Mark Leslie Lefebvre's Blog, page 31
July 2, 2020
Episode 141 – Homemade Game Guru Luanga ‘Lue’ Nuwame
Mark interviews Luanga Nuwame (or Lue, as most of his friends affectionately know him), a 43-year old Canadian comic book publisher and writer, YouTube cardboard craft artist, board game developer, and author.
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Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, reveals the Patreon winner of a “story stuck” consultation with Clark Chamberlain, and shares a personal update including the creation of a short Cheers parody called Mark’s Tavern.
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 discussion, Mark and Lue talk about:
How writing was a great outlet for Lue, particularly when he was younger, suffered from depression, didn’t know how else to emoteThe joy of being able to escape into fantasy by creating different storiesHow Silver Surfer #4 was what started Lue’s love of comic books as a medium that could be truly appreciated on multiple levelsLue’s Paper, Rock, Scissors comic book and how playing the game with someone from Mongolia inspired Lue that it was a universal game that transcended language and cultureWondering what might happen if Paper, Rock, and Scissors were given human attributes and the story was set in spaceComing up with how paper could defeat rock – it’s obvious, rocks are claustrophobicHow Lue found artist collaborators to work with who illustrated his comic booksGetting into YouTube in 2008 and then discovering what could be done with cardboard crafting, and the accompanying videos showing how to make these craftsCreating a modular board game of huge octagons that can fill the entire living room and yet still stack and be tucked away when not in useThe “Beautiful Canada” collectible series that Lue created celebrating the uniqueness of each provinceHow Lue makes all of his unique cardboard crafts by handThe way that Lue learned how to interact with people when at his author/artist tableThe sense of community and networking that happens at these in person events, not just with the general public, but with fellow writers and artistsThe difficulty Lue has been facing with the recent loss of in person events due to the global pandemicLue’s book The Cardboard Bible where he provides designs and templates to help others with their own cardboard creationsAnd so much more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on how Lue learned and developed from a past failure, and also how he has adapted and innovated with cardboard in a unique and inspiring way that writers can learn from.
Links of Interest:
Lue’s WebsiteLue’s YouTube ChannelLue’s Amazon Author PageThe Cardboard BibleEpisode 140 – Writing Your Memoir with Rachael HerronMark’s Tavern (A Cheers Parody)Mark’s Stupid Dad Joke Short Film “The Things We Miss Most”Night Cries (Audio Book)Findaway VoicesStory Stuck ConsulationUp, Up, And Away Superhero StorybundlePatreon for Stark Reflections
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Luanga Nuwame (or Lue, as most of his friends affectionately know him), is a 43-year old Canadian comic book publisher and writer, YouTube cardboard craft artist, board game developer, and author.
Residing in Mississauga, Ontario, Nuwame operates the Homemade Game Guru YouTube channel to showcase his love for making all sorts of crazy creations out of cardboard. Be it furniture, exercise equipment, geek crafts, or swimming pools, there is no limit to what Nuwame can make out of cardboard. Nuwame’s past cardboard designs have been featured on CBC News, CTV News, Make Magazine, The Toronto Star, Global News and Readers Digest. He achieved a world’s record from The World’s Record Academy in 2009 for the ‘World’s Largest Board Game Made by One Person’.
Nuwame is also the founder of Zelpha Comics (named after his grandmother) and he acts as the principal writer and letterer for all published issues. He created the series Paper Rock Scissors N’ Stuff Wars (the classic hand game brought to life on a distant planet), Enter the World of Mephistopheles (a new horror series) and The Adventures of Little Petalianne (a children’s comic series).
Beyond comics, Nuwame is a self-published author of a wide range of books. His novels include The Fantabulously Awesome Life of a Charity Donation Truck Driver (an expose on the clothing donation business), The Boy With Zero Self-Esteem (a memoir about his past battles with depression and loneliness), Hi, My Name is Karma (a short story ‘thriller’), Smoking a ‘J’ With Jesus (religious criticisms), and multiple The Adventures of Little Petalianne children’s books.
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 Luanga Nuwame (or Lue, as most of his fri...
Mark interviews Luanga Nuwame (or Lue, as most of his friends affectionately know him), a 43-year old Canadian comic book publisher and writer, YouTube cardboard craft artist, board game developer, and author.
[image error]
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, reveals the Patreon winner of a “story stuck” consultation with Clark Chamberlain, and shares a personal update including the creation of a short Cheers parody called Mark’s Tavern.
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 discussion, Mark and Lue talk about:
How writing was a great outlet for Lue, particularly when he was younger, suffered from depression, didn’t know how else to emoteThe joy of being able to escape into fantasy by creating different storiesHow Silver Surfer #4 was what started Lue’s love of comic books as a medium that could be truly appreciated on multiple levelsLue’s Paper, Rock, Scissors comic book and how playing the game with someone from Mongolia inspired Lue that it was a universal game that transcended language and cultureWondering what might happen if Paper, Rock, and Scissors were given human attributes and the story was set in spaceComing up with how paper could defeat rock – it’s obvious, rocks are claustrophobicHow Lue found artist collaborators to work with who illustrated his comic booksGetting into YouTube in 2008 and then discovering what could be done with cardboard crafting, and the accompanying videos showing how to make these craftsCreating a modular board game of huge octagons that can fill the entire living room and yet still stack and be tucked away when not in useThe “Beautiful Canada” collectible series that Lue created celebrating the uniqueness of each provinceHow Lue makes all of his unique cardboard crafts by handThe way that Lue learned how to interact with people when at his author/artist tableThe sense of community and networking that happens at these in person events, not just with the general public, but with fellow writers and artistsThe difficulty Lue has been facing with the recent loss of in person events due to the global pandemicLue’s book The Cardboard Bible where he provides designs and templates to help others with their own cardboard creationsAnd so much more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on how Lue learned and developed from a past failure, and also how he has adapted and innovated with cardboard in a unique and inspiring way that writers can learn from.
Links of Interest:
Lue’s WebsiteLue’s YouTube ChannelLue’s Amazon Author PageThe Cardboard BibleEpisode 140 – Writing Your Memoir with Rachael HerronMark’s Tavern (A Cheers Parody)Mark’s Stupid Dad Joke Short Film “The Things We Miss Most”Night Cries (Audio Book)Findaway VoicesStory Stuck ConsulationUp, Up, And Away Superhero StorybundlePatreon for Stark Reflections
[image error]
Luanga Nuwame (or Lue, as most of his friends affectionately know him), is a 43-year old Canadian comic book publisher and writer, YouTube cardboard craft artist, board game developer, and author.
Residing in Mississauga, Ontario, Nuwame operates the Homemade Game Guru YouTube channel to showcase his love for making all sorts of crazy creations out of cardboard. Be it furniture, exercise equipment, geek crafts, or swimming pools, there is no limit to what Nuwame can make out of cardboard. Nuwame’s past cardboard designs have been featured on CBC News, CTV News, Make Magazine, The Toronto Star, Global News and Readers Digest. He achieved a world’s record from The World’s Record Academy in 2009 for the ‘World’s Largest Board Game Made by One Person’.
Nuwame is also the founder of Zelpha Comics (named after his grandmother) and he acts as the principal writer and letterer for all published issues. He created the series Paper Rock Scissors N’ Stuff Wars (the classic hand game brought to life on a distant planet), Enter the World of Mephistopheles (a new horror series) and The Adventures of Little Petalianne (a children’s comic series).
Beyond comics, Nuwame is a self-published author of a wide range of books. His novels include The Fantabulously Awesome Life of a Charity Donation Truck Driver (an expose on the clothing donation business), The Boy With Zero Self-Esteem (a memoir about his past battles with depression and loneliness), Hi, My Name is Karma (a short story ‘thriller’), Smoking a ‘J’ With Jesus (religious criticisms), and multiple The Adventures of Little Petalianne children’s books.
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
June 26, 2020
Episode 140 – Rachael Herron on Writing Your Memoir
In this episode Mark interviews Rachael Herron about her writing, her multiple pseudonyms, being a hybrid author, and writing memoirs.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares some comments from recent episodes and via Twitter, some information about an offer the Clark Chamberlain has for his Story Stuck Consultation, and a personal update.
He also thanks new patron Johanna Rothman as well as all existing patrons for the podcast, and lets his patrons know that they were automatically entered in a chance to win a story stuck consultation from Clark.
In their conversation, Mark and Rachael discuss:
The thought that being a writer is like having homework for the rest of your lifeRachael’s thriller (Hush Little Baby) that she just turned into her editor at Penguin Random House and which comes out in May 2021Getting over the “who cares” issues she was having working on this novel in the middle of a global pandemic and a world-wide drive to end systemic racism by recognizing that it’s okay to delve deep into a focused project like thisHow willpower can be a finite, exhaustible resourceHow a good writer can take people out of their normal world and the feeling when a reader reaches out to let Rachael know that her book has moved them or helped themThe feeling when you’re reading a book that the person who wrote it “just gets you”The value of feeling seen and heard, of community, and of responding to reader emailsBeing involved in blogging from the early days, and the connections that can come out of thatThe fact that, despite appearing to share everything socially and on blogs, podcasts, etc, the content is actually curated – but that it’s still authenticRachael’s book “Fast Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours”The importance of recognizing that there are plenty of people who want to write a memoir but who don’t want to writersHow there are so many genres within memoirOne of the principal tenants of a good memoir – in that you treat yourself more critically than anyone else, and that you give and show grace to anyone who might have done you wrongHow when you write about the most uncomfortable things how people really lean in to listenHow Rachael’s book “Letters to New Authors” is based on a series of emails she created to encourage other writersBeing a fully hybrid author, and the mental shift involved when Rachael moves between traditional and indie publishingHow not having control of little things can drive Rachael crazy with some of her booksHow Rachael’s books, both, traditionally published and indie published, tend to sell better in eBook formatThe advice that Rachael would give to her younger selfIra Glass’s theory of “the gap”And so much more . . .
After the interview Mark reflects on writing about uncomfortable things.
Links of Interest:
Rachael Herron’s WebsiteRachael’s Resources for Writers (Including a weekly encouragement newsletter)Rachael’s Essays on the Creative Life (Patreon)Rachael’s Podcasts:How Do You Write?The Writer’s WellRachael interviewed by Mark on the Draft2Digital SpotlightThe Writer’s Well EP 178 – If You Couldn’t Write Books, How Would You Be Creative? (Mark guest co-host)Episode 137 – Dreaming, Singing, and Moving People with Ashley JoanisseEpisode 138 – Cash Flow for Creators with Michael W. LucasMark’s Stupid Dad Joke Short Film “The Things We Miss Most”Public Lending Right Program CanadaPublic Lending Right InternationalStory Stuck ConsulationUp, Up, And Away Superhero StorybundlePatreon for Stark Reflections
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Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thrillers (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing.
She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she teaches writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. She is a proud member of the NaNoWriMo Writer’s Board and is the host and co-host of two awesome podcasts for writers.
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
June 18, 2020
Episode 139 – Dreaming, Singing, and Moving People with Ashley Joanisse
Mark interviews Ashley Joanisse, a Canadian Country Singer-Songwriter who writes songs about politics, love, and life.
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Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcomes new patron Krista D. Ball, thanks patrons, and reads a word from this episode’s sponsor, 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 his personal update, Mark shares a new StoryBundle that he is a part of, which launched on June 18, 2020, as well as a pair of videos he recently released focusing on how to pronounce his last name.
In their conversation, Ashley and Mark talk about:
Where Ashley’s love of music first startedThe fact that Ashley always payed close attention to the lyrics of the songs she listened toThe strong desire to write her own music rather than cover someone else’s songsThe little journey that Ashley kept since she was about thirteen years old, constantly jotting down poems, notes, song lyrics, and other things that inspired herWriting a chorus that might stay in the journal for several years before the lyrics for the rest of the song came to herAshley’s introduction to music in the 8th grade, and first learning how to play chords on the guitarPlaying by ear – she has not yet learned how to read musicThe first guitar class Ashley was in where the instructor laid out a rule that nobody was allowed to play “Smoke on the Water”The very first song that Ashley nailed, which was “Outsider” by Taylor SwiftHow Mark learned about Ashley when she was putting out a collaborative call for people to submit video clips for a forthcoming video releaseAshley’s first single, “Hey Bartender!”
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How the song reminds Mark of a classic tune like “Piano Man” from Billy JoelThe way that the music video was partially inspired by the clips Ashley received from friends and strangersHow “Hey Bartender” was written and recorded two years ago and was produced about one year previously and the depression and circumstances that delayed the releaseThe way that the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic inspired her out of the funk she had been stuck withinThe logistics of how Ashley created the video for “Hey Bartender” completely on her ownHow Ashley pulled off a video where she played two different characters (bartender and patron) in the same shot (and the way she learned how to do it)The difficulty for an artist when you put something out and you get virtually no response to the effort (something that is common for writers, musicians and other artists)(A little mix up where Mark’s Google device starts playing a song)Ashley’s latest song, titled “American Dream” which is a song inspired by tweets from the 45h president of the United States
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How this song allows her to express something she feels so intensely and how listening to the song can perhaps help others who feel the same wayThe way that “American Dream” is like the Arkells song “People’s Champ” in that it’s a powerful and catchy song, but there’s an underlying meaning that some listeners might not actually pick up onHow Ashley felt so strongly about releasing this song that she went out and bought professional equipment to produce itThe mechanics of how Ashley recorded the song and produced the video for “American Dream”Why it’s important to actually sing instead of lip syncing when you’re trying to lip sync to an audio track for a music videoMark’s impression of how bad the lip syncing on Grease 2 wasThe way that feedback from her two recent releases has further inspired her to want to continue to write and record more songsThe irony of two negative things (a global pandemic and a narcissistic president who feeds on ignorance, fear, and lies) that inspired art, and got Ashley out of the depression she had been inWhy Taylor Swift is a major influence on AshleyThe advice that Ashley would give to her younger selfAnd more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on two of the things Ashley spoke about. The idea that if you stop, you’ll never ever write that song that might move people, and how writing and music is a way to allow people to have a voice, to say things they are thinking and feeling about, which can empower writers/musicians and readers/listeners.
Links of Interest:
Ashley JoanisseFacebook PageTwitterInstagramYouTubeHey Bartender Music VideoAmerican Dream Music VideoEpisode 138 – Cash Flow for Creators with Michael W. LucasMark’s Recent VideosHow to Pronounce LefebvreYou Call Me Fever Music Video (Parody of Fever)Up, Up, And Away Superhero StorybundlePatreon for Stark Reflections
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Ashley Joanisse is a Canadian Country Singer-Songwriter who writes songs about politics, love, and life. She is an activist for human rights, and feels that we need to take a stand against hate and injustice anytime we can!
Ashley has always had an interest in music since she was a little girl and her passions remain music and writing. Ashley grew up in Mattawa, Ontario a very small that helped her to become who she is today; just a small town girl living in a lonely world.
The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
June 12, 2020
Episode 138 – Cash Flow for Creators with Michael W. Lucas
In this episode, Mark interviews Michael W. Lucas about he books he has written which range range from crime and SF thrillers to arcane tomes on how to build your own Verizon. They also chat quite a bit about Michael’s latest book: Cash Flow for Creators.
[image error]Mark and Michael – Vegas, Feb 2020
In the opening of the episode, Mark shares some comments from recent episodes, as well as a word from this episode’s sponsor, Findaway Voices.
[image error]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.
Immediately prior to the interview Mark shares a personal update about his recent appearance on the overnight radio program Coast to Coast with George Noory, and all the positive results that came from that.
In their conversation, Michael and Mark talk about:
How writing for Michael started when he was about 4 and realized that books were created by human beings and this was something people could grow up to doThe evolution of getting to full time writer via rejection notices, selling more and more things, and working on the craftMichael’s start in writing writing for table top gamesThe styles of fiction that Michael writes and where his heart is in writingThe many “what ifs” that Michael enjoys, such as “What if there were Orcs in 1927 Detroit running booze across the border?”What happened to make leaving the full-time role as a writer possible, which involved a lot of watchingMichael’s new book for writers called CALL FLOW FOR CREATORS and why it was written out of self-defenseThe reality that making a living is about cashflowHow evening out cashflow helps reduce the highs and lows of the typical cycle of a writer’s incomeThe importance of looking at one’s lifestyle, where they live, how they want to live, when making decisions regarding the amount of money they need to make, the expenses they are willing to live with, etcThe special editions that Michael does of some of his books, made specifically for his readersHow, if you can do something special that speaks to your people, how Michael would encourage you to give it a tryThe way that Michael does his crowd-funding a little differently, using disintermediation, rather than using IndieGoGo or KickstarterHow not only are all of Michael’s books published wide everywhere, but that they are all also available for sale directThe sponsorships that Michael does that includes surprises, such as a gift he will send you upon the book’s publicationAnd more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on a few things that Michael spoke about, including when you know your fans, you can feed them the right things that they value, and how people will support you and they WANT you to succeed – if you treat your readers well.
Mark then shares details about how listeners can win a copy of Michael’s book Cashflow for Creators.
Links of Interest:
Michael’s WebsiteCashflow for CreatorsEpisode 137 – Action Sequences and Sex Scenes with Joshua EssoeJoshua’s Kickstarter Project: Essoe’s Guide to Writing: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes!Coast to Coast AM with George Noory (June 5, 2020)Submissions for Demonic Dolls, Screaming Skulls, and other Haunted ObjectsSubmissions for Weird WaterlooPatreon for Stark Reflections
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Michael W Lucas is a full-time writer who has written 30-odd books, ranging from crime and SF thrillers to arcane tomes on how to build your own Verizon.
His latest book is “Cash Flow for Creators.” He lives in Detroit, Michigan.
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
EP 138 – Cash Flow for Creators with Michael W. Lucas
In this episode, Mark interviews Michael W. Lucas about he books he has written which range range from crime and SF thrillers to arcane tomes on how to build your own Verizon. They also chat quite a bit about Michael’s latest book: Cash Flow for Creators.
[image error]Mark and Michael – Vegas, Feb 2020
In the opening of the episode, Mark shares some comments from recent episodes, as well as a word from this episode’s sponsor, Findaway Voices.
[image error]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.
Immediately prior to the interview Mark shares a personal update about his recent appearance on the overnight radio program Coast to Coast with George Noory, and all the positive results that came from that.
In their conversation, Michael and Mark talk about:
How writing for Michael started when he was about 4 and realized that books were created by human beings and this was something people could grow up to doThe evolution of getting to full time writer via rejection notices, selling more and more things, and working on the craftMichael’s start in writing writing for table top gamesThe styles of fiction that Michael writes and where his heart is in writingThe many “what ifs” that Michael enjoys, such as “What if there were Orcs in 1927 Detroit running booze across the border?”What happened to make leaving the full-time role as a writer possible, which involved a lot of watchingMichael’s new book for writers called CALL FLOW FOR CREATORS and why it was written out of self-defenseThe reality that making a living is about cashflowHow evening out cashflow helps reduce the highs and lows of the typical cycle of a writer’s incomeThe importance of looking at one’s lifestyle, where they live, how they want to live, when making decisions regarding the amount of money they need to make, the expenses they are willing to live with, etcThe special editions that Michael does of some of his books, made specifically for his readersHow, if you can do something special that speaks to your people, how Michael would encourage you to give it a tryThe way that Michael does his crowd-funding a little differently, using disintermediation, rather than using IndieGoGo or KickstarterHow not only are all of Michael’s books published wide everywhere, but that they are all also available for sale directThe sponsorships that Michael does that includes surprises, such as a gift he will send you upon the book’s publicationAnd more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on a few things that Michael spoke about, including when you know your fans, you can feed them the right things that they value, and how people will support you and they WANT you to succeed – if you treat your readers well.
Mark then shares details about how listeners can win a copy of Michael’s book Cashflow for Creators.
Links of Interest:
Michael’s WebsiteCashflow for CreatorsEpisode 137 – Action Sequences and Sex Scenes with Joshua EssoeJoshua’s Kickstarter Project: Essoe’s Guide to Writing: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes!Coast to Coast AM with George Noory (June 5, 2020)Submissions for Demonic Dolls, Screaming Skulls, and other Haunted ObjectsSubmissions for Weird WaterlooPatreon for Stark Reflections
[image error]
Michael W Lucas is a full-time writer who has written 30-odd books, ranging from crime and SF thrillers to arcane tomes on how to build your own Verizon.
His latest book is “Cash Flow for Creators.” He lives in Detroit, Michigan.
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
June 4, 2020
Episode 137 – Action Sequences & Sex Scenes with Joshua Essoe
Mark interviews editor Joshua Essoe who has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, as well as numerous Writers of the Future winners, and USA Today bestsellers.
Prior to the interview, Mark reads some comments from recent episodes, reveals the winner of Sacha Black’s Anatomy of Prose and says a word about this episode’s sponsors, the patrons of the podcast.
Mark also shares a person update that includes:
Work being done on his Canadian Werewolf series of booksA new non-fiction writing project he will be releasing in the Fall of 2020: Wide for the Win
In their conversation, Mark and Joshua talk about:
How, 11 years ago, Joshua accidentally fell into the role of editorJoshua’s previous role as an old book restorerBeing a book nerd since Joshua was 7 years oldAsking Brandon Sanderson to read one of his stories and the generous and constructive feedback he was offeredAdvice from Superstars Writing Seminars that led Joshua to deciding to take on a new challenge, editing a fellow author’s fantasy novelSetting a goal of editing one of David Farland’s novelsThe difference between restoring old books and working as an editorThe genres that Joshua specializes in as an editor (science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction)The importance of aligning your writing and your goals with the right editorThe new book project Joshua is releasing and how he is launching it using KickstarterThe first book: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes and why Joshua is releasing that one firstAnd more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on the huge success Joshua saw on his Kickstarter project within the first 6 hours and first four days and a quote from the artist James A. Owen, who designed his new non-fiction books.
Links of Interest:
Joshua Essoe’s WebsiteJoshua’s Kickstarter Project: Essoe’s Guide to Writing: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes!Another recent interview Mark did with Joshua (for Draft2Digital Spotlight)Episode 133 – Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha BlackEpisode 135 – Creative Collaborations in FerroCity with Joe ScacciaferroCareer Author SummitPatreon for Stark Reflections
Joshua Essoe has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, including the multi-award-winning novel, Nightingale. He’s also edited for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, former director at Kobo, numerous Writers of the Future winners, USA Today bestsellers, and many other top-notch independents.
He was lead editor at Urban Fantasy Magazine from 2014-2015. From 2012-2015 he recorded the weekly writing podcast Hide and Create with co-hosts Michael J. Sullivan, Diana Rowland, Jay Wells, and Debbie Viguie.
You can find Joshua teaching about pitches, back cover copy, and editing every year at the Superstars Writing Seminars in CO. His approach to editing is to help you make your story the best version of itself it can be.
Joshua is also a writer. He was a 2014 finalist in the Writers of the Future contest, and is in the process of releasing his first in a series of non-fiction books on editing for writers.
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
EP 137 – Action Sequences & Sex Scenes with Joshua Essoe
Mark interviews editor Joshua Essoe who has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, as well as numerous Writers of the Future winners, and USA Today bestsellers.
Prior to the interview, Mark reads some comments from recent episodes, reveals the winner of Sacha Black’s Anatomy of Prose and says a word about this episode’s sponsors, the patrons of the podcast.
Mark also shares a person update that includes:
Work being done on his Canadian Werewolf series of booksA new non-fiction writing project he will be releasing in the Fall of 2020: Wide for the Win
In their conversation, Mark and Joshua talk about:
How, 11 years ago, Joshua accidentally fell into the role of editorJoshua’s previous role as an old book restorerBeing a book nerd since Joshua was 7 years oldAsking Brandon Sanderson to read one of his stories and the generous and constructive feedback he was offeredAdvice from Superstars Writing Seminars that led Joshua to deciding to take on a new challenge, editing a fellow author’s fantasy novelSetting a goal of editing one of David Farland’s novelsThe difference between restoring old books and working as an editorThe genres that Joshua specializes in as an editor (science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction)The importance of aligning your writing and your goals with the right editorThe new book project Joshua is releasing and how he is launching it using KickstarterThe first book: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes and why Joshua is releasing that one firstAnd more . . .
After the interview, Mark reflects on the huge success Joshua saw on his Kickstarter project within the first 6 hours and first four days and a quote from the artist James A. Owen, who designed his new non-fiction books.
Links of Interest:
Joshua Essoe’s WebsiteJoshua’s Kickstarter Project: Essoe’s Guide to Writing: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes!Another recent interview Mark did with Joshua (for Draft2Digital Spotlight)Episode 133 – Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha BlackEpisode 135 – Creative Collaborations in FerroCity with Joe ScacciaferroCareer Author SummitPatreon for Stark Reflections
Joshua Essoe has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, including the multi-award-winning novel, Nightingale. He’s also edited for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, former director at Kobo, numerous Writers of the Future winners, USA Today bestsellers, and many other top-notch independents.
He was lead editor at Urban Fantasy Magazine from 2014-2015. From 2012-2015 he recorded the weekly writing podcast Hide and Create with co-hosts Michael J. Sullivan, Diana Rowland, Jay Wells, and Debbie Viguie.
You can find Joshua teaching about pitches, back cover copy, and editing every year at the Superstars Writing Seminars in CO. His approach to editing is to help you make your story the best version of itself it can be.
Joshua is also a writer. He was a 2014 finalist in the Writers of the Future contest, and is in the process of releasing his first in a series of non-fiction books on editing for writers.
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
May 28, 2020
Episode 136 – Great Sales at Google with Brian Rathbone
In this episode Mark interviews Brian Rathbone who is an international #1 Bestselling author on Google Play with both audiobooks and eBooks. Brian talks about the strategies and things he has learned about success in selling audiobooks, a market he has been playing in for two decades now, so he has a lot of learning to share there – as well as how he reached #1 on Google Play, a market that a lot of authors are struggling to learn and understand.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes and reminds listeners of their chance to win a signed copy of Sacha Black’s latest book, Anatomy of Prose, by commenting on Episode 133 as per the episode and show notes details, prior to the end of day Friday May 29, 2020.
This episode is sponsored by the wonderful patrons of the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast.
You can learn how you can become a patron, gain access to special patron-only prizes and also receive bonus patron-only episodes of the podcast as well as other additional text and video patron content at www.patreon.com/starkreflections.
In their conversation, Brian and Mark discuss:
How Brian got into his writing career, and the programming career he had prior to thatThe day that Brian started typing the first novel one day while sitting in the Atlanta airport in 2005 and felt a change comingThe various jobs and roles that Brian worked at and played over the yearsHow Brian ended up falling into the role of helping other writers by publishing their work and creating tools to help small publishersThe royalty calculation software that Brian started to developBrian’s early introduction to audio via podiobooks years before audiobooks started to be a growing option for indie authorsSome of the successes that Brian has had with audio promotions using a “loss leader” model for the first book in a seriesHow his “first free book in series” led to being ranked as the #1 downloaded free audiobook on Google Play, and the resulting sales of the rest of the series from thatWhat happened when Brian took an entire audiobook digital box set trilogy that sold for close to $30 and making it 99 cents for a full month via a Chirp promotionThe importance of including a sample at the end of an audiobook to lead the person to the next audiobookMethods and techniques that Brian has learned work really well and have helped him become a top seller on Google PlayThings Brian has learned that he would tell his younger selfAnd more
After the interview, Mark reflects on a few things Brian talked about, including the unique metadata fields that different retailers might focus on or use in a different way to help prop up a book in bold new ways.
Links of Interest:
Brian Rathbone’s WebsiteBrian on TwitterEpisode 133 – Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha BlackPatreon for Stark ReflectionsCareer Author Summit20BooksVegas
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#1 International bestselling fantasy author Brian Rathbone is a bit odd. After growing up training standard bred racehorses, he went to work at a nuclear plant before helping to build the Internet. When he isn’t writing, Brian tells a few too many bad dragon jokes on Twitter and spends a lot of time thinking about unicorns.
May 22, 2020
Episode 135 – Creative Collaborations in FerroCity with Joe Scacciaferro
In this episode Mark interviews Joe Scacciaferro who has been in the media and entertainment business for over 30 years, has founded and run several successful media and entertainment production and technical support companies, most noticeably FerroProductions, and is behind the collaborative platform FerroCity.
[image error] FerroCity.com
Prior to the interview, Mark shares some comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode’s sponsor, 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 the interview Mark and Joe talk about:
How story has always been important in Joe’s life, and how that sometimes backfired when he was a young childThe way that everything is a story, and the more that we are comfortable with story, the better we can engage with othersJoe’s musical background, and how story through music was one of his first loves and felt natural to himThe prominence of unplanned transitions in Joe’s lifeHow it can be ALL about the journeyDifferent types of collaborations that creative storytellers can work on together in music verses prose writingThe critical nature of music and how it impacts a visual storytelling mediumThe different types of documentary projects that Joe has worked on over the yearsFascinating answers you can get from some basic simple questionsThe critical balance of skill combined with a solid communityHow everything you learn is important to everything you doThe way that the collaborative community of FerroCity is the culmination of Joe’s entire careerHow the platform FerroCity helps connect the community together and learn from the way people engage with itHow writers who are interested in checking it out can begin to participate in the FerroCity community and platformWhy Joe says that you can’t learn anything unless it’s entertainingThe three phases of FerroCity that are being rolled out the spring/summer of 2020Why Mark calls this platform a type of “Field of Dreams”How a team can synergize over a single posting on a platform like thisThe camaraderie that comes from working alongside other team members
After the interview, Mark reflects on the universal nature of storytelling, and the unimagined and unforeseen benefits that can result from creative collaboration.
Links of Interest:
FerroCityFerro ProductionsEpisode 133 – Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha BlackEpisode 97 – 10 Tips for Marketing and Making Money off Your Short FictionThe Stay Home Story SummitFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark ReflectionsIsolation Parody Songs (K-Tel Spoof Commercial)Spud Wars: A New Helplessness (Parody Movie Trailer)Stuck in this House here with You (Parody Music Video)Dad Joke Short: The Things We Miss MostDad Joke Short: Dramatic ExitDad Joke Short: Skeleton JokesCareer Author SummitBookfunnel20BooksVegas
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Joe Scacciaferro has been in the media and entertainment business for over 30 years and has founded and run several successful media and entertainment production and technical support companies, most noticeably FerroProductions.
He has been honored with 5 Emmys, 9 Emmy nominations, co-authored 15 books on the creative use of music technology, written music scores for broadcast programming, produced dozens of network sports shows / documentaries and been honored with two super bowl rings from the NY Giants for his programming efforts during the past 20 years.
Joe’s creative abilities are self-evident based on the longevity and diverse successes of his career. But when asked about his single greatest professional accomplishment, he will always point to enormous career successes of his interns.
He is a strong believer in creative collaboration, and networking opportunities, and he shares an exciting new project called FerroCity, which represents the culmination of his extraordinary career and life.
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
