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EP 436 - Artisan Publishing with Blue Feathered Quill

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Release Date: 10/03/2025

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...

EP 445 - Overcoming The Self-Sabotage from Buried Trauma with Andrea Torrey Balsara

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews Andrea Torrey Balsara about her writing, her passion in inspiring joy through storytelling and energy healing, trauma, creativity and much more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. is available now in hardcover, mass market sized paperback, and audiobook. In the interview Mark and Andrea talk about: The very serious and troubling trauma Andrea had been living with for most of her life without realizing it and how it prevented her from trying to focus and work on The sabotage that kept creeping...

More Episodes

In this episode Mark interviews Joshua Smyser and Alex Hale of Blue Feathered Quill Publishing.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcome a new patron (S.K. Randolph), offers 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 their interview, Mark, Alex, and Joshua talk about:

Alex's background growing up an avid reader and someone who wrote music and stories, and then going back to school for linguistics in 2020, then later, the Masters of Publishing program at Western Colorado University
Being a fan of writing poetry as well as poetry put to music
Coming to the realization that he enjoyed helping other writers with getting their work ready for publication more than he enjoyed writing
The first book that Blue Feathered Quill published (a sweet-romance with a darker twist): Eth: A Novel
Joshua also having a background in music (taking mandolin lessons) as well as being an avid reader as a young person as well as pursuing the writing/publishing route when he was a youth
Getting a degree in education and starting a teaching career, and then returning to thinking about the world of books and publishing
Joining up with Alex on BFQ as a way to move into publishing and learning more about editing and cover design
The story Josh sold to the "Cupids" anthology that was published by Western Colorado University
The origin of the publishing name Blue Feathered Quill
The cross-country trip with a life-long friend that Alex made several years back
The idea of building a publishing company with a cohort of writers, editors, and other creative people who could help one another out in different ways
A look at the process they take when an author approaches them
The second book that they released on April 29, 2025: THE TALE OF JIRAIYA THE GALLANT (a classic Japanese story from the 1800's which is a bit of a precursor to Manga) and Joshua's passion for bringing this book into existance
How well their first book was already selling when it was first released in the spring of 2025
How authors who are interested in working with BFQ can reach out to them
Advice that Alex and Josh would like to relay to authors as well as those thinking of starting a publishing company
And more...

After the interview Mark reflects on how they are running this company with passion and integrity, with a goal to work collaboratively with authors.

Links of Interest:

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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