Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews John Gaspard about his mystery novels, his decision to move from traditional publishing to indie publishing, and other behind the scenes business decisions about his life in writing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, 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 ret...

Mark has a conversation with Sarah Kades and Adrienne Kerr about how their relationship as a writing and editing team, about Sarah's recent release, Kiss Me in the Rain and about their pathways into the writing and publishing world. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor: Stark Publishing and his books for writers . In their conversation, Mark, Sarah, and Adrienne...

Mark interviews Matty Dalrymple about her new book THE INDY AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PODCASTING FOR AUTHORS. Prior to the interview, Mark 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. In their conversation Mark and Matty talk about: Ma...

Mark interviews Patricio X. Maya, who writes in both English and Spanish. They talk about his writing, his essays, his first novel, Reggaetón Cruise, which has been called "a techno-beat The Great Gatsby" about cultural exile, multiculturalism, and so much more. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update, thanks Patreon supporters and shares a word from this episode's sponsor. You ca...

Mark interviews Carol Van Natta about the collaborative author PETS IN SPACE series. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update, recent comments, and shares an audio clip of Will Dages from Findaway Voices, 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...

Mark has a conversation with Canadian author Valerie Francis, a literary editor, podcaster, story nerd, and the bestselling author of the steamy romance, Masquerade (think Bridgerton for the 21st century). Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update, recent comments, thanks Patrons and offers a few words about this episode's sponsor regarding their forthcoming marketplace. This episod...

Mark and Joanna Penn talk about collaborating on the writing and release of their co-authored book THE RELAXED AUTHOR: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey . Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from a recent episode, thanks Patrons and offers a few words about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. You can learn more about how you...

Mark interviews Marty Essen, the author of several non-fiction and fiction titles, and a much sought after public speaker. Prior to the main content, Mark thanks Patrons to the podcast, shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to reta...

A keynote from Morgan Rhodes (Michelle Rowen) about her writer journey and facing creative block. The keynote is from the When Words Collide August 2021 Virtual Conference. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. You can learn more about how you can get you...

Mark interviews Kerrie Flanagan and Chuck Harrelson about collaborating on multiple genres under two shared pseudonyms, growing global sales, increasing author newsletter subscribers, and experimenting with marketing through Twitch. Prior to the interview, Mark welcomes new patron Malcolm Coon, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway...

Mark interviews Deborah Levison, a multi award-winning author, freelance writer, publicist and the author of THE CRATE: A Story of War, a Murder, and Justice - a true crime story with echoes of the Holocaust. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and talks about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. You can learn...

This solo episode features a recording of a talk Mark gave at When Words Collide 2021. Prior to the talk, Mark shares a personal update 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.   Links of Interest: Episode 99...

This episode features a 2021 When Words Collide Keynote given by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Steena Holmes. The talk was recorded on Friday August 13, 2021. After the talk, Mark shares a couple of reflections and thanks patrons of the podcast who support it at patreon.com/starkreflections . He also shares that the presentations he gave at When Words Collide will be shared in vi...

Mark interviews Simon Lowe, an author with a number of stories published in various magazines, who, after a decade working in book stores, released his first novel ( The World is at War, Again ) in June 2021 and now writes part time while also performing the role of a stay at home dad. Prior to the interview, Mark welcomes new Patrons Talena Winters, Rachel Amphlett, and Carolyn Stein, reads comme...

Mark interviews Tessa Smith McGovern an award-winning and best-selling author who has taught writing for 22 year. Prior to the interview, Mark says comments from recent episodes, a personal update, 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...

Mark shares a rant about a particular thing he noticed continues to happen related to authors looking for promotional opportunities. Prior to the main content, Mark talks about how this episode was born from content originally sent to patrons of the podcast who responded to his slightly rawer rant on the same topic. For that special episode, he merely turned on the microphone and just let it out....

Mark shares an early draft excerpt from his forthcoming August 2021 book PUBLISHING PITFALLS FOR AUTHORS . Specifically he talks about Publishers and Predators and the things that authors need to be careful to look out for. Prior to the main content, Mark shares some comments from a recent Patreon only rant episode he recently released talking about unprofessional author behavior and promises to r...

In this episode Mark interviews #1 bestselling author and founder of Book Launchers, Julie Broad. 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. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal upon, an opportunity for list...

Mark reflects on 200 episodes and also shares a reading from a chapter in his book WIDE FOR THE WIN on Quantum Eggs merged with ad hoc musings. Prior to the main content, Mark shares an opportunity for listeners to win one of three spots in a full day author boot camp workshop taking place in mid August 2021, and also shares a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway...

Mark interviews Chelle Honiker and Chrishaun Keller Hanna of Indie Author Magazine. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update 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 conversion Chel...

Mark interviews Honorée Corder, an executive and strategic book and publishing coach, TEDx speaker, and the author of more than 50 books including You Must Write a Book. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, some recent comments 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 re...

In this solo episode, Mark talks openly about the anxiety, frustration, and darkness that took over as he was trying to prepare for this week's episode. It's an unscripted talk through the things circling his mind, and how he is trying to deal with them. Prior to his introspective rambling, he pauses to share a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. You can...

Mark interviews Jim Dean, Creative Director of Haunted Walks, Inc. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, 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 c...

Mark interviews author Malorie Cooper about her writing and the "Help! I'm An Author" that Mal writes with her wife Jill Cooper. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update 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 starkreflection...

In this episode, Mark interviews audiobook narrator Eric Bryan Moore about his work as a voice actor and his new podcast Pocket Pulp. Prior to the interview, Mark shares 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....