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

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Release Date: 01/09/2026

EP 474 - Horror and Speculative Fiction and Poetry with Colleen Anderson

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

In this episode Mark interviews Canadian writer Colleen Anderson about writing horror and speculative fiction and poetry as well as non-fiction articles. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, 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 . In the interview, Mark and Colleen talk about: How they've known each other mostly online Colleen's editing of the Tesseracts Seventeen anthology which Mark had a story in The...

EP 473 - Creativity and Devotionals for Caregivers Who Don't Need Another Inspirational Slogan with Donn King

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Donn King about his new book ANCHORED FOR THE STORM, about caregiving, and about creativity. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, 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 . In the interview, Mark and Donn talk about: The difference between goals and missions How Donn has always been a writer of some sort and how that will always be the thing that stays even when he cuts other things back...

EP 472 - Going All In On Substack with Orna Ross

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Orna Ross, an award-winning novelist, poet, creative catalyst, and founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors about her recent move towards focusing all her social media energy on Substack. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, 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 . In the interview, Mark and Orna talk about: That one time in London at a Kobo device launch event when Mark and Orna were...

EP 471 - Fear in Storytelling with Becca Puglisi

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Becca Puglisi about the new book THE FEAR THESAURUS which she co-authored with Angelea Ackerman. 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 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...

EP 470 - Building Your Author Brand with Isabelle Knight

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews former publicist to the stars Isabelle Knight who is the founder of Build Your Author Brand, an online consultancy helping fiction and non-fiction authors to grow your readership, raise your profile and give your books the best chance of success. Prior to the interview Mark shares that he is on the road at the Writers and Illustrators of the Future annual workshops and gala as one of the writer judges and is using his digital voice clone from ElevenLabs to record the introduction and closing reflection. He also shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is...

EP 469 - Small-Town Canadian Superheroes with Matthew del Papa and Andy Taylor

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Matthew del Papa and Andy Taylor, editors of SUPERCANUCKS: An Anthology of Small Town Canadian Superheroes. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update and 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. During the interview Mark, Matthew, and Andy talk about: Andy and Mat's writing background and how they got into editing an anthology like Super Canucks How editing is a new experience for Andy The consist "what if?" that has been a part of Andy's...

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...

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...

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...

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) ...

More Episodes

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 children's books
The challenge of doing layout for a children's picture book
The importance of an author being clear on their own definition of success
How children's book authors can find the right illustrator and/or designer
How Darcy fulfills orders online for her books
Getting her books into education distributors (Follett, etc - Follett can order their books through Ingram)
The EPIC app and how Darcy earns money from it
The various reviews Darcy gets, including paid Kirkus reviews (which are important)
Who you are writing for versus who you are selling to when it comes to kids books
Fiction VS Non-Fiction
The importance/difference of being good at illustration versus being good at text (or even layout)
The challenge of scaling up things like school visits
The benefit of finding places that will sell a kids' book in bulk
And more...

After the interview Mark reflects on the unique element of the two audiences for childrens' books, as well as the efficient business mind-set Darcy adopted in her approach to how to grow a more scaleable author business.

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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