Will.i.am

The Grim Reaper is coming to the courtroom—where Daniel Pike and Ben Kincaid may face their final judgment. In Florida, defense attorney Daniel Pike is stunned when his legal files are ransacked and his lover, Maria Morales, disappears. In Oklahoma, semi-retired attorney Ben Kincaid is horrified when his connection to this apparent abduction endangers the people he loves most. Desperate for help, Pike seizes Kincaid and hauls him on a cross-country...

Writing is structure, William Goldman said, but too often aspiring writers plunge into their work without grasping this fundamental principle. Story structure is one of the most important concepts for a writer to understand and ironically, one of the least frequently taught. In this book, New York Times-bestselling author William Bernhardt explains the elements that make stories work, using examples spanning from Gilgamesh to The Hunger Games. In...

Why do some books attract readers while others don't? What are the essential qualities of an irresistible read, a story people can't wait to start? And what's the secret to attracting a literary agent or publishing deal? The answer to all three questions is: Premise. A powerful premise is what separates ordinary novels from bestsellers. William Bernhardt explains the essential elements of breakout books, stories that reel in readers and attract serious...

How do you create a fictional world that readers will want to visit? How do you paint a picture that springs to life on the page? William Bernhardt explains how to use description and setting to enhance your story without slowing the pace. Bernhardt discusses showing without telling, providing descriptive details that inform character, and integrating visuals and action with "stealth description." In his direct, no-nonsense style, Bernhardt explains...

What must a writer know to survive in the modern publishing world? In this volume, William Bernhardt tackles essential topics that, while smaller in scope, are nonetheless necessary to a contemporary author's survival. How do you create a memorable series character? Should you write in the first person? What does "Show, don't tell" really mean? How do you add suspense? Bernhardt also discusses legal issues confronting writers and marketing concerns,...

Sizzling Style is what distinguishes a spellbinding book from an ordinary one. The writer who understands the fundamentals of fictional writing style knows how to capture readers and never let them go. Too often aspiring writers are frustrated by rejection, not realizing that the problem is not the story but the way they are telling it. In this book, bestselling author William Bernhardt brings his down-to-earth approach to the subject of style, revealing...

Why do so many people talk about writing a book but never get the job done? Why do so many start books they never finish? And why is the final product often so much less than what editors and agents want? Because writing is a process, and no steps can be omitted without impacting the quality of the work. As best-selling author William Bernhardt explains, editing begins before you start writing and doesn't end until the book is in print (if then)....

Dynamic dialogue can turn an otherwise ordinary novel into a delightful read, but dull, uninspired dialogue will cause readers to lose interest and try something else. In this book, bestselling author William Bernhardt, renowned for his handling of dialogue, explains his techniques for making characters come to life through their words. He explains the importance of matching character and dialogue, of avoiding dialogue that's "on-the-nose," and the...

"This book sparkles like a jewel in a cosmic clockwork-an uplifting gift to readers everywhere." - Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior Why are the churches closed on Christmas Eve in Florence's San Frediano district? This mystery perplexes an acclaimed American poet who journeys to the fabled city seeking inspiration. The proprietor of his hotel, raconteur Alberto Giannotti, reveals that it has nothing to do with the holiday-and everything...

When her shocking new case hits too close to home, can Kenzi prevent a miscarriage of justice? Kenzi Rivera wants her day in the sun. Now the highest-earning name at her father's firm, the spitfire attorney is furious her brother was chosen to manage the practice. But she steps up anyway to handle her dad's messy divorce… only to see his wife charged with his mistress's murder. Facing a smug prosecution team that has compiled a mountain of incriminating...