EP 459 - Creating Experiences in Art and Story with Tanya Hales
Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Release Date: 01/30/2026
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIn 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 Manuscript Report. 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
- How long Tanya has been creating art and how her mother was instrumental in getting her into art
- The "nature-based" element and love of animals that are recurring in Tanya's art
- Writing novels in spiral-ring notebooks by the time of Fifth Grade
- The first time Tanya put her art out into the world at the age of sixteen
- Handy and helpful resources available to Tanya in her high school
- The "Doodle Dudes" that Tanya had created back then
- Doing a lot more digital art lately for logistical parental reasons
- How one of Tanya's skills is being able to adapt to new things relatively easily
- Being in different modes, such as writing, editing, art
- Various Kickstarter projects Tanya has done and is currently doing
- The Animal Magica Coloring Books Tanya has created
- Why Tanya thinks that it's evitable that she creates the way she does
- The first full-length novel in the Animal Magica universe
- The first cozy fantasy novel that Tanya recently released
After the interview Mark reflections on passion and creating experiences.
Links of Interest:
- Tanya Hales Website
- Tanya's Substack Article: "It Was Inevitable"
- Tanya's "Go, Writer, Go" - Humorous Parody Book for Writers Kickstarter
- Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)
- Buy Mark a Coffee
- Patreon for Stark Reflections
- Mark's YouTube channel
- ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)
- Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)
- An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries
- The Relaxed Author
- Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
- An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores
- Wide for the Win
- Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books
- The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard
- Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises
When Tanya Hales was a baby, she enjoyed books by chewing them to pieces before eventually moving on to the higher art of reading. Tanya splits her time between her work as a writer, an illustrator, and a mother, all of which she loves intensely. She now lives in Utah with her husband and four children, illustrating coloring books, writing YA fantasy, making cute stickers, and daydreaming constantly about imaginary worlds.
Tanya is the creator of YA epic fantasy as well as the Animal Magica fantasy coloring book series, books made in collaboration with dozens of other authors who contributed beautiful short stores to pair with the art.
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