Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Rene Gutteridge discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Barry Friedman, top-tier professional standup comic for decades and author of six books, including a new one, the title of which we can’t say on the podcast because then I'd have to check the Adults Only distribution box. "Jack Sh*t" is a collection of anecdotes about Friedman's late father. This book is warm, wonderfully written, and uproariously funny.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Predictions for Publishing in 2023 from Bill, Rene, and Jesse

Chapter 2: News
2022 in Review:
Biggest Authors of the Year: Brandon Sanderson and Colleen Hoover
Biggest Tech Development: ChatGPT writing stories and AI-narrated audiobooks
Biggest Event of the Year: PRH's Failed Attempt to Acquire S&S
Biggest Winner of the Year: TikTok
Biggest Loser of the Year: Big Five Pub (Though Amazon Didn’t Do Great Either)

Chapter 3: Interview
Barry Friedman has millions of fans and followers and there’s a reason—because his work is not only funny, not only insightful, but also, he’s a terrific writer, as he has shown before in a beautifully wrought memoir, Four Days and a Year Later, and his account of life on the road, The Joke Was On Me. His new book, Jack Sh*t, is about his late father. In this interview, you will learn:
1) how to integrate humor in memoir (when the events aren't always funny);
2) mining life for art;
3) the value of revision and good feedback;
4) how to portray the complexity of human relationships, and
5) the importance of voluptuous bagels and flamboyant toupees.

Chapter 4: Parting Words
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Learn more about Rene Gutteridge at her website or by following her on social media. She is also a contributor to Writing Momentum.

Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.

William Bernhardt
www.williambernhardt.com
www.writercon.com