Shows / Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Perspectives and reflections on the writing and publishing life. Mark Leslie Lefebvre, a writer, bookseller, digital publishing advocate, professional speaker, and publishing consultant explores inclusive and collaborative opportunities for writers and book publishing professionals via interviews, discussions, and reflections about the industry. (Mark's personal website is www.markleslie.ca)
Episodes
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 499 - Weeknight Writers and First Draft Fall with Dianna Gunn
Mark interviews Canadian fantasy and horror author Dianna Gunn about Weeknight Writers and First Draft Fall. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 498 - Media Tie-In Novelizations with Tim Waggoner
Mark interviews horror author Tim Waggoner about writing media tie-in novelizations of properties such as the recent Crystal Lake TV series. Prior to the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 497 - A Look At The Current Publishing Landscape with Jane Friedman
In this episode Mark interviews Jane Friedman in a discussion about the current landscape of traditional and self-publishing. Prior to the interview Mark…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Prompt for Episode 500: I Want to Hear YOUR Reflections
This is a special betweenisode (and yes, I borrowed that term from Joanna Penn) to let you know that I want to hear YOUR thoughts, your reflections, and…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 496 - Communal Storytelling with Author and Actor Jamie Flanagan
In this episode Mark interviews actor and Bram Stoker Award–winning writer Jamie Flanagan about their work on the 2026 Carrie television series, various other…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 495 - A Live Chat with Juliette N. Banks
Mark interviews Juliette N. Banks via a chat that was livestreamed to YouTube on Thursday October 7, 2026 at 7 PM Eastern. You can watch the video here…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 494 - Whales, Comic Books, Horror, and the Power of Community with Angela Yuriko Smith
Mark interviews Angela Yuriko Smith, a two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author, editor, educator, and publisher. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 493 - Reflections on Spines, Thumbnails, and Showing Up
In this solo episode Mark shares a couple of recent articles that share perspectives of the logistics related to "spine marketing" and "thumbnail marketing."…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 492 - Life in the Fast Lane with Misti Hurst
Mark interviews Misti Hurst, a racer, a writer, a coach, and a mom. She is the author of LIFE IN THE FAST LANE: Discovering the Art of Cornering which is part…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 491 - Turning Intention Into Action with Avery Crumrine
Mark interviews author and entrepreneur Avery Crumrine about her business helping authors get their books into the world and her book INTENTION INTO ACTION…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 490 - Horror, History, and Feminine Power with LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications
Mark interviews author, artist, and editor LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 489 - The Balanced Approach To A Writer's Life with Ann Charles
In this episode Mark interviews USA Today Bestselling author Ann Charles. Prior to the main content, Mark provides a personal update, welcomes a new patron…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 488 - You Don't Need Permission
In this solo episode Mark shares anexcerpt from his recent book STARK REALITIES: Stacked-up Lessons Every Writer Needs To Know About The Business of Writing…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 487 - Aurora Awards 2026 Post Mortem with Liz May Anderson
Mark chats with his partner Liz Anderson after the livestream broadcast of the 2026 Aurora Awards which they co-hosted. They have this reflective dicussion on…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 486 - Seeing The World Metaphorically with Melissa Heathers
In this solo episode Mark interviews Canadian author Melissa Heathers. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 485 - On Failure, Mistakes, and the Gift of Getting It Wrong
In this solo episode Mark reads Chapter 5 (The Beautiful Mess: On Failure, Mistakes, and the Gift of Getting It Wrong) from his book STARK REALITIES…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 484 - Serializing a Novel on Substack with Matty Dalrymple
In this episode Mark talks to Matty Dalrymple about her recent experience serializing a never-before-published new novel on Substack. Prior to the main…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 483 - Author Branding with Jessica Sorentino
Mark interviews Jessica Sorentino, an author brand strategist with more than a decade of experience helping writers and thought leaders connect with their…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 482 - Outlining for Novelists Who Don't Outline with Paul Austin Ardoin
In this episode Mark interviews Paul Austin Ardoin about his new book OUTLINING FOR NOVELISTS WHO DON'T OUTLINE. Prior to the interview Mark shares a person…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 481 - Becoming A Creative Luminary with Voice Actor Laura Holley
In this episode Mark interviews Laura Holley, a Utah-based voice actor and speculative fiction writer whose passion for storytelling began with her first stage…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 480 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: Returning From Camping & Vitamin N
In this episode Mark shares a solo reflection recording pm his return from a couple of nights spent camping on the shores of Lake Huron at Point Farms…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 479 - The Keyboard Is My Favorite Fidget Toy with Premee Mohamed
In this episode Mark interviews Premee Mohamed, a Nebula, World Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus, and Aurora award-winning Indo-Caribbean scientist and speculative…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 478 - Stark Realities Excerpt: The Pinocchio Problem
This episode features an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Mark's book STARK REALITIES: Stacked-up Lessons Every Writer Needs To Know About The Business of Writing and…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 477 - Rambling Reflections From The Road to StokerCon
In this solo episode recorded while driving between Waterloo, Ontario and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on his way to attending StokerCon, a horror writer…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 476 - Not Your Granny's Grammar with Patty McGee
Mark interviews grammar educator Patty McGee about her new book NOT YOUR GRANNY'S GRAMMAR as well as how grammar should be approachable rather than feared…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 475 - Writing Emotions and Making the Reader Feel with Jeff Elkins
Mark interviews Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor, about writing emotion and a new in person gathering he's organizing in Baltimore in late 2026. Prior to the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 474 - Horror and Speculative Fiction and Poetry with Colleen Anderson
In this episode Mark interviews Canadian writer Colleen Anderson about writing horror and speculative fiction and poetry as well as non-fiction articles. Prior…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 473 - Creativity and Devotionals for Caregivers Who Don't Need Another Inspirational Slogan with Donn King
Mark interviews Donn King about his new book ANCHORED FOR THE STORM, about caregiving, and about creativity. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 472 - Going All In On Substack with Orna Ross
Mark interviews Orna Ross, an award-winning novelist, poet, creative catalyst, and founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors about her recent move towards…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 471 - Fear in Storytelling with Becca Puglisi
Mark interviews Becca Puglisi about the new book THE FEAR THESAURUS which she co-authored with Angelea Ackerman. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 470 - Building Your Author Brand with Isabelle Knight
Mark interviews former publicist to the stars Isabelle Knight who is the founder of Build Your Author Brand, an online consultancy helping fiction and…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 469 - Small-Town Canadian Superheroes with Matthew del Papa and Andy Taylor
Mark interviews Matthew del Papa and Andy Taylor, editors of SUPERCANUCKS: An Anthology of Small Town Canadian Superheroes. Prior to the interview Mark shares…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 468 - Identity and Not Being Who You Thought You Were with Marie Lynne Desrochers
Mark interviews Marie Lynne Desrochers about her new memoir SHAKEN AWAKE: A Memoir on Identity and Connection. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 467 - Strategies for ADHD Writers with Nicole Bross
In this episode Mark interviews author, editor, and certified book coach Nicole Bross about her co-authored book A NOVEL APPROACH: STRATEGIES FOR ADHD WRITERS…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 466 - Publishing Wide But Shallow
In this solo episode, Mark shares an article he posted on Substack earlier in March called "Publishing Wide But Shallow." Prior to the main content (the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 465 - Rambling Reflections From Before The Road
In this solo episode, Mark reflects on Ireland, the importance/value of repeating information and sharing, and the Public Lending Rights program. Prior to the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 464 - The Big Stories of a Memorable Memoir with Roz Morris
Mark interviews novelist, memoirist, and professional story whisperer Roz Morris about her writing life and her pivot into writing memoirs alongside her…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 463 - How to Bring Your Book Alive at an Author Event with Julie Hiner
Mark interviews author Julie Hiner about creating an unforgettable book event for a book launch. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update a…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 462 - Daryn Brito on Showing Up With Love, Compassion, and Empathy
Mark interviews Daryn Brito, an advocate, writer, and researcher dedicated to supporting those who have faced trauma and adversity about her work and her new…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 461 - The Power of Stories to Instill Empathy, Resilience, Joy, and Hope with Ka-Yee Essoe
In this episode Mark interviews Ka-Yee Essoe about the power of stories to instil empathy, resilience, joy, and hope, based on her experiences in the academic…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 460 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: You Are Loved
In this short solo episode Mark shares a "Rambling Reflection From The Road" while at Superstars Writing Seminars talking about the important signals that…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 459 - Creating Experiences in Art and Story with Tanya Hales
In this episode Mark interviews author and artist Tanya Hales. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 458 - Push For Better
In this brief bonus episode Mark shares an annual "Push for Better" Push-Up challenge he has joined for the third Feb in a row and the fact he has created a…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 457 - A Show That Makes You Smile with The Patrick Scott Patterson Project
Mark interviews Scott from The Patrick Scott Patterson Project Podcast. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 456 - The Published Novelist Saves Schrödinger's Cat!
In this solo episode, Mark reads a new article entitled: The Published Novelist Saves Schrödinger's Cat! How to Improve the Odds Before You Open the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 455 - Kobo Insights with Tara Cremin, Director of Kobo Writing Life
Mark interviews Tara Cremin, Director of Kobo Writing Life about Kobo, Kobo Plus, and the self-publishing platform Kobo Writing Life (KWL). Prior to the…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 454 - Finding Surprising Success Publishing Kids' Books with Darcy Pattison
Mark interviews award-winning author Darcy Pattison about publishing childrens' books. In their conversation, Mark and Darcy talk about: Darcy's background on…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 453 - Celebrating Eight Years, 452 Episodes and One Simple Truth
Mark reflects on the anniversary of the first episode of this podcast, which took place on Jan 5, 2018. Links of Interest: EP 001 - New Year, New Reflections…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 452 - Accounting for Murphy's Law when Setting Realistic Goals
In this solo episode Mark outlines a dozen tips to consider when setting realistic goals. Links of Interest: EP 451 - Tales from the Backburnder: A Pair of…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 451 - Messages to Readers
In this solo episode Mark shares a couple of recent messages to readers in the hopes that it inspired other authors with ideas of the types of things that…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 450 - The Life of a Mercenary Writer with Jarrett Mazza
Mark interviews Jarrett Mazza about his action/thriller novels and his mercenary-style approach to writing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 449 - The Myth of "Upload Your Book And They Will Come"
In this solo episode, Mark reads from an article that he recently shared on the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Substack page. This is be Part 2 of…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 448 - When Your Writing Gets Rejected A Gazillion Times
In this solo episode, Mark reads from an article that he recently shared on the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Substack page. This will be Part 1…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 447 - The Future of Hybrid Publishing with J.D. Barker
Mark interviews J.D. Barker about his writing and publishing journey and his many collaborations over the years, including with James Patterson, and the unique…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 446 - Exercising Multiple Creative Outlets with Artist, Author, and Musician Meaghan Smith
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…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 445 - Overcoming The Self-Sabotage from Buried Trauma with Andrea Torrey Balsara
In this episode Mark interviews Andrea Torrey Balsara about her writing, her passion in inspiring joy through storytelling and energy healing, trauma…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 444 - Book Marketing Made Easy with Manuscript Report
Mark interviews Florin Bulgarov, co-founder of Manuscript Report. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 443 - Strategies for Short Fiction
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…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 442 - Dear Writer You Still Need To Quit with Becca Syme
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…
- Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
EP 441 - A Bookstore for Indie Authors with Donovan Scherer
Mark interviews artist, author, and indie bookstore owner Donovan Scherer about his writing, his art, and his store in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to…