Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode Mark talks about Public Lending Right programs. Public Lending Right (PLR) is the right of authors and other rightsholders to receive payment for the free public use of their works in libraries. PLR has been in existence since the 1940s and is currently available for authors in more than 30 countries around the world. Prior to the main content, shares a personal update that includes Writers for Ukraine: The Million Word Challenge, 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.   Links of Interest: Writers for Ukraine Go Fund Me for Writers for Ukraine PLR International Links to Established Global Region programs for PLR PLR Canada Findaway Voices Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 

Mark interviews Jeff Cottrill, a fiction writer, poet, journalist and spoken-word artist based in Toronto, Canada, about spoken-word art and his new novel HATE STORY. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes a Patreon supporter, shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes 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. During their conversation, Mark and Jeff talk about: How Jeff had always been writing since he was young, including silly poems and sketches and stories The writing becoming a bit more serious in nature in high school, and then later in university, where he was actually discouraged from writing for a while Discovering the unique nature of spoken-word and open mics and then adapting his own style and adaptation of the art How really bad workshops can be traumatizing and can set back a writer for years The lack of (or overabundance of) life and energy within spoken-word poetry Reading the room and playing off the crowd Jeff's Octobe 2020 article on Digital Journal called "Meet the Zoom Poets: How lockdown has connected artists globally" A bit of a backstory about and a short reading from Jeff's poem: "“This Is Not Real Poetry” Jeff's new novel Hate Story, which is a mix of satire and mystery that has a plot structure that's like a loose parody of Citizen Kane How social media gaffs can completely destroy a person's life The Justine Sacco 2003 Twitter fiasco Trying agents, and then discovering Dragonfly Publishing in Australia for this book The virtual book launch on March 19, 2022 that is going to include guest musicians and other authors, performance poets and creative artists Advice Jeff would offer to budding writers and spoken word artists And more...   After the interview, Mark talks about what writers can learn from witnessing really good spoken word performances as well as the idea that sometimes your idea for a project may not always come at the proper time.   Links of Interest: Jeff Cottrill's Website Meet the Zoom Poets (Article on Digital Journal) How One Stupid Tweet Ruined Justine Sacco's Life (New York Times Article) Findaway Voices Findaway Voices - Title Discount Promo Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   Jeff Cottrill is a fiction writer, poet, journalist and spoken-word artist based in Toronto, Canada. He has headlined in countless literary series throughout Canada, the U.K., the U.S., France and Ireland over the last twenty years. His performance style is influenced by slam conventions, but subverts them with wit, ironic humour and a satirical tone. His poem “This Is Not Real Poetry” is currently nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and his first novel, “Hate Story”, is coming soon from Dragonfly Publishing.   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 episode Mark interviews Angeline Trevena, an author of dystopian urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction, a podcaster, an events manager, and the author of a number of phenomenal books about world-building. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a short personal update, including the fact one of his patrons will win a copy of Angeline's latest edition of 30 Days of Worldbuilding, a coupon code to get $100 off registration for Superstars Writing Seminars 2023 (STARKSSWS2023) 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. During their conversation, Mark and Angeline talk about: The release of the 2nd edition of her book 30 Days of World-Building How Angeline has always loved fantasy, and choose-your-own-adventure books The way reading The Chronicles of Narnia was one of the factors that led to her love and passion for world-building The original 30 Days of World-Building starting as an 30 day Instagram challenge, that became a worksheet, that eventually became a book How to Destroy the World, the 2nd world-building book in the same series that Angeline released The original 30 days of world-building prompts that takes you from scratch, all the way up to creating a world ready to drop your characters into Angeline's three rules for world-building: Revealing character, pushing the plot forward, and exploring the themes of your novel Being a panster and an avid world-builder at the same time Destroying a world or creating a dystopian or post-apocalyptic setting How dystopian stories can often be filled with a lot of hope Food within world-building, including all the rituals and festivals that have been created around food How food can be a massive part of religion and magic Some of the other writing that Angeline has done Involving her 9 year old in the writing/early critique process of her middle grade books And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the use of food in culture, religion, society, in rituals, as well as a way to help demonstrate or establish character and conflict in a scene. Links of Interest: Angeline Trevena's Website TikTok Instagram Twitter Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   Angeline Trevena was born and bred in a rural corner of Devon, but now lives among the breweries and canals of central England with her husband, their two sons, and a rather neurotic cat. She is a dystopian urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic author, a podcaster, and events manager. In 2003 she graduated from Edge Hill University, Lancashire, with a BA Hons Degree in Drama and Writing. During this time she decided that her future lay in writing words rather than performing them. Some years ago she worked at an antique auction house and religiously checked every wardrobe that came in to see if Narnia was in the back of it. She's still not given up looking for it. The introductory, end, and bumper 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   

Mark has a panel discussion with four of his patrons. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast who supposed this podcast via www.patreon.com/starkreflections. Matty Dalrymple Alyssa Kuron Kathy Mac Faye Whyte The round-table discussion focuses mainly on the following topics: Digital/virtual versus real-world/in-person connections POD and bookstore returns Mark also gives out a coupon code for $100 off of for first-time attendees of Superstars Writing Seminars (Colorado Spring, CO), for Feb 2023. Use STARKSSWS2023 to get $100 off if you register before June 1, 2022. Links of Interest: EP 216 - Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple EP 166 - Wording Around with Kathy Mac EP 108 - Silver Linings with Talena Winters Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 

Mark interviews Annaliese Morgan, an author, traveller, a solo mum of two boys, and an award winning Advanced Veterinary Surgical Nurse, about writing, her book STAY WILD, and her passion for inspiring young adults and young readers through fiction. 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. During their conversation, Mark and Annaliese talk about: Annaliese's entrance to writing in the 1990s after her extensive veterinary work Those veterinary related books, and how that led to a successful blog of autobiographical vignettes The way that real life elements can be incorporated into her fiction Annaliese's first novel, STAY WILD, an urban fantasy story set in present day London Her imprint, Black Daisy Press, and her plans for it The importance of inspirational fiction, particularly for younger readers Advise that Annaliese would offer to beginning writers And much more... After the interview Mark reflects on a couple of things Annaliese said about there being no half-way when you're a writer, as well as big decisions and small decisions.   Links of Interest: Annaliese Morgan's Website Superstars Writing Seminars James A. Owen's Website Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   Annaliese Morgan is an author, traveller and solo mum of two boys... Max an actor and Woody, a gamer, You Tuber and aspiring chef. Originally from Yorkshire but based in London the three are rather like the three musketeers; they have a Basset hound called Pineapple, but he is more meh than musketeer. Formerly, and in a different life, Annaliese was an award winning Advanced Veterinary Surgical Nurse in the UK. She co-authored a book on veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia in 1999 for the BSAVA. In 2007 and 2009 she was sought after to write three books (NVQ2, NVQ3 and A-Z for Veterinary Nurses) to help students pass their exams. In 2008 she opened the first pet health spa in the UK and published Desperate Housepets: Become a Chic Pet Owner Without Being a Bitch in 2014, and ran a successful blog of inspiring autobiographical vignettes entitled The Annaliese Journals - terrible title with some dodgy writing in parts but we all start somewhere - thousands loved it and were helped by the blog pieces, which is the bit that matters. Since a child Annaliese has always been a writer and traveller, but after recovery from a near fatal motorbike accident including over eleven operations and learning to walk again, losing her brother to suicide and divorce in 2009, she chucked the burnt boil-in-the-bag rice in the bin and decided to up level. Fast forward a few soul-searching years trekking across the planet and enough rejections professional and personally to defy the law of averages, Annaliese brought her edgy style, love for the supernatural and all things magical, together with her abilities, influence and passion for young people. She started Black Daisy Press, her own publishing company dedicated to young and new adults. She also holds accredited diplomas in symbology, vampirology and Ancient Egyptian magic, and is an expert in the supernatural and mystical worlds. Her mission is to encourage young and new adults to embrace being unique individuals and to stand out in a world of followers, whilst providing enchanting and entertaining material so they never feel alone, she she always did.   The introductory, end, and bumper 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   

This episode goes a bit meta with Mark sharing a recording of Kathy Mac interviewing a group of her students shortly after a virtual talk that Mark gave to them on the opportunities available to authors within the traditional and indie publishing realms. It is a "reflections on a reflective talk" episode. Prior to the main content, Mark 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.   Links of Interest: Episode 166 - Wording Around with Prose Episode 226 - Reflective Round Table Dec 2021 Episode 231 - Reflective Round Table Jan 2022 Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 

Mark interviews author E.E. Judd about her new novel, TEETH, her writing life, and interacting with her readers. 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 conversation, Mark and Elise talk about: The humor that Elise puts in her biography and how it's indicative of the tongue-in-cheek snark in her fiction as well as in her author newsletter Her new novel TEETH, the first in the series, and the creation of the prequel story "reader magnet" How Elise has always loved the werewolf genre, and the werewolf books by Patricia Briggs and Kelley Armstrong Enjoying blood and guts, and action, and monsters The decision to release her books under the "gender neutral" pseudonym E.E. Judd The main character, Danielle Waters, who is a naive werewolf with no idea of the world of the other supernaturals that exist Why Canada is the perfect setting for werewolf novels The dojo she helps her husband run and their theory of "if it's useful learn it; if it's useful, use it" Realistic and realism in fight scenes that Elise writes Deciding upon what parts of the werewolf mythology and to leverage in her novels How much Elise appreciates Brandon Sanderson's "Laws of Magic" The frequency of communicating with her readers via her author newsletter Wanting to write stories since she was a kid How Elise considers NaNoWriMo a gift from the heavens Elise's perspective on how social media is a great way to interact with existing readers The importance of a supportive community for a writer Writing by plotting line by line or writing by exploring how a scene should feel Advice Elise would give to beginning writers And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on Elise's use of her newsletter and social media as a way to engage with and entertain her readers, rather than trying to sell to them. He also talks about her advice on the importance of finishing. Links of Interest: E.E. Judd's Website E.E. Judd on Instagram E.E. Judd on Facebook Findaway Voices Win a Free Audiobook Launch from Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   E.E. Judd writes badass fantasy. She’s into reading (shocking!), video games, plants, sarcasm, and stories with blood and guts. Her energetic golden retriever, Akamaru, makes sure she moves enough to keep her soft little writer’s body in shape. She majored in Computer Programming in university, and then made good use of that education by deciding to write novels. In her spare time, she helps her husband run a dojo from their home, and knows enough jujitsu to get her in trouble (but not enough to get her out of it).   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 

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 conversation, Mark and David talk about: What you call the role of a flyer The similarities with the way that a radio controlled model aircraft has with a full scale aircraft How David first got interested in RC controlled aircraft and the nearby Apollo 11 Flight field e inspiration to write a story based on this intriguing locale Initially beginning to write this novel in screenplay format and then later adapting it into a novel David's other script work, including writing an episode of the last 1980s TV sitcom Head of the Class starring Howard Hesseman How, once you have the screenplay you have a solid outline Making the decision to self publish and where David turned (Reedsy) How spying in the Hitchcock "Rear Window" era is significantly different with spying that can be done via modern drones The difference between flying a drone and flying an aviation model aircraft Advice David would offer to authors thinking of writing a novel or screenplay And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the craft skills and IP leverage that can come from creating a screenplay, as well as those manuscripts that stay locked in a drawer. Links of Interest: David Boito Findaway Voices Win a Free Audiobook Launch from Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series Write for the Win Storybundle TikTok FEAR AND LONGING IN LOS ANGELES Giveaway video The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   David Boito resides with his wife and son in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Los Angeles, near the miniature airfield that inspired Valley Fliers, his debut novel. He is a longtime fan of aviation and always looks to the sky as a plane goes by. David also works as a screenwriter and has authored short stories. He has been published in the UCLA literary journal, Westwind, among others.

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 216 - Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple EP 166 - Wording Around with Kathy Mac EP 108 - Silver Linings with Talena Winters EP 35 - Lessons Learned from the Novel Intensive Workshop (Julie Strauss guest) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   The introductory, end, and bumper 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 

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. In their conversation, Mark and Jacob talk about: Jacob's initial interest in world-building and character development through imaginative play as a child How his love for stories eventually merged with a later love of reading that he developed Describing his fictional world as a mix between Star Wars and Lord of the Rings The passion Jacob has for the Hero's Journey and how that came from his discovery of Shawn Coyne's The Story Grid Having Lord of the Rings read to him as a child, and then enjoying re-reading it as an adult A quote from Tolkien with a unique perspective on story that inspired Jacob The importance of the transformation process and Jacob's desire to want the reader to face the same change that the character in the story faces How, after writing the foolscap page for a novel, Jacob likes to discover a lot of the story by just starting to write it The way that his world-building comes out of his story and the characters having to interact with the world around them The elements of "essential action" and how that works within each scene of a story Thinking of storytelling like chipping away at a slab of marble or clay until it looks the way you've envisioned The short story readers can get for free by signing up on Jacob's website How Jacob manages his time for writing with working a full time job And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the importance of each scene's "essential action" in a story and how he is thinking about it in different ways to help him become a better writer. He also shares an update about the returned-books issue.   Links of Interest: Jacob Hess Instagram Facebook Twitter Findaway Voices Chirp Listing for Canadian Werewolf series Write for the Win Storybundle TikTok FEAR AND LONGING IN LOS ANGELES Giveaway video The Canadian Mounted Patreon for Stark Reflections The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon   Jacob Hess grew up in Oregon and became a Christian at a young age. God has continued to display His faithfulness to Jacob throughout his life; a journey deeper and deeper into grace. Jacob received a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and moved to Seattle, Washington with his wife where he works as a minister in the local church. ​ Jacob’s years in school grew his passion for writing and reading, but he has always had a love for stories, whether they're told with pen and page or the rhythms and rhymes of song. He agrees with J. R. R. Tolkien when he writes, “the Pot of Soup, the Cauldron of Story, has always been boiling, and to it have continually been added new bits, dainty and undainty," (On-Fairy-Stories, p. 45). As humans we simply cannot seem to escape a need to tell stories, a desire to reach beyond ourselves and connect to the deeper truths of who we are and what it means to live a life of meaning.   The introductory, end, and bumper 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