Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

Mark interviews Lizbeth Meredith an award-winning author, speaker, and online teacher living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her memoir Pieces of Me has been adapted as Stolen By Their Father for Lifetime Television and was released earlier this year. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks his patrons, talks about a cool Kickstarter that one of his patrons, Holger Nils Pohl is running, 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 Lizbeth talk about: Lizbeth's earliest melodramatic poetry writing when she was young Why and how the writing helped when she started to think of her life as a story Realizing how Lizbeth's PIECES OF ME is just one of an endless number of stories of survival and resilience Her story of looking over two years of her children being abducted and taken away by their non-custodial father The importance of community for wr

Mark interviews Rona Gofstein, an Author Accelerator certified fiction book coach who specializes in helping writers of genre fiction develop, write and revise their novels. She also writes contemporary romance, is the president of Broad Universe, an international organization for women and alternatively gendered authors of speculative fiction, as well as president of the New Hampshire Chapter of RWA.  Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, thanks his patrons and provides them an update on June virtual hangouts 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 chat, Mark and Rona talk about: When Rona first started to play around with writing when back in college How Julia Cameron's Book The Artist's Way inspired Rona to get serious about writing and publishing a book Being a "feel your way through" type of writer Knowing her charact

Mark interviews C.J. Anaya, a USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author who enjoys assisting authors in writing, publishing, and marketing books with her YouTube channel Author Journey. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, an ad he recorded with Julie Strauss for the release of their new novel Lover's Moon, 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 chat, Mark and CJ talk about: How by the time she was eight months old CJ was singing Writing short stories for her friends at the age of 10 because she wanted to give them all Christmas presents The singing and performing she did, including starting to writing songs at the age of 18 Going through three incidents of cancer. First at the age of 18, then at 26, and more recently in the past year How her writing journey began shortly after running in

Mark interviews E.S. Curry, an insatiable renaissance man who loves writing outside the data stream on a Royal typewriter, listening to classical music on vinyl, and imagining bedtime stories with his son Åsmund. Prior to the main content, Mark shares 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. During their chat, Mark and Scott talk about: How Scott started writing for himself four years ago after years of doing ghostwriting and working in advertising and marketing The importance of discovering his own voice as a writer and how it took writing over one million words before he found his voice The experience of a being at a "Fred Forward" conference at the Fred Rogers Center and how Fred Rogers talked about the importance of being in a bubble with a child and really engaging and attending to them and that space Getting away to the wilderness with his s

Mark interviews D. E. Cunningham, a middle-grade fantasy author, about his life as a storyteller and his new novel Marco Swift and the Mirror of Souls. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a recent comment, 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. During their chat, Mark and David talk about: The inspiration behind writing Marco Swift and the Mirror of Souls Writing a musical comedy for stage when in college, and making short VHS movies, improv and parodies with his friends when he was in high school Being able to bang out 1000 words an hour, but without proper structure and plotting Discovering Brandon Sanderson's DIY writing class on YouTube How dramatically different the later drafts of the novel became after David learned more about the craft David's desire to make the heart of the Marco Swift story about children facing trauma and learning

Mark interviews Carina Alyce, a best-selling author and full-time triple board-certified physician who started writing dramatic medical romances after twenty years in the trenches of health care. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update as well as 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 Carina talk about: Carina's love of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Grey's Anatomy, and how this evolved, along with her passion for storytelling, to start writing her current series Her medical and clinical background that helped inspire some of her stories A typical work and family day, and where and how Carina gets her writing in The "dead drop" method of communicating with herself using Gmail drafts while working on a manuscript Scheduling TikTok content in advance during one-hour of work to use for the remainder of the week How a TikTok "pa

After the loss of his mother, Mark reflects on the ways in which she influenced his love of reading, and other things. 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.   Links of Interest: The 2022 Write Stuff Storybundle Findaway Voices Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Accounting for Authors 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 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:

Mark shares four of the many pitfalls of publishing that can befall authors. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update  and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by The 2022 Write Stuff StoryBundle. For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you're feeling generous), you'll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE. Domesticate Your Badgers by Michael W Lucas Publishing Pitfalls for Authors by Mark Leslie Lefebvre Writing Craft by DeAnna Knippling A Freelancer's Survival Guide to Starting Your Own Business by Kristine Kathryn Rusch If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all four of the regular books, plus five more books and an online lecture, for a total of 10 books/lectures. That includes two StoryBundle exclusives! A Writer Prepares by Lawrence Block Free Your Inner Nonfiction Writer by Johanna Rothman (StoryBundle Exclusive) Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Virtual Worlds by Joanna P

Mark chats with patrons Matty Dalrymple and Roland Denzel from the March 2022 "Reflective Round-Table." Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update (that includes the release of the co-authored book Accounting for Authors) and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast who support the podcast over at www.patreon.com/starkreflections During their conversation, Mark, Matty, and Roland talk about: In person events for authors Print books for indie authors Challenges related to pre-release print ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) Tricks and Hacks for in person events and other physical props related to book events Book Launches - both virtual and in person Working with local bookstores Public Lending Rights And so much more...   Links of Interest: Matty Dalrymple Roland Denzel Episode 216 - Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple Episode 128 - Healthy Home Workspaces with Roland Denzel Episode 116 - Taking the Short Tack with Matty

A rambling reflection episode that talks about writing fast and slow, writing with passion, worrying over reviews, and marketing, and Mark's "Pineapple on Pizza Principle." Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes new patron S.W. Millar, reads a few comments, 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.   Links of Interest: Episode 243 - Creating a Nurturing Welcome Sequence with Holly Darling Best Book Ever Podcast - Episode 92 - Leah Carey on "One To Watch" by Kate Stayman-London Findaway Voices Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 (

In this episode, Mark interviews Holly Darling, an author and email marketing consultant. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes new Patron Holger Nils Pohl, shares a 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 Holly Talk About   Holly's background as a romance author and how that led to her passion about email marketing Her background in the entertainment business doing email and social media for musicians with large record companies Responding to questions like: "Why do I need an author email?" or the idea of: "I'm a new author and don't yet have a readership yet." The industry average of open rates being anywhere between 18% and 22% but how open-rates are not a reliable metric How author email offers you a lot more control over the reader journey The importance of a four-email 2nd phase nurturing aspe

An interview with Kim Lengling, author, writer, and host of Let Fear Bounce podcast and the Write Stuff, the author's voice TV Show. Prior to the main content, 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. During their conversation, Mark and Claire talk about: How Kim accidentally fell into writing after being asked to share a very personal story about her grandfather who was a WWI veteran in front of an audience of 800 people and a bunch of television cameras Being invited to write a monthly column on veteran issues after this speech The evolution of this writing into personal stories that Kim helped veterans shared Being the person who can help other people share their stories A little about her grandfather's personal story that Kim had shared on that fateful day The unique manner by which some of the vete

A reading, by the author (H. Claire Taylor) of her March 7, 2022 Medium article entitled: "Indie Publishing Has a Creepy Problem" Links of Interest: Claire Taylor's Website Indie Publishing Has a Creep Problem (Original Article) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections   Claire Taylor is the founder and owner of FFS Media. She also leads the Story Alignment services offered by FFS Media. With over a dozen top-selling humor novels published (and many more on the way), she can write the crap out of a funny book. And she can help you bring out the humor in your story, too, without sacrificing a compelling narrative or strong character development. She has professionally edited 200+ fiction manuscripts, with experience in every stage of the editing process from outline evaluation to proofreading. Her passion lies in telling a story that sticks with readers long after they finish the last page, and she loves helping others achieve that goal.   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“L

Mark has a conversation with Claire Taylor, founder and owner of FFS Media, about her writing, about story alignment, and about a creep problem that exists in the indie publishing industry. Prior to the main content, Mark shares some randomly drawn prizes for three of his Patrons (two copies of a book on worldbuilding by Angeline Trevena and a virtual course by Claire Taylor), 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. During their conversation, Mark and Claire talk about: How long it has been since the last time they saw one another in person due to that "thing that happened" (a global pandemic) Claire's start on The Sell More Books Show Podcast (with co-host Bryan Cohen) in Jan 2020 and the importance of how the two hosts can raise different points to bring perspective to the news and tips The challenge of reading news articles aloud live Claire

In this solo episode Mark talks about Public Lending Right programs. Public Lending Right (PLR) is the right of authors and other rightsholders to receive payment for the free public use of their works in libraries. PLR has been in existence since the 1940s and is currently available for authors in more than 30 countries around the world. Prior to the main content, shares a personal update that includes Writers for Ukraine: The Million Word Challenge, 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: Writers for Ukraine Go Fund Me for Writers for Ukraine PLR International Links to Established Global Region programs for PLR PLR Canada Findaway Voices Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working wit

Mark interviews Jeff Cottrill, a fiction writer, poet, journalist and spoken-word artist based in Toronto, Canada, about spoken-word art and his new novel HATE STORY. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes a Patreon supporter, 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. During their conversation, Mark and Jeff talk about: How Jeff had always been writing since he was young, including silly poems and sketches and stories The writing becoming a bit more serious in nature in high school, and then later in university, where he was actually discouraged from writing for a while Discovering the unique nature of spoken-word and open mics and then adapting his own style and adaptation of the art How really bad workshops can be traumatizing and can set back a writer for years The lack of (or overabundance of) life and e

In this episode Mark interviews Angeline Trevena, an author of dystopian urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction, a podcaster, an events manager, and the author of a number of phenomenal books about world-building. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a short personal update, including the fact one of his patrons will win a copy of Angeline's latest edition of 30 Days of Worldbuilding, a coupon code to get $100 off registration for Superstars Writing Seminars 2023 (STARKSSWS2023) 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 Angeline talk about: The release of the 2nd edition of her book 30 Days of World-Building How Angeline has always loved fantasy, and choose-your-own-adventure books The way reading The Chronicles of Narnia was one of the factors that led to her love and passion for world-building The original 30 Days of Wo

Mark has a panel discussion with four of his patrons. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast who supposed this podcast via www.patreon.com/starkreflections. Matty Dalrymple Alyssa Kuron Kathy Mac Faye Whyte The round-table discussion focuses mainly on the following topics: Digital/virtual versus real-world/in-person connections POD and bookstore returns Mark also gives out a coupon code for $100 off of for first-time attendees of Superstars Writing Seminars (Colorado Spring, CO), for Feb 2023. Use STARKSSWS2023 to get $100 off if you register before June 1, 2022. Links of Interest: EP 216 - Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple EP 166 - Wording Around with Kathy Mac EP 108 - Silver Linings with Talena Winters Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 Tim

Mark interviews Annaliese Morgan, an author, traveller, a solo mum of two boys, and an award winning Advanced Veterinary Surgical Nurse, about writing, her book STAY WILD, and her passion for inspiring young adults and young readers through fiction. Prior to the main content, Mark shares 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. During their conversation, Mark and Annaliese talk about: Annaliese's entrance to writing in the 1990s after her extensive veterinary work Those veterinary related books, and how that led to a successful blog of autobiographical vignettes The way that real life elements can be incorporated into her fiction Annaliese's first novel, STAY WILD, an urban fantasy story set in present day London Her imprint, Black Daisy Press, and her plans for it The importance of inspirational fiction, particularly for younger readers Advise t

This episode goes a bit meta with Mark sharing a recording of Kathy Mac interviewing a group of her students shortly after a virtual talk that Mark gave to them on the opportunities available to authors within the traditional and indie publishing realms. It is a "reflections on a reflective talk" episode. 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.   Links of Interest: Episode 166 - Wording Around with Prose Episode 226 - Reflective Round Table Dec 2021 Episode 231 - Reflective Round Table Jan 2022 Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections 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