Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews David Boito, a screenwriter and novelist about his new novel VALLEY FLIERS, writing screenplays and scripts, and so much more. 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. In their con...

Part of series of bonus "Reflective Round Table" episodes that are discussions between Mark and a selection of patrons of the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections podcast who support this podcast at: https://patreon.com/starkreflections In this episode, Mark chats with: Matty Dalrymple Julie Strauss Kathy Mac Linda Hill Talena Winters   Links of Interest: EP 2...

Mark interviews author Jacob Hess about character development, world-building and The Hero's Journey. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update, a cautionary tale about making POD titles returnable, 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....

Mark interview Michelle Rowen/Morgan Rhodes about her different pen names, the genres she writes, her publishing journey, and her latest novel, ECHOES & EMPIRES. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update that includes devastating news of the loss of a writer friend, along with some good news related to his writing, the results of a recent Chirp audiobo...

In this episode, Mark looks back at his 2021 goals and achievements, outlining the successes, the failures, and the unexpected. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and also 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. A hi...

Mark reads from a 2000 word article he wrote when asked to discuss publishing trends for 2022. Prior to the main content, Mark, using an AI voice double (Overdub) from Descript to speak the words he has typed, explains why he is using a voice double for the interstitial parts of the podcast, and also shares a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work dis...

The first in a new series of "Reflective Round Table" discussions between Mark and a selection of patrons of the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections podcast who support this podcast at: https://patreon.com/starkreflections In this episode, Mark chats with: Matty Dalrymple Shari Decter Hirst (writing as Sherilyn Decter ) Jeff Elkins Kathy Mac In their conversa...

Mark interviews Ami Sands Brodoff, the award-winning author of three novels and two story collections about her latest book,  The Sleep of Apples and the stories and books she has written over the years. Prior to the main content, Mark discusses recent comments, welcomes new patron Jared Nelson, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can...

Mark interviews Heather Campbell co-founder and publisher at Latitude 46 Publishing, and owner of a brand-new indie bookstore in Sudbury, Ontario. Prior to the main content, Mark shares some recent comments, 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 starkrefl...

In this episode Mark interviews author Paulette Stout about her new novel Love, Only Better . Prior to the main content, Mark shares a recent comment, a personal update, thanks new patron Jo-Ann Carson, and shares a word and update 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/Fi...

Mark interviews author Brittany Fichter about writing happily ever after endings, clean romance, and taking the time to care for her readers. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update, thanks new patron James S. Aaron, 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 st...

Mark shares three short audio excerpts from the November 2021 20BooksVegas conference. 20Books Vegas 2021 is by far the biggest and best of the 20Books shows (there have been ten so far). It is the biggest show in the world focused on self-publishing although there is something for every author, traditional or indie. The 20Books mentality is that everyone deserves a chance to succeed if they take...

Mark interviews Vikrant Shaurya, CEO and Founder of Bestsellingbook.com. Prior to the interview, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update with crappy audio from a Vegas hotel room 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...

Mark interviews Chris Racknor about his Shawn Ronin mystery series, about science fiction and about his experiences in both traditional and indie publishing. 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/Finda...

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...