Mark Leslie Lefebvre's Blog, page 32

Episode 134 – Pitching Your Book To Different Media with Melissa Dalton Martinez

In this episode, Mark interviews Melissa Dalton Martinez, a publishing industry PR and marketing manager, marketing consultant, and media professional.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a word about this episode’s sponsor (the awesome Patrons of this podcast), and a personal update.

Isolation Parody Songs

In his personal update, Mark talks about the creative collaborative projects that he and his partner Liz have been working on – parody music videos, and how a chance in perspective looking at a bowl filled with broken egg yolks resulted in an unexpected and delicious breakfast that was better than what was originally planned.

The Book Break Trailer Video

In their interview Mark and Melissa talk about:

Where the show that Melissa runs “The Book Break” runs and what the content of the episodes areHow Melissa helps authors get onto various different media and the coaching that she does to prepare them for their appearancesMelissa’s entrance into the publishing world as a PAR representative in 2003How Melissa is one of those “one more chapter” readers at bed timeWhy it is easier than ever right now to get interviewed by local mediaThe way that Melissa can spin a story off of anything, and usually creates a minimum of about five story options before she begins to pitch to a particular media outletAdvice for the best way to approach pitching to media or a podcast as a potential guestHow an author should go about crafting a pitch to a media professionalThe importance of going with what you know, and understanding the types of shows that the media outlet you are pitching has recently releasedMelissa’s favorite way to craft a pitchHow it is the guest’s job to make it easy for the host/producer of the media outlet you are pitching toThe reason why it’s important to create a list of questions for the media outlet you are pitching to (and sometimes, also the answers you’ll provide)Why it is important, whenever you’re doing an interview to act as if the interview is liveMethods of sending materials, such as pictures, to the producers, ahead of the broadcast, with suggestions of where the images might best be inserted within a segmentThe importance of the right author photo that is appropriate and relevant for your author brandWhy a high resolution image is really important for televisionThe way that professional reviews work, which ones are out there, and the options that an author has for a paid professional reviewWhy professional reviews in spots such as Kirkus are important for library acquisition of booksAnd more….

After the interview, Mark reflects on the importance of how it is the guest’s job to make it as easy on the host, on the producer, as possible. in the same way that it’s the book’s description’s job to make it as easy as possible for the ideal reader to want to have to buy and read a book.

He also talks about how, with the Covid-19 related isolation taking place, that authors have greater opportunity for various media outlets that, prior, would have only been possible with physical proximity and having to be in the studio.

Links of Interest:

Melissa’s Website: The Book BreakSacha Black’s PodcastsThe Book Break Season 2 – Episode 5 – Melissa interviews MarkFindaway 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)CTV News for the North Article about Mark & Liz Parody VideoCTV News Ottawa – The Bright Side – May 11, 2020

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Melissa Dalton Martinez has worked in the publishing industry on and off as a PR and marketing manager, marketing consultant, and media professional since 2000.

After graduating college in 2003, Melissa has helped others grow their careers, run her own businesses, spoken at countless conferences, helped coordinate many events, worked with radio, TV, newspapers, movies, podcasts, YouTube shows, and even became the producer and host of her own TV mini-series, The Book Break.

In addition to The Book Break, Melissa works as a private marketing, branding, and media consultant; a marketing expert for Eschler Editing; and a book reviewer for various media outlets.

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 133 – Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha Black

Mark interviews Sacha Black about her role and brand as a Rebel Author, about her writing, her podcast, and about her books for writers on crafting heroes, villains, and prose.

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Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, talking about recent birthday activities, a recent Star Wars parody video he created, and what that type of creation means to him as a writer.

He then shares some comments from recent episodes and a word from this podcast’s sponsor, Findaway Voices.

[image error]http://www.findawayvoices.com/stark

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

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In their conversation, Sacha and Mark talk about:

Where Sacha’s “Rebel Author” brand came from, and how she has always been a bit of a rebelHow, the best way to get Sacha to do something is to ask her not to do itThe way that being an indie author is a bit rebellious in and of itselfThe thrill of being a little bit naughtyHow people are able to connect when you are being more authenticBeing on the border of introvert/extrovert and the connection with others that Sacha values from running her podcastThe appearance of confidence from the outside, and how the indie author community has allowed Sacha to regain some confidenceBeing very intentional about wanting to leave her full time job to become a full time writer, and the planning and staging she worked on to get thereSacha’s life of being passionate about reading and writingHow a character Sacha originally wrote when she was 9 years old became the protagonist in her first novelThe randomness in the way that characters Sacha creates come to herThe combination of terrible memory and super geek that is part of Sacha’s process as a writerHow she never intended to write non-fiction, but completely fell in love with itThe way that an overnight 100K of hits on a series of blog posts she wrote about villains led to filling a hole in the market and a path of loving writing non-fictionHow Sacha’s new non-fiction title, The Anatomy of Prose, started off as a labor of loveThe purposeful branding on the covers of these three non-fiction books for writers and how they incorporate three core valuesThe process of recording the audiobooks herselfHow Sacha and her wife have negotiated the landscape of raising a six year old and each of them getting their work doneKatie Forest’s book called Time Management for Writers and what she has to say about times of crisisHow the hardest thing for Sacha in terms of her work-life balance is letting go of the parental guiltThe challenge of finding books for a young reader whose comprehension for words has surpassed most content meant for people their ageThe fact that if Sacha is terrified of something she is compelled to jump right inUsing made-up swear words

After the interview, Marks a few reflections about things the chat with Sacha made him think about.

He also shares how listeners can win a signed copy of Sacha’s latest book by commenting on this episode. (Opportunity to win ends May 29, 2020 when a random drawing of commenters will take place).

He also thanks Patrons of the show and shares that Patrons will be automatically entered in a chance to win a set of Sacha’s three books for writers, just by being patrons. The random draw for that will take place at the same time.

Links of Interest:

Sacha Black’s WebsiteSacha’s PodcastsSacha’s Facebook Author ProfileSacha on InstagramEpisode 132 – Lauding the Art of Music with Martin PopoffEpisode 130 – Grace Under Pressure with Kevin J AndersonEpisode 97 – 10 Tips for Marketing and Making Money off Your Short FictionThe Creative Penn – EP 487 – Writing and Selling Short Fiction with Matty DalrympleFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark’s Proposal Video (Song “Liz” by Alicia Witt)Spud Wars: A New Helplessness (Parody Movie Trailer)Stuck in this House here with You (Parody Music Video)

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Sacha Black is an author, rebel podcaster, speaker and developmental editor.

She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules.

Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing.

When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.

She lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.

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 132 – Lauding the Art of Music with Martin Popoff

Mark interviews Martin Popoff about his latest book ANTHEM: Rush in the 70’s as well as a lifetime of passion writing about music.

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Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and some comments from recent episodes, 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 their conversation, Martin and Mark talk about:

Martin’s introduction to music when he was six or seven years oldTurning people into metal-heads when Martin was working at a record store about the age of fifteenHow people learned about music and records prior to the internetHow Martin’s love and passion for music evoled into life of writing about music, which he started to do full time in 2000Martin’s first book, which was a self-published book of a collection of record reviews, which later got picked up by a traditional publisher in 1997Writing 9 or 10 music books per yearThe style of music review that Martin prefers to writeThe importance of talking about and lauding the art of the entire music production when writing a book about musicians and their workThe interesting nature of the narrative of the story of a band and the narrative of a band’s concept albumHow Martin values letting the band speak for themselves in the books he writes about them, relying on actual quotes from lengthy interviews, rather than blatantly injecting his own theory into the narrativeThe different listening experiences of listening to a full album start to finish from a vinyl LP and listening to it in custom single song chunks in a digital eraThe recent collaborative Canadian multi-location/self-isolation version of “Lean on Me” from Canada StrongMartin’s original 2003 Rush biography: Contents Under Pressure which is now out of date and out of printHow the desire to write a single comprehensive updated book about Rush resulted in well over 350,000 words and 3 volumes. Anthem: Rush in the 70s. (May 202) Limelight: Rush in the 80s (Oct 2020) Drive: Rush in the 90s (In the End) (Spring 2021)The use of interview footage from Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage Something that surprised Martin in writing these volumesHow there is nobody who sounds like Rush and that are, in many ways, their own unique genre in musicWhat a good gate-way Rush song might be for someone who doesn’t think their music is accessibleMartin’s Podcast: History in Five SongsWhat music Martin listens to when he is writing

After the interview, Mark reflects on the volume of publishing Martin has done, which is atypical for a traditionally published author; he also reflects on the dynamic nature of the relationship and flexibility he has with his publisher.

Links of Interest:

Martin Popoff’s WebsiteMartin’s Podcast: History in Five SongsEpisode 130 – Grace Under Pressure with Kevin J AndersonFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark Reflections



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At approximately 7900 (with over 7000 appearing in his books), Martin Popoff has unofficially written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres.

Additionally, Martin has penned almost 90 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting.

He was Editor-In-Chief of the now retired Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Canada’s foremost metal publication for 14 years, and has also contributed to Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, Record Collector, bravewords.com, lollipop.com and hardradio.com, with many record label band bios and liner notes to his credit as well.

Additionally, Martin has been a regular contractor to Banger Films, having worked for two years as researcher on the award-winning documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, on the writing and research team for the 11-episode Metal Evolution and on the ten-episode Rock Icons, both for VH1 Classic.

Martin currently resides in Toronto and his latest book, coming in May 2020, and which we do talk about in this interview is from ECW and is called Anthem: Rush in the 70s.

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 131 – Thanks for the Inspiration: Todd Anderson

In this solo “thanks for the inspiration” episode, Mark reflects on how Todd Anderson was an important colleague whose influence, mentorship, and leadership resulted in a critical shift in his career.

[image error]Todd Anderson in front of an Espresso Book Machine at U of A



[image error]Todd in Banff

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update, some comments from recent episodes, 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.

[image error]Mark (2nd from left) and Todd (4th from left) participating in Alternative Futures for What we Currently call Publishing

Links of Interest:

The FISH Philosophy of Customer ServiceEpisode 130 – Grace Under Pressure with Kevin J AndersonTaking the Short Tack: Creating Income & Connecting with Readers Using Short FictionEpisode – 97 – 10 Tips for Marketing & Making Money off Short FictionMark’s Audiobooks (on sale) at NookThe 7 P’s of Publishing SuccessEvasionCampus Chills AnthologyCampus Chills Book LaunchesEspresso Book Machine / On Demand BooksExamining Alternative Futures for PublishingTell Me About The Early Days of Self PublishingFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark Reflections



[image error]Todd and Mark in Kingston, ON – Jan 2011

Thanks for the Inspiration is a type of show that appears from time to time in the regular schedule for this podcast.

As writers, we often absorb elements from the world, the places, and the people around us. We observe, we ask questions, we speculative, we listen, we watch, we feel, and we write so much of that down which gets re-integrated, like some sort of sausage creation, into the stories and words and worlds we share with our readers.

Thanks for the Inspiration episodes are an attempt to acknowledge and say thanks to the people, places, and things that have helped to either feed the muse, or perhaps just to feed the very soul and makeup of the writer behind that writing.

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 130 – Writing Through Change, Tragedy, & Trauma with Kevin J. Anderson

In this episode Mark interviews author Kevin J. Anderson about dictating his first drafts, about adapting to change in the publishing industry and about writing through personal tragedy, grief, and trauma.

[image error] Kevin & Mark at Superstars Writing Seminars 2020 – Photo: Katie Curtis

Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and goes into detail about the challenges he has faced with not being able to focus or write in the past several weeks, falling behind in several writing deadlines.

But he talks about how he has continued to be creative, and that creators will always create. He shares a writing warm-up practice he has started again – writing parody lyrics to songs and poetry.

He then shares the experience of doing that recently and collaborating with Liz, the opening and closing voice of the podcast, and his fiance.

[image error]Still shots from the parody video

He shares the music video they created on Easter Sunday and how working on that project has reinvigorated his own creative spirit and energy; particularly as a reminder for the fact that the world needs writers, and the smiles this parody song and video have inspired is an example of why writers do what they do.

Mark then shares the audio for the song as well as the fact he will be teaching an online class on April 22nd about making money and engaging with readings via a series from Jane Friedman.

After the song, Mark shares listener comments from recent episodes and then offers a word from this episode’s sponsor, Findaway Voices and a recent Nook Audiobooks promotion that Mark got into through them.

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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 Kevin talk about:

Finally getting around to this interview, as it’s something they’ve been meaning to do for years, and are finally getting toHow Kevin has always been a dictator when it comes to his writing, dictating while taking long walks or hikes in the Colorado mountainsThe fact that Kevin can still do his regular writing during these self-isolation times the same way he always hasThe importance of trying dictation for more than just a short time, or once or twice, paralleling it to the way writers have learned typing and keyboarding skillsTips for getting started in dictation, such as using dictation for a brainstorming sessionKeeping so many different book projects that are in different stages (as a hybrid author with multiple traditional and indie-publishing projects on the go)How Kevin’s first published novel has much of the RUSH album “Grade Under Pressure” woven into it, and how that book is what ultimately connected Kevin to RUSH drummer and lyricist, Neil PeartThe thirty-plus year relationship that Kevin had with Neil Peart and the co-authoring they have done togetherHow the recent Drumbeats project of Kevin and Neil’s first collaboration is being re-released in a special limited edition print runManaging writing through times of loss, grief, stress and anxietyHow the new Dune film, and the paperback release of one of Kevin’s traditionally published books are being affected and delayed by Covid-19The masters in publishing program that Kevin is teaching for Western Colorado University and the publishing projects that the students are working on for thatHow Superstars Writing Seminars originated with Kevin, his wife Rebecca Moesta, Brandon Sanderson, David Farland, and Eric Flint getting together to figure out the changes in the publishing industry about twelve years agoAnd more . . .

After the interview, Mark reflects on how he and Kevin had kept putting off doing this interview for years, and the parallel to how Kevin and Neil had always put the Drumbeats special edition project on the back burner.

He talks about other projects and things he’d continued to put off, and what thinking about that inspires.

Mark then shares an opportunity for listeners to win one of two copies of Kevin’s book.

A book for writers (On Being a Dictator) . . .

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. . . and the special limited edition book (Drumbeats).

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Commenters on this episode (as explained by Mark) and Patrons will be entered in a draw for the prizes which will be done after midnight Eastern time on Friday May 1, 2020.

Links of Interest:

Kevin J. Anderson’s WebsiteWordFire PressKevin in TwitterSuperstars Writing SeminarsSteve Otis – ArtistMark’s Audiobooks (on sale) at NookThe 7 P’s of Publishing SuccessEvasionJane Friedman’s Online Class: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short FictionEpisode 114 – Thanks for the Inspiration, Neil PeartEpisode 125 -Simplifying, Streamlining, and Organizing with Janice SavageEpisode 128 – Healthy Home Workspaces with Roland DenzelEpisode 129 – Prepare for the Ultimate GaslightingFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark Reflections

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Kevin J. Anderson has published more than 165 books, 56 of which have been national or international bestsellers.

He has written numerous novels in the Star Wars, X-Files, and Dune universes, as well as unique steampunk fantasy novels Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives, written with legendary rock drummer Neil Peart, based on the concept album by the band Rush.

Kevin’s original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series, the Terra Incognita fantasy trilogy, the Saga of Shadows trilogy, and his humorous horror series featuring Dan Shamble, Zombie PI. He has edited numerous anthologies, written comics and games, and the lyrics to two rock CDs. Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta are the publishers of WordFire Press. His most recent novels are Stake, Kill Zone, and Spine of the Dragon.

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 129 – Bonus Episode – Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting

In this additional “between episodes” addition, Mark shares a Medium article with the following important message.

“From one citizen to another, I beg of you: take a deep breath, ignore the deafening noise, and think deeply about what you want to put back into your life. This is our chance to define a new version of normal, a rare and truly sacred (yes, sacred) opportunity to get rid of the bullshit and to only bring back what works for us, what makes our lives richer, what makes our kids happier, what makes us truly proud.

We get to Marie Kondo the shit out of it all. We care deeply about one another. That is clear. That can be seen in every supportive Facebook post, in every meal dropped off for a neighbor, in every Zoom birthday party.

We are a good people. And as a good people, we want to define — on our own terms — what this country looks like in five, 10, 50 years. This is our chance to do that, the biggest one we have ever gotten. And the best one we’ll ever get.”

The message is from the article “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting” by Julio Vincent Gambuto.

Mark then reflects on the importance of this moment in time and the “reset” that can happen.

This episode contains explicit language which may offend some listeners.

Links of Interest:

Julio’s Medium ArticleJulio Vincent’s WebsitePatreon for Stark Reflections



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The son of a bus-driver-slash-bread-baker, Julio Vincent (“Julie”) grew up in a large Italian family on New York’s Staten Island, where aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered often around Mom’s seafoam-green formica kitchen table for “cake and coffee” — always an Entenmann’s crumb cake — to tell stories, argue about the Mets, and play cards with the neighbors.

After seven years on merit scholarship at the prestigious Staten Island Academy, Julie left the borough for Harvard, where he graduated with a BA in English and American Literature and Language, with honors. He completed his training as a film director at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he was honored as an Annenberg Fellow.

Julio Vincent recently completed post-production on his first feature film, Team Marco, and is currently developing the feature family comedy, The Julie Stories.

In 2017, Julio founded Boro Five, an independent film and television content production company. He serves as Executive Producer of the company’s slate.

Julio has written and produced film and television content for Nickelodeon, PBS, E! Entertainment, and James Franco’s Rabbit Bandini. Learn more below.

Julio lives in New York City.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Episode 128 – Healthy Home Workspaces with Roland Denzel

In this episode Mark shares a live chat with Roland Denzel, AKA the Indestructable Author, from April 2, 2020 about Strategies for a Healthy Home Workspace. Roland shares what people can do to maintain health and exercise with limited space and no equipment; fundamentals of creating an ergonomic workspace in your home, and much more.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares a reflection on how he feels Covid-19 is going to become a major tipping point for the way that people consume books and move from print-book puritans to eReading adoptions. He also shares the fact that it’s likely the major publishers are going to be forced to finally properly dip their toes into the eBook pool.

Mark then shares comments from recent episodes and a word from this episode’s sponsor.

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

The original video interview

In their conversation, Mark and Roland talk about:

Roland’s background as a writer and health coach and advocate focusing on the nutrition and habit side of thingsHis plans for writing a series and stacking them for a consistent release scheduleTaking a “Supercharge your Protagonist” course with H Claire Taylor to help improve his fictionThe side-effects of living behind a keyboard for thirty years that include carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathyHow moving around for as little as 5 minutes every thirty minutes or so can reduce your blood sugar by up to 20% and improve insulin sensitivie by as much as 20%How coffee isn’t the big problem that many people say it is, and can be useful because if you drink it, you’re likely getting up to go to the washroom more often, and thus moving moreThe Pomodoro technique which follows 25 / 5 – 25 minutes of work, followed by 5 minutes of a break, or restHow just a little bit of planning can help you maintain better health and productivityRoland’s perspective on ergonomicsThe importance of what Roland calls “the dynamic office”Things people can do to get exercise without equipment, in limited space, or without being able to go to the gymHow much people underestimate the value of walkingHow important it is to make changes from a sedentary lifestyle in small steps or stagesIn general how the healthier you are, the easier it is to focusStrategies for dealing with anxiety in a limited or shared work spaceAnd more…

After the interview, Mark shares a few personal updates, including his recent appearance on The Creative Penn and The Indy Author Podcasts, the weekday Draft2Digital Spotlights he has been participating in, and a forthcoming online course he will be teaching in a series from Jane Friedman.

Links of Interest:

Roland Denzel’s Indestructable Author WebsiteEpisode 127 – Blaze WardFindaway VoicesPatreon for Stark ReflectionsOnline Course (via Jane Friedman) – Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short FictionThe Creative Penn Podcast – Mark’s AppearancesEpisode 482Episode 408Episode 300Episode 262Episode 178Episode 143The Indy Author Podcast – Mark’s AppearancesEpisode 20Episode 14

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Roland Denzel is a coach, a nutritionist, and a restorative exercise specialist who also happens to be a writer. He has fought off carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and plantar fasciitis, all while “keeping his butt in the chair” long enough to work a full-time job and release more than ten books.

He coaches authors and other awesome humans about ergonomics, healthy lifestyle, balance, and overcoming physical and mental limitations to be healthier, happier, and more productive.

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 127 – Consistency in Word Count & Publishing with Blaze Ward

In this episode, Mark has an in depth conversation with author Blaze Ward.

Blaze Ward writes science fiction in multiple universes. He also writes odd bits of high fantasy with swords and orcs. In addition, he is the Editor and Publisher of Boundary Shock Quarterly Magazine and many other magazines and publishing projects.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes.

He also announced the winner of the book and workbook for THREE STORY METHOD from J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon from a random selection of commenters from Episode 123. In addition, the Patreon winner is also announced.

In their conversation Mark and Blaze discuss:

When Blaze started to kick into full production schedule for his writingWriting 400,000 words a year while he was employed and working full time, and how he ramped it up to 100,000 words a month, which he has consistently reached for the past two yearsThe daily/weekly schedule that Blaze keeps in order to write 4000 words a day Monday through SaturdayThe plan for Blaze to write 14 novels and 40 stories in 2020Mal Cooper, who wrote 40 novels in 2018, and makes Blaze look like a slackerThe thrill of “getting to go write” when Blaze wakes up in the morningP Time and L Time (Personal Time and Linear Time)The plans for ensuring that his heirs will continue to benefit from the works that Blaze has writtenThe various different novels in different series’ that Blaze has written and is working onWhy Blaze isn’t playing the “exclusive to Kindle” game in publishing and has chosen to go wideSelling short stories that are not available anywhere else directly on his websiteHow Blaze is using Patron (to provide his $5/month patrons content a full year before it is available to anyone else)Boundary Shock quarterly magazine, which Blaze edits, including the inspiration for creating it and the logistics of filling each issue of that magazine and others with content using a syndicate of fifteen other writersThe different newsletters that Blaze sends outSome of the financial changes that Blaze and his wife Leah (also an author), have recently made regarding translations and travel to writer conferencesAnd more…

After the conversation, Mark reflects on comparisonitis and discipline.

This episode was sponsored by the wonderful patrons of the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast who support this show and gain access to additional content over at www.patreon.com/starkreflections.

Links of Interest:

Blaze Ward’s WebsiteEpisode 126 – Thanks for the Laughs and InspirationEpisode 125 – Simplifying, Streamlining and Organizing with Janice SavageEpisode 123 – Three Story Method with J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon“I Will Survive” Parody (Contains adult language and content)Patreon for Stark Reflections

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Blaze Ward writes science fiction in the Alexandria Station universe (Jessica Keller, The Science Officer, The Story Road, etc.) as well as several other science fiction universes, such as Star Dragon, the The Dominion, and more. He also writes odd bits of high fantasy with swords and orcs. In addition, he is the Editor and Publisher of Boundary Shock Quarterly Magazine. You can find out more at his website www.blazeward.com, as well as Facebook, Goodreads, and other places.

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 126 – Thanks for Inspiration and the Laughs

Thanks for the Inspiration is a type of show that appears from time to time in the regular schedule for this podcast.

As writers, we often absorb elements from the world, the places, and the people around us. We observe, we ask questions, we speculative, we listen, we watch, we feel, and we write so much of that down which gets re-integrated, like some sort of sausage creation, into the stories and words and worlds we share with our readers.

Thanks for the Inspiration episodes are an attempt to acknowledge and say thanks to the people, places, and things that have helped to either feed the muse, or perhaps just to feed the very soul and makeup of the writer behind that writing.

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Mark thanks the creative spirits who have produced musical parodies about Covid-19 and the current global situation. Because laughter is important.

Yes, these are dark times, but laughter is important.
It connects people. And laughter has been shown to actually stimulate positive activity in a person’s immune system.

I know we’re all scared, we’re uncertain, we aren’t sure what’s coming, for us, and for those we know and love. Things seem to be spinning out of control. But we can always control where we focus and how we respond.

I choose love, compassion, and humor.

And I choose to thank all of these amazing creative people who took the time to spread their own passion, through humor, to help others find smiles and laughs in these trying times.

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Mark introduces the following musical parodies in this order:

Covid-19 – The Taylor’s – Parody of “Come On, Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners. JJ Mason Taylor (The Taylor Family)YouTube Video My Corona – Parody of “My Sharona by The Knack Kevin BrandowLyrics by Chelsea BrandowYouTube Video Quarantine – Parody of “Let It Be” by The Beatles Joe CronYouTube Video Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (with new lyrics!) Parody of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke from the movie Mary Poppins Daniel MatarazzoYou Tube Video One Week of COVID 19 – Parody of “One Week” by Barenaked Ladies Pepper CoyoteAdapted original lyrics by @daniAwesomeYouTube Video My Corona Home – Parody of “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys from the movie Cocktail Jon PumperYouTube Video Coronavirus Rhapsody – Parody of “Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen Adrian GrimesLyrics by Dana Jay BeinYouTube Video

Mark then closes out the show with a thanks to all of the first responders and medical and health professionals on the front lines as well as essential services personnel who continue to risk their own safety and welfare for the good of society.

And he again thanks the creative folks who wrote, performed, and shared these songs (and so many others not included here) to help inspire smiles and laughter in others during these trying times.

This episode was sponsored by the wonderful patrons of the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast who support this show and gain access to additional content over at www.patreon.com/starkreflections.

The 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 125 – Simplifying, Streamlining, & Organizing with Janice Savage

In this episode, Mark interviews Janice Savage, Savvy Concierge about strategies that enable work-life balance which translates into more personal time and less stress.

Prior to the interview, Mark reads a word from this episode’s sponsor, Findaway Voices…

Learn more about 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.

He then reads comments from recent episodes, reminding listeners they still have a chance to win a copy of THREE STORY METHOD and the accompanying workbook from J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon by commenting on Episode 123 before the end of March 2020.

He also shares a brief personal update that includes the adaptation of the Career Author Summit in Nashville in May (where Mark is a featured speaker) to a virtual event, as well as being a guest on the Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black.

In their conversation, Mark and Janice talk about:

How Janice loves being in a position to do something to help other people, which organically grew into her businessHow Janice pays attention and listens to both what people say, as well as the things that people don’t say, as part of her process of helping themThe value of being invited into the personal workspace of the people that Janice works withThe importance of, before looking at someone’s space, you take a look at their valuesWhat “clutter” does to us (makes us stressed, takes away our focus) – space, mind, physical clutterHow having clutter in our minds and physically, it takes away from the creative processExamining a workspace for all of the things that can cause distractionThe importance of making a specific system that works for you, your preferences, your goals, your work spaceHow routine and the right habits build successThe complimentary consult that Janice offers her potential clientsHow small changes can make a huge impactThe importance of having an accountability partnerThe value of SNAP (The “Sunday Night Plan”) – which is a written-down plan for the forthcoming weekIdeas for managing an email inbox without getting stressed or overwhelmedAnd more . . .

After the interview, Mark reflects on the importance of building up solid habits or an impactful routine

Links of Interest:

Janice’s Website – Savvy ConciergeFindaway Voices Library Promotion Opportunity (Expires after March 29, 2020) Episode 123 – Three Story Method with J. Thorn and Zach BohannonEpisode 124 – Lindsay Flanagan on Working with an EditorThe Rebel Author Podcast – Episode 21 – How to Get Your Book Into LibrariesPatreon for Stark Reflections



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Janice Savage, founder of Savvy Concierge, is a Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Manager. She alleviates the stress and that feeling of being overwhelmed that her busy clientele experience.

Janice has taken the strategies and tips she developed first by raising four kids and then by working one-on-one with her clientele to introduce Savvy Principles to Simplify Your Life.

She has recently segued into speaking opportunities, educational presentations and conducting workshops where she shares her expertise with larger audiences. By empowering the audience to attain their goals through an organized and decluttered personal and professional life she is spreading her message – Simplify Your Life.

The 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