Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews author Susan Faw who is also the owner and founder of Dragon's Lair Artist Emporium, a physical bookstore in Norther Ontario that showcases books from indie authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. 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 Susan talk about: Susan's first meeting with group of authors at a library session with the Stratford Writer's Group in about 2012 How long it took Susan to write her first book The actual work-related impetus of Susan writing her first novel Making the move to Northern Ontario from the Niagara region in Southern Ontario The population of the community Susan is in, which is about 6000 people How Susan is keeping busy on the writing side of things with a series she is wr

In this episode, recorded from a live video chat, Mark interviews James Kademan, owner of Calls On Call, a shared receptionist service, Draw In Customers Business Coaching, and the author of The BOLD Business Book. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. 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 live chat, Mark and James talk about: James' background as an entreupreneur, which started in 2006 The multiple businesses that James has created, and the numerous mistakes he has made along the way in order to find success The infinite number of ideas that you have compared to the actual implementation How most entrepreneurs, like most authors, can be overly optimistic The implementation of "Whatever Blooms" an automated online flower-ordering business to save people time Riding the "hope train" and the comfort in complacency James' decision to self-publish THE BOLD BUSINESS BOOK Releasing the book

Mark interviews Dr. Rachel Noorda and Dr. Kathi Inman Berens about the Immersive Media & Books 2020 Consumer Survey conducted by the Panorama Project and Portland State University. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor (which includes a sample from the first narrator that Mark ever used through Findaway Voices). 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 then shares comments from recent episodes and also a personal update. In his discussion with Dr. Noorda and Dr. Berens, the three discuss: Dr. Rachel Noorda's background at Portland State University directing the Masters book publishing program there and her route into the academic world The student-run press that publishes several trade books every year, giving the students a hands-on experience in publishing Dr. Kathi Inman Berens' undergrad work within publishing and her later long-term academic experience withi

In this episode Mark interviews James Fell, Sweary Historian, about his latest book On This Day in History, Sh!t Went Down. Warning to listeners: In this episode, adult language goes down. A lot. If you are offended by swearing and adult language, please do NOT listen to this episode. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments, from recent episodes, 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. During their conversation, Mark and James discuss: His experience writing as a freelance investigative journalist within the diet and fitness industry for the LA Times and Chicago Tribune How James' literary agent compared his previous book The Holy Shit Moment as a combination of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink with Jen Sincero's You Are a Badass The way that The Holy Shit Moment was a book with a bit of a scientific analysis on "how shit works" and learning that

Mark interviews writer, director, playwright and actor, Rod Carley and they talk about his new novel Kinmount. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a 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. During their conversation, Mark and Rod talk about: How, when he was young, Rod would come home from school every day and work on a picture book Joining a musical as part of the chorus in grade 9 Theater offering a sense of collaboration and inclusion Having Canadian poet bpNichol as a creative writing instructor in university, and how this legendary writer was a huge influence The work Rod did adapting and editing Shakespearean scripts into modern settings by finding more recent historic parallels to moments, themes, and events from the original plays Writing musicals based on the history of Northern Ontario An overview of the premise and setup for Rod's

In this episode Mark interviews Denise Massar about her memoir "Matched," about adoption, and about the work being done to find the right publisher for the manuscript. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, 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.   During their conversation, Mark and Denise talk about: Denise's memoir about adoption called "Matched" The process of private domestic newborn adoption and how it is different than the systems used to be How competitive the process is How adoptive parents are tasked 100% with finding their own birth mom The diverse range of women in a position of being pregnant and not wanting to keep their baby How the search for a birth mother can feel seedy Adoption being a hot-button topic, potentially as hot-button as the topic of abortion Seeing how an open adoption could be, with De

In this episode Mark interviews Diana Wink, fiction author, blogger and film director. 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. During their conversation, Mark and Diana discuss: How Diana wrote poems in Russian and German when she was young and also wrote a novel when she was 11 Asking about how she could combine music, visual art and storytelling together, which lead to her interest in film Loving the writing and the planning behind projects such as films How the shooting is the most stressful part of a film, and in editing it's often about regret The way that everyone can have ideas that feed off of one another in a collaborative film project - What it's like to see the reaction of a live audience to a film at a film festival - How, in film, if you don't have a budget, you have to first find it - which isn't

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