Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

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

This short episode includes a brief chat with Adriel Wiggins about her author resource business (author assistant and continuity editing) as well as a few quick nuggets from the recent Superstars Writing Seminars that Mark attended in early February 2019. The episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. Mark shares a fun Valentine's promotion from them called FOR THE LOVE OF AUDIOBOOKS. Readers can use a coupon code ("loveaudio") to get as many titles from this wonderful collection of romance audiobooks in time for Valentines' Day. https://shop.authors-direct.com/collections/for-the-love-of-audiobooks . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their brief chat, Mark and Adriel talk about: Adriel talks about how she got involved in creating services to assist authors The "I'm not letting you go ever!" response from her first author client Her specialties which are related to data analytics and promotion schedules Some of the common mistakes authors make when hiring a personal assistant   Mar

Mark interviews James Fell, the author of The Holy Shit Moment: How Lasting Change Can Happen in An Instant about his new book. This episode comes with a special offer. If you comment on the show at www.starkreflections.ca (Episode 60) in the first week, your name will be entered into a random draw for winning a copy of the book. The choice of the format (Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook) will be decided by the winner.  (Please note this podcast is airing Feb 8, 2019) Prior to the interview, Mark shares a bit of a personal update, which includes mention of his trip to Superstars Writing Seminars this week as well as a brief word about the episode's corporate sponsor,  Findaway Voices . . . . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their conversation, Mark and James talk about: The approach James takes when it comes to merging research, attitude and humor in the different articles and columns he writes Where and when the submit matter of an article seems to naturally call for profanity How a c

In Episode 59 Mark interviews Sara Rider, author of contemporary romances full of heart and heat about strong women and the men who can’t resist them. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a few personal updates which include: Recently reading THE HOLY SH!T MOMENT by James Fell A forthcoming trip to Colorado Springs for Superstars Writing Seminars Thanks Patreon supporters with a note that there'll be additional content posted for them upon his return from Superstars in early Feb 2019 Mark also shares a word about this episode's corporate sponsor,  Findaway Voices . . . . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their conversation, Mark and Sara talk about: How Sara's passion for and experience in soccer and reading romance novels led to a series of romance novels that focus on professional soccer players The wishfulfilment element of those novels Sara's experience with slush piles, an agent and having her first novels published by an imprint of Pocket Books, one of the world's largest pu

In this episode Mark speaks with Win Charles. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Win has defied the odds by becoming an author. Her memoir I, Win is an amazing story of how she remembers her life through the years of having a condition called “CP”. Win truly is an unstoppable inspiration. Before the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update about the progress he is making on recording the audiobook for The 7 P's of Publishing Success. He also shares the sources of the most recent royalty payment he has received from Findaway Voices, indicating that the four that made up his most recent audiobook income came from: Playster hibooks Bountiful Authors Direct If you want to learn how you can leverage the power of Findaway Voices . . . . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.   In their conversation, Mark and Win talk about: The 10 books that Win has written and published How easy it is to use Draft2Digital to publish eBooks Win's latest book Smile With Dictation which explains the process of how Wi

In the episode Mark interviews Donna Cook who has published over a dozen books in two genres. She writes epic fantasy under her own name and writes contemporary romance as Jordyn White. Donna talks not only about her writing life as both Donna and Jordyn, but also offers up advice on the important topic of Cash Flow for Writers. Before the interview, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . . . . . which includes their recent announcement of two new international distribution options: MLOL and AudiobooksNZ. You can read more about that here: Findaway Blog. Mark provides a personal update and also welcomes new patron Pranathi K. In their interview, Mark and Donna talk about: The fact that writers and creative types don't often talk about money Donna's eye-opening experience understanding the importance of her relationship to money The importance of applying her financial know-how to her author business The basic principles of understanding money flow and cash flow The additional c

In this episode, Mark speaks with Katie Cross, a writer, mother and out-door enthusiast. On her website, Katie describes herself in this way: "I am a creator of worlds, destroyer of evil, and a born wordsmith bringing light to the dark night of those that need an escape." This is the perfect description for her, which you will get a solid taste of in the interview. Before the interview, Mark welcomes new Patron Ember Casey, thanking her for her patronage of the Stark Reflections podcast. Ember and other patrons will have access to 27 patron-only posts, 3 special mini "Stark Reflections on other Podcasts" episodes and other additional audio and video content for as little as a coffee or two a month. If you are interested in the extra content or supporting the show, you can check it out at patreon.com/starkreflections. Mark also shares a word about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . . . . . as part of his personal update, which includes:   2019 audiobook plans An update on the progress with recording

In this solo episode, Mark takes a look at his 2018 writing and publishing goals and shares the hits, the misses and the alterations that took place in the past twelve months. He feels it is important to remind writers that if they are already beating themselves up for not completing all the previous year's goals, that he didn't hit all his goals; that he failed at most of them; that he screwed up along the way; that he made mistakes. But also that he adapted several of the goals he'd set as I went along. And he inserted new goals mid-year. That can happen. It will happen. It's how you deal with those changes that can make the difference between seeing it as a complete failure, or seeing it as an ongoing work in progress. Mark then says a word about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . . Mark first talks about the goals he had set at the beginning of 2018 and how he did with them: 1) Write a non-fiction book called INDIE PUBLISHING INSIDER SECRETS 2) Finish the sequel to A CANADIAN WEREWOLF IN NEW YOR

In the final episode of 2018, Mark interviews Science Fiction and Fantasy author Lindsay Buroker, a successful author who has been indie publishing for about eight years.  Prior to the interview, Mark shares a short personal update and thanks new Patron, Michael Lister; he also mentions that he recently released the third special "Reflections on other Podcasts" episodes for Patrons, which appears at www.patreon.com/starkreflections. He also thanks those who reached out to him after hearing him on episode 408 of The Creative Penn Podcast which was released on Dec 23rd. Mark then says a word about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .In their conversation, Mark and Lindsay talk about: The main differences between when Lindsay first started out more than eight years ago releasing her first novel, The Emperor's Edge (while also producing her first podcast), and today The joy of getting to a place where each book's sales are enough to ensure paying for the cost of production The pros and cons of writing i

In this episode, Mark interviews Aaron Pogue (President), Kris Austin (CEO) and Toby Nance (CTO), the co-founders of Draft2Digital about how they worked together and played off one another's strengths to create the company. This episode is a bit of a response from a few listeners who heard Mark mention that he recently joined the D2D team, but they weren't familiar with the company. They asked if it might be possible to share a bit of information about what Draft2Digital is all about. If you're not familiar with Draft2Digital, this will provide a decent introduction. And if you think you know Draft2Digital, perhaps there'll also be some deeper info and insights for you to learn even more by pulling a bit of that curtain back on three gentlemen who usually prefer to operate behind the scenes at this author-friendly company. Prior to the interview, Mark talks about the new announcement from this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .. . . which is called VOICES PLUS. Mark then provides a personal update which

Mark interviews author Gary Collins about the simple life, both the name of a series of books as well as the new life he enjoys after some very unique experiences that include military intelligence and Special Agent. Before the interview, Mark shares a personal update that involves flying to Vancouver for the annual CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) Convention and then to Oklahoma City to spend some time with his colleagues at Draft2Digital. Mark then says a few words about this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . . In their conversation, Mark and Gary talk about: Gary's long and circuitous approach into publishing, the great lessons learned and passions experienced along the way The concept of not just knowing how the sausage was made but actually being the sausage via his life as a government agent The early 40's burnout Gary experienced, which led to a new beginning and new passions that included health and fitness The valueable mentorship and tough love that Gary experienced from St

In this episode, Mark interviews Rachel Amplett, the author of the successful Dan Taylor and Kay Hunter police procedural thrillers as well as stand alone thrillers and mystery novels. The interview includes a lot of information related to this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .Mark shares a bit of an update about the the new Authors Direct option that Findaway Voices is beta testing. In their chat, Mark and Rachel talk about: What compelled Rachel to writing in the first place. The confusing and conflicting messages she received from different publishers when shopping her first Dan Taylor novel around. How Rachel started out in indie publishing a stand alone novel, WHITE GOLD, seven years ago after a suggestion from a friend (and how it all started with a Goodreads page and an author account at Smashwords). The emails from readers around the world that prompted Rachel to write a sequel to her first novel; something she hadn't planned in the first place. How the experience of being approached by a publ

In this episode Mark reflects on five of the many things he has learned on the journey through the first fifty episodes of this podcast. Those five things are within the theme of: GLOBAL IS MORE GLOBAL THAN JUST GLOBAL THE POWER OF AUDIENCE FEEDBACK THE POWER OF COMMUNITY & THINKING BEYOND ONGOING GROWTH & IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION BRANDING & PROFESSIONALISM Throughout the five points (which do overlap), Mark mentions many different episodes and interviews that came to mind as he was drawing these themes.   Links of Interest: Stark Reflections Survey The 7 P's of Publishing Success Killing It On Kobo Patreon for Stark Reflections

Henry David Thoreau said: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you imagined." In this episode's interview, Mark speaks with musician and writer Tommy Ray about how he had done just that. They talk about Tommy's experience of how he took a dream (an actual dream) and transitioned it into reality by listening to his heart and trusting his instincts in recreating his life. Before the interview Mark shares a quick personal update that includes: Being interviewed by Joanna Penn for a forthcoming episode of The Creative Penn podcast, which will air on Dec 24, 2018 A shout-out to Patrons of the show who support this podcast via www.patreon.com/starkreflections - By saving up the monthly funds Mark was able to order a higher quality microphone for the podcast The printed proof copies of THE 7 P'S OF PUBLISHING SUCCESS that Mark sourced locally, but will be distributing to all retailers as a POD file through Draft2Digital's new beta D2DPRINT option The "Kobo Publishing: Getting Your Book Fea