Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield

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!