Mark Leslie Lefebvre's Blog, page 18

Episode 274 – Samantha M. Bailey on Unreliable Narrators and Unrelenting Authorship

Mark interviews Samantha M. Bailey, the author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, a USA TODAY and #1 national bestseller, and WATCH OUT FOR HER, an instant #1 national bestseller about her twenty-year writing journey.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation, Mark and Samantha talk about:

How long Mark and Samantha have known one another and how long it has been since they’ve chatted, and Samantha’s previous guest spot on this podcastSamantha’s latest thriller WATCH OUT FOR HER and the 13 weeks it spent on the Globe and Mail bestseller list in CanadaThe book’s presence on numerous indie and chain bookstores as well as non-bookstore locations across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, and Costco, where it was a buyer’s pickHow everyone in the retail space was so good to SamanthaThe twenty years Samantha worked at writing before this huge wave of successHer previous book (Woman on the Edge) being released just prior to the pandemic startingSamantha’s rock star agent, Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency and how Samantha found her twenty years earlierNita Prose, author of The Maid, a New York Times bestseller, who is the editor of both Samantha’s novelsGetting her first rejection for a story that she wrote and submitted to a publisher at the age of tenBeing able to wallpaper her house with the amount of rejections she has received for her books over the yearsWhy Samantha never gave up after collecting enough rejection slips to wallpaper her entire neighborhoodThe common “yellow raincoat” motif that appears on both of her books despite them being stand-alone novels completely unrelated by anything except the genre and the authorWhy Samantha loves the concept of an unreliable narratorHow, when reading a thriller, Samantha never trusts anyone at all, everThe two performers who read the audiobook version of WATCH OUT FOR HERBeing a very visual person, particularly as a readerWhat Samantha tries to do with every book she writes, and a little bit about the book she is working on nowAdvice Samantha would have given to her younger selfThe various genres and types of book she has loved reading and writing over the yearsTaking all the risks in writing while taking very few risks in lifeAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on the concept of unreliable narrators and the idea of letting fear hold you back.

Links of Interest:

Samantha M. Bailey WebsiteWoman on the EdgeWatch out for HerEP 107 – Samantha M. Bailey, Woman on the EdgeSarah Sampino Interview (via Draft2Digital)The Bent Agency (Sam’s Agent Jenny Bent)Findaway VoicesBuy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Samantha M. Bailey is the author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, a USA TODAY and #1 national bestseller; her second novel, WATCH OUT FOR HER, was an instant #1 national bestseller. Her books have sold in eleven countries to date. Samantha is a journalist and freelance editor; her writing has appeared in NOW MAGAZINE, THE VILLAGE POST, THE THRILL BEGINS, and THE CRIME HUB, among other publications. She lives in Toronto, where she can usually be found tapping away at her computer or curled up on her couch with a book.

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 

Episode 274 – The 42 Minute Hour with Michelle Oucharek-Deo

Mark interviews Michelle Oucharek-Deo, a writer, speaker and art therapist about her fiction writing journey, creative therapy, and her time management philosophy of the 42 Minute Hour.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation, Mark and Michelle talk about:

How Michelle became an art therapist 28 years ago, working with people from 3 to 103 years oldUsing art and the process of art-making as a process for healingA memory from Grade One involving being in the library and dreaming of one day being a writerBeing a creative writing major in university and how that didn’t align with Michelle’s visionSitting down to do some writing in her mid-30s and then again in her 40s; then diving in to engage in fiction writingMichelle’s first fiction and how it relates back to her life as a therapistThe journey towards self-discovery and being accountable for one’s past and one’s traumaHer “Wine, Love, and Friendship” trilogyMichelle’s belief that there should be a “men’s fiction” genreThe benefit of writing about important and sensitive subjects within a fictional settingThe colleague of Michelle’s who read her first book and had it hit so close to home that she had to put the book aside for a while to process it in her mindAll the different types of creative and nature therapies that exist and which can cross-overMichelle’s thumbnail version of what art therapy is, as well as what it isn’tUsing the ceremony of the art-making and the experience as a way of allowing someone the opportunity to effectively “say goodbye” to a cherished family petThe 42 minute hour and how it relates to the tremendous amount of time so many of us seem to be “losing” latelyFinding and leveraging the time that exists as opposed to letting it sift awayMichelle’s 42 Minute Club on FacebookHow we all have different and unique tools in our own baskets.Advice Michelle has for dealing with writer’s block or being stuckAnd much more…

After the interview Mark reflects on the idea of lost time as well as the concept of the different tools that we all possess and the way they work for us at different times.

Links of Interest:

Michelle Oucharek-Deo WebsiteThe Girl in the Peach TreeBarefoot in the DirtUntangled VinesThe 42 Minute Club: Time With Intention (Facebook Group)EP 273 – Deep and Meaningful Music Connections with Jennifer BuchananFindaway Voices Blog – Merchandising Call for EntriesThe Canadian Mounted Spotify PlaylistThe Official Lover’s Moon Spotify PlaylistLover’s Moon Podcast (Spotify)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Michelle Oucharek-Deo is a writer, speaker and art therapist who has dedicated herself to living her life on the sparkly side of the street. She spent 28 years with a paintbrush in her hand walking with people through their emotional journeys.

Several years ago she stepped outside of the counseling office to create her first fictional series about a woman pushing past her fear and looking at who she really wants to become. During the process of Michelle’s emerging writing career, managing her counseling business and motherhood, she created a new and exciting way to manage her time.

Michelle looks forward to sharing stories about her fiction writing journey and how her time management philosophy of the 42 Minute Hour allowed her to lay the foundation to running two parallel careers, baking muffins for her son, planting her garden and still staying sane.

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 

Episode 273 – Deep and Meaningful Music Connections with Jennifer Buchanan

Mark interviews Jennifer Buchanan, a musician, author, entrepreneur, music therapist, and two-time award-winning author about her more than thirty years of experience helping people connect using music.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal reflective update and a word about this episode’s sponsor that’s also filled with a few reflections.

You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation, Mark and Jennifer talk about:

When Mark and Jennifer had last spoken and how much Jennifer enjoyed the conversationHow Jennifer has been a health entrepreneur who has been running her music therapy business for 31 yearsHer youngest client is 2 months old, and her eldest is 104Becoming an author and how that has been such a pleasureBeing passionate about music therapy and the good it can doReminding people of their innate humanness and the strengths that still exist inside themMark’s unique music-related connection with his best-friendThe reason why Jennifer has “written another book”Even though they can be short/small connections, music connections can be really meaningful and deep and lastingJennifer’s re-released children’s book (My Body is Special, Especially for Me) inspired by a group of children she had worked with and a song she wrote for themRemembering that a song is never just a song, and that a playlist is never just a playlistFinding out what your anchor songs areHow Jennifer’s Book Tune In was meant to be her first and last book on the topic of music therapy. But that she loved it so much she fell back in love with the topicThe importance of never underestimating luckListening to the clues given by your body and your healthGetting out and doing movement and weight trainingMissing just getting her guitar out and playing it and singingAnd much more…

After the interview Mark reflects on three different things that the conversation made him think about.

Links of Interest:

JB Music TherapyJennifer Buchanan WebsiteEP 151 – Wellness, Well Played with Jennifer BuchananThe Canadian Mounted Spotify PlaylistThe Official Lover’s Moon Spotify PlaylistLover’s Moon Podcast (Spotify)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Jennifer Buchanan first witnessed the power of music as a young teen when her Grandad had his second stroke leaving him unable to speak or walk and living in long term care. It was Granny who asked her the simple question…”Jenny would you bring your guitar next week and sing your Grandad’s favorite song?”

As she sang, Jennifer would witness the face of the grumpy old man she thought she knew, turn into the tears of a man who wanted a more meaningful connection.

Today Jennifer Buchanan is the Founder of JB Music Therapy (JBMT), a company that has been instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs throughout Canada for more than 30 years and has been thrice nominated for the Community Impact Award by her local Chamber of Commerce. JB Music Therapy employs a specialized team of 18 Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) serving infants to elders in medical, education and community wellness settings.

As the author of two award-winning books and the current Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists Jennifer is recognized as a trusted source for television and print media throughout North America on the topics of music, mental health and the power of a playlist.

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 

Episode 272 – Camouflaged Sisters with Lila Holley

Mark interviews Lila Holley, a US Army combat Veteran, and the multiple award-winning author behind the Camouflaged Sisters brand.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation, Mark and Lila talk about:

Lila’s life of more than two decades in the army, then transitioning into creating a platform allowing veteran women to share their storiesTrying to find her place in high school, but enjoying writing and getting excellent feedback and encouragement from a teacherThe difficulty of the transition of leaving the military and then re-creating that civilian lifeReturning to journalling as an outlet in that transitionSharing her experiences in order to help other veteransRealizing how important to would be to help so many others share their own storiesHow Lila works with veterans to help them share their experiences, reminding them that everyone has a storyThe way Lila’s first book eventually lead to an entire Camouflaged Sisters movementThe themes of the three different Camouflaged sisters books as well as the behind-the-rank seriesBeing the only female and the only black person in the room for parts of her career in the military serviceFeeling like she had to work longer hours and keep proving herself, and how that pressure can often come from an internal placeThe equal pay nature of the military serviceSharing your ugly truth and the lessons learnedHow the military is a reflection of societyThe importance of not feeling aloneThe online community of Camouflaged Sisters and how people can be a part of itInvolvement of military family perspectives that are included in the community, the stories, and the booksThe monthly safe space sisterhood chat that focuses on self-careWhy Lila decided to work towards her Masters in PublishingAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on the power of writing, the power of story, of sharing one’s story, of helping others share their story, and of ensuring that people realize they are not alone.

Links of Interest:

Camouflaged Sisters WebsiteEP 271 – Story Nerd Podcast with Valerie Francis and Melanie HillEP 268 – Neurodivergence and the Creative Process with October K. SanterelliDraft2Digital Blog Post on Industry Insights for Q1 & Q2 of 2022The Official LOVER’S MOON Spotify PlaylistLover’s Moon Podcast (Spotify)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Lila Holley is a US Army combat Veteran. She is the multiple award-winning, Amazon bestselling visionary author behind the Camouflaged Sisters brand. This retired US Army Warrant Officer has published 9 total books, including 8 anthology books with 143 coauthors and has additional projects scheduled with the launch of her Camouflaged Sisters Publishing company.

Camouflaged Sisters empowers military women and women Veterans to take back the narrative and ownership of their stories. Lila believes there is no one better to tell these stories than those who lived them. She is creating an amazing platform that celebrates military women and women Veterans with her online community, virtual and live events, retreats and getaways, and workshops. Through this community military women connect with each other, access resources, and share their stories. Camouflaged Sisters is more than just books—it’s a movement!

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 

Episode 271 – Story Nerd Podcast with Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill

Mark interviews Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill of the Story Nerd Podcast. The Story Nerd Podcast demystifies story theory so writers spend less time studying and more time writing. Literary editors and writers, Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill, analyze a film a week as an example of a storytelling principle.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

In their conversation, Mark, Valerie, and Melanie talk about:

How long it took for the three of them to coordinate the interview (2 months) and a bit of banter about time zones and Melanie being so further in the “future” than Valerie and MarkMark’s nerding out on how the Y2K bug wasn’t solved, it was just pushed back to 2050Mal’s background as a poet and her passion for writing poetry and how much passion could be conveyed in such a “small” pieceLoving poetry that has artwork or imagery with itThe real art that is involved in writing books that engage childrenThe point at which Valerie’s day job got on her nerves enough and how she’d always enjoyed being creative via music and writingKeeping track of how many words Valerie had written for and discarded from her novel ImmortalHow Valerie and Melanie metApplying story theory to their own manuscriptsBeing an extrovert in an introvert’s jobLearning something new with every single episode they produceDoing things that are a bit fearful so that you can grow and improveHow their “hourly” recording session usually takes 3 hours because they’re having so much fun and such insightful story discussionIt doesn’t matter what genre one writes in, one can learn from reading all genresHow the concepts that they talk about on the podcast that relate to film can be applied to novel writing, because the story structure elements are all the sameComparing walking, running, and running a marathon to the various steps on the writer journeyThe way the podcast is broken down into seasons and the themes they are exploringAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on how Valerie and Melanie make story theory so easy by providing clear examples in a way that’s easy and fun to digest, and recommends listeners go check out an episode or two starting with movies they’re familiar with.

Links of Interest:

Story Nerd PodcastEP 213 – Putting Story Theory Into Practice with Valerie FrancisEP 104 – Living the Writing & Editing Life with Valerie FrancisEP 270 – Reflections from the NINC 2022 ConferenceEP 269 – Dreaming a Writer’s Dream Straight on Until Morning with Gama Ray MartinezEP 268 – Neurodivergence and the Creative Process with October K. SanterelliEP 266 – “Let’s Talk Dialogue with Jeff Elkins,” He Said ReflectivelyEP 263 – Terry Brooks and Susanna Kearsley When Words Collide KeynotesThe Official LOVER’S MOON Spotify PlaylistLover’s Moon Podcast (Spotify)Thrifty Tips for Authors (Facebook Group)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Valerie Francis is a writer and Certified Story Grid Editor who has studied with Robert McKee, Lisa Cron and many others. As a bona fide story nerd, Valerie has been studying stories every day since May 2017 and loves to share what she’s learned with editing clients and members of her Inner Circle. She has previously co-hosted two other writing-related podcasts, namely the Story Grid Editor Roundtable and the Story Grid Writers’ Room.  

Based in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, Valerie is currently working on her third novel. She has previously published a middle grade fantasy and an open-door romance, but this time, she’s working on a vampire thriller.  

Melanie Hill is an author, poet, Certified Story Grid Editor and member of the Institute of Professional Editors. She’s originally from Launceston, Tasmania but now lives in Brisbane, Queensland. When Melanie isn’t writing or editing, she cat-wrangles four school-aged children with her husband.  

She’s currently working on her own middle grade performance story, writing a haiku a day to practice precision word choice, and she has the first draft of a spy thriller novel waiting in the wings.  

Melanie has a passion for middle grade and young adult stories, spy stories, fairy tales, and she is rapidly developing a fondness for master detective novels. She combines her skills from a career as a logistics planner with story theory to help authors identified and solve plot problems. 

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 

Episode 270 – Reflections from the NINC 2022 Conference

This year’s NINC (Novelist’s Inc) Conference was themed “Work Smarter.” Mark shares reflections based on the notes he took when at NINC the previous week (Sept 19 thru 25).

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

Links of Interest:

NINCNINC Author Membership RequirementsAbout the NINC ConferenceEP 28 – Reflections on the Power of MomentsThe Official LOVER’S MOON Spotify PlaylistLover’s Moon Podcast (Spotify)Thrifty Tips for Authors (Facebook Group)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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 

Episode 269 – Dreaming a Writer’s Reality Straight on Until Morning with Gama Ray Martinez

Mark interviews Gama Ray Martinez about his recent novel GOD OF NEVERLAND, his writing life, and more.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation Mark and Gama talk about:

How Mark and Gama normally only see one another once per year at Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado in Feb each yearGama always wanting to be a writer, and in school turning in stories instead of descriptive essaysThe first story that Gama sold, which won 2nd place in a David Farland anthologyTaking several of David Farland’s workshopsWriting a “purple unicorn” story involving a potato based on a parody cover James A. Owen had craftedThe background of the “purple unicorn” storyValue that can come, both professionally and personally, from attending in person conferences like Superstars Writing SeminarsThe inspiration for writing God of Neverland which came from the epilogue of the original story of Peter PanEmbracing both traditional publishing and indie publishingHaving support from both family and close friendsThe audiobook version, which took home an audio awardThe forthcoming sequel, Queens of Wonderland, which ties in to the classic Lewis Carroll bookThe GamaVerse of this series and how it will connect even more classic textsWriting with something on the TV in the background, but it having to be something that he has seen countless timesAdvice Gama would offer to other writers and beginning writersHow Gama shoots for one plot point per 1000 words when greating a rough outline for a writing projectGama’s goal to do a half-marathon in every state, and the Disney marathons he has participated inThe feeling of walking into a bookstore such as Barnes and Noble and seeing your books on displayAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on the years of hard work and investment Gama put into his writing to get to where he is today and the important of getting that first draft DONE.

Links of Interest:

Gama Ray Martinez WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramBuy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Gama Ray Martinez lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and kids. He moved there solely because he likes mountains. He collects weapons in case he ever needs to supply a medieval battalion, and he greatly resents when work or other real-life things get in the way of writing. He secretly hopes to one day slay a dragon in single combat and doesn’t believe in letting pesky little things like reality stand in the way of dreams.

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 

Episode 268 – Neurodivergence and the Creative Process with October K. Santerelli

Mark interviews October K. Santerelli about neurodivergence as it relates to the writing life.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, and 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.

During their conversation Mark and October talk about:

October’s start with writing during a 7th Grade poetry unit project receiving an A+Dedicating his first book to that teacher who was so inspiring and supportiveGetting a publishing deal offer at the age of sixteenDoing a lot of fantasy writing (that got finished) as well as Queer fiction (that never got finished)- Loving the act of “spite writing”The terms of Neurotypical, Neurodivergent, and their understanding within the writer’s lifeHow ADHD and Autism spectrum can have really powerful effects on your writing careerThe way that many of the “rules” for writers don’t align with a brain that isn’t neurotypicalGiving a general guideline on how something might feel – ie, the results rather than the strict processesOctober creating mini “celebrations” to accompany completely particular small victoriesShowing how he re-frames some of the standard bits of advice that work well for himThe useful and valuable tool of doing writing sprints and how it creates a short and very immediate deadlineAnd more…

After the interview Mark shares a few reflections and reminds authors that not all “how to” and recommended processes are a “fit all” option. Adaptation into one’s own manners and systems is important.

Links of Interest:

October K. Santerelli WebsiteOctober on TikTokOctober’s Course on Neurodiversity for CreativesBuy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonHex and the CityThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

October K Santerelli is a fantasy author from the mountains of Denver, Colorado, USA. He is an LGBTQ+ writer and sensitivity reader, as well as a public speaker on disability, neurodivergency, and Own Voices writing in the publishing industry.

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 

Episode 267 – Why Publishing Needs a Makeover with Rebecca Eckler

Mark interviews Rebecca Eckler, journalist, bestselling author and the founder of RE: Books.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, reads listener comments, and announces the patron winner of the Dialogue Doctor Masterclass.

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 Rebecca talk about about:

The concept of retirement when it relates to writingFeeling “done” after publishing 10 books with the big publishing housesThe concept of helping younger aspiring female authorsHaters being a person’s best motivatorWhile Rebecca believes that publishing needs a makeoverSpending an afternoon outside a bookstore in order to better understand why people purchased the books they picked up that dayThe pathetically low average advances that are being offered by publishers and how Rebecca is using a different modelThe features that Rebecca includes on her blog/newsletterRebecca’s focus on wanting to help prop up Canadian female authorsHosting the annual #writeaway summer contestHow most traditional publishers do all the work preparing a book but only publicize a handful of their booksAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on Rebecca’s focus on readers and propping up Canadian female authors, and the fixin’ that is needed in the publishing industry.

Links of Interest:

Rebecca’s WebsiteRebecca – FacebookRebecca – TwitterThe Dialogue DoctorSept 10, 2022 – Dialogue MasterClassEP 266 – “Let’s Talk Dialogue With Jeff Elkins,” He Said ReflectivelyEP 262 – Rambling Hometown ReflectionsBuy Mark a CoffeeSell More Books Show – EP 439 (Mark as guest co-host)Patreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

In addition to being one of Canada’s most well-known journalists, Rebecca Eckler is an international bestselling author. She’s penned 10 books, including the famous Knocked Up: Confessions of a Hip Mother-to-Be, Wiped! Life with a Pint-Sized Dictator, Toddlers Gone Wild, How to Raise a Boyfriend, Mommy Mob, and her most recent success, Blissfully Blended Bullsh*t.

Eckler lives in Toronto with her two kids: Rowan and Holt. When she’s not writing or working on re:books, you can find her sharing her brutally honest opinions on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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 

Episode 266 – “Let’s Talk Dialogue with Jeff Elkins,” He Said Reflectively”

Mark has a conversation with Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor.

Prior to the main segment, Mark explains his goof-up that led to releasing this particular episode and then shares a few words about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation Mark and Jeff speak, chat, discuss, converse, reflect, consider, chew on, and talk about about:

How a book that is 160 K can read like it’s so much shorter because it’s 95% dialogueRemembering that dialogue is just another tool that we, as writers can use – and how can it help impact the emotional resonance of your storyThe distance skyline of NYC versus the details of a narrow street as a parallel for two types of writing (prose and dialogue)The energy-building dialogue of Aaron Sorkin in shows like The West WingDialogue in action scenesThe love/hate relationship writers can have with dialogue tagsAnd more…

After the interview Mark reflects on one of the things he is going to try in his own writing to help improve his dialogue.

Links of Interest:

Jeff Elkins’ WebsiteThe Dialogue DoctorSept 10, 2022 – Dialogue MasterClassDraft2Digital LIVE (Self-Publishing Insiders) – Sept 1, 2022 – The Dialogue Doctor with Jeff Elkins (FULL INTERVIEW)Episode 157 – A Conversation with Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue DoctorEpisode 172 – Understanding and Navigating GenderEpisode 226 – Reflective Round Table December 2021Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Jeff Elkins writes stories about outsiders who fight for outcasts, rejects, and the oppressed. He is the author of more than ten novels, a Certified Three Story Method Editor, and the host of the Dialogue Doctor podcast. During the day, he leads the writing team for a training company that simulates difficult conversations. He lives north of Baltimore, Maryland with his wife of twenty-years and his five 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