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EP 444 - Book Marketing Made Easy with Manuscript Report

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Release Date: 11/14/2025

EP 468 - Identity and Not Being Who You Thought You Were with Marie Lynne Desrochers show art EP 468 - Identity and Not Being Who You Thought You Were with Marie Lynne Desrochers

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Marie Lynne Desrochers about her new memoir SHAKEN AWAKE: A Memoir on Identity and Connection. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. In the interview, Mark and Marie Lynne talk about: Marie's background in the corporate world marketing and how that ties in to storytelling The startling event of receiving a message via Facebook from a man who introduced himself as Marie's father and how that lead to this memoir The moment when you start...

info_outline EP 467 - Strategies for ADHD Writers with Nicole Bross show art EP 467 - Strategies for ADHD Writers with Nicole Bross

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews author, editor, and certified book coach Nicole Bross about her co-authored book A NOVEL APPROACH: STRATEGIES FOR ADHD WRITERS. 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 , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. In the interview, Mark and Nicole talk about: Nicole's background always being interested in writing, along with a love of mysteries such as Nancy Drew and others Taking journalism in high school and also at Mount Royal Her first...

info_outline EP 466 - Publishing Wide But Shallow show art EP 466 - Publishing Wide But Shallow

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode, Mark shares an article he posted on Substack earlier in March called "Publishing Wide But Shallow." Prior to the main content (the article), Mark shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026.   Links of Interest: Article: Article: 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...

info_outline EP 465 - Rambling Reflections From Before The Road show art EP 465 - Rambling Reflections From Before The Road

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this solo episode, Mark reflects on Ireland, the importance/value of repeating information and sharing, and the Public Lending Rights program. Prior to the interview Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsors. This episode is partially sponsored by , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. This episode is partially sponsored by an affiliate link to . Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. Links of Interest: Article: Article: Article: (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) ...

info_outline EP 464 - The Big Stories of a Memorable Memoir with Roz Morris show art EP 464 - The Big Stories of a Memorable Memoir with Roz Morris

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews novelist, memoirist, and professional story whisperer Roz Morris about her writing life and her pivot into writing memoirs alongside her fiction. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update a word from 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 the interview Mark and Roz talk about: How Roz and Mark first met at the London Book Fair in 2012 What Roz writes and the types of stories that she loves and is fascinated with Roz's journey which includes...

info_outline EP 463 - How to Bring Your Book Alive at an Author Event with Julie Hiner show art EP 463 - How to Bring Your Book Alive at an Author Event with Julie Hiner

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews author Julie Hiner about creating an unforgettable book event for a book launch. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update a word from 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 the interview Mark and Julie talk about: Julie's branding as being strongly tied to the 80s and music even though she fought it at first The first book Julie published about road biking (JUST A GIRL ON A BIKE) which was the story of how she overcame a lot of fears and anxiety...

info_outline EP 462 - Daryn Brito on Showing Up With Love, Compassion, and Empathy show art EP 462 - Daryn Brito on Showing Up With Love, Compassion, and Empathy

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Daryn Brito, an advocate, writer, and researcher dedicated to supporting those who have faced trauma and adversity about her work and her new book THE BECOMING: UNREPEATABLE MIRACLE, WHO ARE YOU? Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update a word from this episode's sponsor, and a trigger warning for listeners. This episode is sponsored by , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. In the interview, Mark and Daryn about: Mark first meeting Daryn in a class at the Waterloo Regional Police Citizen's Academy How Daryn's main goal when doing speaking engagements...

info_outline EP 461 - The Power of Stories to Instill Empathy, Resilience, Joy, and Hope with Ka-Yee Essoe show art EP 461 - The Power of Stories to Instill Empathy, Resilience, Joy, and Hope with Ka-Yee Essoe

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews Ka-Yee Essoe about the power of stories to instil empathy, resilience, joy, and hope, based on her experiences in the academic world, in research, in teaching, and in writing an epic fantasy novel. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update and word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by , taking place in Toronto, ON in April 2026. In the interview, Mark and Ka-Yee talk about: Mark and Ka-Yee's connection to Joshua EssoeKa-Yee's background with two different careers in academia Studying how to help people learn therapeutic...

info_outline EP 460 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: You Are Loved show art EP 460 - Rambling Reflections From The Road: You Are Loved

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this short solo episode Mark shares a "Rambling Reflection From The Road" while at Superstars Writing Seminars talking about the important signals that seemed to come at the right time: Your feelings are valid Your opinions matter You are irreplaceable Your best is enough It's okay to take a break You are loved   Links of Interest: (Team Landing Page) (Canadian Mental Health Association) (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)     The introductory, end, and bumper music for this...

info_outline EP 459 - Creating Experiences in Art and Story with Tanya Hales show art EP 459 - Creating Experiences in Art and Story with Tanya Hales

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews author and artist Tanya Hales. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, 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 the interview Mark and Tanya talk about: When Tanya and Mark first met: at Superstars Writing Seminars The sketch that Tanya made of Mark at SSWS when he was speaking there Identifying herself as equal parts author and illustrator The value of CREATING EXPERIENCES with people...

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Mark interviews Florin Bulgarov, co-founder of Manuscript Report. 

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 MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report.

In their interview, Mark and Florin talk about:

  • Florin's background with a PhD in A.I. and how he ended up evolving into creating the toolset of Manuscript Report
  • How Manuscript Report was initially created as an assessment tool for publishers when going through their slush piles
  • What assets Manuscript Report offers for authors to use in their marketing strategy approaches
  • The additional assets from the reports including the visual pie-chart of the genre split/breakdown as well as the themes and the tropes associated from the manuscript
  • The social media posts, blog posts, and book bible assets that authors can request in a higher level report
  • The fact that Manuscript Report does not store the manuscript and does not train any AI on their manuscript. Within 30 days all traces of the author's manuscript is deleted from their servers
  • How the system is optimized to run for one book at a time and the 1 million word limit on manuscripts run into Manuscript Report
  • The "Narrative Crossroads" suggestions that an author might be able to use in a quick pitch/log line for the book
  • An author who did A/B testing with her own written ads and the Manuscript Report ads and was able to reduce her cost by half and increase her sales by 60%
  • An example of a report using Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray
  • How Manuscript Report is a Swiss Army Knife for marketing
  • And more...

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