Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Tessa Smith McGovern an award-winning and best-selling author who has taught writing for 22 year. Prior to the interview, Mark says 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. During their conversation, Mark and Tessa talk about: How, during the lockdown and covid-19 pandemic isolation, Tessa had to come face to face with herself while stuck at home The recognition of guilt, misery, and self-doubt that led to self-sabotage Tessa having been an author for thirty years and being traditionally published and indie published Finding herself humiliated in a situation with a writer whose work Tessa quite adored Tessa's experience with teaching writers, and how writers often bring a significant amount of material to those lessons How we have to find the belief in ourselves Lighting the candle for someone else when the flame of inspiration goes out Things we can do to avoid self-sabotage Setting a goal that doesn't end up engaging your ego (which can often introduce self-doubt to the equation) The Westport Writes writers program in Westport Connecticut How love and kindness meditation can improve your focus, your memory and your productivity The importance of creative rest, and recognizing when we need that If you understand your creative process and what works, you can be more in control of it The fifty+ short stories Tessa had from her writing career and how she found particular connections between the stories, based on themes, similar characters, and other factors that can be patterned How the process of linking short stories can be a delightful process Tessa's book Cocktails for Book Lovers The value of a good editor, and how sometimes working with an editor from a traditional publishing house can offer perks that are difficult to buy from freelance editors The way that the right editor can help an author turn something that is good into something that is fantastic And more... Links of Interest: Tessa Smith McGovern's Website Newsletter Signup Free Coaching/Zoom Classes How to Link Stories & Memoirs into a Collection BookGirlTV BookGirlTV on YouTube Episode 203 - A Rant on Unprofessional Author Behavior Original Unedited raw Rant (Patron link) Episode 201 - Building Your Marketing From Day One with Julie Broad of Book Launchers Episode 197 - Rambling Reflections from the Darkness Within 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 Tessa Smith McGovern has taught writing for 22 years and, for the last ten years, at the Writing Institute, Sarah Lawrence College, NY. She is an award-winning writer whose linked short story collection, LONDON ROAD: LINKED STORIES, received a 'Featured' review from Kirkus, is an Amazon best-seller, and a gold medal winner in the 2012 eLit Awards. Her non-fiction book, COCKTAILS FOR BOOK LOVERS (Sourcebooks), is also an Amazon best-seller. Her many publication credits include the Connecticut Review and Equinox, a UK poetry journal archived by the English Arts Council at the Southbank Centre, London. She's currently writing a contemporary fantasy novel inspired by British mythology and pursuing her MFA in Writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is founder and editor of eChook Digital Publishing. eChook won a silver medal in the 2012 eLit Awards and its stories have been read by thousands of readers in 100+ countries. Tessa is also host, writer and producer of BookGirlTV (BGTV), an award-winning digital channel that promotes books and reading. BGTV has 6 million+ minutes viewed on YouTube and 10,000+ likes on Facebook. 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 shares a rant about a particular thing he noticed continues to happen related to authors looking for promotional opportunities. Prior to the main content, Mark talks about how this episode was born from content originally sent to patrons of the podcast who responded to his slightly rawer rant on the same topic. For that special episode, he merely turned on the microphone and just let it out. But a number of patrons commented about that rant, suggesting that it would be beneficial to the larger author community to be aware of an author action that can really set off retailers, distributors, and other industry people. Mark reads off the names of the current patrons, thanking them for their support, and for bringing this episode to all listeners. This episode is sponsored by the patrons of the Stark Reflections podcast. Patrons can support this podcast at http://patreon.com/starkreflections for $1, $3, or $5 a month, and gain access to additional content, text, video, and special audio episodes. A common theme to those episodes is "Stark Reflections on Other Podcasts." As of July 29, 2021, there are 75 exclusive backlist patron posts available. Within the main content, or rant, for this episode, Mark talks about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into finding promotional space for indie authors on the majority of the larger retail platforms outside of Amazon, and the thoughtless way that some authors treat all this hard work. 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

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