. She requested no gifts so we all brought homemade cards. The group photo has, from left to right, Alice and several of my nieces and nephews, Michael, Elizabeth, Corey and Lane.
Alice and I have been in Orlando the past few days. We had great time. I enjoyed seeing DisneyWorld decorated for Halloween. And meeting characters (you can tell Alice is my daughter because she's wearing a Superman t-shirt). But the highlight was hanging with my Main Duck.
October 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Alice and I have been in Orlando the past few days. We had great time. I enjoyed seeing DisneyWorld decorated for Halloween. And meeting characters (you can tell Alice is my daughter because she's wearing a Superman t-shirt). But the highlight was hanging with my Main Duck.
Lara is in Connecticut visiting Madeline and Beth. Sounds like they're having a great time, going to pilates and Mystic pizza and shopping and apple picking and getting attacked by insects. Yes, you read that right. Lara was minding her own business when the mantis attacked her. Can you spot it?
October 17, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Lara is in Connecticut visiting Madeline and Beth. Sounds like they're having a great time, going to pilates and Mystic pizza and shopping and apple picking and getting attacked by insects. Yes, you read that right. Lara was minding her own business when the mantis attacked her. Can you spot it?
📣 New Podcast! "Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield" on @Spreaker #anthropic #author #christmas #conference #cruise #nonfiction #novelist #novels #scams #superman #thriller #writer #writing
Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield
Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Wars-Battle-Justice-American/dp/B0FLKBB8JC/ 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, https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Shanna-Hatfield-ebook/dp/B0F9RQVLP8/.
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://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/
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 https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Sh-Im-Father-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0FR9XSMJ7/) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction.
15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield
30:58 Parting Words
The https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/ in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. https://writercon.com/writercon-cruise/
www.spreaker.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
📣 New Podcast! "Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield" on @Spreaker #anthropic #author #christmas #conference #cruise #nonfiction #novelist #novels #scams #superman #thriller #writer #writing
The Superman Wars PR has officially begun thanks to Kara Kavensky and her Record Scratch podcast. We talked about Jerry Siegel, the inventor of Superman, his struggles, and why I can relate profoundly to his life.You can get this anywhere, but you can also listen here: www.karakavensky.com/podcasts/
PODCASTS - Kara Kavensky
podcastsFinding Joy with Kara
www.karakavensky.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Superman Wars PR has officially begun thanks to Kara Kavensky and her Record Scratch podcast. We talked about Jerry Siegel, the inventor of Superman, his struggles, and why I can relate profoundly to his life.You can get this anywhere, but you can also listen here: www.karakavensky.com/podcasts/
My always industrious son Ralph was sorting through some storage boxes and found a treasure trove of old photos. This one is from 1991, when I was trekking through the Annapurna range of the Himalayas (something Harry also would do about 27 years later). I was never more tired in my life.
October 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
My always industrious son Ralph was sorting through some storage boxes and found a treasure trove of old photos. This one is from 1991, when I was trekking through the Annapurna range of the Himalayas (something Harry also would do about 27 years later). I was never more tired in my life.