Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

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.

In this episode, recorded from a live video chat, Mark interviews James Kademan, owner of Calls On Call, a shared receptionist service, Draw In Customers Business Coaching, and the author of The BOLD Business Book. 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 this live chat, Mark and James talk about: James' background as an entreupreneur, which started in 2006 The multiple businesses that James has created, and the numerous mistakes he has made along the way in order to find success The infinite number of ideas that you have compared to the actual implementation How most entrepreneurs, like most authors, can be overly optimistic The implementation of "Whatever Blooms" an automated online flower-ordering business to save people time Riding the "hope train" and the comfort in complacency James' decision to self-publish THE BOLD BUSINESS BOOK Releasing the book in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and Audiobook How James never anticipated that you have to practically "claw your way" to get people to leave reviews for your book The way that people often don't value time The importance of "done" and finishing something How important "inbox zero" is for email management And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the value of getting work done and how he is adapting the "Inbox Zero" strategy. He also shares some info about a free workshop he is doing with James at When Words Collide in August 2021, as well as the full day workshop... Authoring Boot Camp Basic Training (Full Day Workshop) Want to take your author career to the next level? Business Coach James Kademan and Author Consultant Mark Leslie Lefebvre team up to help authors define and achieve their goals, from shaping-up their writing practice and effective scheduling, to publishing and marketing strategies, Mark and James unpack Authoring and help authors understand how they can create their own plan. Author Sarah Kades Graham joins as moderator, as well as prototype—hear how the Authoring Boot Camp has changed her career! Links of Interest: Draw in Customers Business Coaching Calls on Call James' Business Books "Inbox Zero" YouTube Video When Words Collide Full Day Authoring Boot Camp Workshop 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 James Kademan has been an entrepreneur since 2006. He owns several businesses, including Calls On Call Extraordinary Answering Service for those ready to outsource, and Draw In Customers Business Coaching where he helps entrepreneurs achieve more time, more money and more fun, while enjoying what they do. James is the author of The BOLD Business Book, A Strategy Guide to Start, Run, and Love Your Soon to Be BOLD Business. He is a Certified Business Coach and Professional Speaker and continues to release blogs, podcasts and videos at his website www.drawincustomers.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 interviews Dr. Rachel Noorda and Dr. Kathi Inman Berens about the Immersive Media & Books 2020 Consumer Survey conducted by the Panorama Project and Portland State University. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor (which includes a sample from the first narrator that Mark ever used through 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 then shares comments from recent episodes and also a personal update. In his discussion with Dr. Noorda and Dr. Berens, the three discuss: Dr. Rachel Noorda's background at Portland State University directing the Masters book publishing program there and her route into the academic world The student-run press that publishes several trade books every year, giving the students a hands-on experience in publishing Dr. Kathi Inman Berens' undergrad work within publishing and her later long-term academic experience within open access publishing, digital pedagogy and related projects How there isn't a lot of book publishing research out there that's not proprietary in nature The origin and evolution of The Panorama Project Behaviors related to "engagement" with books that don't necessarily include buying or reading them How the survey was made up of people who "engaged with a book" at least once in the past 12 months An OverDrive study and a 2019 PEW research study and that both estimate between 75% and 85% of people have engaged with a book in the previous year How books are a very durable 500-year success story, according to Dr. Berens, that people have incredibly powerful feelings and emotions about Some of the research that revealed surprising results How the stats show that the suspected "show-rooming" of bricks and mortar stores that result in online (ie, Amazon) purchases is actually more of a 50/50 split. Sometimes people find books in bookstores and buy those same books online. Other times, people find the books online then buy them in bookstores. It's a two-way street How, while the biggest single realm of book discoverability (20%) is from friends, that 80% of the time people are finding books from a multitude of other means The difficulty of measuring or finding the typical 6 touch points a person needs to have with a book before they decide to purchase/read it All of the things that happen in purchasing behavior that we (as authors and publishers, and even as consumers) are not aware of How the Immersive Media report does have a specific section for authors The high relevance of "genre" and "favorite author" when it comes to deciding to buy a book How readers are often expecting some kind of "online access" to authors The "literary citizenship" that Jane Friedman talks about in her book THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER And more... After the interview Mark shares a couple of reflections about the conversation and then thanks Patrons. Links of Interest: The Panorama Project Immersive Media & Books 2020 Consumer Survey The March 2021 Webinar EP 187 - Business-Minded Creative Marketing with Diana Wink EP 188- A Gritty & Real Adoption and Publishing Story with Denise Massar EP 189 - From Stage to Page and Back to Stage with Rod Carley EP 190 - The Episode Where Shit Went Down with Sweary Historian James Fell The Write Stuff Storybundle (Until May 25, 2021) Eric Bryan Moore's Website Pocket Pulp Episode 7 - Spirits by Mark Leslie 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 Dr. Rachel Noorda is Director of Publishing and Assistant Professor of English at Portland State University. Dr. Noorda holds a PhD degree in Publishing Studies from the University of Stirling and has published peer-reviewed research on various book publishing projects including book subscription boxes, independent publisher mission statements, the Portland Book Festival, and online book blurbs. She is currently writing a book (contracted with Cambridge University Press) about entrepreneurship in twenty-first century US book publishing. She has been very involved with the industry, including analyzing data and writing industry reports for PubWest, the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Book Industry Study Group, Literary Arts, and Publishing Scotland. Dr. Kathi Inman Berens, Associate Professor of English at Portland State University, has published peer-reviewed research about digital humanities, book publishing, and digital literature. A Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, Dr. Berens conducted grant-supported research for IBM when she was faculty and a Fellow of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California. Dr. Berens studies immersive environments and transmedia experiences, consulting with Portland companies on VR medical therapies, immersive storytelling, and mobile web interface design. In her book publishing consulting and scholarship, two years of survey work provide foundational data for insights about consumer behavior at the Portland Book Festival. She is advisory council for arts non-profits Literary Arts, NW Film Center, and Oregon Storyboard. 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 James Fell, Sweary Historian, about his latest book On This Day in History, Sh!t Went Down. Warning to listeners: In this episode, adult language goes down. A lot. If you are offended by swearing and adult language, please do NOT listen to this episode. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments, from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from 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 James discuss: His experience writing as a freelance investigative journalist within the diet and fitness industry for the LA Times and Chicago Tribune How James' literary agent compared his previous book The Holy Shit Moment as a combination of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink with Jen Sincero's You Are a Badass The way that The Holy Shit Moment was a book with a bit of a scientific analysis on "how shit works" and learning that you can't make those "holy shit" moments happen, but you can set up the groundwork for making it more likely to occur The way that the book The Holy Shit Moment flopped and what that meant for James' career despite all the media attention and support Being in a tough and tight headspace where he wasn't sure what was going to happen with his career, with a book flop, Trump looking like he was going to be re-elected, a Covid-19 pandemic lockdown The way that exercise can be an important part of paving the way for an epiphany moment The long bike-ride James was on that led to the idea for this new book and shift to his writing focus over to history The idea of the "this day in history" posts to share to Facebook How the 2nd post about May West "blew up" on social media (5 million views within a month) and prompted people to suggest he should convert these types of posts into a book The way James would decide on what to write for any specific day The more than 1000 variations of the word "Fuck" that appears in the On This Day in History Shit Went Down A future book that James has been working on called Greedy Sexist Religious Bigots Who Hate Science The move James made to Patreon with his daily history post content and his weariness about whether or not it would work. But how, within a few hours, he was already well into a few thousand dollars How, within 3 months, James was in the top 30 of all writers on Patreon Moving over to Substack and how they encourage people to provide content for free to create an audience, while also having some content behind a paywall The deep and meaningful connection that people can feel towards writers they respect and admire The generosity shown to sci-fi author John Varley via a health crisis and GoFundMe campaign How, even though people can read the entire content of the book for free, sales of On This Day In History Shit Went Down are exploding The print book significantly outpacing the eBook sales on this title despite doing no advertising or marketing outside of sharing free content from the book on social media The importance of a blatant and direct CALL TO ACTION to "get the book And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the change in writing focus James took as well as his fully embracing both traditional publishing and indie publishing options to fully leverage his IP to his greatest benefit, as well as his combination of nimble indie author marketing tactics combined with a progressive business-oriented approach. Mark then thanks Patrons of the podcast offering them one of two opportunities to win one of two free download codes for an awesome new writing bundle from Storybundle called "The Right Stuff Storybundle" (which is only available until May 25, 2021. Links of Interest: James Fell's Website Body for Wife / Books On This Day in History Shit Went Down James Fell Facebook Page James Fell on Substack Episode 60 - The Holy Shit Moment and Other Sudden Insights with James Fell Episode 2 - Living the Healthy Writer Life with Joanna Penn Episode 138 - Cash Flow for Creators with Michael W Lucas Episode 148 - A Voice Double Conversation with Joanna Penn The Write Stuff Storybundle (Until May 25, 2021) Kevin Closs 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 About James Fell My name is James and I say "fuck" a lot. It is possible for me to not swear. I was a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune for many years. I think the LA Times let me get away with "hell" twice. I've also been a columnist for Chatelaine and AskMen, and written for TIME Magazine, the Guardian, NPR, Women's Health, Men's Health, and many others. You can see a sample of my published articles here. Additionally, I've had countless radio and TV appearances and never uttered a profane word a single time. Go me. I began as a health and fitness writer and have published two books. The first is Lose it Right: A Brutally Honest 3-Stage Program to Help You Get Fit and Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind published by Random House Canada in 2014. The second is about the science of the life-changing epiphany titled The Holy Sh!t Moment: How Lasting Change Can Happen in an Instant published by St. Martin's Press in 2019. Yes, I wrote a book with a swearword in the title. Both are heavy on the science, containing no bullshit. I also have a popular blog that has millions of readers where I have written on a wide variety of subjects that include fitness, diet, and motivation, but certainly isn't limited to that. The blog is very sweary. Here is my recipe for "motherfucking lasagna." Covid-19 changed my career arc. 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 writer, director, playwright and actor, Rod Carley and they talk about his new novel Kinmount. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update as well as a word from 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 Rod talk about: How, when he was young, Rod would come home from school every day and work on a picture book Joining a musical as part of the chorus in grade 9 Theater offering a sense of collaboration and inclusion Having Canadian poet bpNichol as a creative writing instructor in university, and how this legendary writer was a huge influence The work Rod did adapting and editing Shakespearean scripts into modern settings by finding more recent historic parallels to moments, themes, and events from the original plays Writing musicals based on the history of Northern Ontario An overview of the premise and setup for Rod's first novel, A Matter of Will Rod's latest novel, Kinmount, which is about a theater director trying to put on a Shakespeare play (Romeo & Juliet) in a small town The common mis-perception of Romeo & Juliet as a romantic story rather than a tragedy How Romeo & Juliet is, in many ways, a tragedy of toxic masculinity Balancing humanity with hilarity in the writing of this book The subtle elements of magic realism in Kinmount and A Matter of Will and how it has to come from an organic place in the story One of the things Rod has done when directing MacBeth ("the Scottish play") to break the curse/spell associated with that play How the first week of July in North Bay there is a massive shadfly infestation Launching a novel during the 2020 Pandemic Pivoting to a virtual book launch, and hiring a small local marketing firm to assist with that One of the pros of having a virtual book launch, which allowed for attendees from afar Getting onto the long-list for the Stephen Leacock Medal and the support Rod received from Terry Fallis Some of Rod's influences that include Robertson Davies, Mordecai Richler, David Sedaris, Kurt Vonnegut, and more How Rod prepares for doing a live (or virtual) reading of his work The way Rod's work in theater has informed his ability to compose dialogue Modern adaptation (what Rod calls "responsible adaption") of Shakespeare's society and how, back in Shakespeare's day, people were used to speaking and listening a lot more rapidly, so a typical Shakespeare play wasn't as long in duration as a modern version And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the adaptations that can happen with creative work and how authors might consider their own work re-adapted to different formats. Links of Interest: Rod Carley's Website Instagram Twitter Facebook Kevin Closs Music Episode 29 - Terry Fallis on Writing with Authenticity, Humor, & Passion Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour 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 Rod's first novel, A Matter of Will, was a finalist for the 2018 Northern Lit Award for Fiction. His non-fiction short story, A Farewell to Steam, was featured in the anthology, 150 Years Up North and More. His literary fiction short story, Botox and the Brontosaurus, is featured in Cloud Lake Literary's inaugural online review. Rod is also an award-winning director, playwright and actor, having directed and produced over 100 theatrical productions to date including fifteen adaptations of Shakespeare. He is the Artistic Director of the Acting for Stage and Screen Program for Canadore College and a part-time English professor with Nipissing University. Rod was the 2009 winner of TVO's Big Ideas/Best Lecturer competition. KINMOUNT is his second novel. 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 Denise Massar about her memoir "Matched," about adoption, and about the work being done to find the right publisher for the manuscript. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update and a word from 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 Denise talk about: Denise's memoir about adoption called "Matched" The process of private domestic newborn adoption and how it is different than the systems used to be How competitive the process is How adoptive parents are tasked 100% with finding their own birth mom The diverse range of women in a position of being pregnant and not wanting to keep their baby How the search for a birth mother can feel seedy Adoption being a hot-button topic, potentially as hot-button as the topic of abortion Seeing how an open adoption could be, with Denise's son Henry, and comparing that to her own adoption, which was secret/hidden How easy it was for both Denise and Mark to find their birth mothers thanks to the opening up of information, and the internet The impact of the "yes, I am your mother" message Denise was sent Calling the mother who raised her, her mother, and her birth mom her birth mother How Denise has always been a writer, and that she got her MFA in writing, but that this memoir was her first tangle product The process of finding a publisher for her memoir which was an unexpected journey after finishing the book Hiring Jane Friedman to critique her query letter What a book proposal is, what "comp titles" are The popular "adoption wheel" of shame/depression/etc The agent query process for Denise How the book went out on submission the day that most of the United States went into pandemic lock-down in 2020 The importance of an author being seen as current and relevant by a potential publisher The title "Matched" and consideration of creating a more intuitive/SEO based title for the book And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the concept of how an editor goes to bat for a book at the editorial round table and other concepts discussed in the interview. Links of Interest: Denise Massar's Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Medium Are Editors Responding to Submissions During Coronavirus? (Article) 5 Things I Wanted My Son To Have From His Birth Mother (Article) Episode 108 - Silver Linings with Talena Winters Episode 163 - Getting a Creative Edge with Mickey Mikkelson The Creative Penn Episode 546 - Global, Wide Self-Publishing with Mark Leslie Lefebvre Top 35 Canadian Book Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021 Lawrence Hill Findaway Voices 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 Denise Massar, an adoptee and adoptive mom, lives in Orange County, California with her husband and three kids. A Washington State native, she earned her MA in English Literature from Central Washington University. Denise enjoys: Thrift store wandering, reading in bed with Aussie licorice (red), sweaty spin classes, salt air, and the belly laughs of her kids. 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 Diana Wink, fiction author, blogger and film director. Prior to the interview Mark shares a personal update and a word from 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 Diana discuss: How Diana wrote poems in Russian and German when she was young and also wrote a novel when she was 11 Asking about how she could combine music, visual art and storytelling together, which lead to her interest in film Loving the writing and the planning behind projects such as films How the shooting is the most stressful part of a film, and in editing it's often about regret The way that everyone can have ideas that feed off of one another in a collaborative film project - What it's like to see the reaction of a live audience to a film at a film festival - How, in film, if you don't have a budget, you have to first find it - which isn't necessary when writing fiction. And how this led Diana back into writing Diana's dystopian sci-fi trilogy under the name DF Wink How science fiction and dystopian fiction can be a mirror held up to current events and reality The documentary style podcast format that Diana uses A slogan Diana uses: "There is a platform for every outstanding story and you have one to tell" That similar problem most writers often have with actually writing their first novel Diana's book for writers: The Business-Minded Creative and why she put it together How Diana built her website (storyartist.me) using the principals of storytelling The struggle Diana faces because of all the different passions and areas of creativity that she engages in How Diana is fueled by every interview that she does for her podcast And more... After the interview Mark reflects on a few things about what Diana said that inspired him, he thanks his patrons and listeners of the podcast. Links of Interest: Diana Wink Website DFWink Website StoryArtist.me Findaway Voices 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 Diana Wink is an author, blogger and film director. With a passion for stories since she can remember, she studied film making and made a career as director of successful short films (awarded in festivals) and advertising. In 2015, she decided to go back to her roots and finally finish her first fiction book. Since then, she attracted 5-star reviews, raving fans and written many more novels. On Story Artist, she decided to share her creative journey and help content creators in new and effective ways because her credo is: There is a platform for every outstanding story. And you have one to tell. 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

From mystery to romance and science fiction—from heartfelt essays to poetry that moves the soul, FRESH STARTS is a bold new anthology of tales from the Pikes Peak Writers. Mark interviews three of the contributors to this anthology in celebration of the new book's release on Friday April 9, 2021. Prior to the interview Mark shares a word from this episodes 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 the interview Mark talks with: Joshua Clark ("Nolan's Bucket List: Snow Edition" / Cover Designer) Josh is a writer, bookseller, graphic designer, and designer of the cover of Fresh Starts. He graduated with an art degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Josh is an active member of Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and was the former Speakers Coordinator for Pueblo West Writers. His short story, 'The Galaxy Got a Whole Lot Bigger,' received a Silver Honorable Mention in Q4 of the 2020 Writers of the Future Contest. He is now busy writing his next novel. Bowen Gillings ("Dawn Trouble") Bowen Gillings is an award-winning author whose quirky tales range from superhero suspense to divine family squabbles. He is a devout travel enthusiast, committed martial arts dabbler, and closeted RPG nerd. He enjoys cooking, the outdoors, good whiskey, and good friends. Born in Wisconsin, he grew up in South Dakota's Black Hills, matriculated in Minnesota, and then bounced around Europe with the Army. He's lived on both coasts, danced on the Great Wall of China, and driven a Volvo from Alaska to Louisiana before settling in Colorado with his wife and daughter. Terry Odell ("My Name is Marjorie") Although Terry Odell had no aspirations of becoming a writer until long after receiving her AARP card, she's now the author of over thirty novels, novellas, and short stories. She writes mysteries and romantic suspense, but calls them all "Mysteries With Relationships." Her awards include the Silver Falchion, the International Digital Awards, and the HOLT Medallion. A Los Angeles native, she moved to Florida where she spent thirty years in the heat and humidity. She now enjoys life with her husband and rescue dog in the cooler, dryer climate of the Colorado Rockies, where she watches wildlife from her windows. After the interview, Mark reflects on a few of the things the chat with Joshua, Terry, and Bowen made him think about. Links of Interest: Pikes Peak Writers Pikes Peak Writers Anthology: Fresh Starts YouTube Video of Interview Findaway Voices Patreon for Stark Reflections Wide for the Win 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 shares details about the recent "A Canadian Werewolf in New York" promotion he ran in March 2021 centered around an International BookBub Deal. He also shares some articles with tips from BookBub and Written Word Media. 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. In this episode Mark shares details about his Canadian Werewolf Promo, including the high level strategy used as well as the results. He splits the intro to the promo and the results between sharing four articles from BookBub and Written Word Media about promotions. Over all costs for the promotions run were $347.44. Overall earnings from the promotions were $610.17. Which resulted in a net gain of $262.73. Links of Interest: Findaway Voices Articles mentioned in this podcast BookBub The Best Day of the Week to Discount eBooks Do BookBub Deals Work for Permafree Books Multiple Times? Written Word Media The Best Book Promotion Sites The Best Way to Promote a Book on Bargainbooksy 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 Patreon for Stark Reflections Wide for the Win 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