Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Elizabeth Andre (AKA Karen and Victoria) about her/their journey through writing, collaboration, and the new book SELF-PUBLISHING LESBIAN FICTION. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by ScribeCount (affiliate link). Spend less time logging in to multiple platforms and crunching nu...

In this special bonus solo episode, Mark shares some reflections about recent publishing trends. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes new patron Donn King, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor, the patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast . Links of Interest: Written Word Media Publishing Trends Posts 2024 2023 2022 2020 How to Write a Howling Good Story Smashwords link Patron Coupon...

Mark interviews bestselling writer, editor, and writing instructor, Wulf Moon, who won the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards at the age of fifteen, and followed that with winning the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Contest, and Writers of the Future . He leads the Wulf Pack Writers group and is the author of The Illustrated Super Secrets of Writing and How to Write a Howling Good Story .  Pri...

Mark interviews award-winning, #1 bestselling fantasy author Todd Fahnestock about his journey through both traditional publishing and indie-publishing, focusing on the moments for learning, growth, and applying passion and persistence. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. Check out the WIDE FOR THE WIN commu...

In this episode Mark interviews bestselling author Bobby Hutchinson about her unique journey through traditional publishing and self-publishing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, welcomes new Patron Skye MacKinnon and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast. Learn more at:   https...

Mark interviews James Fell, the Sweary Historian, and bestselling author of ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY SH!T WENT DOWN. Prior to the interview Mark warns listeners of the adult language used in this episode, reads comments from recent episodes, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. Mark's Stark Publishing Solutions books are 50% off in the Smashwords End of Year Sale . (Ends at the end of day...

Mark interviews editor Erika Steeves about her experiences in working with publishers and authors as an editor. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by HOW TO WRITE A HOWLING GOOD STORY by Wulf Moon You can get this book in eBook, Trade Paperback, and Hardcover editions here . Between Dec 15, 2023 and Jan 1,...

Mark interviews Bradley Charbonneau about his new book PROCRASTINATE and his new "Book in a Weekend" program for writers. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, thanks Patrons, provides a personal update, and shares 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...

So it's December 1st, and NaNoWriMo is over. And everywhere around you, fellow author friends are posting on social media that they made it, they did it. They wrote 50,000 words in a single month. You're happy for them, of course. But you didn't quite make it to that 50,000 word goal yourself. So what do you do? Do you hang your head in shame and despair? I say: NO. I might be one of those "the pa...

Mark interviews social media funny man Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds) about his creative work and his new book  Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse:  Survival Tips for the Dumbageddon .   Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcomes a new patron, and offers a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Mark's movie trivia guides to Planes, Trains and...

Mark shares the audio from a presentation he gave in early November 2023 at 20BooksVegas called "10 Things You Likely Didn't Know About Draft2Digital." This episode is sponsored by Mark's affiliate link to Draft2Digital. Go to https://draft2digital.com/markleslie to sign up for a free Draft2Digital account. The visuals and slides for this presentation can be downloaded here .   Links of Interest:...

Mark interviews Johnny B. Truant about his new THE ART OF NOTICING podcast. Prior to the main content, Mark leverages his digital AI voice from Eleven Labs to offer a brief introduction as well as a word about this episode's sponsor, the  Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast .   Links of Interest: Johnny B. Truant's Website Mark's YouTube Channel Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections...

Mark interviews author, coach & CEO/Founder of Little Labradoodle Publishing April Cox. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal updates and a word about this episode's sponsor, the Authorpreneur Summit 2023. Transform your passion to profit! Unveil the business behind the book and elevate your business acumen with 35+ industry-leading authorpreneurs at the Authorpreneur Summit .   Dur...

Mark interviews writer and indexer Stephen Ullstrom about book indexing and his recent release BOOK INDEXING: A Step-by-Step Guide. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update about a skeleton and license plate theft, as well as word about this episode's sponsor, the Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast .   In their conversation, Mark and Stephen talk about: Stephen's long-time in...

Mark interviews actor/director/producer/writer Eriq La Salle about his latest novel LAWS OF ANNIHILATION and his life-long passion for storytelling. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, thanks Patrons, provides a personal update, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor.   You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and libr...

Mark interviews Terry Fallis about his latest novel,  A New Season . A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis is the author of nine novels, all of them national bestsellers—including six #1 bestsellers—and all published by McClelland & Stewart/Penguin Random House. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcomes new Patron Nikki Guerlain,...

Mark interviews Joanna Penn about her new book  Writing the Shadow:  Turn Your Inner Darkness into Words , then associated Kickstarter she launched for it, plans she has to window its release, and much more. Prior to the main content, Mark thanks Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast .   In their conversation, Mark and Joanna talk about: How it has been a while since Joanna has been on Mark's p...

Mark interviews author E.L. Williams about her writing life, about her books, about rebranding one of the books in her series, and more. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes a brief personal update, welcomes new patron T. Thorn Coyle, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast .   In thei...

In this episode Mark reflects back to Episode 6 of this podcast, which was released on Feb 6, 2018. He shares clips from that episode, in which he outlined three of the things that bothered him about the indie publishing world. Reflecting back, he comments on a few things that have changed, and what is consistent more than 5 years after the initial broadcast. This episode is sponsored by the Patro...

In this solo episode, Mark interviews Joe Solari about his new book  May I Have a Moment of Your Attention? Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and then reflects on the reasons why he canceled a trip he was supposed to take to Florida to attend NINC (Novelist's Inc.) This episode is sponsored by the Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast .   In their conversation...

In this solo episode, Mark reflects on his last few days in his old childhood home which has been in his family for three generations. This episode is sponsored by the Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast . 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 fo...

Mark interviews Ricardo Fayet of Reedsy about their new online course on How to Write a Novel . Prior to the interview, Mark shares and reflects on a brief industry update related to Amazon's recent AI-related change, comments from recent episodes, and word about this episode's sponsor. Reedsy contains an online listing of vetted professionals from across the industry, including editors, cover des...

Mark interviews Emilia Rose and Michael Evans of Ream Stories, a subscription platform built by authors for authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update, comments from recent episodes, and 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....

Mark interviews Reenita Malhotra Hora, an award-winning screenwriter, novelist and audio producer. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. Learn more about SciFidea and the awesome Dyson Sphere Sci-Fi Writing Contest .   In the interview, Mark and Reenita talk about: How Reenita has been writing her entire life and her love of storytelli...

Mark interviews the creative daughter/father team of Brigid Collins and Ron Collins about their collaborative writing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update, comments from recent episodes, and 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...