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13 episodes with superstars writing seminars
6 episodes with superstars writing seminars
2 episodes with superstars writing seminars
Mark has a virtual beer with Kevin J. Anderson while they talk through various aspects about writing and publishing. This episode is from a live chat that was hosted on the evening of Sunday March 16, 2025. This episode is sponsored by Superstars Writing Seminars: Teaching you the business of being a writer which takes place in early Feb 2026 in Colorado Springs, CO and where Mark will be a guest speaker. Use code: STARK100 to get $100 off your registration. In their chat Mark and Kevin talk about: The loss of author and poet Danny Peart, Neil Peart's brother and how the first story Kevin and Neil wrote together named the main character after Neil's brother Mark and Kevin's Rush and beer connection Kevin's "music starter kit" to his grand-kids The significance of the Rush album Grace Under Pressure to both Kevin and Mark How the Columbia Music Record Club is what led to Kevin discovering Rush (because he was looking for sci-fi style album covers and Rush's 2112 jumped out at him) The back-story to Kevin's Terra Incognita novels Writing a novel that was a tie-in to a Rush album How Kevin has been able to leverage Kickstarter to produce products that no New York publisher would likely ever get behind The way a tribute song "No Words" about Neil Peart led to a new friendship and collaboration with Kevin The music behind the Terra Incognita trilogy Kevin's Kickstarter for Terra Incognita funding in 14 minutes, but the ultimate goal of earning back the high investment he has already put into it The number of novels that Kevin has written Benefits of being able to order books directly from the author versus going through the multiple layers of traditional publishing Superstars Writing Seminars, the conference that Kevin, his wife Rebecca, Dave Farland, Eric Flint, and Brandon Sanderson started more than 15 years ago The Masters of Creative Writing with a focus on Publishing that Kevin teaches at Western Colorado University The annual anthology that this program publishes thanks to sponsorship from Draft2Digital The latest musical collaboration Kevin recently announced Kevin coming to Toronto's Massey Hall for RushFest on August 1, 2025 What books Kevin and Mark are currently working on Favorite advice for running a Kickstarter and the real costs of shipping and handling Kevin's love of hiking and dictating when he writes And more . . . Links of Interest: Kevin J Anderson's Website WordFire Press Kevin's Terra Incognita Kickstarter Western Colorado University Publishing Masters Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds 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 in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 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 reflects on the power and importance of Superstars Writing Seminars and why it's one of the most important annual in person sessions he attends and participates in. He also reflects on the rule of "no politics/no religion" in writing groups focused on supporting one another and helping to learn and grow, a new way he now sees this, and his desire for continuing to create bridges rather than divides without compromosing his morality. Links of Interest: Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds 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 in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 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 Katie Nelson, Mari Dietz, and Brandon Winn about No Margins Agency, which offers stock photography of underrepresented and marginalized people. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update, and then plays a few words about this episode's sponsor. No Margins Agency offers stock photography of underrepresented and marginalized people, because everyone deserves to be the hero of their own story. In the interview, Mark, Katie, Mari, and Brandon talk about: Katie's background writing when young, then getting back into writing science fiction with queer characters later in life shortly after reading a traditionally published book that disappointed her Meeting Mari at a conference in Fort Collins, Colorado and being introduced to Superstars Writing Seminars a little later How Mari has wanted to write her whole life, and the way her mom used to type out her poems when she was very young and post them on cupboards and elsewhere in the house Stopping writing for a while, but then picking it up again in 2011, with a focus on writing fiction that featured plus-size people Brandon feeling isolated during the pandemic along with feeling like his voice and wanting to see characters that were more representative of his own experiences Being aghast at what was available in typical stock image sites when searching for "plus size" models for example The often overlooked value of having to meet people where they're at, rather than assuming everyone is in the same place. A rising tide can only float all boats if people are in boats to begin with How not everyone has a visible marginalization or disability Getting in contact with them via hello@nomarginsagency.com Allowing models to bring and wear things that they are comfortable with and to be free with who they are The unofficial mantra of the company being "take up as much space as you want" How the galleries on their website is broken down One of the biggest challenges is convincing people that they don't have to have the confidence or "look" of a "model" in order to model for No Margins Agency Scheduling a photoshoot when they're together in Colorado Springs in Feb 2024 at Superstars Writing Seminars How they are starting to do reviews of books by more diverse and marginalized authors The way they are managing the overhead costs by doing things like scheduling only a single photo shoot per month The value and importance of finding the right community that can be there for you and support you And more . . . After the interview Mark shares a reflection about how this type of supportive community inspires him. He also makes an offer to listeners of the podcast (thanks to the help of those who support this podcast at patreon.com/starkreflections) with some of the services that No Margins Agency provides. Links of Interest: No Margins Agency Facebook Blog Stark Publishing Support for Authors Via Margins Agency StoryGarden Summit (Virtual) - March 2024 ScribeCount (Mark's Affiliate Link) Mark's YouTube Channel Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries Smashwords Link (eBook 57% Off until end of Feb 2024) 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 The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard No Margins Agency is a company dedicated to helping marginalized people reach their audience, tell their stories, and drive sales. 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
Conferences are vital for author careers. The good ones not only provide stellar learning opportunities from the industry's best and brightest minds, they also provide a sense of community and belonging. In today's episode we'll catch up with D2D's own Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Nick Thacker as they attend the renowned Superstars Writing Seminars event in Colorado Springs. Knowing these guys, they're likely to grab some surprise author guests to join us. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime. We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.
Today's guests are Marie Whittaker, Mark Stallings, Todd Fahnestock, and Quincy J. Allen, who co-create the Eldros Legacy fantasy series. Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She is Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Director at Superstars Writing Seminars. She is the creator of The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch. In 2021, she co-founded the epic fantasy world of Eldrose Legacy – the subject of this podcast. Mark Stallings is an Amazon Best Selling author living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a writer of Chinese martial arts fiction called Woo-Sha (Wuxia), Fantasy, Thrillers, and Military Sci-Fi. Mark released the first book in the Silver Coin Saga, The Elements, Eldrose Legacy, and the 4Horsemen Universes. Todd Fahnestock is a fantasy writer for all ages and winner of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age Award. His bestselling The Wishing World series began as bedtime stories for his children, and his other epic fantasy series include: Threadweavers, The Heartstone Trilogy, and The Whisper Prince Trilogy. Quincy J. Allen is a National Bestselling cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Award finalist in 2010.
Today's guests are Marie Whittaker, Mark Stallings, Todd Fahnestock, and Quincy J. Allen, who co-create the Eldros Legacy fantasy series. Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She is Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Director at Superstars Writing Seminars. She is the creator of The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch. In 2021, she co-founded the epic fantasy world of Eldrose Legacy – the subject of this podcast. Mark Stallings is an Amazon Best Selling author living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a writer of Chinese martial arts fiction called Woo-Sha (Wuxia), Fantasy, Thrillers, and Military Sci-Fi. Mark released the first book in the Silver Coin Saga, The Elements, Eldrose Legacy, and the 4Horsemen Universes. Todd Fahnestock is a fantasy writer for all ages and winner of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age Award. His bestselling The Wishing World series began as bedtime stories for his children, and his other epic fantasy series include: Threadweavers, The Heartstone Trilogy, and The Whisper Prince Trilogy. Quincy J. Allen is a National Bestselling cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Award finalist in 2010.
Today's guests are Marie Whittaker, Mark Stallings, Todd Fahnestock, and Quincy J. Allen, who co-create the Eldros Legacy fantasy series. Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She is Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Director at Superstars Writing Seminars. She is the creator of The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch. In 2021, she co-founded the epic fantasy world of Eldrose Legacy – the subject of this podcast. Mark Stallings is an Amazon Best Selling author living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a writer of Chinese martial arts fiction called Woo-Sha (Wuxia), Fantasy, Thrillers, and Military Sci-Fi. Mark released the first book in the Silver Coin Saga, The Elements, Eldrose Legacy, and the 4Horsemen Universes. Todd Fahnestock is a fantasy writer for all ages and winner of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age Award. His bestselling The Wishing World series began as bedtime stories for his children, and his other epic fantasy series include: Threadweavers, The Heartstone Trilogy, and The Whisper Prince Trilogy. Quincy J. Allen is a National Bestselling cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Award finalist in 2010.
Mark interviews Michael La Ronn, the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their conversation, Mark and Michael talk about: How long it has been since Mark and Michael saw one another Michael getting back on the travel circuit and being one of the guest speakers for Superstars Writing Seminars in Feb 2023 How Michael got extremely ill in 2012 with an extreme case of food poisoning combined with a hospital infection he acquired, and how that laid him up for a full month Taking the time to realize, while he was stuck in the hospital how he'd been working in a dead-end job and not being the writer he wanted to be Having a beautiful vision of being a successful published writer, and the feeling of happiness that came from that Learning about self-publishing from the Alliance of Independent Authors and The Creative Penn The more than 80 books Michael has written while working full-time, raising a family, and going to law school at night The "secret weapons" that Michael relies on for his writing goals Writing using Scrivener on the MAC and the Scrivener app on his iPhone as well as using dictation Getting writing done using dictation while walking the dog Being a pantser (or "discovery writer") Michael's writer manifesto The different pseudonyms Michael uses for fiction VS his books for writers Michael's role as ALLI's outreach manager The two estate planning books Michael has. One for writers and the other for a writer's heirs Loving his day job and not wanting to give it up despite how successful and prolific his writing career has been The enjoyment of challenging himself And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the prioritizing of finding every available small moment for getting just a few extra words in and how that all adds up. He also considers Michael's thoughts on "balance." Links of Interest: Michael's Author Website Author Level Up Findaway Voices Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast 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 The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Michael La Ronn is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings. You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. 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 Gama Ray Martinez about his recent novel GOD OF NEVERLAND, his writing life, and more. Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their conversation Mark and Gama talk about: How Mark and Gama normally only see one another once per year at Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado in Feb each year Gama always wanting to be a writer, and in school turning in stories instead of descriptive essays The first story that Gama sold, which won 2nd place in a David Farland anthology Taking several of David Farland's workshops Writing a "purple unicorn" story involving a potato based on a parody cover James A. Owen had crafted The background of the "purple unicorn" story Value that can come, both professionally and personally, from attending in person conferences like Superstars Writing Seminars The inspiration for writing God of Neverland which came from the epilogue of the original story of Peter Pan Embracing both traditional publishing and indie publishing Having support from both family and close friends The audiobook version, which took home an audio award The forthcoming sequel, Queens of Wonderland, which ties in to the classic Lewis Carroll book The GamaVerse of this series and how it will connect even more classic texts Writing with something on the TV in the background, but it having to be something that he has seen countless times Advice Gama would offer to other writers and beginning writers How Gama shoots for one plot point per 1000 words when greating a rough outline for a writing project Gama's goal to do a half-marathon in every state, and the Disney marathons he has participated in The feeling of walking into a bookstore such as Barnes and Noble and seeing your books on display And more... After the interview Mark reflects on the years of hard work and investment Gama put into his writing to get to where he is today and the important of getting that first draft DONE. Links of Interest: Gama Ray Martinez Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast 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 The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Gama Ray Martinez lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and kids. He moved there solely because he likes mountains. He collects weapons in case he ever needs to supply a medieval battalion, and he greatly resents when work or other real-life things get in the way of writing. He secretly hopes to one day slay a dragon in single combat and doesn't believe in letting pesky little things like reality stand in the way of dreams. 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 C.J. Anaya, a USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author who enjoys assisting authors in writing, publishing, and marketing books with her YouTube channel Author Journey. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, an ad he recorded with Julie Strauss for the release of their new novel Lover's Moon, and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their chat, Mark and CJ talk about: How by the time she was eight months old CJ was singing Writing short stories for her friends at the age of 10 because she wanted to give them all Christmas presents The singing and performing she did, including starting to writing songs at the age of 18 Going through three incidents of cancer. First at the age of 18, then at 26, and more recently in the past year How her writing journey began shortly after running into Jennifer Griffith when CJ was in a bookstore signing copies of her CD Writing short stories for her friends at the age of 10 because she wanted to give them all Christmas presents Dreaming about a spirit trapped in a Japanese statue which lead to writing THE HEALER which ended up being the first book in a series How the Paranormal Misfit series started off as a 10,000 word short story The specific themes and issues that this YA series deals with The book and course CJ created about writer's block Specific genres that CJ works on as a developmental editor CJ's experience attending Superstars Writing Seminars alone (as opposed to always previously going to conferences with a friend) Advice she would give to her youngest self Something that she hadn't expected when taking Kevin J. Anderson's Western Colorado University's Masters in Publishing program Writing songs for characters in her books And more... After the interview Mark reflects on when CJ spoke about learning to deal with constructive criticism and appreciating that it's not that there's anything wrong with the work, but about what can we improve upon and how can we make this even better. Links of Interest: CJ Anaya's Website CJ's YouTube Channel Cindy Savage Music on Reverbnation Findaway Voices Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Best Book Ever Podcast Lovers Moon Podcast TikTok Video - Mark's Skeleton Author Prop French River Trading Post 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 C.J. Anaya is a USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author. She also enjoys assisting authors in writing, publishing, and marketing books with her YouTube channel Author Journey. She's a huge fan of The Mindy Project, Hugh Jackman, and binge eating any and all things chocolate. As a mother of four awesome kiddos, C.J. is usually helping out with endless amounts of homework, attempting difficult and harrowing crochet projects with her daughters, and getting schooled in basketball by her teenage son. She loves writing entertaining reads for everyone to enjoy and dabbles in singing and songwriting for kicks and giggles. 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
In this episode Mark interviews Angeline Trevena, an author of dystopian urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction, a podcaster, an events manager, and the author of a number of phenomenal books about world-building. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a short personal update, including the fact one of his patrons will win a copy of Angeline's latest edition of 30 Days of Worldbuilding, a coupon code to get $100 off registration for Superstars Writing Seminars 2023 (STARKSSWS2023) and a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their conversation, Mark and Angeline talk about: The release of the 2nd edition of her book 30 Days of World-Building How Angeline has always loved fantasy, and choose-your-own-adventure books The way reading The Chronicles of Narnia was one of the factors that led to her love and passion for world-building The original 30 Days of World-Building starting as an 30 day Instagram challenge, that became a worksheet, that eventually became a book How to Destroy the World, the 2nd world-building book in the same series that Angeline released The original 30 days of world-building prompts that takes you from scratch, all the way up to creating a world ready to drop your characters into Angeline's three rules for world-building: Revealing character, pushing the plot forward, and exploring the themes of your novel Being a panster and an avid world-builder at the same time Destroying a world or creating a dystopian or post-apocalyptic setting How dystopian stories can often be filled with a lot of hope Food within world-building, including all the rituals and festivals that have been created around food How food can be a massive part of religion and magic Some of the other writing that Angeline has done Involving her 9 year old in the writing/early critique process of her middle grade books And more... After the interview, Mark reflects on the use of food in culture, religion, society, in rituals, as well as a way to help demonstrate or establish character and conflict in a scene. Links of Interest: Angeline Trevena's Website TikTok Instagram Twitter Superstars Writing Seminars Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections 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 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 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 books A 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 editor Joshua's previous role as an old book restorer Being a book nerd since Joshua was 7 years old Asking Brandon Sanderson to read one of his stories and the generous and constructive feedback he was offered Advice from Superstars Writing Seminars that led Joshua to deciding to take on a new challenge, editing a fellow author's fantasy novel Setting a goal of editing one of David Farland's novels The difference between restoring old books and working as an editor The 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 editor The new book project Joshua is releasing and how he is launching it using Kickstarter The first book: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes and why Joshua is releasing that one first And 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 Website Joshua's Kickstarter Project: Essoe's Guide to Writing: Action Sequences and Sex Scenes! Episode 133 - Anatomy of a Rebel with Sacha Black Episode 135 - Creative Collaborations in FerroCity with Joe Scacciaferro Career Author Summit Patreon 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
Attending writers conferences can be a great way to make the connections that springboard your writing career, but what goes on behind the scenes? Marie Whittaker, Superstars Writing Seminars maven, and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry discuss how to pull off a fantastic conference and share their top tips on getting the most out of the experience.
Tonight we get the insider's take on writers conferences. Four authors share their favorite moments and lessons learned from the Superstars Writing Seminars. What makes that conference so cool? Are conferences worth the time and money invested? Can I be besties with one of my favorite authors without being all stalkery? We answers these questions and more on this special episode of The Writer's Journey.
In this episode Mark shares a few tidbits from the 2020 Superstars Writing Seminars conference held in early February in Colorado Springs. Prior to the main episode content, he shares a personal update about his writing (or lack thereof) as well as a few comments from listeners from previous episodes. Just before the main topic, Mark shares a word about 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 this episode, Mark discusses things that were mentioned by the following instructors/attendees of the conference during various presentations and panels. Nick Thacker Michael Anderle Brian Meeks Tara Cremin Kevin Ikenberry Rebecca Moesta James A. Owen Kevin J. Anderson Mark mentions that this is just the tip of the iceberg of the amazing content that was packed into several days for this conference. He closes by reflecting upon the Rush lyrics that opened out the episode, explaining the way Kevin Anderson had been using them to inspire writers, and what the lyrics meant to mark in the writer context. Mark closes by offering an ambassador code that people can use to get $100 off registration of Superstars Writing Seminars 2021. (MARK9776). Links of Interest: Episode 118 - Wish I'd Known Then with Jami Albright and Sara Rosett Wish I'd Known for Writers (Podcast Website) Episode 116 - Taking the Short Tack with Matty Dalrymple Adam Croft's Online Mini Courses (Affiliate Link) (Be sure to use "STARK" coupon code to save 50%) Superstars Writing Seminars Special link to get $100 off registration for 2021 Amazing Monster Tales: Monster Road Trip A Canadian Werewolf in New York This Time Around (Free Short Story) Findaway Voices Patreon for Stark Reflections 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
This episode features a conversation with Jami Albright and Sara Rosett. Jami is the multiple award-winning author of the Brides on the Run series–a fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud good time. USA Today and Audible bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries with atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunit. The two are the best of friends, and Mark talks with them about their writing, their friendship, and their new podcast Wish I'd Known Then for Writers. Prior to the interview, Mark shares an audiobook marketing tip 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. Mark then shares a personal update, which includes: Flying to Colorado Springs for the 2020 Superstars Writing Seminars where he is a returning guest instructor The release (on Feb 4th) of TAKING THE SHORT TACK (a book on how writers can leverage short fiction for marketing and revenue), which he co-authored with Matty Dalrymple He then announces the winners of two different prizes that were randomly drawn from listeners who left comments on two previous episodes as well as patrons of the show who support the podcast over at http://patreon.com/starkreflections. During their conversation, Jami, Sara, and Mark discuss: How they first got into writing, and their unique entrances and pathways into the writing world, as well as the unique genres they write in The runaway bride trope/theme in romantic comedy and the potential double standard of runaway groom not being as popular The cozy mystery genre and the way certain readers have specific preferences for how a series is structured What it would take for either of them to say "yes" to a traditional publishing contract Why a traditional publisher wouldn't be able to afford an advance for what Jami makes in a money off of her indie eBook sales How Sara ended up with POD print titles in a bookstore and how she managed returns with a returnable status for the US and Canada only and non-returnable for the rest of world How Sara and Jami first met at the Smarter Artist Conference in Austin, TX and learned that they both lived in Austin about ten minutes away from one another The ongoing "ladies that lunch" they participate in, often with other local writers The importance of having other writer friends Why they both enjoy attending writer gatherings and writer conferences The origin of the new podcast that Jami and Sara started called Wish I'd Known Then for Writers What they each wish they'd know then, before they got into writing After the interview, Mark reflects on something Sara mentioned about changes in the industry. Be warned, attentive listener, because Mark uses that as an excuse to quote Rush lyrics. ;) Links of Interest: Jami Albright's Website Sarah Rosett's Website Wish I'd Known for Writers (Podcast Website) Episode 115 - Embracing the Indie Author Mindset with Adam Croft Adam Croft's Online Mini Courses (Affiliate Link) (Be sure to use "STARK" coupon code to save 50%) Superstars Writing Seminars Findaway Voices Chirp Deals Tips Article NPR Podast: How I Built This with Guy Raz NINC Conference 20BooksVegas Patreon for Stark Reflections Jami Albright is a born and raised Texas girl and is the multiple award-winning author of The Brides on the Run series--a fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud good time. If you don't snort with laughter, then she hasn't done her job. USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunits. Sara loves all things bookish, considers dark chocolate a daily requirement 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
Mark has a conversation with Kerrie Flanagan and Chuck Harrelson who are collaborating yet again under the author name C.G. Harris, and their mutual collaboration with audiobook narrator MacLeod Andrews. They discuss the book The Nine, which is the first book in The Judas Files series, which is narrated by MacLeod, a multi-award-winning narrator. Prior to the conversation, Mark shares a few personal updates, which include: Heading to Colorado to attend Superstars Writing Seminars as a guest instructor the first week of February A forthcoming two hour keynote he has been booked into for the spring A virtual talk he'll be doing at one conference in Alberta while he is attending another conference in Colorado Mark then shares 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, Kerrie, Chuck and MacLeod talk about: The origin of Kerrie and Chuck starting to write together, originally for a romantic comedy series of three books under the name C.K. Wiles Where the name C.G. Harris came from (as well as Mark's continued mispronunciation of C.G. Harris as "C.J. Harris" and his feeble excuse that that's the way Canadians pronounce it) MacLeod's background as an actor and how he got involved in recording audiobooks, which he had never thought of as a possible career path The 12 books that MacLeod had done with Brilliance audio and how that turned into a full time profession, allowing him to leave cater waitering The decision to do this collaboration with Findaway Voices, and how this project was the first one MacLeod had done in a more independent fashion The full service studio in Los Angeles that MacLeod used to record THE NINE How this series was something that Kerrie and Chuck wanted to be similar to or appeal to fans of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" The decision to reach out to MacLeod to see if he would be interested in narrating THE NINE How the collaboration between writers and narrator began and progressed, and the way that Kerrie and Chuck enjoyed the playful experimentation that MacLeod did on this project and also fully trusted him How the Voices Share royalty splitting option worked for them via Findaway Voices What THE NINE is all about and the plans for the 12 books in The Judas Files series The way that comedy plays a role in a dark novel such as this one The desire to do a simultaneous release of the print, eBook and audiobook for Book 2 in the series in August 2020 The plans for the next two books in the series coming relatively quickly after that (November and December) After the conversation, Mark talks about how Chuck was a fan of MacLeod's previous audiobooks and had the idea to ask if he would be interested in working with them. He reflects on the importance of asking. Links of Interest: C.G. Harris (Website) Kerrie Flanagan (Website) MacLeod Andrews (Website) MacLeod on Twitter Episode 115 - Embracing the Indie Author Mindset with Adam Croft Adam Croft's Online Mini Courses (Affiliate Link) (Be sure to use "STARK" coupon code to save 50%) Superstars Writing Seminars Liberty State Fiction Writers Conference Wordbridge Conference Findaway Voices Patreon for Stark Reflections C.G. Harris is an award winning science-fiction and fantasy author from Colorado who draws inspiration from favorites, Jim Butcher, Richard Kadrey and Brandon Sanderson. For nearly a decade, Harris has escaped the humdrum of the real world by creating fictional characters and made-up realities. When not writing, Harris enjoys sipping scotch while watching the twisted humor of Drunk History. Seeing our past through the bottom of a whisky glass is more entertaining than reading a dusty textbook. C.G. Harris is the pen name and combined persona created by authors, Chuck Harrelson and Kerrie Flanagan. Together they have published, The Judas Files, a gritty urban fantasy series and The Rax, an apocalyptic science fiction series. MacLeod Andrews is a multiple Audie, Earphone, and SOVAS award winning audiobook narrator, as well as an award winning film actor and producer. He's perhaps most recognized in audio for narrating the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey and The Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson. His films They Look Like People and The Siren have played festivals all around the world and are available for streaming on major platforms domestically and abroad. He has a cat named Luna, a well known affinity for chocolate chip cookies, and rations his social media fix to twitter. Chuck Harrelson spent almost thirty years as a fire fighter, mostly for Space Command in the Department of defense. He has amassed a wealth of knowledge over the years as he not only excelled in his job but also spent his off time honing his craft as a successful science fiction and fantasy author. He is now retired and writes full time, publishing his novels with writing partner Kerrie Flanagan. Chuck resides in Denver Colorado and is an active member of both the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and the Northern Colorado Writers Group. His past manuscripts won the 2014 Top of The Mountain Book Award competition, the Ballot Press Competition and one was a finalist at the 2016 San Diego Writers Conference. Kerrie Flanagan is an author, writing consultant, presenter, and freelance writer with over 20 years' experience in the publishing industry. She's the author of, The Writer's Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing and creator of the Magazine Writing Blueprint. In addition, she has published twelve other books, including three series' with her co-author Chuck Harrelson, under the pen names, C.K. Wiles and C.G. Harris. Their book, Showtime Rendezvous, was a finalist in The Beverly contest and also received an Honorable Mention for the Writer's Digest self-published books awards. Her articles and essays have appeared in publications and anthologies including Writer's Digest, Alaska Magazine, The Writer, FamilyFun, and six Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Over the years, she has worked with hundreds of authors through classes and individual consultations. Her background in teaching, and enjoyment of helping writers has led her to present at writing conferences across the country and teach continuing studies classes through Stanford University. Now as a member of the Writing Day Workshop team, I help coordinate one-day writing conference throughout the country. www.KerrieFlanagan.com. 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
In this episode Mark interviews Laura Shanae Crenshaw, a writer, a world-builder, a photographer, an all around creative person, and the creator of the Mythulu creation cards. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a few details from last week's Superstars Writers Seminars that stuck out to him, both writing and business-of-writing related activities as well as an unexpected pleasant personal experience. He then talks about the audiobook panels he was on and mentions this episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices. He shares that, in 2018, 6% of his writing income came from audio, and from sources well behind the major retailers for audiobooks (such as Audible, Apple, Kobo and Google). . . . you can learn more about how you can get your work distributed not only to those top retailers, but also to other retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. During their chat, Mark and Laura discuss: Laura's unusual introduction into writing via imaginary stories from her older sister The basic concept behind the Mythulu creativity enhancement tool that Laura created Daniel Kahneman (author of "Thinking Fast and Slow") and how his idea that the brain can only hold 6 ideas at a time led to the six packs in Laura's deck Filling a story with rich meaning instead of tropes and cliches The archetypes used in the tool: Elements, Habitats, Characters, Relationships, Traits, and Textures Examples of "Blood" as one of the 50 archetypical elements and the various interpretations associated with it How research led to the creation of something a lot more complex than was laid out by Joseph Campbell in his mythological archetypes Mark's consideration of Laura's reading of the deck as being similar to a Tarot reading Examples of how a writer might use the deck to fill in details or answering outstanding questions Laura's passion for helping writers tell new stories and incorporate new ideas into their writing The non-fiction book that Laura ghost-wrote called "Never Boss" How Laura was introduced to and invited to Superstars Writing Seminars by James Owen After the interview, Mark reminds listeners of their chance to win a copy of the Mythulu Creation Cards just by commenting on this episode at www.starkreflections.ca. The winner will be randomly drawn from all commenters, and patrons supporting the show via Patreon.com/StarkReflections who leave a comment will get an additional bonus opportunity to win. He then reflects on how Laura was welcomed in to the Superstars Writing Seminars Tribe, discusses the concept of that incredibly powerful "family" feeling at the conference, as well as elements of Love that go beyond notions of romantic love and are more about the beautiful way that people can connect to one another and support each other. Links of Interest: Mythulu Superstars Writing Seminars Fiction River: Feel the Love Patreon for Stark Reflections Stark Reflections Survey The 7 P's of Publishing Success Killing It On Kobo 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
This short episode includes a brief chat with Adriel Wiggins about her author resource business (author assistant and continuity editing) as well as a few quick nuggets from the recent Superstars Writing Seminars that Mark attended in early February 2019. The episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices. Mark shares a fun Valentine's promotion from them called FOR THE LOVE OF AUDIOBOOKS. Readers can use a coupon code ("loveaudio") to get as many titles from this wonderful collection of romance audiobooks in time for Valentines' Day. https://shop.authors-direct.com/collections/for-the-love-of-audiobooks . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their brief chat, Mark and Adriel talk about: Adriel talks about how she got involved in creating services to assist authors The "I'm not letting you go ever!" response from her first author client Her specialties which are related to data analytics and promotion schedules Some of the common mistakes authors make when hiring a personal assistant Mark explains that he'll be doing a full interview with Adriel in a forthcoming episode. For the last part of this short episode, he shares three of the many tidbits of things he learned at Superstars Writing Seminars. Three Small Nuggets From the Landslide of Gold at SSWS 1. Yasiv.com - a cloud map (visual representation of also boughts for AMS ads, BookBub and Facebook targeting, etc) - a great reminder from James Hunter. 2. QUOTE: "You don't have a muse, you have a mortgage." - Jim Butcher, reminding writers what being a professional means. 3. The D10 of Power Writing - The concept of using a 10 sided die to set a writing goal before you consider yourself finished. Simple - Multiple the number rolled on the die by 1000. If you roll a 1, you write 1000 words, if you roll a 10, then 10,000 words. Mark concludes by stating that he left Superstars Writing Seminars having lined up a wonderful series of interviews from several great people that you'll hear in forthcoming episodes. For example, next episode will feature a chat with Laura Shanae Crenshaw of Mythulu and she shares the incredible intriguing Mythulu deck that helps a writer come up with insightful characters, situations and incidents in their stories that move well beyond tropes or the low-hanging fruit of "the first thing that comes to mind." Links of Interest: Superstars Writing Seminars Adriel Wiggins James A. Hunter Jim Butcher Mythulu Patreon for Stark Reflections Stark Reflections Survey The 7 P's of Publishing Success Killing It On Kobo 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
Mark interviews James Fell, the author of The Holy Shit Moment: How Lasting Change Can Happen in An Instant about his new book. This episode comes with a special offer. If you comment on the show at www.starkreflections.ca (Episode 60) in the first week, your name will be entered into a random draw for winning a copy of the book. The choice of the format (Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook) will be decided by the winner. (Please note this podcast is airing Feb 8, 2019) Prior to the interview, Mark shares a bit of a personal update, which includes mention of his trip to Superstars Writing Seminars this week as well as a brief word about the episode's corporate sponsor, Findaway Voices . . . . . . you can learn more at starkreflections.ca/Findaway. In their conversation, Mark and James talk about: The approach James takes when it comes to merging research, attitude and humor in the different articles and columns he writes Where and when the submit matter of an article seems to naturally call for profanity How a cold call (and not following the "standard advice" on the matter) led to a role as a bi-weekly columnist for the La Times The dopamine rush that comes with the recognition of progress The length of time and the amount of work it takes to make it as a writer James' first book, Lose it Right, which sold only to a publisher in Canada (Random House Canada) The decision to write a book within the system of the markets that went beyond fitness and weight loss while maintaining a consistent moral code How there are plenty of self-help books out there that are absolute crap Being goal and motivation oriented Early positive feedback already received on the book and the personal revelations shared from early and beta readers How the book idea came to James in the middle of a long bike ride The concept of System 1 and System 2 from Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Malcolm Gladwell as an example of an author who drilled down in a narrow and focused way into a specific subject within common knowlege, including reference to science and insightful anecdotes The concept of making this a "how to" book about making insights/epiphanies happen The outreach for personal stories and the series of interviews with field experts on the topic How running is a creative process for James The two important elements: 1) The open-ness to the belief that this (a transformative event) can happen 2) Analysis followed by distraction Giving yourself the opportunity for an ephiphany to arrive after first setting the stage by asking questions The importance of being comfortable turning distractions completely off and engaging with nature for arriving at these types of scenarios (looking out the window rather than reading or listening to music) What "shower thoughts" are and why they are important The great value of a "walk in nature" The wave of emotion that comes when "the answer" arrives How we struggle with making "baby steps" because we are not inspired - more likely we felt like it was something we "had to do" The challenging process of recording the audiobook, which was different than any of the radio or speaking experience James has had Recording the audiobook in a music studio that was most often used for "death metal" The four seven-hour days of recording the book and how exhausting the experience was After the interview Mark reflects on how writers can often experience revelations or sudden insights related to the characters in the books and stories they are writing. He also comments on the Thoreau-like perspective Fell shares, about the importance of walking in nature. Links of Interest: James Fell Website James Fell Twitter Superstars Writing Seminars Patreon for Stark Reflections Stark Reflections Survey The 7 P's of Publishing Success Killing It On Kobo James Fell, MA, MBA, is a motivation, health, and fitness writer for the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. He has written extensively for Chatelaine and AskMen.com, and authored pieces in TIME Magazine, the Guardian, Men's Health, Women's Health, and many other publications. He has a massive and highly engaged following on Facebook and Twitter, and his blog, Body For Wife, has millions of visitors a year. He is also the author of Lose It Right. He lives in Calgary, AB. 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
In the introduction, Mark talks a little about being in Colorado attending Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado Springs, CO and the importance of understanding the business of writing and publishing. He shares that he will be doing Facebook Live videos of his experience at Superstars on his Stark Publishing Facebook page. This episode features an interview with Kelly Lytle from Findaway Voices. In their conversation, Mark and Kelly talk about: How Findaway Voices is a single service built to help independent authors and small publishers create and distribute their audiobooks, and that they are a fully non-exclusive platform to the largest network of audio sellers in the world (retailer, library and K through 12 markets) The pay per use model that Bibliotheca (3M) has. Meaning the library doesn't need to pre-purchase the audiobook in advance. It is listed (like on any major retailer), and the purchase doesn't happen until the library patron checks out that title The background to Findaway Voices as part of the larger Findaway family. Their “flagship” product, for example, was the Playaway Device, a single title pre-loaded audiobook player that is about the size of a deck of cards, with built in play and pause buttons. These devices have been hugely popular with the library market (as an easy to merchandise and easy to use for patrons who weren't savvy about digital check-outs or even using CD audiobooks) and the military Pre-loaded tablets called “LaunchPad” that are also in the library markets The platform called Audio Engine. The world's largest business-to-business audiobook service Kelly's own background as a passionate reader with a thirst for storytelling. Even though he worked on Wall Street and in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, his compass kept pointing back to that original passion and joining Findaway a little more than four years ago To Dad, From Kelly, the memoir Kelly wrote about his relationship to his late father who passed away in 2010. Kelly's experience going to TuneIn's studio in Santa Monica, California to record the audiobook himself How Findaway works with authors and as well as the sign-up and vetting process they use for narrators. Mark's very positive experience getting his short story collection Active Reader produced by Findaway Voices and how pleased he was with Eric Moore's recording. Which leads to the question of how a writer might be able to request to work with the same narrator again for a future project, or a narrator that they have already chosen (even if that narrator isn't already part of the Findaway Voices talent pool community) How to use Findaway Voices to upload an audiobook that you already have produced in order to leverage their distribution channels The price control that the author/publisher has on their audiobook (which is a critical differentiation of the way that Amazon's ACX sets the price and doesn't allow that control to the copyright owner) The urgent quest for Audiobook promotion platforms to provide a “BookBub” or “Bargainbooksy” style service, and the existing awesome audio review sites, such as BookRiot or AudioFile How they are seeing authors make hundreds of dollars through the aforementioned library “pay per use” model, which is a huge opportunity, as well as through sites most authors might not be paying much attention to, including Playster. A recommendation for authors to also make sure that the narrator, and not just the author gets the free Audible download codes to help promote the book. The partnership that Findaway Voices has with Draft2Digital.com that allows an author to easily port their ebook's metadata over to set up an audiobook at Findaway. Also, Kelly's respect for the “author-first” approach to authors that Draft2Digital employs in everything they do The notion of format-agnostic consumption of stories and the growth this means for authors After the interview, Mark talks about the importance of publishing wide and shares his own experience with earning revenue from Findaway Voices via sales channels that weren't even on his radar. His belief was that he would make most of his money from the audiobook sales via Audible, the Amazon-owned largest retail site for audiobooks, but the reality was, the majority of his earnings came from several other sales channels. He talks about the recent progress from Apple, Google and Kobo in the past week as an example of “you never know, so it's best to be available everywhere.” He then shares a second reflection on how the investment related to the creation of an audiobook file is an important reminder to authors of focusing on the long-term, on looking at the various investments they make, not just in money, but in time, and in education. Links of Interest: Findaway Voices Website Findaway Voices on Twitter Kelly's book: To Dad, From Kelly Mark's Findaway produced books: Active Reader: And Other Cautionary Tales from the Book World Collateral Damage: A Sin-Eater Midadventure Superstars Writing Seminars
From his role as a guest faculty member at Superstars Writing Seminars, Kobo Writing Life director Mark Lefebvre interviewed professional photographer Lauren Lang who was on site to help attending authors get a professional author photo. In the interview Mark and Lauren discuss: Lauren's start in the industry in journalism and her desire to use a visual medium as her preferred method of telling and sharing stories The desire of capturing a moment in photography and causing an emotional reaction in the viewer/audience Some of the differences between “posed” and more “candid” photography and Lauren's desire to love people in the midst of emotion, catching them emoting and enjoying themselves in the moment The methods that Lauren uses turning the “inherently unnatural” environment of posed photography into something where the subject doesn't feel so uncomfortable or self-conscious The importance of being real when Lauren is trying to draw the author and their story out as part of the photo shoot Some of the tricks that an author might use when preparing for a professional photo shoot, including moving beyond the “getting an author head shot is something I have to do” to thinking about this as being something for their fans (even if they're a beginning author and don't yet have a fan base) A look at some of the “do not do's” and “mis-steps” that people make when trying to select a good head-shot, including using a photo that actually looks like you (rather than the way you looked a few decades earlier) What an author should look for when finding a photographer to hire/work with A look at expression in photography from a study from Photofeeler.com Mark then reflects on the author photo, a projected image, authenticity and how that might all role into a larger picture of author brand. Links of interest: Jacobin Photography Website Jacobin Photography on Facebook Lauren Lang on Instagram Lauren Lang on Twitter Photofeeler.com Blog Superstars Writing Seminars
On site at Superstars Writing Seminars, Kobo Writing Life Director Mark Lefebvre interviews Joshua Essoe, freelance editor. In their discussion Mark and Joshua discuss: What led him to writing (the author's notes at the end of a Piers Anthony novel he had picked up at an early age) and then, more specifically, what led him into editing The role that Brandon Sanderson played, at the very first Superstars Writing Seminars in Pasadena, in launching Joshua onto the patch towards editing The editing pitch that Joshua did to David Farland, which led to Joshua editing his Award-Winning Novel Nightingale The struggle that Joshua deals with in making the time to write while having such a heavy editing workload The benefit of consultation calls between a writer and an editor when the writer is at the early stages of working on their novel The types of works that Joshua mostly works on, including the types of manuscripts he would like to see more of (horror) The process of finding an editor who is a good fit for a particular writer A look at the different types of edits that an editor can do, or that different editors specialize in The benefit to a freelance editor of working with repeat clients The most common errors that Joshua has seen that writers make (and where a good editor can help them) Reflections on the difference between American English and British English Some of Joshua's forthcoming projects including an anthology Joshua is co-creating with James A. Owen entitled Magic Makers (including stories by Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Peter Beagle) After the interview, Mark shares some thoughts on how an element such as a post-text authors note can serve an important part in helping a reader feel more connected with a writer.
”Folk Hero” by Mary Pletsch -- published in Apex Magazine issue 85, June 2016. Mary Pletsch is a glider pilot, toy collector and graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada. She attended Superstars Writing Seminars in 2010 and has since published short stories and novellas in a variety of genres including science fiction, steampunk, fantasy, and horror. She lives in New Brunswick with Dylan Blacquiere and their four cats. Visit her online at www.fictorians.com. This Apex Magazine Podcast was performed and produced by Lisa Shininger. Music used with kind permission of Oh, Alchemy! Apex Magazine Podcast, Copyright Apex Publications.
Known as the “Wizard of Storytelling,” David Farland (who also writes under the name David Wolverton) is the author and editor of more than fifty books, including his Philip K. Dick Award winning novel On My Way to Paradise and the well-known Runelords series. A long-time mentor to writers, David spend many years teaching writing at Bringham Young University and has also mentored such writers as Stephanie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, Eric Flint and James Dashner. KWL Director Mark Lefebvre had the chance to sit down and chat with David about these things and much more at the 2016 annual Superstars Writing Seminars conference in Colorado Springs where David is one of the founding faculty members of a group of international bestselling authors who spend several information-packed days teaching newer writers the business of writing and publishing. In their conversation, Mark and David discuss: David's love of writing, which started when he was nine years old and had his first writing published in a local newspaper The fact that David had planned on becoming a doctor and was taken aside by a very astute teacher when he was seventeen who told him, “Dave, you're a writer. You don't it yet, but you're a writer and you can't get away from that. It's going to come out some day.” When he was studying pre-med and spent three days working on a poem that just wouldn't leave his mind. Winning third place in a college writing contest for a short story and how that inspired him to write more and submit them to other contests, where he won first place in all of them, including first prize in the L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future contest How winning that contest led to a three novel contract with Bantam right there at the Writers of the Future ceremony David's current role in helping to kick-start new writers careers as the lead editor for the Writers of the Future annual contest Tips on what David is looking for when reading submissions to this contest David's role as a writer coach and how, as an advisor to Scholastic Books in the United States, David had suggested they take a serious look at a then-unknown author of the Harry Potter series The secret to how David can intuit a writer's chances of success without even having to have read any of their work How his real name of David Wolverton became associated with his science fiction novels (starting with his first award winning novel, and how he landed on the pseudonym of David Farland by standing in a bookstore and looking at the placement of books on the shelves and determining the best “eye-level” last name to employ David's natural storyteller ability as a Dungeon Master taking care of twenty to thirty people at once for role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, and how that led to his interest and participation in game development David's work doing screenplays and movie production, and the difference and similarities between writing novels, writing video games and writing screenplays David's work writing in the Star Wars universe, including The Courtship of Princess Leia as well as the YA and middle grade books for Scholastic The collaborative spirit and mentality required when working on licensed properties, video games, etc The differences between “Hollywood” and “New York Publishing” for a writer David's advice for writers and on being a professional writer: Deciding what you want to be and then beginning to live and BE that part As part of his dedication to helping other writers, David writes the David Farland's #WritingTips, an email bulletin for writers. Many authors rave about how it has helped them. Out of devotion, he provides his #WritingTips for free. You can subscribe to David's #WritingTips here. LINKS OF INTEREST David's Website: http://davidfarland.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authordavidfarland Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidfarland David's Great Resources for writers, including a signup to his “Daily Kick in the Pants” emails: www.mystorydoctor.com YouTube Video mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWEP3aBVpAw
Kobo Writing Life Director Mark Lefebvre interviews Alex P. Berg, author of the “Daggers and Steel” sci-fi mystery series. In the interview Mark and Alex talk about: Meeting at the Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado Springs, CO. What Alex calls “The Superstars Effect” How, when Alex had finished his novel and started querying agents and publishers, he ended up getting nowhere fast. That was when his wife gave him a proverbial kick in the pants, telling him that if he was serious about this writing thing, he better figure out a way to get it done. The effect of seeing how hard the pro writers presenting at the Superstars Writing Seminars worked to achieve their success combined with their passion for it and how that inspire Alex to keep at it. Starting out as a fan of science fiction and fantasy, then watching Brandon Sanderson's online workshops, and following David Farland's online and daily email writing tips as a way to get started The commitment to finding and making the time to write while balancing a full time job and a family. How giving up other activities that weren't progressing Alex down the writing path he had wanted helped in this regard. The realization that anyone who says the cover doesn't matter is a whole lot of B.S. and how Alex found experts to assist with the professional touches in his books. Alex used South African based cover designer: Damonza, and for an editor, he relied on a personal recommendation from an author friend at Superstars Writing Seminars. The business plan approach that Alex took in which he worked at putting some money aside in order to afford some of the professional services for his books; with a highlight that he knew this would be a long term plan rather than just looking for some sort of short-term payback for his work. (IE, the income stream is going to last for a long time) If you're looking at trying to earn your $2000 back, for example, right away, you're likely to be disappointed. How, even though the success for his first few books came a lot sooner than he had planned or expected, his long term goals and plans haven't been altered or changed. The fact that it is absolutely true what they say about your second book. The importance of accurate and specific metadata in helping the right readers discover your books The music Alex listens to while he is writing, including something called “melodic death metal” which is not a lot like regular death metal. The band Alestorm and their brand of “True Scottish Pirate Metal” which Alex is listening to while working on a forthcoming project. One thing Alex wished he had learned a bit earlier and it was that there are great options out there for writers and that self-publishing can be a very viable option. After the interview, Mark discusses the concept of productivity that Alex spoke about and reads a short piece from Kevin J. Anderson's book Million Dollar Productivity and provides a coupon code allowing authors to get the book for $0.99 (rather than the $8.99 USD / $9.99 CDN price it is listed for). Use coupon code MILLION99 during checkout. (Please note that the coupon is only good until the end of May 2015)
KWL Director Mark Lefebvre interviews Kristine Kathryn Rusch, an award-winning writer of science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance, at Superstars Writing Seminars. Apart from her decades of writing and editing experience which includes being published in 14 different countries in 13 languages, Rusch co-runs a publishing business (WMG Publishing) with her partner Dean Wesley Smith and provides authors invaluable insights about writing and publishing through her popular blog series: The Business Rusch. During the conversation, Mark and Kris talk about: · Her recent book, Discoverability and how it was derived from about 6 months' worth of blog posts outlining a bit about the history of publishing and how it relates to where we are today · A disclaimer that, unless you've already published about 10 books, you aren't likely to be able to use the advice from this book · The Business Rusch, the blog in which Rusch provides valuable insights that many smart writers ensure they read every week · Rusch has been a professional writer since she was sixteen years old and wrote an article for the local newspaper (insert appropriate and in-appropriate age jokes and laughing here) · How Rusch and author Kevin J. Anderson met while in college as like-minded writers with similar goals and how that social group expanded into relationships they've both had with writer friends ever since · How much Rusch gives back to the writing community and why she feels it's important to pay it forward to other writers the way that she was provided help, insights and support from writers who took the time to help her · The selfish reason why Rusch gives back – because she's an avid reader and wants more great books to read · The biggest pitfall that writers fall into – that they don't know enough about the business of writing · The reason why Rusch stopped editing full-time – how living in that critical space can affect your writing style and writing brain · The concept of “reader cookies” – a term that Rusch learned from editor Gardner Dozois – as well as “anti-cookies” and how that can affect an editor · Rusch's love of “secret identity” stories · The various different pseudonyms that Rusch has written under in various styles and genres, including Kristine Grayson, Kris Nelscott, and Kristine Dexter. · How Rusch puts up a free short story on her blog every Monday that people can check out with no strings attached. · Rusch's statement of advice to beginning writers Mark then talks a bit more about the books for writers that Rusch has written and shares a personal experience about how reading the book Deal Breakers helped him in a very significant way when he was negotating a contract for one of his most recent books, Tomes of Terror. LINKS Rusch's book: Discoverability Rusch's book: Deal Breakers: Contract Terms Writers Should Avoid The Business Rusch
Kobo Writing Life director Mark Lefebvre recently attended the 2015 Superstars Writing Seminars (Teaching you the business of being a writer) in Colorado Springs, CO. During the conference, he had a chance to interview several of the faculty and guest lecturers. Presented here is Mark's interview with Superstars Faculty member James A. Owen a comic book illustrator, publisher and writer who is best known for the comic book series Starchild and the The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica novels. Highlights from the discussion include: How Owen got to know Kevin J. Anderson and was first invited to be a guest instructor of Superstars Writing Seminars and that led to a permanent Faculty position The collaboration that Owen is working on with with Kevin The regular Standing Ovation that Owen's "Drawing out the Dragons" talk receives The speaking that Owen has done in Middle Grade schools, Art Schools and for Corporations Mark pauses to express the wonder he feels whenever Owen gives a talk, harking on how James is an example of one of the ultimate types of oral storyteller The mixture of storyteller and artist and how Owen self-identifies as a "Comic Guy" The manner by which the story beautifully derives from the words and pictures coming together How Owen puts the needs of others, of those he meets, those he works with, those who look to him for advice first Owen's perspective on how all of us are born into this world without prejudice, without hate, without anger; but how some can become conditioned to that. The shewing of things into a positive light is a choice James makes as a way to perceive a life in an attempt to return to the more natural state Owen's roll at Superstars in terms of a question he asks, which is "How can I serve you?" The philosophy of deciding to make things happen or allowing things to happen to you and the manner by which Owen embraces that at all turns Being in the depths of despair, and how Owen had posted publicly regarding where he had been and the demons he had been struggling with the previous year, his public posting of it and how, in the middle of it, he still had to do the "Drawing Out the Dragons" presentation on an empty gas tank Owen's belief in the attendees of the Superstars Writing Seminars and how he knew that they all had his back and would not let him down The difficulty most people have in not surfacing those personal struggles in believing that we won't be listened to and that we will be judged for our struggle. Which is why Owen is so open about that An intriguing depression-help line discussion that Owen was involved in when he'd been struggling with his own demons A moment when a story Owen shares is so emotional that interviewer Lefebvre is overcome with emotion and is rendered speechless Advice for writers: How no writer ever wrote a great book without first having finished it. Finish it and then it can be made better Owen's next projects: The Fool's Hollow novels (the novel versions of the stories told in Starchild) and The Hundred. Mark then discusses the importance of drawing attention to mental health issues such as depression, which can affect writers and other creative types, outlining the need to discuss these things openly in an understanding way, rather than trying to blame those who suffer from mental health issues. He mentions online resources that might help in Canada (Healthy Minds Canada), the US (Mental Health America) and the UK (Mental Health Foundation)
Mary Robinette Kowal and Dave Wolverton again join Dan and Howard, and this time we're talking about holidays in fantasy and science-fiction. This 'cast was recorded at Superstars Writing Seminars, and Moses Siregar III of Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing captured us on video as we recorded. What sorts of things result in holidays? Historically we see them at the solstices and the equinoxes, planting and harvest, and commemorations of important events. We talk about all of these, and how to work them into your own writing without sounding like you're just filing the serial numbers off of Christmas, Halloween, and Mardi Gras. So of course we also talk about how to do this wrong. Audiobook Pick-of-the-Week: METAtropolis: Cascadia, by Jay Lake, Mary Robinette Kowal, Elizabeth Bear, Ken Scholes, Karl Schroeder, and Tobias Buckell, and narrated by Rene Auberjonois, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, and Jay Lake. Writing Prompt: Make up a holiday that isn't based on anything you've seen. Exclamation Howard Thought He'd Never Use: Bone Puppet Day! This episode of Writing Excuses has been brought to you by Audible. Visit http://AudiblePodcast.com/excuse for a free trial membership*. *Note: From the Audible website, here are the terms of the free membership. Read the fine print, please! Audible® Free Trial Details Get your first 14 days of the AudibleListener® Gold membership plan free, which includes one audiobook credit. After your 14 day trial, your membership will renew each month for just $14.95 per month so you can continue to receive one audiobook credit per month plus members-only discounts on all audio purchases. A very small number of titles are more than one credit. Cancel your membership before your free trial period is up and you will not be charged. Thereafter, cancel anytime, effective the next billing cycle. Any unused audiobook credits will be lost at cancellation.
Mary Robinette Kowal and Dave Wolverton again join Dan and Howard, and this time we’re talking about holidays in fantasy and science-fiction. This ‘cast was recorded at Superstars Writing Seminars, and Moses Siregar III of Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing captured us on video as we recorded. What sorts of things result in holidays? Historically we … Continue reading Writing Excuses 5.23: Life Day! →
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