Stark Reflections On Writing And Publishing

Mark interviews Meaghan Smith about the new children's book IT SNOWED that she wrote and illustrated, which was inspired by her popular holiday song of the same name. This Juno-Award winning singer-songwriter shares her many creative passions for music, writing, and art. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Meaghan talk about: The origin of Meaghan's song "It Snowed" and how quickly it came together once the inspiration struck her on wanting a seasonal holiday song for people who might not celebrate Christmas One of Meaghan's favorite things about the snow How this song has gone on to become one of her most popular songs and now it's a picture book Studying animation at Sheridan College and the ongoing art that Meaghan has been creating all of her life The voice recording for an a

In this episode Mark interviews Andrea Torrey Balsara about her writing, her passion in inspiring joy through storytelling and energy healing, trauma, creativity and much more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. I THINK IT'S A SIGN THAT THE PUN ALSO RISES is available now in hardcover, mass market sized paperback, and audiobook. In the interview Mark and Andrea talk about: The very serious and troubling trauma Andrea had been living with for most of her life without realizing it and how it prevented her from trying to focus and work on The sabotage that kept creeping up from her subconscious Being told the importance of writing her own stories, which led to taking some writing classes How writing became a way for Andrea to express things that she was not otherwise able to express and the way it led her into a space where she could become fully creative When the memory of the terrible trauma came back to Andrea and struggling with wondering if

Mark interviews Florin Bulgarov, co-founder of Manuscript Report.  Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Florin talk about: Florin's background with a PhD in A.I. and how he ended up evolving into creating the toolset of Manuscript Report How Manuscript Report was initially created as an assessment tool for publishers when going through their slush piles What assets Manuscript Report offers for authors to use in their marketing strategy approaches The additional assets from the reports including the visual pie-chart of the genre split/breakdown as well as the themes and the tropes associated from the manuscript The social media posts, blog posts, and book bible assets that authors can request in a higher level report The fact that Manuscript Report d

This bonus episode of the Stark Reflections Podcast is a recording of a Nov 10, 2025 live chat that Mark did with Matty Dalrymple and Angelique Fawns talking about strategies for short fiction. The conversation was based on content from Mark and Matty's 2nd Edition release of Taking the Short Tack: Creating Income & Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction and Angelique's Writing and Selling Short Stories with Angelique Fawns Substack.   Links of Interest: Strategies for Short Fiction (YouTube) Author Level Up - Michael La Ronn's YouTube Channel EP 440 - Behind the Scenes of the Podcast Guest Playbook with Matty Dalrymple EP 382 - From Page to Platform with Matty Dalrymple and M.L. Ronn EP 306 - Finding Short Fiction Markets with Angelique Fawns Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Wor

Mark interviews Becca Syme about her latest project, about the journey she has been on since she launched her first Dear Writer, You Need to Quit book, and the various fiction titles she has written. Prior to the interview, Mark explains that he is at Author Nation in Vegas and that his introduction and post interview reflection were generated by ElevenLabs. Then his digital voice clone from ElevenLabs shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Becca talk about: How it has been an extremely long year since Becca was last on the Stark Reflections Podcast Becca's long-time aversion to marketing and how she has decided to approach it The Kickstarter that Becca has launched and the various prizes she is offering for each of the tour stops The prize that Stark Reflections listeners can win just by listening and entering their name How Becca

Mark interviews artist, author, and indie bookstore owner Donovan Scherer about his writing, his art, and his store in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to the interview, Mark welcomes new patrons, shares recent comments, a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Donovan talk about: Donovan background as an illustrator creating various characters, and then eventually moving on to writing middle grade chapter books Never really learning about how to sell books online, but rather through in person events like comic book conventions The popularity of the ZomBeans (zombies) Donovan has drawn, including unique caricatures of his patrons The idea of working on a "talking flowchart" to help understand what people gravitate towards How Donovan has been doing local markets for 15 years -- since 2010 The regular festivals Donova

In this episode Mark talks with Matty Dalrymple, co-author of the book The Podcast Guest Playbook which was released earlier in 2025. Prior to the interview, Mark shares recent comments, a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Matty talk about: Something that Stark Reflections listeners might not know about Matty related to getting her private pilot license Having worked aviation into at least two of her novels The phrase that goes along with the very intentional passing of the manuscript from one co-author to another How long Matty has been running The Indy Author Podcast The genesis of the book PODCASTING GUEST PLAYBOOK that Matty and Mark co-authored The underlying importance of connections that can happen through direct conversation between two people, but also among people who listen to that conversation (s

On his drive to Ottawa, Ontario for the annual Can-Con (Ottawa's Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Literature Convention), Mark reflects on his experience with that conference from it's initial inception in the early 1990s along with its evolution. He also reflects on the importance of CanCon in general (Canadian Content regulations) and how it has played and continues to play an important role for Canadian musicians, artists, performers, and writers. This episode is sponsored by the 2nd Edition of the book TAKING THE SHORT TACK: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction which is co-authored by Mark and Matty Dalrymple and was released this week in October 2025 Links of Interest: Can-Con (Ottawa Conference) Terry Fallis Website EP 328 - Reflections on A New Season with Terry Fallis EP 029 - Terry Fallis on Writing With Authenticity, Humor, and Passion The Littlest Hobo Mr. Dressup The Polka Dot Door Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mar

Mark has a personal conversation with Malorie Cooper. In this episode they talk about: The reason she and her family moved from Boston, MA and back to Canada The uniqueness of New England compared to the rest of the United States How Canada is one of the hardest countries to emigrate into Not having ever gotten American citizenship The oppression and fear of being a queer transgender person, particularly in the US How it's virtually impossible for people who aren't oppressed to understand what it's like Losing half her fan base and friends when she transitioned into the person she was always born to be How when you life authentically and vulnerably, people will actually be attracted to you Living in a judgement-free zone/bubble Feeling unsafe for the first time after she came out as Malorie How coming out as trans is likely the hardest thing a person will ever do -- but, in addition to having a child, one of the most rewarding things Mal ever did The recurring theme of "found family" in Mal's novels And more

Mark interviews Malorie Cooper, who writes under the name M.D. Cooper, about the various things that fascinate and inspire her writing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Malorie talk about: Meeting up in New Brunswick in the spring at a writer's conference Mal's passion about writing science-fiction and nerding out about science and history concepts Mal working with her wife Jill on The Writing Wives - designed to help authors better market their books Some misperceptions that authors have, such as "I'm not good at Facebook Ads" Mal always being curious about everything, and getting story inspiration from looking at maps How her fascination with maps led to mapping software for space maps, and an evolution into a sci-fi writer Malorie's introduction to science fiction th

In this episode Mark interviews Joshua Smyser and Alex Hale of Blue Feathered Quill Publishing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcome a new patron (S.K. Randolph), offers a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark, Alex, and Joshua talk about: Alex's background growing up an avid reader and someone who wrote music and stories, and then going back to school for linguistics in 2020, then later, the Masters of Publishing program at Western Colorado University Being a fan of writing poetry as well as poetry put to music Coming to the realization that he enjoyed helping other writers with getting their work ready for publication more than he enjoyed writing The first book that Blue Feathered Quill published (a sweet-romance with a darker twist): Eth: A Novel Joshua als

In this solo episode, Mark reflects on the power that writers bring to a divided world. Prior to the reflection, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report.   Links of Interest: Mark's Listing for FanX Salt Lake City Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters

Mark interviews John Gaspard about his book HELD OVER: HAROLD AND MAUDE AT THE WESTGATE THEATER. Prior to the interview Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In the interview, Mark and John talk about: John's appreciation for the honesty of the podcast and one of his favorite episodes, and why he liked it John's background and the two different cozy mystery series that he has written and published The Eli Mark's "Behind the Page" podcast that John uses to share behind-the-scenes and brilliantly market the books in audio and other formats A person with a PhD in "shuffling cards" who was a guest on John's podcast How John approached his deep love and affection for the 1971 movie HAROLD AND MAUDE The Minneapolis theatre (Westgate) that helped make this movie a cult classic How John couldn't have written this boo

In this episode Mark interviews Phil Marshall, the author of the recently released science fiction novel Taming the Perilous Skies and the founder of Spoken, a platform that removes numerous audiobook production barriers for indie authors and small publishers. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by ScribeCount (affiliate link). Spend less time logging in to multiple platforms and crunching numbers, and more time writing and marketing your books thanks to ScribeCount’s handy all-in-one interface. In the interview, Mark and Phil talk about: Phil's background with Conversa Being trained as a surgeon and then switching to product development and technology The novel (TAMING THE PERILOUS SKIES) that was baking in his head since 2021 Distributing 130 copies of his novel to early readers at a recent WorldCon The market info of "Dan Brown meets Andy Weir" How the novel and Spoken itself were both inspired by the same thi

Mark interviews A.L. Wahdel, a crime thriller writer brings Toronto’s soul to life in his fiction. They talk about his new book TOO DARK FOR THE LIGHT, about his writing, about police work, and about the importance of community, connection, and creativity.\ Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In the interview, Mark and Lance talk about: Lance's 20 years of experience in the police force and how he had planned on a completely different career path by studying media arts and graphic design How people usually ask police officers if they're seen any crazy stuff, but rarely ask if they've seen amazing things The power of community and connecting and communicating with people "Always be in a constant state of create." A philosophy that drives Lance in his life and writing How any time a pe

Mark interviews writer, producer, and celebrity publicist William J Bruce III. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In the interview, Mark and William talk about: The weird series of events that led William into his current career Meeting a film producer on the day of a school evacuation How a lot of William's work is done online and behind the scenes The importance of doing due diligence as a publicist to make sure the interviewee doesn't get "trapped" by the host/interviewer The memoir that William wrote and why he wrote it because of a really low point in his life Looking at your life and your faith when in a dark place after having made a grave mistake The novel that William is currently working on How people can be heartless when it comes to talking about celebrities T

This episode features a rambling reflection that Mark recorded on part of an unexpected and unplanned four-day road trip from Calgary, Alberta to Waterloo, Ontario. When Mark was in Calgary, Alberta for the When Words Collide conference, Air Canada went on strike and all flights were canceled. Finding himself unable to get home (without having to pay for 4 nights in a hotel plus a flight on an alternate airline that would have cost him $1500), Mark decided to rent a car and drive back home nearly 3,500 kilometers (2174 miles) during the week of Monday August 18th through Friday August 22nd. Instead of being frustrated over the predicament, Mark chose to see this as an amazing opportunity to see parts of the country he hadn't yet visited. This episode is a rambling reflection from the road that he recorded on the morning of Wednesday October 20th on the highway between Dryden, ON and Thunder Bay, ON.   Links of Interest: When Words Collide Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon fo

This episode features a campfire chat with Mark's partner Liz Anderson about co-hosting the 2025 Aurora Awards livestream on Sunday August 10, 2025. In the interview, Mark and Liz talk about: The background of co-hosting the Aurora Awards over the years Working on a pandemic parody music video on a whim within about 24 hours as a bit of an escape The trepidation and challenge of working on something that one is not as familiar about The level of commitment and interest within the speculative fiction community How much time and creative energy people have poured themselves into the creative work they do The privilege of being able to highlight these creators and their achievements A history of the themes Mark and Liz have used for their Aurora opening shtick bits over the years The "Last Minute Production" branding that Liz has long adapted Leveraging the mixture of talent/skill in singing when working on a project together (how Mark sings with far more passion than ability How Liz and Mark have been pushing

Mark interviews Canadian author Alison McBain about her "Author Versus AI" project, her life in writing, and more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In the interview, Mark and Alison talk about: The various roles that Alison has played in the creative arts Wanting to be a writer since she was young and her first written story created when she was 4 years old Thinking that one day she would be a teacher or a professor, but never actually taking that path Alison's very first published piece of writing The early days of writing that involved mailing manuscripts out and then waiting for a response Alison's first book, The Rose Queen, which is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast The many awards that Alison has won The creative team you have working with you whenever you publish with a

In this solo episode Mark talks about the experience of hiking two different mountainscapes in the Canadian west. The first, Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia. And the other, the foothills of Fairview Mountain at Lake Louise, Alberta. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. Links of Interest: Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Ar