Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark shares an interview with Monica Leonelle, a USA Today bestselling author best known for her young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance series, Waters Dark and Deep. She also teaches writing, publishing, business, and marketing at TheWorldNeedsYourBook.com. Her most recent nonfiction series, Growth Hacking for Storytellers, has helped thousands of writers write faster, become better storytellers, and find their way to success. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal, update, some comments and a few words about this episode's sponsors. These details include Commentary on Robin Cutler joining LMBPN Thoughts about publishing trends and future predictions (based on insightful comments from patrons) A bit about Mark's early writing history, Tough Guys Big Adventure and a stupid Dad Joke video short Sponsors: Findaway Voices and Clark Chamberlan's Author Hustle 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 Monica and Mark talk about: Monica's start in self-publishing back in 2009 in non-fiction How Monica's first book on social media for corporations allowed her to shift from software engineering to social media marketing Wanting to buy a domain called "howtobeanauthor" but Joanna Penn got it first The era of self-publishing when Amanda Hawking first exploded onto the scene Monica's first fiction book, Silver Smoke, which was not written to market, but still sold 5000 copies The "early days" of eBook publishing, which often involved learning html coding How learning to write fast was the next major turning point in Monica's writing career Some of the fundamental marketing practices that Monica recommends How books like Twilight and The Martian are written to super-specific genres, but with some high level story structures that are universal The importance of psychological triggers in a story How Monica has divided up her time working on three different types of writing and multiple author names/brands Trends that Monica has been tracking in the writing industry Some of the things going on with different reading apps outside the major retailers How Monica leverages different tools to sell direct, and her enthusiasm about being able to do bundling of eBook/Audio/Print via direct website sales The interesting history and secrets of the old house that Monica lives in And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on Monica's long term experience within indie publishing, and the important of persistence and sticking it out for the long run.   Links of Interest: Monica Leonelle Main Website The World Needs Your Book Special Courses from Monica (for Early 2021) Solo Storm Books Card Reading Queen Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Findaway Voices Clark Chamberlan's Stock Up Author Hustle Offer LMBPN Press Release about Robin Cutler Wide for the Win Submission Form A Christmas Howl (Christmas Carol Dad Joke) Patreon for Stark Reflections   Monica Leonelle is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance series, Waters Dark and Deep. She also teaches writing, publishing, business, and marketing at TheWorldNeedsYourBook.com. Her most recent nonfiction series, Growth Hacking for Storytellers, has helped thousands of writers write faster, become better storytellers, and find their way to success. She also founded The World Needs Your Book event series to bring this training to the world. Before becoming an independent author, Monica led digital marketing efforts at Inc. 100 companies like Hansen’s Natural and Braintree. She’s been an avid blogger of marketing and business trends since 2007. Her ideas have been featured in AdAge, The Huffington Post, Forbes, Inc., the AMEX OpenForum, GigaOm, Mashable, Social Media Today, and the Christian Science Monitor. Monica lives in a very, very old, 3-story home in St. Louis, MO with her husband and adorable westie, Mia. It possibly has ghosts. And definitely has a secret passage. To find out what she’s up to and get access to her latest fiction updates, exclusive giveaways, advanced review copies, and more, sign up at MonicaLeonelle.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

In this episode Mark interviews David Farland, a New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author, who has written for major franchises such as Star Wars and The Mummy, and mentored dozens who have gone on to staggering literary success, including Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson, and Stephenie Meyer. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, 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.   In their conversation, Mark and David talk about: How David started writing when he was 17 years old, but didn't get serious about it until the age of about 25/26 Deciding he wanted to win a short story contest, and how that led to winning the Grand Prize at Writers of the Future and how that led to a traditional publishing offer which led to a bestseller (On My Way To Paradise) which also won the Philip K. Dick Special Memorial Award His role as the Coordinating Judge of The Writers and Illustrators of the Future writing contest Why David spends so much time helping to prop up and support beginning writers Different game-related stories David has been involved in, including a new game-related story David has coming out in 24 different languages The problem with writers who don't see things in the long term and in the global market The way that Hollywood options work for writers and the money that can be earned on movies that never get made (such as Isaac Asimov's Foundation series) The fact that Philip K Dick's short stories usually have about 100 options in place at any given time (Dick's stories have been made into movies such as "Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, Screamers, Paycheck, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle) Why David created the Apex Writer's Group - the importance of authors educating and inspiring each other Some of the sensations that David was behind, including Stephanie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, James Dashner, Dan Wells, and even the push of Rowling's Harry Potter novels The origin of the pseudonym David Farland And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the concept of casting a wide net and keeping that net out there, via an example David had shared of an author who gave up, and then years later her books hit it big.   Links of Interest: David Farland's Website My Story Doctor (Website for Writers) Apex Writer's Group Writers & Illustrators of the Future Superstars Writing Seminars Episode 167 - Author, Author, Give Me The News with Laura Hayden Episode 166 - Wording Around with KathyMac Episode 164 - Reflections on The Creative Penn Podcast Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Mark's Tavern (Opening Theme Song - Cheers Parody) Mark's Tavern - Pilot Episode (Cheers Parody) Ghost Stories from the Winking Judge (Video) Spirits Untapped: The Winking Judge Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   David Farland is an award-winning, international bestselling author with over 50 novels in print. He has won the Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award for “Best Novel in the English Language” for his science fiction novel On My Way to Paradise, the Whitney Award for “Best Novel of the Year” for his historical novel In the Company of Angels, and many more awards for his work. He is best known for his New York Times bestselling fantasy series The Runelords. Farland has written for major franchises such as Star Wars and The Mummy. He has worked in Hollywood greenlighting movies and doctoring scripts. He has been a movie producer, and he has even lived in China working as a screenwriter for a major fantasy film franchise. As a writing instructor, Farland has mentored dozens who have gone on to staggering literary success, including such #1 New York Times Bestsellers as Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time), and Stephenie Meyer (Twilight). Farland judges L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future, one of the largest worldwide writing competitions for new fantasy and science fiction authors. The contest has helped discover and launch many authors into professional careers, with nearly 100 new science fiction and fantasy books released in just the last year. In the video game industry, he has been both a designer and a scripter and was the co-leader on the design team for StarCraft: Brood War. He set the Guinness World Record for the largest single-author, single-book signing. David Farland has been hailed as “The wizard of storytelling” and his work has been called “compelling,” “engrossing,” “powerful,” “profound,” and “ultimately life-changing.”   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 and bookseller Laura Hayden, who is the co-founder and owner of Author-Author an experimental retail bookshop that deals in online sales, special events, books for writers and books for authors. Prior to the interview, Mark shares 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. Mark also welcomes new Patron Melissa Yi and shares a personal update that includes a couple of talks he gave to library groups in the past week, as well as a few Kobo promotions he is participating in. Mark reminds listeners they can get the following books via Kobo until the end of 2020 by using the coupon code NANO2020 at checkout: The Indie Author Mindset – Adam Croft Dear Writer, You Need to Quit – Becca Syme The 7 P’s of Publishing Success – Mark Leslie Lefebvre Let’s Get Digital: How to Self-Publish and Why You Should – David Gaughran In their conversation, Mark and Laura talk about: Laura's introduction to books by being an early avid reader The librarian who took Laura by the hand and guided her through the incredible journey through reading The effect of a constant travel life of being a military family on maintaining a reliable career Laura's initial entry into bookselling by walking into a bookstore and offering to help part-time Laura's return to bookselling by offering to volunteer in a bookstore and fixing two of their sections that she saw could use some help Learning about the Harlequin Intrigue imprint and how Laura sold her first novel to them on her very first submission The steps Laura took by spotting opportunities related to books, bookselling, and bookstores The origin of opening up her first physical bookstore How the bookstore only lasted 2 years and went into significant debt because there wasn't a cash-for-trade option How Laura has accounts with 18 larger publishers and 44 small publishers, not to mention Ingram, the world's largest wholesale book distributor The non-returnable account Laura has with most publishers, which allows her to offer authors a deep discount on book purchases How Laura works within a 6 to 9% margin in her business and that she's been doing it since 2007 The way that Laura works with conferences and other organizations for selling authors books at events The fact that Laura works 1:1 with all of her clients The impact of running this bookstore on Laura's career as a writer Working as a ghost writer The Laurence Saunders ghost writer scandal The Ella Vaughn pseudonym that Laura is co-authoring with another writer The discounts that a bookstore sees when you set different discounts via Ingram Spark or other print on demand services The insights Laura has into some "publishers" that writers are considering working with What you get with a paid listing in Ingram's monthly ADVANCE magazine Something that Laura wishes all authors would understand about bookstores when considering carrying their books The way a successful indie publishing author has worked successfully with a large indie bookstore   After the interview Mark reflects on some of the insights Laura shared but also on how her personal writing took a back-seat to the business she operates in helping writers.   Links of Interest: Author-Author Laura's Author Website Superstars Writing Seminars Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Let It Snow Audiobook Event (Blog Post - Findaway) Mark's Blog Post about Let It Snow Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Laura started reading at the age of four and in six short years, exhausted the children's section of the local branch library. She switched to adult mysteries and science fiction and never looked back. Trained as an engineer, she continued to write "for fun" until one day, she decided to write "for real." Since. as a kid, when she wasn’t reading, she was watching TV, her seventeen books and short stories straddle multiple fiction genres and include vivid characters with action, suspense and humor. Her latest book, DARKWOOD CROSSING: Bailey, the Critter Sitter, is a middle grade collaboration written with Yvonne Jocks under the pseudonym of Ella Vaughn. Laura's latest short story under her own name is "The Ghost of Dogwood," the 10th entry in the popular multi-author "Dogwood Series." Having traveled across the US as a military spouse, Laura now resides (permanently!) in Colorado with her husband and two dogs. She's one of the founders of Pikes Peak Writers, its first president and has been the director of its conference an unprecedented eight times. To learn more about Laura, the writer, visit her at http://suspense.net To learn more about Author, Author!, visit http://www.author-author.net 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 Poet and teacher Kathy Mac who lives in Fredericton NB, Canada and teaches creative writing at St. Thomas University along with one of her students, Neomi about a book project, Wording Around with Prose, and the course it originated from. Prior to the interview, Mark shares 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. Mark also shares comments from recent episodes and a personal update, which include the following: A walk through of the Draft2Digital payment splitting A talk about the writing and publishing Mark will be doing for Susie Moloney, the Writer in Residence for Edmonton Public Library on Dec 8, 2020. (It's free to attend but you can email susie.moloney@epl.ca to register The Let It Snow Audiobook Giveaway #snowaudio2020 Working on adding courses to his Stark Publishing Teachable platform During the interview, Mark, Kathy, and Neomi discuss: How Kathy got into academia in 2002 after a start in literary publishing The additions Kathy helped usher into the university, including the course on Literary Publishing Neomi's background in theatre and how that ties into her passion for poetry, prose, and script writing The strong and tight-knit artistic community in Fredericton - Getting into the desired course without having the pre-requisites, and the importance of trying and asking when you're passionate about something Details about the make-up and layout of the course How the course has evolved as digital publishing has grown The decision of the class to use Draft2Digital for the eBook, and how they came to that conclusion Where the manuscript that was published came from and how it was adapted into the course and the work that the students did The cancellation of the Wordspring conference and how that led to the origin of this course The different assignments that student groups worked on in the publishing of this book Creation of the video book trailer to help support the marketing of the book Neomi's learnings of the process and what surprised her about the business of publishing How we tend to minimize the amount of work that other people do The way the title "Wording Around" was inspired from a blog from writer A.J. Ripley and their blog What is next for Wording Around Press How there was a plan for making a partially-hand-crafted print version of the book, but how the second wave of Covid-19 ramped up, preventing that from happening And more . . . After the interview Mark shares a few reflections and thoughts about the conversation and the project. Then he welcomes new patron Tessa Smith McGovern and thanks all patrons for supporting this podcast at www.patreon.com/starkreflections.   Links of Interest: Kathy Mac's Website Wording Around with Prose Facebook Twitter Instagram Episode 165 - Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Episode 164 - Reflections on The Creative Penn Podcast Episode 517 Episode 163 - Getting a Creative Edge with Mickey Mikkelson Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Let It Snow Audiobook Event (Blog Post - Findaway) Mark's Blog Post about Let It Snow Books2Read Draft2Digital Payment Splitting Video Walk-Thru Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   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 special shorter episode of the podcast, Mark talks about a book that he has published via his Stark Publishing imprint written by a friend who found himself homeless in London, England. Mark shares the origin of the book and why he is publishing it, as well as some of the mechanics and logistics surrounding the distribution of the eBook and print editions. He also reads an excerpt from the chapter "Down and Out in London."   Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Peter C. Mitchell Hardcover ISBN: 9781989351413 Print ISBN: 9781989351376 eBook ISBN: 9781989351383   Links of Interest: Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough (Universal Book Link) Rude Awakenings (Hardcover - via Author, Author) Rude Awakenings (Paperback - via Author, Author) A Different Drummer Bookstore (Burlington, Ontario) Patreon for Stark Reflections   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

This is a special "Reflections on Other Podcasts" style episode. Mark reflects on Episode 517 of The Creative Penn Podcast, where Joanna Penn interviews Holly Worton. The description from that episode, which is highly recommended that you listen to is this: How can you prevent self-doubt and fear from blocking your creative expression? What if you've built an audience for your books, but then you want to change direction? Joanna Penn discusses these issues and more with Holly Worton in Episode 517 (November 23, 2020) of The Creative Penn Podcast. Holly Worton is the author of 17 nonfiction and self-help books about business mindset and personal growth, as well as on walking and the wisdom of trees and nature. She's also the host of the Into the Woods podcast. Prior to the episode's main content, Mark shares comments from previous episodes, 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. Mark also shares a personal update, which includes. Progression on NaNoWriMo The launch of the OBSESSIONS anthology Publishing another book (unexpectedly) - Nocturnal Screams Vols 1 to 8 The forthcoming release of RUDE AWAKENINGS FROM SLEEPING ROUGH by Peter C. Mitchell   Links of Interest: Episode 517 of The Creative Penn Podcast: Business Mindset and Pivoting Your Author Career with Holly Worton The Creative Penn Holly Worton Mark's NaNoWriMo Profile Episode 163 - Getting a Creative Edge with Mickey Mikkelson Episode 32 - Hybrid Author Publishing with C. C. Humphreys Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   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 Mickey Mikellson of Creative Edge Publicity - a boutique publicity firm specializing in arranging events such as book signings, library or school presentations, online and print media opportunities, and many other events related to the arts in general. Mickey and his firm are advocates for both the traditional and independent artist. Prior to the interview, Mark shares some recent comments from listeners, 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. In their conversation, Mark and Mickey talk about: The last time Mark interviewed Mickey, for the Kobo Writing Life podcast in Calgary at When Words Collide What Creative Edge Publicity does and how they work with authors in terms of setting up interviews, chats, appearances, articles, etc, since 2016 How it had been Robert J. Sawyer, Mickey's first traditionally published author, who introduced Mark to Mickey How Creative Edge Publicity went full-time in September 2020 and doubled their client base in less than a month How Mickey got into the business The typical services and connections that Creative Edge offers to their clients The reality of not being able to guarantee sales, but working on long term building-blocks of opportunities Some of the differences now that this business is operating full time The rewarding experience of getting to work with highly intelligent and creative individuals on a daily basis The difference between a publisher's in-house publicist and an independent publicist Mickey's preference towards creating and continuing to build a relationship with an author who is a client, versus short-term, one-off projects The ability to continue to publicize back-list titles versus the three month window of publicity that comes with traditional publishing The first conversation with potential clients in terms of determining the fit, which is typically one hour How Mickey signs authors not based on the content of their books, but more on their personality and how they might fit well within the larger team of clients The perspective of the entire client basis of Creative Edge being a team or extended family The typical budget range an author working with Creative Edge would be looking at The results-based charges currently used for billing clients The value of attracting a reader-based audience versus a mass media based audience Some of the misconceptions authors have about publicists   Links of Interest: Creative Edge Publicity Facebook Twitter Mark's NaNoWriMo Profile Episode 162 - Happy Accidents with Joshua Pantalleresco Episode 161 - NaNo No-No's Episode 133 - Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha Black Episode 155 - Rebel Reflections with Guest Host Sacha Black Episode 145 - Leveraging Your Author IP and Hybrid Publishing with Robert J. Sawyer Episode 004 - Optimizing Your Author Brand with Robert J. Sawyer Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Kobo Writing Life Podcast EP 97 - (Mark chats with Mickey, Robert J. Sawyer, and C.C. Humphries) Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   Mickey Mikkelson is the founder and brain child behind Creative Edge Publicity.  Graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with a Marketing Diploma, Mickey has been in the book industry since 2006 where he started as the Special Events Manager in St Albert, Alberta for Chapters/Indigo, the largest bookstore chain in Canada. Ten years later, he formed Creative Edge Publicity, an aggressive boutique publicity firm that specializes in advocating for both the traditional and independent artist. Realizing there was a direct need by authors for publicity, Mickey tailored his firm to obtain media for indie authors initially and then spreading out to promoting works by traditionally published writers as well.  In the four years that Creative Edge has been in existence, Mickey has managed to sign some of the top talents in the literary industry including multiple award winners, signing New York Times Bestsellers, and has been able to get indie authors various levels of success with many of them becoming international bestselling authors while working with the Creative Edge brand.   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 Joshua Pantalleresco, the host of Just Joshing, an Aurora Award Winning podcast that features Joshua interviewing authors and other creatives and business people about life, the universe, and everything. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, welcomes a new patron (Connor Whiteley) and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by: 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 Joshua talk about: How Joshua could sum up his career as one great big accident The books and authors Joshua loved reading, and the novel he wrote when still in high school Josh's start interviewing people for a comic book website How working for one of his heroes led to a great moment of trial and tribulation for Joshua How a miscommunication about an interview Josh did with Robert J. Sawyer led to his recent podcast The fact that chocolate chip cookies were initially an accident - and look how they turned out How creating and sharing actually helps others to keep creating and sharing themselves How staring down the Grim Reaper can humble a person in a very real way The strength that it takes to be open and vulnerable A few things that Joshua is afraid of and something he is trying out that he has always wanted to do What makes Joshua ruthless and brutally honest Reflections on the bad experience he'd had with a hero of his that he worked with Perspectives on optimism, realism and cynicism After the conversation, Mark reflects on the benefits that come with being willing to take a risk.   Links of Interest: Joshua Pantalleresco's Website Joshua on Twitter Joshua on Instagram Joshua on YouTube Mark's NaNoWriMo Profile Episode 161 - NaNo No-No's Episode 160 - Growing, Experimenting, and Collaborations with Mark Dawson Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   Joshua Pantalleresco is a writer, poet, podcaster and freelancer. His Podcast Just Joshing is a three time Aurora Award Winning Finalist and one time winner.   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 some tips for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), as well as an overview of his previous NaNoWriMo experiences, sharing the errors, the mistakes, and the failures he has made along the way. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by: 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: Mark's NaNoWriMo Profile Episode 160 - Growing, Experimenting, and Collaborations with Mark Dawson Episode 100 - Another Publishing Industry First with Mark Dawson Episode 146 - Finding Yourself in Our Song with Meaghan Smith Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Meaghan Smith Rude Awakenings from Sleeping Rough Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections       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 catches up with Mark Dawson to see how his publishing collaboration with Welbeck has been going as well as to find out about some new writing and publishing projects. This episode is sponsored by: 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 interview Mark shares the following: Comments from recent episodes A welcome to new patrons A personal update that includes: Short story writing deadlines (2 target hits with 1 to go) Recent media appearances related to a new book (and the fact that it's Halloween) The song Mark commissioned from Meaghan Smith for his fiance Liz's 50th birthday to go with the artwork commissioned from Josh Vogt.  (Both called "Wonder Woman") A recent music parody Mark created inspired by "The Monster Mash"   In their conversation Mark and Mark discuss: How the role of "writer" is Mark's prime passion The way Mark protects his writing time despite wearing many hats in the industry Recently hiring a PA (Personal Assistant) The importance of having a team that he can trust Mark's daily ritual to ensure he gets writing done every day The office Mark has rented that allows him to get writing and podcast work done How a change of scenery can be helpful to writing How John Milton often leaves a place in worse shape when he leaves it The multiple influences that went into the creation of the John Milton character The way that place, news items, and other factors combine for Mark to create a scenario to drop Milton into to watch how he interacts and reacts in that situation How Mark avoids the "Murder She Wrote Conceit" How traveling to a conference often negatively affects his writing productivity The release of The Cleaner in hardcover from Welbeck Publishing and the impact of the pandemic on that. The planned release of the mass market version of the books and the next book in the series The "After School Detectives Club" books that Mark is collaborating on and how it was inspired by his daughter How Mark shares what works and what doesn't work with various publishing projects and experiments he tries out What Mark is looking forward to for the last two months of 2020 Some of the forthcoming courses Mark's company will be releasing And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the larger perspective of the industry and how an author like Mark Dawson, who has already sold over 4 million copies of his eBooks still has such a gigantic untapped market of readers to reach who have never heard of him. Links of Interest: Mark Dawson Self Publishing Formula Episode 100 - Another Publishing Industry First with Mark Dawson Episode 159 - Many Roads of Creativity with Sarah Beth Goer Episode 105 - Location Based Storytelling with VoiceMap Episode 146 - Finding Yourself in Our Song with Meaghan Smith Kobo Writing Life NaNoWriMo Promo (use coupon code NANO2020) Meaghan Smith CTV News Sudbury (Mark's interview on Oct 26) Sudbury Star Article Sudbury Dot Com Article Hamilton CHML Article About Virtual Ghost Walk Virtual Ghost Walk Downtown Hamilton (VoiceMap) Mark's Hamilton Public Library Reading - Browsers Mark's Canadian Werewolf Series This Time Around (Book 0) A Canadian Werewolf in New York (Book 1) Stowe Away (Book 1.5) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles (Book 2) Findaway Voices Books2Read Draft2Digital Wide for the Win Submission Form Patreon for Stark Reflections   Mark Dawson has worked as a lawyer and in the London film industry. His first books, The Art of Falling Apart and Subpoena Colada, have been published in multiple languages. He is currently writing three series. The John Milton series features a disgruntled assassin who aims to help people make amends for the things that he has done. The Beatrix Rose series features the headlong fight for justice of a wronged mother--who happens to be an assassin--against the six names on her Kill List. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, The Black Mile, deals with the (real-life but little-known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. The Imposter traces the journey of a criminal family through the period; it has been compared to The Sopranos in austerity London. Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.   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