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Artwork for Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Writing
Self-Publishing
Publishing
Publishing Industry
Creativity
Kickstarter
Book Marketing
Empathy
Marketing Strategies
Mental Health
Art
Superstars Writing Seminars
Writing Community
Indie Publishing
Authors
Imposter Syndrome
Libraries
Manuscript Report
Author Branding
Author Earnings

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)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes497Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Latest Episodes

Mark interviews Juliette N. Banks via a chat that was livestreamed to YouTube on Thursday October 7, 2026 at 7 PM Eastern.

You can watch the video here:

youtube.com/live/uGxilXgnAuw?feature=share

Links of Interest:

• Juliette N. Bank... more

YouTube

Mark interviews Angela Yuriko Smith, a two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author, editor, educator, and publisher.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, welcomes a new patron, and offers a word about ... more

YouTube

In this solo episode Mark shares a couple of recent articles that share perspectives of the logistics related to "spine marketing" and "thumbnail marketing."

This episode is sponsored in part by...

Mark's forthcoming book A BOOK IN HAND. Click he... more

YouTube

Mark interviews Misti Hurst, a racer, a writer, a coach, and a mom. She is the author of LIFE IN THE FAST LANE: Discovering the Art of Cornering which is part manual, part memoir and compiles her decades of experience as a rider, a racer, and a coach... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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The Indy Author PodcastMatty Dalrymple, The Indy Author
Self-Publishing with ALLi
Self-Publishing with ALLiAlliance of Independent Authors

Recent Guests

Juliette N. Banks
Romance author with a large backlist and active Facebook reader groups
Self-published/Traditionally published author
Episode: EP 495 - A Live Chat with Juliette N. Banks
Angela Yuriko Smith
Two-time Bram Stoker Award winning author, editor, educator and publisher
Space & Time Magazine; Authortunities
Episode: EP 494 - Whales, Comic Books, Horror, and the Power of Community with Angela Yuriko Smith
Misty Hurst
Racer, writer, coach, mom; author of Life in the Fast Lane, Discovering the Art of Cornering
Self-published author; Life in the Fast Lane series
Episode: EP 492 - Life in the Fast Lane with Misti Hurst
Avery Crumrine
Author, founder of Asterah, and creator of the Author Follow Through System
Asterah
Episode: EP 491 - Turning Intention Into Action with Avery Crumrine
LCW Allingham
Award-winning author, artist and editor; co-founder and executive editor of Speculation Publications
Speculation Publications
Episode: EP 490 - Horror, History, and Feminine Power with LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications
Ann Charles
USA Today bestselling author known for humor, mystery, and supernatural elements
Author, Deadwood/Jackrabbit Junction series
Episode: EP 489 - The Balanced Approach To A Writer's Life with Ann Charles
Melissa Heathers
Author of Dear Ego, Dear Heart and host of The Book Crawl Show
The Book Crawl
Episode: EP 486 - Seeing The World Metaphorically with Melissa Heathers
Matty Dalrymple
Mystery and crime writer, Indy Author, member of ITW and Sisters in Crime
Indy Author (Matty Dalrymple brand)
Episode: EP 484 - Serializing a Novel on Substack with Matty Dalrymple
Jessica Sorrentino
Author branding insider and expert, branding consultant for writers
Open Book/Open Book Open Book Substack
Episode: EP 483 - Author Branding with Jessica Sorentino

Host

Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Host with extensive experience in publishing, bookselling, and digital publishing advocacy; long-running voice on industry trends and author success.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 50 ratings
  • One of the best mentors in the biz

    If you haven’t discovered Mark Leslie yet I can’t recommend this podcast highly enough

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raingirl51
    Canada8 months ago
  • Awesome

    Always useful, frequently inspiring, occasionally freaking amazing. This podcast goes beyond just sharing information, Mark lets us into his world for a few minutes, and I frequently come back just a little changed. It’s not your average podcast experience! Thank you, Mark!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cheryel H.
    United States10 months ago
  • Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

    The post-election episode was so very appreciated, especially coming from a white male. I really needed this tonight, thank you. ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Albertparrot
    United States2 years ago
  • Awesome!

    Inspiration in the dark hours of indie publishing. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mutant Lord: The Mutant Epoch
    Canada2 years ago
  • Lots of insite from an industry expert

    Mark's got a lot of experience in the publishing industry, and has so much common sense for indie authors.

    If you want to sell your books to readers all over the world, in online and brick-and-mortar bookstores OR even libraries, Mark should be your goto expert!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roland Denzel
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners feel inspired and informed, often highlighting honest, actionable takeaways.
Guests are well-chosen and relevant to writers looking to grow their craft and audience.
The host's transparency about earnings and business realities is appreciated by listeners.
Shows deep industry knowledge and practical advice for indie authors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#221
South Africa/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP 495 - A Live Chat with Juliette N. Banks
Q: Do you sell more print copies or digital copies?
Digital copies dominate her business, around 85%, with ongoing interest in growing paperback sales through targeted strategies.
EP 492 - Life in the Fast Lane with Misti Hurst
Q: What makes the book(s) concept unique in the publishing space?
The books combine memoir with technique, using Misty's coaching journey as a framework, and repurposing existing magazine content into a new, multi-volume series with a reader-centric in-person sales approach.
EP 492 - Life in the Fast Lane with Misti Hurst
Q: Where did your journey actually start?
Misty describes turning a long-held desire to write into action around a big birthday, organizing decades of magazine articles into a plan for a book series, and deciding to publish a memoir-style guide that blends technique with storytelling.
EP 490 - Horror, History, and Feminine Power with LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications
Q: How do you decide when to pursue self-publishing versus traditional publishing and working with an agent?
I weigh personal fit and timing, sometimes publishing with a press I trust while also keeping doors open to self-publishing or working with an agent if the opportunity aligns with my goals and schedule.
EP 490 - Horror, History, and Feminine Power with LCW Allingham of Speculation Publications
Q: Do you still have open submissions for Utterspeculation novellas, and what are the guidelines?
Yes, Utterspeculation novellas remain open with strict topic guidelines, focusing on legends or phenomena; submissions are reviewed for fit and potential fit within the series, and they publish about one novella per year.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful deep-dive into writing, publishing, and author empowerment, with conversations that balance craft, marketing, and the business of indie and traditional publishing. Episodes frequently feature hands-on guidance on branding, reader engagement, and practical publishing strategies, along with behind-the-scenes looks at events, production, and community building in the writing world. The show stands out for candid industry insight, long-form interviews, and a focus on sustainable, ethical storytelling that supports authors at every stage, from debuting to expanding visibility across multiple platforms. Potential guests and sponsors can expect a knowledgeable host with deep ties to authors, bookstores, and indie publishing, plus recu... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
2. Self Publishing Insiders
3. Wish I'd Known Then: a Podcast for Self Published Indie Writers
4. The Indy Author Podcast
5. Self-Publishing with ALLi

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 497 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Juliette N. Banks
2. Angela Yuriko Smith
3. Misty Hurst
4. Avery Crumrine
5. LCW Allingham
6. Ann Charles
7. Melissa Heathers
8. Matty Dalrymple

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