Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

From mystery to romance and science fiction—from heartfelt essays to poetry that moves the soul, FRESH STARTS is a bold new anthology of tales from the Pikes Peak Writers. Mark interviews three of the contributors to this anthology in celebration of the new book's release on Friday April 9, 2021.   Prior to the interview Mark shares a word from this episodes sponsor... You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In the interview Mark talks with: Joshua Clark ("Nolan’s Bucket List: Snow Edition" / Cover Designer) Josh is a writer, bookseller, graphic designer, and designer of the cover of Fresh Starts. He graduated with an art degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Josh is an active member of Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and was the former Speakers Coordinator for Pueblo West Writers. His short story, ‘The Galaxy Got a Whole Lot Bigger,’ received a Silver Honorable Mention in

In this episode Mark shares details about the recent "A Canadian Werewolf in New York" promotion he ran in March 2021 centered around an International BookBub Deal. He also shares some articles with tips from BookBub and Written Word Media. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In this episode Mark shares details about his Canadian Werewolf Promo, including the high level strategy used as well as the results. He splits the intro to the promo and the results between sharing four articles from BookBub and Written Word Media about promotions.   Over all costs for the promotions run were $347.44. Overall earnings from the promotions were $610.17. Which resulted in a net gain of $262.73.   Links of Interest: Findaway Voices Articles mentioned in this podcast BookBub The Best Day of the Week to Discount eBooks Do BookBub Deals W

Mark interviews Jenn T. Grace, a nationally recognized business strategist, speaker, and award-winning author who is passionate about helping people share their stories of adversity. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, welcomes new patrons and offers a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Mark and Jenn discuss: How, from the earliest age, Jenn had always wanted to be a "Dear Abby" type of writer A 2012 advice column that was an early "Dear Abby" dream-come-true for Jenn The LGBTQ inclusion consulting work that led to very random questions and great learning opportunities to share The "raw and real" level of vulnerability that helps to break through the noise and clutter How authors don't often include their story enough in non-fiction to connect with readers in a way that they don't expect The way you can tell, when writing a

Mark interviews Jenn Taylor, Mom of 18 and The Naked Podcaster about raw, open and honest conversations, vulnerability, and more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In his personal update, Mark shares a number of things: The audiobook release of Fear and Longing in Los Angeles, and the inclusion of Alicia Witt's music The launch of Wide for the Win and multiple events associated with that The release of Pulphouse Fiction Magazine #10 which Mark guest edited Mark also welcomes new Patron David Perlmutter, thanking him and all patrons for supporting the podcast. In their conversation Jenn and Mark discuss: What Jenn does, coaching women executives, primarily Moms and what that can do to stress levels, sleep, motivation, exercise, and time The coaching certifications that Jenn has and the fact that people don't ask often enough i

In this episode Mark shares an excerpt from the introduction to the March 2021 book Wide for the Win, in which he shares his vision of what truly wide publishing is. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a brief personal update as well as a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. The Chapter of the book that Mark reads from a draft of Wide for the Win is: Introduction: Prefatory Disclaimers, A Note on Biases, and How to Use this Book What is Wide? No, Seriously. Get to the Bloody Point: What is Wide? Disclaimers A Note on Biases An Admission of Exclusivity My Numbers on Wide How to Use This Book Links of Interest Wide for the Win Findaway Voices Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Patreon for Stark Reflections   The introducto

In this solo episode, Mark shares three short sections from his forthcoming book Wide for the Win. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a brief personal update as well as a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. The three chapters/segments that Mark reads from a draft of Wide for the Win are: Amazon's Exclusivity Program is Called KDP Select, Not KU My Biggest Pet Peeve About Amazon Exclusivity I Don't Hate Amazon Links of Interest Wide for the Win Findaway Voices Patreon for Stark Reflections     The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

This episode features an excerpt from Mark's forthcoming book Wide for the Win, which was also shared on an Alliance of Independent Authors online article. To “go wide” or “publish wide” is to distribute and sell books via multiple platforms, rather than limiting yourself to a single outlet, usually Kindle (the only retailer with a blatant exclusivity program). Publishing wide is a common recommendation for long-term, sustainable, and scalable growth. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update that includes a forthcoming promo run and the exhaustion he is recently feeling with multiple book launches in a relatively small window, as well as a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In the reading of the book excerpt/article excerpt, Mark shares ideas for authors at different stages of publishing wide. At the Start of Your Indie Writer journey Coming out of a To

In this episode Mark interviews Emily Goodwin. Emily is the Vice President Public Affairs for Author Services, Inc. based in Los Angeles, California. She has been involved with book publishing since 2007, including the international Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests. She is the producer for the Writers of the Future annual Achievement Awards as well as the online writing workshop. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update that include some mistakes he made in the recent release of his novel Fear and Longing in Los Angeles as well as a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Emily and Mark talk about: The blind-judged free to enter contest that Writers of the Future operations for beginning writers How stories can be read by NYT Bestselling science-fiction and fantasy writers like David Farland, Brandon Sanderson, Orson S

In this episode Mark interviews Judith and Michael Anderle of LMBPN Publishing. This episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update on the forthcoming release of Fear and Longing in Los Angeles and the ongoing work being done on Wide for the Win. He also talks about the benefits of PLR (Public Lending Right) programs.   In their conversation, Judith, Michael, and Mark talk about: How they each got started in the business of publishing Michael's first 90 days of writing and publishing Judith's background in the medical and pharmaceutical industry and how she made Michael create a profit/loss statement for the following year for LMBPN before she decided to step in and run the company How calculating the earnings of $7.50 per book per day led to the idea of the 20Booksto50K methodology, movement, and Facebook Group Judith's inkling for fashio

Mark interviews Julie Bonser (Head of Youth Services) and Michelle Rutter (Teen Services Librarian) from Eastern Munroe Public Library in Pennsylvania. Prior to the interview is an message about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Mark, Julie, and Michelle talk about: Julie and Michelle's respective titles, the role each of them plays at the library and a little about their background The five different locations in Monroe County where Michelle provides the teen services programing How Julie is not typical as a librarian as a "book-centric" person An explanation of the designation of the term "librarian" what that means and how it differs in different states and the difference between "provisional" and "professional" The significant differences and focuses of public, academic, and school libraries What the average day in the life of a youth services libr

In this episode Mark interviews Nadine Williams, a storyteller, a writer, a poet, keynote speaker and entrepreneur. Prior to the interview Mark shares some recent personal comments, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor.You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Mark and Nadine talk about: How being a writer, speaker, and poet was something that Nadine stumbled upon after life threw her some curve balls The way that writing became therapy Nadine's career in construction and a trade show encounter that led to her first published article The idea of a book being the result of the marriage between a writer and her pen Nadine's use of the term "tears to ink" to describe the earliest therapeutic writing she had done The early reading Nadine did as a child, and the oral storytelling tradition she grew up with The experience of opening up for a talk that Michelle Obama di

Mark interviews Philippa A. Werner, a two times USA Today Bestselling author and the public face of ScribeCount about her writing and the new sales analytics tool for authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor.You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. Mark also thanks Patrons of the podcast and announces the patron winner of Clark Chamberlain's Story Stuck Coaching package. In their conversation, Mark and Philippa talk about: Philippa's background as a writer (under the pen names Moira Katson and Natalie Grey The initial release to the sound of crickets, and the later release of the Light and Shadow trilogy which really took off How Philippa learns best by "jumping off the deep end" Advice that if you're having trouble coming up with a blurb for your book, that might be an indication that there's a fundamental problem with the story itself The Scri

In this episode Mark interviews author Susie Moloney about her life writing horror, the trajectory of her career through writing novels, scripts, and screenplays, and her latest screenplay with director/collaborator Robert Cuffley, BRIGHT HILL ROAD. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes as well as a personal update. He also shares a word from this episode's sponsor.You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their conversation, Susie and Mark talk about: How Susie has been a writer her entire life, had started writing short stories and then discovered that her stories were "getting longer" which eventually evolved into novels Susie's "practice novel" ESCAPE OF THE MINOTAUR which was an attempt to see if she could sustain an idea for a novel-length work How that first novel led to getting an agent The origin of Susie's first novel, BASTION FALLS, which was originally released

Mark interviews D.F. Hart about her journey through indie publishing, the mistakes she has made on that journey and the dramatic results of the decision to do a makeover on her thriller covers. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes as well as a personal update. He also shares a word from this episode's sponsor.You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, DeAnna and Mark discuss: Why DeAnna writes under D.F. Hart and Faith Hart Her first experience publishing through a vanity press in 2010 How that first novel's idea came to her originally in 1989 How March of 2019 was Deanna's first experience publishing fully indie (as opposed to being done through a vanity press outfit) Reader reaction to the balance between law enforcement work and personal/home life in her main character How a supplemental character that Deanna felt sorry for and wanted to see her get a h

This special bonus episode of the podcast includes a more than two hour discussion about gender. Jeff Elkins organized this discussion which took place on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Dr. Paz Galupo of Towson University and Carin Galupo join Crys Cain and JP Rindfleisch of the Write Away Podcast, Jeff Elkins and Laura Humm, of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast and Mark Leslie Lefebvre of The Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast to walk them through Gender Mapping and give insights into how we should understand the complexities of gender. Mark foregoes the regular introductory matter for this episode and moves straight to a word from this episode's sponsor prior to the recorded discussion. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. Links of Interest Dr. Paz Galupo The Dialogue Doctor Podcast Jeff Elkins Laura Humm EP 157 - A Conversation with Jeff Elkins Write Away Podcast Crys Cain JP Rindfleish

In this episode Mark shares a look at his 2020 goals and accomplishments, as well as a look at the publishing industry. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor.   You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   Mark's goals for 2020 included: Audio - Author's Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores Audio - Killing it on Kobo Audio - Canadian Werewolf in New York Audio - Stowe Away eBook edition - Stowe Away Print - Stowe Away Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Audio - I, Death Audio - One Hand Screaming Too Macabre for Montreal - eBook Screaming Skulls and Other Haunted Objects Weird Waterloo Other Non-Fiction Paranormal Ghost Story Project New Short Story Collection - Nocturnal Saves -(turned into Nobody's Hero) Exclusive Audio Project Viability of Indie Publishing Insider Secrets   Books Publishing Nobody's Hero (Story Collection) - Jan 14, 2020 Taking the Short Tack (

In this episode Mark interviews Andrew Pyper, an international award winning Canadian author with novels published in multiple countries and multiple languages, with multiple property options in play, and more interesting creative projects in the works. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update that includes the two book projects due in early 2021 and the potential that he might reschedule one a few weeks back, a "wide writer" survey he has put out as well as a word from this episode's sponsor.   You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Andrew and Mark discuss: How Mark first discovered Andrew's work years ago when he was shelving new books in the bookstore he worked at The publishing progression that Andrew experienced, writing short fiction and earning publication credits How a journal/magazine editor Andrew had sold stories to introduced him to a publisher which led t

In this episode Mark shares an interview with Monica Leonelle, a USA Today bestselling author best known for her young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance series, Waters Dark and Deep. She also teaches writing, publishing, business, and marketing at TheWorldNeedsYourBook.com. Her most recent nonfiction series, Growth Hacking for Storytellers, has helped thousands of writers write faster, become better storytellers, and find their way to success. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal, update, some comments and a few words about this episode's sponsors. These details include Commentary on Robin Cutler joining LMBPN Thoughts about publishing trends and future predictions (based on insightful comments from patrons) A bit about Mark's early writing history, Tough Guys Big Adventure and a stupid Dad Joke video short Sponsors: Findaway Voices and Clark Chamberlan's Author Hustle You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at stark

In this episode Mark interviews David Farland, a New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author, who has written for major franchises such as Star Wars and The Mummy, and mentored dozens who have gone on to staggering literary success, including Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson, and Stephenie Meyer. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor.   You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their conversation, Mark and David talk about: How David started writing when he was 17 years old, but didn't get serious about it until the age of about 25/26 Deciding he wanted to win a short story contest, and how that led to winning the Grand Prize at Writers of the Future and how that led to a traditional publishing offer which led to a bestseller (On My Way To Paradise) which also won the Philip K. Dick Special Memorial Awa

In this episode, Mark interviews author and bookseller Laura Hayden, who is the co-founder and owner of Author-Author an experimental retail bookshop that deals in online sales, special events, books for writers and books for authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor . . . You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. Mark also welcomes new Patron Melissa Yi and shares a personal update that includes a couple of talks he gave to library groups in the past week, as well as a few Kobo promotions he is participating in. Mark reminds listeners they can get the following books via Kobo until the end of 2020 by using the coupon code NANO2020 at checkout: The Indie Author Mindset – Adam Croft Dear Writer, You Need to Quit – Becca Syme The 7 P’s of Publishing Success – Mark Leslie Lefebvre Let’s Get Digital: How to Self-Publish and Why You Should – David Gaughran In their conver