Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark shares an early draft excerpt from his forthcoming August 2021 book PUBLISHING PITFALLS FOR AUTHORS. Specifically he talks about Publishers and Predators and the things that authors need to be careful to look out for. Prior to the main content, Mark shares some comments from a recent Patreon only rant episode he recently released talking about unprofessional author behavior and promises to release an edited and slightly modified version into the regular feed in the near future. He thanks his patrons for the feedback on that episode as well as helping him realize that the learning and insights would be valuable to the greater author community. He then shares a word from this episode's sponsor. 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. Links of Interest: A Rant on Unprofessional Author Behavior (Patron link) Publishing Pitfalls for Authors The Relaxed Author Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 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 #1 bestselling author and founder of Book Launchers, Julie Broad. 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. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal upon, an opportunity for listeners to win one of three spots in a full day author boot camp workshop taking place in mid August 2021, and a new opportunity for listeners to win a 1:1 Story Stuck consultation with editor Clark Chamberlain. In their conversation, Mark and Julie talk about: The non-straight-line journey that Julie took to get to her current career in helping authors (which involved real estate, properties, and that world) Being approached by published in 2011 for some book ideas, and the back-and-forth of a book proposal done collaboratively by a major publisher that changed their course/plan at the last minute How Julie's crushed-ego from that rejected led to her self-publishing the book and shepherding the book (More Than Cash Flow) to #1 for over a month The nightmarish horror stories that helped Julie's real estate book sell really well The passion to help authors that drives Julie and is evident in her dynamic Book Launchers videos How Book Launchers has learned that, once an author is past a certain point in developing their manuscript, it might be too late for effectively building those marketing efforts in early Some of the common mistakes authors make such as an ineffective title, and even the TOC and chapter titles How the chapter title "You are Who Google Says You Are" in her book "New Brand You" The reality that Book Launchers only works with about 10% of the people who approach them - because they want to ensure they can truly help the clients they take on The behind-the-scenes of the Book Launchers videos, including about five hours of research and writing that goes into the videos before they even begin to shoot The critical importance of those core supporters and the people who regularly interact and comment Being recognized in public because of the popularity and value of her YouTube channel Some of the things that authors should look out for when it comes to service providers in the self-publishing space How asking for and getting reviews is one of the most important aspects of the business of writing Some of the industry trends that Julie is tracking and paying attention to And more... After the interview Mark reflects on a couple of things that the conversation made him think about. Links of Interest: Booklaunchers.tv (YouTube Channel) Booklaunchers.com (Main Website) Julie's Video Review of KILLING IT ON KOBO EP 29 - Terry Fallis on Writing with Authenticity, Humor, and Passion EP 200 - Alas, Dear Author, I Reflected for 200 Episodes EP 197 - Rambling Reflections Through the Darkness Within Mark's TikTok #DuetMe Request (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) Mark's YouTube Video of "You Play with Your Balls a Lot" Scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles) Bibliofic Designs The Relaxed Author Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 Julie Broad, founder of self-publishing services firm Book Launchers and Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author, knows what it takes to successfully self-publish a book. Julie's titles include More than Cashflow, which topped Amazon, The New Brand You, and her latest book, Self-Publish & Succeed. An expert on writing a book with marketing in mind, Julie teaches authors how to write a #noboringbook on her popular YouTube channel BookLaunchers.TV. Her advice for authors and investors has also been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, Yahoo! Business, CTV, the Toronto Sun, and Medium.com. 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 reflects on 200 episodes and also shares a reading from a chapter in his book WIDE FOR THE WIN on Quantum Eggs merged with ad hoc musings. Prior to the main content, Mark shares an opportunity for listeners to win one of three spots in a full day author boot camp workshop taking place in mid August 2021, and also shares a word from this episode's sponsor. 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. Mark reflects on why he started the podcast, what he think it offers, then shares a chapter from the book WIDE FOR THE WIN interspersed with pauses and reflective asides. Links of Interest: Link to Entry Form for Full Day Workshop Free Registration to Virtual When Words Collide Conference in August 2021 Episode 192 - Bold Business Strategies for Authors Parody Video: Stuck in This House Here with You Stupid Dad Joke Shorts Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 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 Chelle Honiker and Chrishaun Keller Hanna of Indie Author Magazine. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor. 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 conversion Chelle, Chrishaun, and Mark talk about: Their backgrounds as writers, creatives, geeks, and entrepreneurs Chrishan's "Organzied chaos with style" line and how she has honed and refined her "pitch" over time at cons How writing feels like one dimension of a way that you can tell a story Learning about not being cut out for working FOR other people An aborted attempt at becoming a digital nomad (due to the global covid lockdowns) How an accountability partner/mastermind group led to the origin of Indie Author Magazine The desire to create an unbiased source of trusted information for indie authors The magazine being produced as a monthly digital and a print quarterly How the skill-set for the magazine was based on internal skills, talents, and experience from the team The range of topics and features planned to be covered and updated in each issue The "Indie Annie" column in order to answer questions submitted by readers How authors can get ahold of the magazine online or via the app The way they manage to fit managing this magazine while maintaining their writing commitments And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the power of priorities, partnership, and collaboration. Links of Interest: Indie Author Magazine The Relaxed Author Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 The mission of Indie Author Magazine is to inform, educate, and inspire authors at every stage of their careers. Our vision is to be the trusted industry leader for reliable resources and information for indie authors by providing unbiased, well-researched, and articulate content in a timely manner, in the most engaging format possible. 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 Honorée Corder, an executive and strategic book and publishing coach, TEDx speaker, and the author of more than 50 books including You Must Write a Book. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, some recent comments and a word from this episode's sponsor. 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 conversion Mark and Honorée talk about: The way Honorée's business got its start after a discussion with Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series Collaborating with businesses that want to use her books to promote/market their own business and how that has created a win/win/win situation Purposefully writing and marketing books to targeted potential clients with bulk discount rates in mind How people will throw out business cards but are far less likely to throw out a book Researching how to make the process of custom back covers for the same front, spine, and interior with a designer and a printer Ideas for how authors can leverage this type of marketing by offering a potential client a pile of books to give away to their clients Adapting an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset The mental hurdles that writers have to overcome in order to face prosperity What makes the difference between a hobbyist and a professional Commitment versus interest The question of "whether or not the person I am tomorrow will be proud of the person I am today" The importance of having downtime, quiet time, and opportunities for recharging our creativity How having a schedule can set you free from not worrying about something that's on your plate The basic principlee behind "The Miracle Morning" (Hal Elrod) and "The Miracle Morning for Writers" (Hal Elrod and Honorée) How, for the most part, you can find 15 minutes in different parts of your day A few things she didn't expect before beginning this journey How writing from a really raw place allowed Honorée to see that the more authentic she has been in her writing, the more readers have liked it and it has helped people And more After the interview, Mark reflects on some of the things that this chat inspired in him, including an idea that sprung from the conversation. Links of Interest: Honorée Corder's website BookBub Blog Post - Chirp Follow Buttons Episode 197 - The Darkness Within Episode 196 - Haunted Walks & Talks with Jim Dean The Relaxed Author Planes, Trains & Automobiles Mark Lip Sync Scene from Planes, Trains & Automobiles Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 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 solo episode, Mark talks openly about the anxiety, frustration, and darkness that took over as he was trying to prepare for this week's episode. It's an unscripted talk through the things circling his mind, and how he is trying to deal with them. Prior to his introspective rambling, he pauses to share a word from this episode's sponsor. 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. It's not uncommon for writers and creative people to feel a darkness begin to descend over their emotions, to dance and mingle with anxiety and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. Mark tries to talk through those feelings and how he is trying to face them. He does talk about a book he is currently listening to as a re-read: Neil Peart's Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to my Life and Times and the "end of day" treat that has become as part of a mental health/physical activity regimen. Links of Interest: Mental Health Services Canada Depression Hotline Mental Help Dot Net Suicide Prevention Helpline The Relaxed Author The Relaxed Author Survey (Only Open until July 1, 2021) Best Book Ever Podcast Season 1 Ep 9 - Mark talking about EARTH ABIDES Neil Peart - Traveling Music Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 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 Jim Dean, Creative Director of Haunted Walks, Inc. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor . . . 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, Jim and Mark talk about: How Glen Shackleton came to found the company via the first haunted walks in Kingston, Ontario in 1995 The early days of the haunted walks and how people reacted to the idea Expanding out into Ottawa and Toronto as well as other nearby locations How ghost stories are a great way to share local history and the local experience in an entertaining format "We create and share extraordinary experiences" How in "normal" or "pre-pandemic" times, tens of thousands of students would come to Ottawa and go on the ghost walks The level of improv that is often required of the tour guides who have to incorporate the scripts into real-life interactive experiences Dealing with the pandemic after just coming off their most successful year and the most trying day of having to lay off almost all of the company's one hundred staff members The "home and bored" haunted packs that they started selling early in the pandemic Asking the question of what Halloween was going to look like in the fall of 2020 The "Save Halloween" Kickstarter Project they launched, which didn't succeed, but led to some other ideas that worked for them, such as the virtual haunted campfires The virtual DIY audio experience that is "The Haunting at Home" How virtual events have opened Haunted Walks, Inc. up to an international audience and customer base Hosting the Haunted Walks Podcast and the types of stories that Jim covers on it Jim's memories of how, in school, when the old movie projector got rolled out and the lights went down and the film came on, the room became an entirely different place How the stories are crafted for the tours and how they evolve over time The special "Fact or Fiction" tours that they sometimes do A couple of unexplainable things that happened on a few of the tours and that Jim experienced And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on his appreciate for Haunted Walks, Inc. and the ways they have helped him personally and as a writer. He then talks about the important of multiple product lines and revenue streams derived from a single source of passion. Links of Interest: The Haunted Walk Website Ghost Tours Online Experiences Haunted Talks Podcast Episode 195 - Help! I'm An Author With Mal Cooper Episode 194 - Eric Bryan Moore on Audiobook Narration and Pocket Pulp Podcast Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 For 18 years, Jim Dean has been the Creative Director of Haunted Walks, Inc, which runs ghost tours and other paranormal adventures in Kingston, Ottawa, and Toronto, Ontario. He is also the host of the company's popular Haunted Talks podcast which explores dark history and ghost stories from around the world. 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 Malorie Cooper about her writing and the "Help! I'm An Author" that Mal writes with her wife Jill Cooper. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor. 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, Mal and Mark talk about: How long it has been since they saw one another at a conference (November 2019), and how long it has been since in person writer gatherings The fact that Malorie is an extrovert by nature and enjoys hanging out with other authors, whether in person (when possible) or via virtual hangouts The daily five hour springs that Malorie hosts (23 minute springs and 7 minute breaks) which usually involves about 15 authors The music playlist that Malorie has defaulted to most recently The fact that your writing speed and process doesn't necessarily follow a linear path How Malorie deals with continuity in different books/series Tips for how to keep track of details when writing a long series - which includes NOT being too specific about many details, like eye color, etc. What inspired Malorie and her wife Jill to start writing the HELP! books for writers How Facebook ad procedures have changed over the years Some of the other titles in the Help! I'm An Author series The fact that Malorie was a CTO in a previous career and how that impacted the SEO involved in deciding the book titles Multiple experiments Malorie did with various rapid-release models Why consistency is far more important that a rapid release schedule How Malorie works on different co-authored projects The major burn-out and much needed break from writing back in 2019 that Malorie had to take That one month (August 2018) where Malorie wrote 200,000 words despite taking a week-long vacation at Disney How Malorie does her best work and fastest work at the last minute Deciding to not release the Help! My Marketing Plan Sucks book at the beginning of the pandemic and how that ended up splitting off into multiple more specific platform marketing titles How Malorie invests her time when attending a writer's conference The video content that Mal and Jill are working on creating And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the powerful energy that Mal gives off, which he finds inspiring, as well as the mention of getting the best work done quickly and at the last minute. Links of Interest: The Writing Wives Website M.D. Cooper's Aeon 14 Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 Malorie Cooper likes to think of herself as a dreamer and a wanderer, yet her feet are firmly grounded in reality. A twenty-year software development veteran, Malorie eventually climbed the ladder to the position of software architect and CTO, where she gained a wealth of experience managing complex systems and large groups of people. Her experiences there translated well into the realm of science fiction, and when her novels took off, she was primed and ready to make the jump into a career as a full-time author. Since then, she has sold nearly a million books. In addition to writing her bestselling science fiction series, she has written a book entitled "Help! My Facebook Ads Suck" and regularly presents on advertising and productivity at author conventions. She shares her home with a brilliant young girl, her wonderful wife (who also writes), a cat that chirps at birds, a never-ending list of things she would like to build, and ideas… 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 audiobook narrator Eric Bryan Moore about his work as a voice actor and his new podcast Pocket Pulp. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor... 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, Eric and Mark talk about: The interesting nature of getting to talk to one another after having previously worked together as author and narrator How listening to audiobooks while he was living in Brazil and wondering what he would do led back to his background in acting and a career in audiobooks The original studio Eric used to have to use before having a home setup to record audiobooks How a unique moment in reading aloud in an English class inspired the teacher to introduce Eric to the theater group Studying writing as a way to help him better understand the work he was doing as a narrator Auditioning a lot and getting 12 rejections before landing his first narrating gig The ratio of about 1 in every 10 books that a narrator works on under the ACX royalty share program that actually earns money for the narrator Eric's romance narrator pseudonym of D.C. Cole The idea of how audiobook listeners might cross-over to discover new writers because of a narrator they enjoy listening to How most of Eric's work has been working with small publishers and indie authors The problem with being a narrator is that you don't get to read for fun anymore (ie, no downtime for pleasure reading) How Eric's work is a combination of repeat clients and doing the occasional audition Eric's going rate of $250 / finished hour which is the minimum rate for SAG-AFTRA The way that a program like Voices Share at Findaway Voices works The additional costs that Eric has to pay someone else to outsource as a narrator (which eats into his existing per/hour fees The new podcast that Eric launched called POCKET PULP How writers can submit stories to Eric's podcast, and the fact they get the audio file in return which they can use however they want The potential things that this weekly podcast can lead to And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the opportunity that exists for writers as well as the unique way Eric is leveraging this new podcast to build up his brand within the specific community where he's hoping to reach more people. Links of Interest: Eric Bryan Moore's Website Pocket Pulp Podcast Pocket Pulp Podcast on YouTube Episode 7 - "Spirits" by Mark Leslie YouTube link for "Spirits" Mark's Books Narrated by Eric Active Reader: And Other Cautionary Tales from the Book World A Murder of Scarecrows Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 Originally a stage actor and Shakespeare fanatic from California, Eric Bryan Moore bounced around the globe for a number of years, including having lived in Japan for six of them, before finally settling down in São Paulo, Brazil. After starting a family, he decided to put his acting degree back to use and kicked off a career in audiobook narration in 2016. He narrates from his home studio and enjoys reading Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Mysteries, and Horror. When he's not recording, Eric is busy playing with his daughter, trying to win his fantasy football league, playing chess online, reading for fun, and learning how to make the perfect caipirinha! 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 author Susan Faw who is also the owner and founder of Dragon's Lair Artist Emporium, a physical bookstore in Norther Ontario that showcases books from indie authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. 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 Susan talk about: Susan's first meeting with group of authors at a library session with the Stratford Writer's Group in about 2012 How long it took Susan to write her first book The actual work-related impetus of Susan writing her first novel Making the move to Northern Ontario from the Niagara region in Southern Ontario The population of the community Susan is in, which is about 6000 people How Susan is keeping busy on the writing side of things with a series she is writing The back story of creating Dragon's Lair Emporium The grant for Northern Ontario women that Susan used to create the store's website Opening the bookstore and then having to shut it down after 6 days due to a Provincial enforced shutdown due to Covid Just how eager customers are to get into the store Collaborative partnerships with the local high school How, at this point in time, Susan is getting most of her stock from Ingram Pricing setup advice and Susan's ability to see it from both the author and bookseller side The fact that Susan is not doing returns, which is typical modus operandi for a bookstore Coming up with creative ways to market books rather than just buying giant piles of books where half of them can be returned A reminder that if an author sets a 55% discount via Ingram Spark, the bookstore actually sees 40% Realizing that specific people who are only interested in discounted prices might not actually be your customer The forms where authors can submit their books for consideration to be carried in the bookstore What authors can do to help support the bookstore that is supporting indie authored books And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the unique customers for print books in local physical bookstores, as contrasted to online shoppers on Amazon. He also reminds authors to consider their own books from the bookstore owner's perspective. Links of Interest: Susan Faw's Author Website Dragon's Lair Artist Emporium Website EP 191 - Insights from the Immersive Media and Books 2020 Consumer Survey The Creative Penn Episode 551 - The Challenges of a First Novel Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's Tavern YouTube Episodes Pilot Episode (6 Min 39 Seconds) Short: Dad Jokes Matter (1 Min 37 Seconds) Short: Tension (1 Min 31 Seconds) Short: Mister Bright Side (3 Mins 47 Seconds) 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 Susan Faw is a Canadian author of young adult fantasy and dystopian fiction. Her debut novel, Seer of Souls was awarded first place for the best young adult mythology of 2016, Chanticleer Reviews, and the grand prize of the Dante Rossetti for best young adult fiction of 2016, Chanticleer Reviews. Dragon's Lair Artist Emporium is the brain child of owner Susan Faw. Frustrated with the lack of venues available to independent authors, she a book store dedicated to authors worldwide, who have chosen a self-publishing career. Dragon's Lair Artist Emporium knows that there are many wonderful books deserving to be seen, and to be read. Dragon's Lair was born to give the independently published author what they have long been denied - space on a physical store shelf. Not only is this space for them, but their business model is built around showcasing the amazing, unrepresented talent that exists in the indie publishing sphere.