Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews Jim F. Kukral, author of Your Journey to Becoming Unskippable™: (in your business, life & career). Prior to the interview Mark Shares a comment from a previous episode Talks about a new short story he is working on and some of the logistical research challenges that were holding him back Talks about an ASK US ANYTHING Facebook Live chat that Mark, Kevin Tumlinson and Dan Wood will be hosting on the Draft2Digital Facebook page on Thursday July 27 at 3PM Eastern Mark then says a word about this episode's sponsor 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 conversation, Jim and Mark discuss: Why Jim opened the book sharing his perspective on goals and priorities that have more to do with personal satisfaction than seeking wealth and status The importance of the merger between mindset and business The deeply personal and vulnerable way Jim shar

In this episode Mark interviews Mark O'Neill a writer of German spy thrillers who has released more than a dozen books in his Department 89 spy thriller series in the past couple of years after spending thirty years passionate about writing. Prior to the interview, Mark talks about a Twitter comment from Rachel Amphlett regarding episode 78. He also thanks Patrons of the show who support it via www.patreon.com/starkreflections. Mark also shares a personal update about receiving his annual royalty statement and cheque from one of his publishers, referring to it as "Schrodinger's Envelope" - before the envelope is opened it is both larger than and small than last year's at the same time. 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 conversation Mark and Mark talk about: Mark's background in writing via journalism and a life-long passion until he enco

In this slightly shorter episode (which was initially intended to be a bonus episode for Patreon supporters of the podcast), Mark does a "reflections on other podcasts" show. He shares a clip from the Kobo Writing Life Podcast where Christine Munroe interviews Rakuten Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn and then reflects on some of the things that Michael talks about. Prior to the interview, Mark reads some listeners comments from Pranathi and Chad Boyer and also thanks new podcast patron Linda Stirling for supporting the show via www.patreon.com/starkreflections and talks a little about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by BundleRabbit You can learn more about how authors can use BundleRabbit as a collaborative publishing tool over at www.bundlerabbit.com.   In the interview, which is a clip from Episode 153 of the Kobo Writing Life podcast, podcast co-host Christine Munroe interviews Michael Tamblyn. Michael shares an intriguing and meaningful response to the question Why Kobo? and also talks about ot

In this episode, Mark shares some thoughts and reflections from last week's visit to Book Expo America in New York. He explains a bit about what the fair is, why the fair is, his impressions and thoughts of this year's fair and a bit about its history, as well as a few news items related to the fair. Prior to the main content, Mark talks about a few comments and welcomes new Patron Stanley B. Trice. 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. During the episode Mark talks about: Headline - a cool way to promote your audio content An intriguing blog series from Penguin Random House with insights into traditional publishing A deal between Dreamscape Media and LMBPN Publishing (Michael Anderle's publishing company) James A. Hunter and the publishing company (Shadow Alley Press) that he runs with his wife Jeanette   Links of Interest Book Expo America BISG (Bo

In this episode Mark chats with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch about writing with chronic health issues, contract negotiations with publishers, mistakes that authors are making, and so much more. Prior to the interview, Mark does a little house-keeping regarding winners of Danny Bell's first novel from Episode 70, reads new comments, thanks Patrons who support the show, and talks about being in New York this week for Book Expo America. Mark also shares a recent presentation that Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Kobo, presented to the BISG (Book Industry Study Group) in late April. 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 conversation Kris and Mark talk about: Kris's recent move and the discoveries made in relation to a book she recently released called WRITING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS How Kris's entire life has revolv

In this episode Mark interviews Sarah McVanel, author, professional speaker, and owner of the boutique firm Greatness Magnified, about her latest book FLIP SIDE OF FAILING. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update (which includes being stuck in Oklahoma City for a couple of extra days due to tornado-rich storms) and also shares a word from this episode's sponsor 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 conversation, Sarah and Mark talk about: Sarah's introduction to being a writer and a speaker when a work colleague that she adored decided to retire How we (the corporate world) don't properly leverage recognition Sarah's first book F.R.O.G. (Forever Recognize Others' Greatness) and the accompanying workbook that provided tools she co-authored with Brenda Zalter-Minden How Sarah and Brenda collaborated on the books Recognizing the two distinct author voices in th

In this episode, Mark has a chat with Carolyn Arnold (the author of the Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures) and her husband George. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor, 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 his personal update, Mark shares the fact that he is in Oklahoma City, OK, spending a week at the Draft2Digital offices. He also talks about the importance of connecting in person (both with respect to hanging out with his colleagues from D2D as well as the in-person connections that happen at writer conferences). He also shares his experience attending the Alicia Witt concert at The Blue Door in OKC and as well as his involvement "working backstage" or "front of house" for the evening. In addition, he talks about the anger that fans of Game of Thrones have been expressing recently,

In this episode, Mark shares a live discussion from the Rock Apocalypse conference and workshop in Cleveland, OH that took place in early May 2019. The session is a recorded panel discussion from the two day event. Zach Bohannon moderated a panel discussion with T.W. Piperbrook, J, Thorn, Jim Kukral and Mark. Prior to the interview, Mark reads a few comments from listeners from the previous episode and thanks Patrons and commenters for engaging with the podcast. He then shares a word from the 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 his personal update, Mark shares the details of how he planned a marriage proposal for his girlfriend with Alicia Witt at her recent Toronto live concert performance, and plays a few clips from the song Alicia wrote for the engagement. The panel discussion that was recorded at the Cleveland conference features Zach asking the panelists about: How they got

In this solo episode Mark reflects upon the concept of Digital Minimalism that he is reading about in Cal Newport's new book. Prior to the main topic of this episode, Mark shares a personal update regarding his travel to Cleveland, OH to participate in the "Rock Apocalypse 2019" event held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and run by J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon. The event is described, quite aptly as: "A world-building experience, writer’s seminar, and your destination vacation in two epic days!" Along with the intimate and engaging world-building with the small group of writers, Mark talks about Eric and Rinn from Findaway Voices (this episode's sponsor) and things they shared with the writers. 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 talks about listening to Newport's latest book on his drive from Waterloo, ON to Cleveland, OH. This book is a bid for Newport become the Marie Kondo of tec

Mark interviews Sheena Cundy, the author of the Witch Lit series of novels that include The Madness and the Magic and Bonkers and Broomsticks. Prior to the personal update, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices - specifically about the promotional opportunities available through Voices Plus as well as the fact that Findaway is opening their Authors Direct beta up even wider.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 his personal update Mark talks about: The 12 hour delay in publishing of this episode due to meetings, taxes and Avengers: Endgame No spoilers, just how much Mark enjoyed the new Avengers movie (and brief reflections on previous spoilers from The Empire Strikes Back and The Crying Game) Visiting Cleveland for Rock Apocalypse event run by The Career Author Podcast folks J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon   In their interview, Mark and Sheena talk about: The origin of Sheena'

In this episode Mark interviews USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn about her three decades of experience in writing and publishing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, 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 the personal update section Mark shares the following: A reminder about the Public Lending Right for Canadian authors (and authors from UK, AU, NZ) An article he recently wrote for Hamilton Magazine (including a bit about the TV show The Hilarious House of Frightenstein An interview he did with the guys from the Paranormal Faction Podcast in Harriston, Ontario in a haunted theatre His forthcoming visit to Book Expo America in New York An update on the prize offered for commenters on Episode 70 The deadline to comment has been extended to the end of April A new StoryBundle called the Write Stuff 2019 Spring Bundle that is available u

In this episode, Mark interviews author Danny Bell and voice actor and model Whitton A. Frank about The Black Pages series that Danny writes and Whitton narrates. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, 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 the personal update segment Mark shares an update on the work for the self-narrated audiobook version of The 7 P's of Publishing Success as well as his recent guest spot on Episode 6 of Joanna Penn's new Books & Travel Podcast. In their chat, Danny, Whitton, and Mark talk about: How the initial idea for "The Black Pages" came to Danny from a variety of sources, including something he reflected upon when watching Doctor Who. Danny's interest in the deaths of secondary characters on various television shows in which are often shared as no big deal, whereas if the protagonist or their close friends suffered the

In this solo episode, Mark shares an article that he'd had published in the summer of 2009 when he was asked to make a prediction about something that likely wouldn't exist in publishing ten years later. WARNING: This episode contains a short clip of Mark singing a parody version of "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams. (He couldn't help it. Song lyrics haunt his brain. The minute he mentioned the summer of 2009, the classic Adams song came to mind.) Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .He talks about the sources of his latest payment from Findaway Voices, which don't include the big players, like Audible or Apple, or Google, or Kobo. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. As an introduction to the article, Mark shares the back-story of how he wrote article for an online magazine called The Mark News (no relation) on the topic of publishing and bookselling

In this episode, Mark interviews Brian Meeks, author of Mastering Amazon Ads and Mastering Amazon Descriptions. The interview was recorded during a Facebook Live video on the Stark Publishing Facebook page. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, 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 the personal update area, Mark talks about a recent 40% off Box Set promotion that he and author Sean Costello had with Kobo, how they added their own push for the promo, and how it helped them sell more copies not just on Kobo, but also on Kindle, Apple and Nook. Mark talks about the detailed analysis of the promo which he published for Patreon supporters of the podcast and thanks them for their ongoing support. In their chat, Mark and Brian talk about: How Brian once put off launching a fiction title for 60 days because he wanted to avoid the task of writing the pro

In this episode, Mark interviews Nancy Christie, the author of the award-winning book Rut-Busting for Writers. 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 the personal update for this episode, Mark shares some of the work he has done in his "Canadian Werewolf" universe, including the recent audiobook version of the short story "This Time Around," reworking the cover for A Canadian Werewolf in New York and the short story to include a wolf image (giving the book a bit more of an urban fantasy look and feel), and the new short story he is currently working on that he is calling "Stowe Away" and which he describes as a cross between "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and "Logan." In their conversation, Mark and Nancy talk about: Nancy's passion for writing that started in the 2nd grade How she had never planned on being an author until she "accidentally" publi

In this episode, Mark interviews Adriel Wiggins about the behind the scenes support she provides authors as both a virtual assistant as well as a continuity editor. Prior to the interview, Mark provides a short personal update and talks about this episode's sponsor, 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 chat, Mark and Adriel discuss: The backstory of how Adriel got involved in becoming an author's virtual assistant The random jobs she had been working at prior to taking editorial and VA type work The different and unique tasks that each author Adriel works with use her for What she looks for in terms of authors that she is interested in working with How an author can determine if they are ready for a virtual assistant Typical charges for a virtual assistant's various tasks What continuity editing is and why it is important The four types of editing (Developmental Editing,

In this episode, Mark shares an article that he recently had published in WRITE magazine, the official magazine of The Writer's Union of Canada. In the word about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .. . . Mark shares a recent announcement from BookBub regarding Chirp, the new audiobook promotion service they are launching in partnership with Findaway. 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 his personal update, Mark reflects on how procrastination recently led to him finally being "caught with his pants down" at the recent WMG Publishing anthology workshop. For the main segment of the show, Mark reads an article entitled "Two Publishing Paths Diverged in a Digital World: A Stark Look at Self-Publishing" which appeared in the Winter 1999 issue of WRITE magazine. He then talks about why he feels it was important for this article to appear in that particular magazine.   Links of Interest BookBub

In this extremely short episode, Mark talks about Procrastination and how it has been a significant part of who he is and how he works on projects. He talks a bit about the Fiction River anthology project that he is currently in Vegas for as an editor (and how that relates to this topic), as well as Tim Urban's hilarious and yet accurate portrayal of what goes on in side the mind of a master procrastinator. Links of Interest: Tim Urban Tim Urban's TED talk on Procrastination: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator Wait But Why (Blog) Fiction River WMG Anthology Workshop Patreon for Stark Reflections Stark Reflections Survey The music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

In this solo episode, Mark plays clips from a couple of other podcasts, shares some personal updates related to his own audiobook products, and goes neck deep into his thoughts about audiobooks for authors. The 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. Some of the topics Mark covers in this episode include: How much he still loves the 1987 song "Somewhere Down The Crazy River" by Robbie Robertson A FreeBooksy promo he recently ran on an erotic horror title called SOMETHING WICKED (Nocturnal Screams 7) A BookBub promo he ran with his pal Sean Costello for the book HERE AFTER A new computer synth version of his book The 7 P's of Publishing Success that is now available and why he is pricing this version at 99 cents A sample from his new VocoCraft computer synth version of the book, as well as the same sample from the human self-narrated version of the book The

In this episode Mark interviews Laura Shanae Crenshaw, a writer, a world-builder, a photographer, an all around creative person, and the creator of the Mythulu creation cards. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a few details from last week's Superstars Writers Seminars that stuck out to him, both writing and business-of-writing related activities as well as an unexpected pleasant personal experience. He then talks about the audiobook panels he was on and mentions this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices. He shares that, in 2018, 6% of his writing income came from audio, and from sources well behind the major retailers for audiobooks (such as Audible, Apple, Kobo and Google). . . . you can learn more about how you can get your work distributed not only to those top retailers, but also to other retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their chat, Mark and Laura discuss: Laura's unusual introduction into writing via imaginary stories from her older sister The basic