Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

Mark interviews Jennifer Buchanan, a musician, author, entrepreneur, music therapist, and two-time award-winning author about her more than thirty years of experience helping people connect using music. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal reflective update and a word about this episode's sponsor that's also filled with a few reflections. You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their conversation, Mark and Jennifer talk about: When Mark and Jennifer had last spoken and how much Jennifer enjoyed the conversation How Jennifer has been a health entrepreneur who has been running her music therapy business for 31 years Her youngest client is 2 months old, and her eldest is 104 Becoming an author and how that has been such a pleasure Being passionate about music therapy and the good it can do Reminding people of their innate humanness and the strengths that still exist inside them Mar

Mark interviews Lila Holley, a US Army combat Veteran, and the multiple award-winning author behind the Camouflaged Sisters brand. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their conversation, Mark and Lila talk about: Lila's life of more than two decades in the army, then transitioning into creating a platform allowing veteran women to share their stories Trying to find her place in high school, but enjoying writing and getting excellent feedback and encouragement from a teacher The difficulty of the transition of leaving the military and then re-creating that civilian life Returning to journalling as an outlet in that transition Sharing her experiences in order to help other veterans Realizing how important to would be to help so many others share their own stories

Mark interviews Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill of the Story Nerd Podcast. The Story Nerd Podcast demystifies story theory so writers spend less time studying and more time writing. Literary editors and writers, Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill, analyze a film a week as an example of a storytelling principle. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update and 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 their conversation, Mark, Valerie, and Melanie talk about: How long it took for the three of them to coordinate the interview (2 months) and a bit of banter about time zones and Melanie being so further in the "future" than Valerie and Mark Mark's nerding out on how the Y2K bug wasn't solved, it was just pushed back to 2050 Mal's background as a poet and her passion for writing poetry and how much passion could be conveyed in suc

This year's NINC (Novelist's Inc) Conference was themed "Work Smarter." Mark shares reflections based on the notes he took when at NINC the previous week (Sept 19 thru 25). Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and 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. Links of Interest: NINC NINC Author Membership Requirements About the NINC Conference EP 28 - Reflections on the Power of Moments The Official LOVER'S MOON Spotify Playlist Lover's Moon Podcast (Spotify) Thrifty Tips for Authors (Facebook Group) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Were

Mark interviews Gama Ray Martinez about his recent novel GOD OF NEVERLAND, his writing life, and more. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and 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. During their conversation Mark and Gama talk about: How Mark and Gama normally only see one another once per year at Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado in Feb each year Gama always wanting to be a writer, and in school turning in stories instead of descriptive essays The first story that Gama sold, which won 2nd place in a David Farland anthology Taking several of David Farland's workshops Writing a "purple unicorn" story involving a potato based on a parody cover James A. Owen had crafted The background of the "purple unicorn" story Value that can come, both professionally and personally, from attending in person conferences like Superstars Wri

Mark interviews October K. Santerelli about neurodivergence as it relates to the writing life. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, and 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. During their conversation Mark and October talk about: October's start with writing during a 7th Grade poetry unit project receiving an A+ Dedicating his first book to that teacher who was so inspiring and supportive Getting a publishing deal offer at the age of sixteen Doing a lot of fantasy writing (that got finished) as well as Queer fiction (that never got finished)- Loving the act of "spite writing" The terms of Neurotypical, Neurodivergent, and their understanding within the writer's life How ADHD and Autism spectrum can have really powerful effects on your writing career The way that many of the "rules" for writers don't align with a brain that isn't neurotypic

Mark interviews Rebecca Eckler, journalist, bestselling author and the founder of RE: Books. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, reads listener comments, and announces the patron winner of the Dialogue Doctor Masterclass 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 Rebecca talk about about: The concept of retirement when it relates to writing Feeling "done" after publishing 10 books with the big publishing houses The concept of helping younger aspiring female authors Haters being a person's best motivator While Rebecca believes that publishing needs a makeover Spending an afternoon outside a bookstore in order to better understand why people purchased the books they picked up that day The pathetically low average advances that are being offered by publishers and how Rebecca is using a different model The features that Rebecca includes on her blog/newsle

Mark has a conversation with Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor. Prior to the main segment, Mark explains his goof-up that led to releasing this particular episode and then shares a few words 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. During their conversation Mark and Jeff speak, chat, discuss, converse, reflect, consider, chew on, and talk about about: How a book that is 160 K can read like it's so much shorter because it's 95% dialogue Remembering that dialogue is just another tool that we, as writers can use - and how can it help impact the emotional resonance of your story The distance skyline of NYC versus the details of a narrow street as a parallel for two types of writing (prose and dialogue) The energy-building dialogue of Aaron Sorkin in shows like The West Wing Dialogue in action scenes The love/hate relationship writers can have with dialogue tags And more... After

Mark has a chat with Elizabeth Ann West and Randall Wood. Elizabeth Ann West is not only the public face of ScribeCount but is also an author whose books have hit the bestseller lists on all major vendors, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo. Randall Wood is the author of the bestselling Jack Randall thrillers and co-founder of ScribeCount a platform with the desire to be the preeminent author service platform, offering services every author needs. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares recent comments, a personal update, and a few words 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. During their conversation Mark, Elizabeth and Randall talk about: Elizabeth's new role at Scribecount Why Elizabeth goes to conferences with two notebooks The origin of ScribeCount in the back of a room and on cocktail napkins at NINC (Novelist's Inc) in Florida Randa

Mark shares the keynotes given by Hank Phillippi Ryan and Edward Willett from an event he hosted on August 12, 2022 for the virtual When Words Collide 2022 annual conference. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a few words 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.   Hank Phillippi Ryan shares discusses ten things that she learned during the pandemic that she realized she already knew   Edward Willett shares his life-long dream of being a writer, the circuitous journey and the multiple unexpected stops along the way The full video of these keynotes, as well as the ones by Terry Brooks and Susanna Kearsley (plus the conversation and Q&A that followed the talks) can be found here on YouTube.   Links of Interest: When Words Collide Hank Phillippi Ryan Edward Willett YouTube Video of FULL Keynote Talks EP 262 - Rambling Hometown Reflections EP 263 - Terry Brooks &

Mark shares the keynotes given by Terry Brooks and Susanna Kearsley from an event he hosted on August 12, 2022 for the virtual When Words Collide 2022 annual conference. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcomes a new patron and then says 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.   Terry Brooks talks about a topic he hates to answer or discuss: "Where do you get your ideas?" and explains why   Susanna Kearsley explores the concept of an author's supposedly "solitary" life that may actually be filled with relationships. The full video of these keynotes, as well as the ones by Hank Phillippi Ryan and Edward Willett (plus the conversation and Q&A that followed the talks) can be found here on YouTube.   Links of Interest: When Words Collide Terry Brooks Susanna Kearsley YouTube Video of FULL Keynote Talks EP 262 - Rambling Hom

In this solo episode Mark reflects on a few things related to the regular returns back to his hometown of Levack, Ontario, and how those things have influenced his writing life. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update and 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.   Links of Interest: Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win 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 Lover's Moon The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles   The introductory, end, and bumper music

Mark interviews S.W. Millar about his new book - How to Write Brilliant Beginnings: Crafting Your Novel’s Opening Chapters Made Easy. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a brief personal update, comments from recent episodes, and 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 their conversation, Mark and Shane talk about: Shane's background as an urban fantasy writer and a certified Story Editor Writing his first novel back in 2010, pulling it out of a drawer in 2015 and realizing how much it was lacking, and then engaging in a long period of study to better his craft and understanding of the business Wanting to write the kind of books he needed when he was first starting out and wanting to learn How reading Jim Butcher's Harry Desden files novels inspired Shane to want to write similar tales Realizing that he wanted to train as a writer-friendly editor with Kristina S

Mark interviews editor Joshua Essoe about the elements of atmosphere, mood, and world-building. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and 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 their conversation, Mark and Joshua talk about: How Joshua got into being an editor twelve years ago The limitation of only being able to work 1:1 with so many clients at a time and how that led to Joshua deciding to release books (Essoe's Guides to Writing) to assist writers with some of his knowledge/experience The way Joshua divides up a typical day of work, which involves a lot of burning the midnight oil Joshua's unique way of combining two subjects into a single double-sided flip book as a special Kickstarter exclusive project The first flip book - Action Sequences / Sex Scenes The second flip book - Worldbuilding / Mood & Atmosph

In this solo episode where Mark shares some examples of ways that authors can leverage some of the audio and audiobook options available to them. Prior to the main segment and clips, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and 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. Links of Interest: Findaway Voices Other Episodes Mentioned in this podcast EP 029 - Terry Fallis on Writing with Authenticity, Humor, and Passion EP 063 - Wait! Did You Hear That? All About Audiobooks EP 136 - Great sales at Google with Brian Rathbone EP 148 - AI Voice Double Conversation with Joanna Penn EP 233 - Love Only Better, with Paulette Stout EP 227 - Publishing Trends and Reflections for 2022 EP 257 - Naima Simone on Writing with Heart, Humor, and Heat Draft2Digital Podcast EP 073 - Acting, Audiobooks, and TikTok with Actress Sarah Sampino This Time Around (Short Story

This week's episode is a series of highlighted clips from the nearly 3 hours of Reflective Hangout sessions that took place in June 2022 with Mark and a few patrons of the podcast: Katie Cross Matty Dalrymple Roland Denzel Kathy Mac Prior to the main segment and clips, 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. Links of Interest: Findaway Voices Audiobooks See Double Digit Growth (Findaway Blog) APA - Sales & Consumer Survey Press Release June 2022 Reflective Hangout 1 June 2022 Reflective Hangout 2 June 2022 Reflective Hangout 3 Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Can

Mark interviews USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone about writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, reads recent comments, and 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. During their chat, Mark and Naima talk about: Naima's unique and fun tagline: "Where heart, humor, and heat collide" Learning to read as early as 3 and 4 years of age Some of Naima's favorite books she read when growing up, and also sneaking into her mom's room to read her mom's more adult romance books at the age of 11 and 12 Writing her first story about a cucumber named Fred who went to the bookstore The romance book she wrote in the 2nd grade The "fan fiction" type of stories that she used to write and trade with her sister The "Donnie Wahlberg" inspired romantic story Naima wrote Why Naima worked so hard and

Mark shares an excerpt about calculating your worth as an author from the book ACCOUNTING FOR AUTHORS which he co-authored with D.F. Hart. Prior to the interview, Mark welcomes new patron Jenny Simard LaBranche to his patron supporters, and 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. Links of Interest: Accounting for Authors EP 255 - Overcoming Obstacles and Just Doing It With Jenny S. LaBranche Findaway Voices Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Lovers Moon Podcast The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win 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 Lover's Moon The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide t

Mark interviews Jenny S. LaBranche about not letting anything stand in the way of pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, reads comments, and 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. During their chat, Mark and Jenny talk about: Wanting, her entire life, to be a writer Growing up in a Hollywood family, and first learning about screenplays Jenny's work-related connection to the 9/11 tragedy in New York City (75% of their clients were in the World Trade Center buildings) and becoming a firefighter and EMT shortly after that Leaving her job in August 2021 and the great support her husband offered her Signing the Red Sneaker contract A little bit about the Red Sneakers book series from William Bernhardt and how they helped Jenny Being surrounded by so many of mother's books when she was young Working with Willi

Mark interviews Bryan Cohen who runs Author Ad School, Best Page Forward, and co-hosts The Sell More Books Show. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks his patrons, reads comments, offers a personal update and 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. During their chat, Mark and Bryan talk about: Bryan's "Best Page Forward" book blurb writing business that started in 2016 Slowly growing the business by starting off with "bargain basement" pricing, and then eventually growing to having 8 writers and having written more than 5000 book descriptions The misconception that it's necessary for a blurb writer to have to read the book they are writing about Adding instructions for Amazon and Facebook ads to his repertoire The fact that even people who work on the Amazon Ads product can find it complex and confusing The quarterly free Amazon Ad Challenges that Bryan has been