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Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

By: Mark Leslie Lefebvre
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 Perspectives and reflections on the writing and publishing life. Mark Leslie Lefebvre, a writer, bookseller, digital publishing advocate, professional speaker, and publishing consultant explores inclusive and collaborative opportunities for writers and book publishing professionals via interviews, discussions, and reflections about the industry. (Mark's personal website is www.markleslie.ca)Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • EP 424 - Passion From Between and Beyond The Pages with Jessica Rampersad

    EP 424 - Passion From Between and Beyond The Pages with Jessica Rampersad
    Jul 10 2025
    Mark interviews Jessica Rampersad AKA JessBeyondThePages, an expert experienced in social media management, content creation, and editing who helps authors and brands elevate their online presence. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, 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 the interview, Mark and Jessica talk about: Jessica being a reader her entire life and how she has fallen in and out of love with it because of the workload from schoolDoing research based on a fictional character in a Lauren Asher novel and then deciding upon that as a career pathSome of the misconceptions that authors have when it comes to social mediaHow the various social media platforms prefer specific types of contentIdeas on things that really resonate with readers that authors can share on social mediaThe services that Jess offers to authors and her willingness to be flexible and learn/try new things that authors are interested in doingThe types of books that Jessica typically reads and works on (mystery, romance, thriller) as well as the master list she sends out to other readersThe challenge of Mark's various brands along with the fact "MarkLeslie" was already taken on a lot of social media when he arrivedHow Trope Maps are often the way Jess starts working with an author on their branding for their booksThe importance of a positive and collaborative partnership between an author and their PAsHow valuable giving recognition or giving thanks is, and the positive impression that can makeAnd more . . . After the interview Mark reflects on the value of sharing your passion instead of focusing on sales. Links of Interest: Jessica Rampersad's Website TikTokInstagramYouTube EP 422 - Writing, Humor, and Teaching with Patrick MacPheeEP 417 - Embracing Your Passion For Creativity with C L ForsManuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelMark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Jessica Rampersad's bio. Hi, I'm Jessica! Experienced in social media management, content creation, and editing, I help authors and brands elevate their online presence. I specialize in building engaging digital communities, coordinating book launches, and crafting compelling content strategies. Passionate about storytelling, I work with authors at every stage (independent, traditional, debut, or seasoned) to amplify their voices and help them connect with audiences across platforms. You can find me on TikTok and Instagram at @jessbeyondthepages, and on YouTube at youtube.com/smileyrue. 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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    59 mins
  • EP 423 - Dear Writer: The World Needs Your Writing Now More Than Ever

    EP 423 - Dear Writer: The World Needs Your Writing Now More Than Ever
    Jul 3 2025
    In this solo episode Mark expresses his frustration, anger, and anxiety over what's happening in the world right now, and reminds himself, and listeners, about the power of writing and why the world NEEDS you and your writing now more than ever before. Link to video of Mark's Keynote for The BookFest Spring 2025. "Writer, the World Needs You: Why Your Writing Is More Important Than Ever." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6usfgdtmg Links of Interest: Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelMark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 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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    20 mins
  • EP 422 - Writing, Humor, and Teaching with Patrick MacPhee

    EP 422 - Writing, Humor, and Teaching with Patrick MacPhee
    Jun 27 2025
    Mark interviews Patrick MacPhee, teacher and Writers of the Future award-winning author about his love of reading, writing, and helping to inspire students. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, 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 the interview, Mark and Patrick talk about: Patrick's experience reading Fellowship of the Rings when he was rather young and how it impacted him in a profound wayThe impact on the mind and imagination when reading something really slowlyHow when you're a kid you play in a specific way when experiencing new thingsSeeing speculative fiction as having that additional special spice that enhances a regular dishThe five-book epic fantasy series that Patrick mapped out years ago (and which he recently finished writing book one of)Being influenced and inspired by Neal Stephenson's writingPatrick's Writers of the Future Award-winning story "Thirty Minutes or it's a Paradox"How the inspiration for this short story came from something Patrick was intimately aware of as a teacherSome of the previous stories that Patrick has had published in semi-pro magazinesHow Patrick learned about Writers of the Future and some of his submission history with the contestGetting the call from Joni about Patrick's finalist position in the contestPatrick's thoughts about the experience being in Hollywood and seeing the rendition of his story illustrated by Cam CollinsHow Patrick got into teaching and an important thing that he learned in that vocation - What Patrick is going to be doing nextAdvice for other writersAnd more... After the interview Mark reflects on a few of the things he discussed with Patrick. Links of Interest: Patrick MacPhee Website Free Short Stories by Patrick Writers of the FutureManuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link)Buy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsMark's YouTube channelMark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and LibrariesThe Relaxed Author Buy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover's MoonHex and the CityOnly Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and AutomobilesYippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die HardMerry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation In addition to being a writer, Patrick MacPhee considers himself very luck to spend the past twenty years helping young people become better versions of themselves in his role as a teacher. He has learned that almost every part of the curriculum has room for a little humor — sometimes a lot of humor. We talk about that as well as his writing, and what inspired him to write the Writers of the Future Award-Winning story “Thirty Minutes or It’s a Paradox.” 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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    1 hr and 7 mins

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