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

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Release Date: 12/05/2025

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...

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) ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

EP 458 - Push For Better

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this brief bonus episode Mark shares an annual "Push for Better" Push-Up challenge he has joined for the third Feb in a row and the fact he has created a team that others can join. The Push-Up Challenge is one that combines fun physical activity (2000 pushups between Feb 5 and Feb 27, 2026) with support for Mental Health Awareness and fundraising. Team Landing Page: The Canadian version of this program raises funds for CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association). Links of Interest: (Team Landing Page) (Canadian Mental Health Association) (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save...

EP 457 - A Show That Makes You Smile with The Patrick Scott Patterson Project

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Scott from The Patrick Scott Patterson Project Podcast. 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 Scott talk about: How Scott got into the current numerous roles that he is participating in today, including podcasting Being inspired by the dreams that his parents had but which they pushed off to the side The pro wrestling experience that he...

More Episodes

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 Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report.

In their interview, Mark and J.D. talk about:

How JD was always interested in writing including a little business endeavor he had when he was youngBeing told by his mother that writing is a fantastic hobby, but you have to get a "real job" - and following her advice
The main day job he had, which he hated, and coming home at night to write
How the first two decades he'd been writing he did ghost writing and did book-doctor sort of work
Having written six different books that hit the New York Times bestseller list but had other people's names on the cover
JD's wife coming up with a plan to get him to writing for himself
How putting his feet to the coals was what JD really needed
What it was like writing on his own
The value that JD recognizes in the 20 years of writing other peoples' books
Having Asperger's which often involves mimicking other people (which JD could do on paper, continuing to write in another person's voice)
How ghostwriting for celebrities/NYT Bestselling authors can be very lucrative
What it was like co-authoring with James Patterson
Being the only guy who has ever gotten James Patterson to "pants" a novel, but how Patterson convinced him to outline, which he now does for certain projects
What a typical work-day looks like for JD
Making a change in terms of what time of day JD does interviews
Working with a virtual assistant and the various PR agencies JD works with
Switching over to paying for PR a la carte rather than a monthly retainer
Selling more than half a million copies of his first self-published book, which caught the attention of agents
That "taste" of being an indie author which mean a loss of freedom
Creating his own unique path within publishing that's a blend of self-publishing and traditional publishing models
The imprint JD has with Simon & Schuster - Hampton Creek Press
How JD has done a number of recent co-authored titles under his imprint by paying the co-authors up front in a work-for-hire manner, which removes the complexity of paying royalties
The way JD can pay it forward by helping the mentor the co-authors that he is working on
Why JD gave away a skid of hardcover books at Reader Nation in Vegas
Advice JD has about authors who are constantly "chasing each other"
The unique marketing JD created for his book SOMETHING I KEEP UPSTAIRS that involved an overnight stay in a real haunted house
What James Patterson did to get his book ALONG CAME A SPIDER onto the New York Times bestseller list
And more...

After the interview Mark reflects on a few of the things from the conversation that have inspired him in different ways.

Links of Interest:

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

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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