Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Perspectives and reflections on the writing and publishing life. Mark Leslie Lefebvre, a writer, bookseller, digital publishing advocate, professional speaker, and publishing consultant explores inclusive and collaborative opportunities for writers and book publishing professionals via interviews, discussions, and reflections about the industry. (Mark's personal website is www.markleslie.ca)
Episodes
In this episode Mark speaks to author Johnny B. Truant about THE ARTISAN AUTHOR.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode's sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at che...
Mark interviews Jessica Rampersad AKA JessBeyondThePages, an expert experienced in social media management, content creation, and editing who helps authors and brands elevate their online presence.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode's sponsor:
In this solo episode Mark expresses his frustration, anger, and anxiety over what's happening in the world right now, and reminds himself, and listeners, about the power of writing and why the world NEEDS you and your writing now more than ever before.
Link to video of Mark's Keynote for The BookFest Spring 2025. "Writer, the World Needs You: Why Your Writing Is More Important Than Ever."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6usfgdtmg
...Mark interviews Patrick MacPhee, teacher and Writers of the Future award-winning author about his love of reading, writing, and helping to inspire students.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode's sponsor:
In this solo episode Mark shares some audio excerpts from his book PUBLISHING PITFALLS FOR AUTHORS.
This episode's sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report.
Links of Interest:
- Manuscript Report (Mark's a...
In this episode Mark interviews Jacob from the JJ McFaull is collaboration children's book Where Pumpkins Go After Halloween.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode is sponsored by the new book The Podcast Guest Playbook co-authored by Mark and Matty Dalrymple.
Mark has a conversation with his life-long best buddy Steve Gaydos about art, beauty, photography, music, and so much more in a conversation recorded on their recent Canadian East Coast road trip.
Links of Interest:
In this episode Mark interviews D.C. Gomez about her plan to give away a million copies of her best-selling and award-winning novel Death's Intern.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and s...
In this episode Mark interviews author and artist C L Fors about her recent award win with Writers of the Future and her life in writing and illustration.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.
That pervasive feeling of self-doubt and insecurity you believe you are not deserving of your achievements and fear being exposed as a fraud known as imposter syndrome is especially common among writers and other creatives who often grapple with the vulnerability inherent in sharing their work with the world.
But perhaps your imposter syndrome is actually a positive sign about your progression as a writer.
That's the topic of this ...
In this solo episode Mark shares a personal update and some reflections about writing, publishing, and some marketing ideas.
This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report.
Links of Interest:
In this episode Mark reflects on friend, mentor, and fellow author Nancy Kilpatrick.
Nancy Kilpatrick (May 6, 1946 – March 31, 2025) was a Canadian author who wrote stories in the genres of dark fantasy, horror, mystery, erotic horror, and gothic subculture and was perhaps best known for her vampire novels and stories.
Links of Interest:
In this interview Mark interviews author, actor, and narrator Aaron Fors about numerous aspects of his creative life.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.
This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK...
In this solo episode, Mark talks about the importance of indie bookstores to the local community and what he is doing as an author to help support/promote indie bookstores on April 26, 2025, Independent Bookstore Day.
This episode is sponsored by Draft2Digital.
Check out the full day of PRINT BOOKS FOR INDIE AUTHORS videos here...
Mark has a conversation with award winning writer and veteran journalist Janice Landryabout her seventh book, Every Little Thing: How Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Impact, her 2023 diagnosis of Lyme disease which was part of the inspiration for this book, Janice's life as a writer, how having lived adjacent to the ocean in Canada's East Coast has impacted her creative spirit, and so much more.
Prior to the interview Mark share...
On Wednesday April 9, 2025, Mark had a pizza lunch at Lucifers Pizza on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. It was a place recommended by friend of the podcast Nikki Guerlain.
In addition to agreeing that this was fantastic pizza (with wonderful staff), Mark, Kevin, and Rob had a conversation about Writers of the Future, and various aspects about the business of writing and publishing.
Links of Interest:
Mark interviews Suzy Vadori, Calgary Bestselling author of The Fountain Series, the founder of the Inspired Writing Community, a Resident Writing Coach for Writers Helping Writers, and the host of the Show, Don't Tell Writing Podcast.
Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from this episode’s sponsor.
Read more
Mark interviews Tony Binns, an award-winning stand-up comedian and screenwriter whose feature #ROXY was nominated for 3 Canadian screen awards, 3 Canadian Comedy Awards, and took home Best Feature at the Ampia awards as well as Best Feature for Teens at the Kidscreen awards. Tony is also the man behind the parody profile on Facebook called Definitely The Real Alex Lifeson where he pretends to be a guy pretending to be the real guit...
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 ...
In this solo episode Mark shares an excerpt from his forthcoming book A BOOK IN HAND: Strategies for Optimizing Print Book Sales via Signings and Other In Person Events.
Prior to the main content, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor.
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