Libsyn Directory

EP 432 - Creativity, Connection, and Community with Police Officer and Author A.L. Wahdel

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Release Date: 09/05/2025

EP 455 - Kobo Insights with Tara Cremin, Director of Kobo Writing Life

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Tara Cremin, Director of Kobo Writing Life about Kobo, Kobo Plus, and the self-publishing platform Kobo Writing Life (KWL). Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to . Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Tara talk about: Tara's background and how she got into the reading/writing world and Kobo Kobo's distinct identity as a platform that is exclusively dedicated to READING How Kobo is the 2nd largest seller...

EP 454 - Finding Surprising Success Publishing Kids' Books with Darcy Pattison

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews award-winning author Darcy Pattison about publishing childrens' books. In their conversation, Mark and Darcy talk about: Darcy's background on getting into being an author of children's book The 70 books Darcy has written in the past 13 years The number of different illustrators Darcy has worked with over the years The Moments in Science picture books Darcy has written with along with the specific illustrator who has worked on a dozen of those titles with her The books for authors Darcy is releasing in January 2026 that collect details about the current state of publishing for...

EP 453 - Celebrating Eight Years, 452 Episodes and One Simple Truth

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark reflects on the anniversary of the first episode of this podcast, which took place on Jan 5, 2018. Links of Interest: EP 001 - Substack Article: (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By

EP 452 - Accounting for Murphy's Law when Setting Realistic Goals

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode Mark outlines a dozen tips to consider when setting realistic goals. Links of Interest: EP 451 - Draft2Digital Self Publishing Insiders - Jan 1, 2026 Episode () (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By

EP 451 - Messages to Readers

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode Mark shares a couple of recent messages to readers in the hopes that it inspired other authors with ideas of the types of things that their readers might find interesting. The two examples are: 1) Mark's introduction to his recent collection of stupid dad jokes (and how that can tie to the use of making the local community the "hero" or "focus" 2) Mark's recent author newsletter with a gift for readers and the story that updates recent changes to an ongoing series he's writing Links of Interest: (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice Generation -...

EP 450 - The Life of a Mercenary Writer with Jarrett Mazza

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Jarrett Mazza about his action/thriller novels and his mercenary-style approach to writing. 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 . Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Jarrett talk about: Jarrett's origins and how he got into writing Starting off writing comic books and short stories How Jarrett considers himself a "mercenary" writer Jarrett's love of fiction within the...

EP 449 - The Myth of "Upload Your Book And They Will Come"

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode, Mark reads from that he recently shared on the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Substack page. This is be Part 2 of a two-part series of episodes. (See ) Prior to the main content of this episode, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by The 7 P's of Publishing Success by Mark Leslie Lefebvre, which you can download in eBook and/or Audiobook format for free at . Links of Interest: Article: EP 446 - EP 445 - (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to...

EP 448 - When Your Writing Gets Rejected A Gazillion Times

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode, Mark reads from that he recently shared on the Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Substack page. This will be Part 1 of a two-part series of episodes. Prior to the main content of this episode, Mark shares a personal update, a comment from a recent episode, and a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by The 7 P's of Publishing Success by Mark Leslie Lefebvre, which you can download in eBook and/or Audiobook format for free at . Links of Interest: Article: EP 445 - (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice...

EP 447 - The Future of Hybrid Publishing with J.D. Barker

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews J.D. Barker about his writing and publishing journey and his many collaborations over the years, including with James Patterson, and the unique publishing and distribution collaboration with Simon & Schuster that combines the best of the self-publishing and the traditional publishing worlds. 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 . Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and J.D....

EP 446 - Exercising Multiple Creative Outlets with Artist, Author, and Musician Meaghan Smith

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Meaghan Smith about the new children's book IT SNOWED that she wrote and illustrated, which was inspired by her popular holiday song of the same name. This Juno-Award winning singer-songwriter shares her many creative passions for music, writing, and art. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to . Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. In their interview, Mark and Meaghan talk about: The origin of Meaghan's song "It Snowed" and how...

More Episodes

Mark interviews A.L. Wahdel, a crime thriller writer brings Toronto’s soul to life in his fiction. They talk about his new book TOO DARK FOR THE LIGHT, about his writing, about police work, and about the importance of community, connection, and creativity.\

Prior to the interview, Mark shares 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 checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report.

In the interview, Mark and Lance talk about:

Lance's 20 years of experience in the police force and how he had planned on a completely different career path by studying media arts and graphic design
How people usually ask police officers if they're seen any crazy stuff, but rarely ask if they've seen amazing things
The power of community and connecting and communicating with people
"Always be in a constant state of create." A philosophy that drives Lance in his life and writing
How any time a person creates something it's a gift to the world and the universe
Lance's earliest experience writing lyrics and music
Being a huge comic fan, Batman in particular
The revelation of "write what you know" in creating his first novel TO DARK FOR THE LIGHT
Finding his writing community via numerous podcasts, YouTube, and other online resources
Establishing a virtual "mastermind" from the shared writing resources
Deciding to set his novel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada instead of choosing a "more popular" major US city
Using Toronto's iconic skyline on the cover to ensure the setting for the book was clear
Debating over whether or not to begin with Water Kascade's origin story
The tricky balance of writing an authentic police procedural novel (ie, ignoring those tedious long boring periods of time in the day to day life of law enforcement)
The training of always being alert and aware as a police officer and how that benefits Lance as a writer
Some of the things that authors get wrong related to police work
The integrity involved in releasing the book under the pseudonym A.L. Wahdel so as not to take advantage of his role and employer
Advice Lance would offer to other authors
And more . . .

After the interview Mark shares a few reflections about the desire to help others and the value of creativity in giving to the world.

Links of Interest:

A.L. Wahdel is an exciting new storyteller in the crime thriller genre, blending gripping suspense with a powerful narrative.

A.L. Wahdel writes with energy about the city that shaped his identity. With an unwavering love for its style and complexity, he brings Toronto’s soul to life in every story. Choosing his birthplace as the canvas for his crime series was an intentional act—to honour its essence, celebrate its dynamism, and share the stories that only a true Torontonian writer could tell

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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