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PODCAST

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark Leslie Lefebvre

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)

arts books

All Episodes

01:05:06

EP 495 - A Live Chat with Juliette N. Banks

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/10/09

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: https://youtube.com/live/uGxilXgnAuw?feature=share Links of Interest: Juliette N. Banks Website A Book in Hand (Main Weblink with Kickstarter link on it - for late pledges) Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation -

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48:46

EP 493 - Reflections on Spines, Thumbnails, and...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/09/25

In this solo episode Mark shares a couple of recent articles that share perspectives of the logistics related to "spine marketing" and "thumbnail marketing." This episode is sponsored in part by... Mark's forthcoming book A BOOK IN HAND. Click here to get to the Kickstarter listing and be notified when the Kickstarter for the book goes live in mid September 2026. This episode is also sponsored in part by: An affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own

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01:07:24

EP 492 - Life in the Fast Lane with Misti Hurst

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/09/17

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 manual, part memoir and compiles her decades of experience as a rider, a racer, and a coach. Prior to the main content Mark shares recent comments, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsors. This episode is sponsored in part by... Mark's forthcoming book A BOOK IN HAND. Click here to get to the Kickstarter listing and be

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56:52

EP 490 - Horror, History, and Feminine Power with LCW...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/09/03

Mark interviews author, artist, and editor LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsors. This episode is sponsored in part by... Mark's forthcoming book A BOOK IN HAND. Click here to get to the Kickstarter listing and be notified when the Kickstarter for the book goes live in mid September 2026. In the interview Mark and LC talk about: How LC has always believed that she was

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58:30

EP 489 - The Balanced Approach To A Writer's Life...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/08/27

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, and shares 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 conversation, Mark and Ann talk about: How Ann got into writing in the first place (as a way to stop complaining about the way some stories

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57:09

EP 487 - Aurora Awards 2026 Post Mortem with Liz May...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/08/13

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 a back-yard deck in front of a gas table fire. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from this episode's sponsors. This episode is sponsored, in part, by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. Because the entire episode is a

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27:32

EP 485 - On Failure, Mistakes, and the Gift of...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/07/30

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: Stacked-up Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know About the Business of Writing and Publishing. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes new patrons, and shares 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. Links of

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01:18:50

EP 484 - Serializing a Novel on Substack with Matty...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/07/23

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 content, Mark welcomes new patrons, 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 the interview, Mark and Matty talk about: How long Matty has been a

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01:05:58

EP 483 - Author Branding with Jessica Sorentino

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/07/16

Mark interviews Jessica Sorentino, an author brand strategist with more than a decade of experience helping writers and thought leaders connect with their audiences in meaningful, lasting ways. Prior to the main content, 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 the interview, Mark and Jessica

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01:07:12

EP 482 - Outlining for Novelists Who Don't Outline...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/07/09

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 update and a word from this episode's sponsors. This episode is sponsored by Author Nation, being held in Las Vegas Nov 13 through 14, 2026 Learn more about Author Nation and register at AuthorNation.live. In the interview Mark and Paul talk about: Paul's previous non-fiction book for writers FROM ZERO TO FOUR FIGURES Mark's offer of gifting

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01:16:27

EP 481 - Becoming A Creative Luminary with Voice...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/07/02

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 performance at seven years old. Prior to the main content, 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 the interview, Mark and Laura talk

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34:59

EP 480 - Rambling Reflections From The Road:...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/06/25

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 Provincial Park. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update (which includes a segment from Joanna Penn's latest episode of The Creative Penn Podcast) and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Author Nation, being held in Las Vegas Nov 13 through 14, 2026 Learn more about Author Nation and register at

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26:23

EP 478 - Stark Realities Excerpt: The Pinocchio Problem

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/06/12

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 Publishing. The chapter is called "The Pinocchio Problem." Prior to the main content Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the book STARK REALITIES: Stacked-up Lessons Every Writer Needs To Know About The Business of Writing and Publishing. The Truth About Building a Writing

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46:52

EP 477 - Rambling Reflections From The Road to StokerCon

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/06/04

In this solo episode recorded while driving between Waterloo, Ontario and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on his way to attending StokerCon, a horror writer conference, Mark shares some reflections on his dual life as an author-supporting industry representative and a horror author. This episode is sponsored by Author Nation, being held in Las Vegas Nov 13 through 14, 2026 Learn more about Author Nation and register at AuthorNation.live. Links of Interest: Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use

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01:05:26

EP 476 - Not Your Granny's Grammar with Patty McGee

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/05/29

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. Prior to the interview Mark comments from recent episodes and related Stark Reflections content, 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 the interview, Mark and Patty talk

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39:38

EP 470 - Building Your Author Brand with Isabelle Knight

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/04/16

Mark interviews former publicist to the stars Isabelle Knight who is the founder of Build Your Author Brand, an online consultancy helping fiction and non-fiction authors to grow your readership, raise your profile and give your books the best chance of success. Prior to the interview Mark shares that he is on the road at the Writers and Illustrators of the Future annual workshops and gala as one of the writer judges and is using his digital voice clone from ElevenLabs to record the introduction and

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01:05:03

EP 469 - Small-Town Canadian Superheroes with Matthew...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/04/09

Mark interviews Matthew del Papa and Andy Taylor, editors of SUPERCANUCKS: An Anthology of Small Town Canadian Superheroes. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from 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. During the interview Mark, Matthew, and Andy talk about: Andy and Mat's writing background and how they got into editing an anthology

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01:07:04

EP 468 - Identity and Not Being Who You Thought You...

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/04/02

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 update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Toronto Indie Author Conference, taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. In the interview, Mark and Marie Lynne talk about: Marie's background in the corporate world marketing and how that ties in to storytelling The startling event of receiving a message

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01:00:41

EP 467 - Strategies for ADHD Writers with Nicole Bross

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/03/26

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. Episode Description 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 article), Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Toronto Indie Author

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31:37

EP 466 - Publishing Wide But Shallow

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing ·

2026/03/19

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 article), Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Toronto Indie Author Conference, taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. Links of Interest: Article: Nobody Has Read Your Books or Even Heard of You Article: Publishing Wide But Shallow Article: Stretching Before The Writing Run Manuscript Report (Mark's

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460 results

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