Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode Mark reflects on the value authors can have for libraries, exhaustion of being on the road for several weeks in a row and too many commitments, and the feeling of "coming home." This episode is sponsored by patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast . Links of Interest: Digipalooza Mark Leslie's Books via OverDrive Mark Leslie Lefebvre's Books via OverDrive Buy Mark a Coffee Pat...

In this solo episode Mark reflects on a few of the things he has learned from a couple of the craft talks given at his intense residency week in the Masters in Creative Writing program at Western Colorado University. This episode is sponsored by patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast . Links of Interest: Graduate Program in Creative Writing at WCU Steve Coughlin (Professor of English) Maya Jewel...

Mark interviews Johanna Rothman about her latest book FREE YOUR INNER NON-FICTION WRITER . Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor This episode is sponsored by Mark's new book  Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard . In the interview, Mark and Johanna talk about: Why Johanna is often called The Pragmatic Manager The thirty-year...

In this solo episode Mark reflects on being overly stressed about having too much on his plate, and what seemed to have helped him deal with that. This episode is sponsored by 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 Pit...

Mark interviews David Olive, Jr (AKA David Grimdark) author and one of the engineers behind Penspyre a tool to help writers tackle writer's block and productivity. 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 aro...

Mark interviews author, publisher and RPG gamer Peter M. Ball who has been engaged in experimental and digital publishing since the very beginning of its appearance in the book industry. Prior to the interview, Mark 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 at starkreflections.c...

Mark interviews Jeff Elkins about his writing, about dialogue and character voice, about his new book  The Dialogue Doctor Will See You Now , and more . . . Prior to the interview, Mark shares the winners of the complimentary tickets to BookMARCon, the surprise winners of complimentary pizza, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your a...

Mark interviews Lindsay Buroker, a full-time independent fantasy and science fiction author who has written over a hundred novels, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list, and has been twice nominated for a Goodreads Readers' Choice Award. Prior to the interview, Mark shares an extremely short personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your...

Mark interviews Dana Claire, an award-winning author and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Book Brush about her writing, about Book Brush, and about the virtual BookMARCon conference. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and a word from this episode's sponsor.   You can find out more about BookMARCon at  https://bookbrush.com/bookmarcon/ During their conversation, M...

Mark interviews Paul Austin Ardoin about his new book From Zero to Four Figures:  Making $1,000 a Month Self-Publishing Fiction . Prior to the interview, Mark welcomes new patrons, shares comments from recent episodes and a word from 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/...

Mark interviews, actor and writer C. C. Humphreys about his new novel Some Day I'll Find You . Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from 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 the interview Mark and Chris talk about: Chris's new epic romance saga nov...

Mark interviews Riley Odell, an autistic writer of horror, humor, and bizarro stories. As an autism/neurodiversity advocate, Riley is working on a speculative fiction anthology about neurodiverse characters written by neurodiverse writers called Divergent Realms: Speculative Stories About Neurodiversity . Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor....

Mark interviews Angelique Fawns about her writing as well as the intel she provides on short fiction markets for other writers. Prior to the interview, Mark 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 at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their discussion, Mark and Angelique tal...

Mark interviews Alexandria Brown from Rising Action Publishing about her role in acquisitions and works with sub-agents on subsidiary rights. Prior to the interview, Mark 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 at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their discussion, Mark and...

Mark interviews Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice at the University of Southampton, UK, about her eco-themed writing, and the Green Writing Project which she initially set up in 2018. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library s...

Mark interviews Lisa M. Lilly, writer, attorney, and podcaster about story structure and the idea that writers don't need to make full time writing a priority or goal. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and a thank you to those who support this podcast at patreon.com/starkreflections During their conversation, Mark and Lisa talk about: The mysteries and supernatural...

Mark interviews Johnny B. Truant, the author of the Fat Vampire novels adapted by SyFy as "Reginald the Vampire" starring Spider-Man's Jacob Batalon. Prior to the interview, Mark 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 at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During the interview Mark...

Mark interviews his partner Liz Anderson about her work as a Principal within education, as the better half of a writer, and also as a fellow procrastinator and creative collaborator. This episode is sponsored by the awesome Patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast who support this podcast and receive additional audio, video, and text content.   During the interview, Mark and Liz talk about: The e...

Mark celebrates the 300th episode by sharing reflections from listeners, past guests, and other podcast hosts. The guest reflections, in order and with links: Edwin Downward Edwin's website Stanley B. Trice Stanley's website Sacha Black The Rebel Author Podcast EP 133 - Anatomy of a Rebel EP 155 - Rebellious Reflections with Guest Host Sacha Black Johnny B Truant Sean Platt Sterling and Stone Regi...

Mark interviews Kerrie Flanagan and Cary Bergeron from CraveBooks. 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 audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During the interview, Mark, Kerrie and Cary talk about: A bit of a background ab...

Mark interviews Sudbury area writers Matthew Del Papa and Vera Constantineau. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a few listener comments reminds listeners about  sending THEIR reflections for forthcoming Episode 300 , 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 arou...

Mark interviews Jo Buer, a gothic suspense and literary fiction author from New Zealand who describes herself as a sucker for the supernatural, time travel, and all things woo-woo.  Prior to the interview, Mark reminds listeners about  sending THEIR reflections for forthcoming Episode 300 , provides a personal update and shares a word about this episode's sponsor.   You can learn more about how yo...

Mark interviews Canadian Epic Fantasy author Richard H. Stephens about finally realizing a life-long dream of writing, about how his fourteen book fantasy series was inspired by hearing an Iron Maiden song in 1982, and about selling print books at in person events. Prior to the interview, Mark reminds listeners about  sending THEIR reflections for forthcoming Episode 300 , provides a personal upda...

Mark chats with Dharma Kelleher who writes action-driven thrillers that explore the complexities of social and criminal justice in a world that favors the privileged. She is one of the only openly transgender authors in the crime fiction genre. They talk about that and a lot more. Prior to the interview, Mark reminds listeners about  sending THEIR reflections for forthcoming Episode 300 , provides...

Mark interviews Jeff Adams and Michele Lucchini about their new book, CONTENT FOR EVERYONE: A Practical Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs to Produce Accessible and Usable Web Content . Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, reminds listeners about sending THEIR reflections for forthcoming Episode 300 , a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor.   You can...