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Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

By: Mark Leslie Lefebvre
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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)Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • EP 481 - Becoming A Creative Luminary with Voice Actor Laura Holley

    EP 481 - Becoming A Creative Luminary with Voice Actor Laura Holley
    Jul 2 2026
    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 about: Laura getting into theatre in the second grade and the first role that she playedThe power of playing a villain really well and how fun it is to play (in both acting and voice acting) the antagonistTransitioning into the role of voice actorThe early decision between two roles Laura held in high regard: Hollywood actress and stay-at-home momRecognizing that she could get involved in voice acting from homePaying for a voice acting program early on during the pandemicThe term "creative catalyst" that Orna Ross mentioned in Episode and Laura's term "creative luminary"Different techniques that can be used when performing audiobooks and voice actingHow acting can inform one's writingAnd more... Links of Interest: Laura Holley's WebsiteEpisode 472 - Going All In On Substack with Orna RossEpisode 479 - The Keyboard is My Favorite Fidget Toy with Premee MohamedEpisode 480 - Rambling Reflections From the Road: Returning From Camping & Vitamin NSubstack Reflection: The Trees and I, The Rooted, yet Restless WriterSubstack Reflection: The Long & Winding Road Back To A TypewriterThe Creative Penn Podcast - June 22, 2026 Episode (Mark as guest): Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset with Mark Leslie LefebvreManuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)Stark Realities BookAn Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the BuildingOnce Bitten (Novella) The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas VacationI Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises Laura Holley is a Utah-based voice actor and speculative fiction writer. Her passion for storytelling began with her first stage performance at seven years old. Trained by vocal coaches Jessica Straus and Glad Klassen and writing mentor Wulf Moon, she brings depth and richness to every story with her voice or her pen. When not creating new worlds in her private studio, she's often in her home's hidden game room—plotting to conquer them. 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
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • EP 480 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: Returning From Camping & Vitamin N

    EP 480 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: Returning From Camping & Vitamin N
    Jun 25 2026
    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 AuthorNation.live. In his reflection Mark considers the idea of the value of nature/simplicity when recharging. He asks how writers recharge? And do they take enough time to pause to celebrate what they've accomplished? Links of Interest: The Creative Penn Podcast - June 22, 2026 Episode (Mark as guest): Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset with Mark Leslie LefebvreManuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)Stark Realities BookAn Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the BuildingOnce Bitten (Novella) The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas VacationI Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises 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
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    35 mins
  • EP 479 - The Keyboard Is My Favorite Fidget Toy with Premee Mohamed

    EP 479 - The Keyboard Is My Favorite Fidget Toy with Premee Mohamed
    Jun 19 2026
    In this episode Mark interviews Premee Mohamed, a Nebula, World Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus, and Aurora award-winning Indo-Caribbean scientist and speculative fiction author based in Edmonton, Alberta. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the Show, Don't Tell Writing Podcast with Suzy Vadori. In this weekly show, Suzy brings you writing techniques, best practices, motivation, inspirational stories from real live authors out there making it in the world, and actionable advice that can help you turn that book you're writing into the bestseller you know deep down that it can be. In their interview, Mark and Premee talk about: How Premee introduces herself as a writer in different contextsThe snobbery that can exist in the CanLit spaces in relation to sci-fi/fantasy/horrorThe generous umbrella of the term "speculative fiction"Being drawn to write in the speculative genres because that's what she liked to readThe first completely partially illustrated story Premee remembers finishing when she was eight years oldThe Stephen King anthology (authorized stories set in the world of The Stand) was the most Premee had been offered for a short story everThe agent Premee found for selling her first book and having worked with them for almost nine yearsThe common response of a multi- or cross-genre book confusing publishers who liked it because they didn't know "where to put it" on the shelvesHow the awards Premee has won so far haven't really moved the needle at all in terms of increasing book salesPremee's forthcoming books that are coming from the big five publishersLoving the writing anyway, and how Premme would write even if she wasn't publishingPremee's experience as a Writer in Residence at the Edmonton Public LibraryAdvice Premee would offer to writers looking for a publisher to sell their writing toHow she used to be a pantser but is now a completely converted outlinerHow Premee's only self-publishing experience being a painful experience because it was work she did not enjoy, but how it led to her selling enough units of the ebook that it helped cover a trip to Dublin for a World ConThe powerful impact of Canada's PLR program for writersAnd more... After the interview Mark reflects on a few items that came up in the conversation. Links of Interest: Premee Mohamed's WebsiteEP 478 - The Pinocchio ProblemEP 475 - Writing Emotions and Making the Reader Feel with Jeff ElkinsSubstack Article - Hat Switch on the Highway: A Tale of Two MarksManuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)Stark Realities BookAn Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the BuildingOnce Bitten (Novella) The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas VacationI Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises Premee Mohamed is a Nebula, World Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus, and Aurora award-winning Indo-Caribbean scientist and speculative fiction author based in Edmonton, Alberta. She has also been a finalist for the Hugo, British Fantasy, British Science Fiction, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Crawford awards. In 2024, she was the Edmonton Public Library writer-in-residence, and she has taught at establishments including the Banff Institute for the Arts, the Clarion Workshop, and the Carl Brandon Society. She has judged short fiction contests for CBC and Alberta Views Magazine and can be found on her website at www.premeemohamed.com. She is represented by Michael Curry of DMLA. 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
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    1 hr and 8 mins
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