Two ladies who travel a lot… talk about it briefly. Romance authors and consummate travelers Gail Carriger & Piper J Drake dish tips, tricks, gadgets, and horror stories on traveling by land, air, and sea. We get there, so you don’t have to.
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Treat your writing like a blue collar job. Doctors don't get doctor block and ditch diggers don't get ditch digger block, and working writers can't get writer's block. Business and humor.
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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)
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A monthly podcast about queer content in speculative fiction media.
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There's no end to people out there telling you what to think. But what about HOW to think? Tom Merritt talks with his guests about HOW they think about the world. How do they filter information and decide what to trust? It's a confusing world and we could all benefit from sharing the ways we all deal with it. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Our mindsets can often hold us back in life more than we think. Self-doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome…the list goes on. In this open, honest podcast, bestselling author Kristina Adams, and upcoming author Ellie Betts, share the highs and lows of their writing lives alongside interviews with authors, marketers, and content creators. You’ll finish each episode feeling inspired, uplifted, and ready to get writing. Formerly called The Writer's Cookbook podcast (and still part of The Writer's Co ...
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EP 365 - An Interview That's A Hug with Gail Carriger
1:19:57
1:19:57
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Mark interviews Gail Carriger about her writing life, her journey through publishing, analytics, the careful curation of her author brand, being a hybrid author and so much more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-pu…
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[DD] Book Tours, TikTok, and Twitter Tantrums
37:59
37:59
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"Being on BookTok will not give you a career if you don't have one. Do what makes you happy." - Ursula Transcript (This post went live for supporters on July 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, th…
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EP 369 - The DIY Author With Kaye Lynn Booth
45:43
45:43
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Mark interviews Kaye Lynn Booth about her writing life and her new book The DIY Author. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons and Buy Me A Coffee buddies, as well as a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise. In the interview Mark and Kaye Lynn talk about: Kaye having written sinc…
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[DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over- New Beginnings and No More Cancer!
55:56
55:56
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"If you want to make money, you have to think about it like a job."- Mur Transcript (This post went live for supporters on June 26, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mu…
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EP 368 - Written Word Media with Clayton Noblit
54:39
54:39
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Mark has a chat with Clayton Noblit, a senior marketing manager at Written Word Media. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons, welcomes a few new Buy Me A Coffee buddies, shares a personal update, and shares a word from this episode's sponsor. episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise. In the inter…
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EP 367 - Amazing Stories, Fanzines, and Community with Lloyd Penney
55:07
55:07
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Mark interviews Lloyd Penney, the editor of Amazing Stories magazine about his work on Amazing Stories, his forty years of engagement with the fanzine community, and more. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishin…
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EP 366 - Bolts of Fiction with Daniel Willcocks and Samantha Frost
27:29
27:29
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Mark interviews Daniel Willcocks and Samantha Frost about their flash fiction anthology BOLTS OF FICTION and the unique engagement they created and managed through the month of February 2023 to inspire the writing community throughout the entire month. In February 2023, the Activated Authors community embarked on an ambitious project: to respond to…
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EP 364 - 40 Years of Rubes® Cartoons with Leigh Rubin
59:01
59:01
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Mark interviews Leigh Rubin about 40 years of his Rubes® cartoons and his latest book THINK LIKE A CARTOONIST. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise. In the interview Mark and Leigh talk about: The fact that in 2…
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EP 363 - Greatness Together with Sarah McVanel
1:06:33
1:06:33
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Mark interviews Sarah McVanel, a recognition expert, professional speaker, coach, author, recovering perfectionist, and movement maker about her books, speaking, and her the new podcast she co-hosts with her daughter. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this sel…
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Tom talks to architect and founder of Kara Water Cody Soodeen about how a beetle inspired him to fix the world's supply of fresh water. Featuring Tom Merritt and Cody Soodeen. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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EP 362 - The Book To Read Before Giving Up On Your Writing Dreams with Todd Fahnestock
50:00
50:00
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Mark interviews author Todd Fahnestock about his latest book for writers: Falling to Fly: The Book To Read Before Giving Up On Your Writing Dreams. This episode is sponsored by the Patrons and Coffee Buddies of the Stark Reflections Podcast. Patreon for Stark Reflections Podcast Buy Mark a Coffee In the interview Mark and Todd talk about: Who Todd …
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EP 361 - The Author Wheel with Greta Boris and Megan Haskell
1:00:48
1:00:48
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Mark interviews Greta Boris and Megan Haskell of The Author Wheel. Prior to the interview Mark shares a brief personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode’s sponsor. This episode is sponsored by ScribeCount (affiliate…
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EP 360 - Foreign Rights Licensing with Roseanne Cheng of DropCap
49:00
49:00
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Mark interviews Roseanne Cheng, an award-winning author, ghostwriter, and book marketer who is passionate about educating authors and publishers about the power and opportunity of having their books elevated to the international market. They talk about her writing life, her author mentoring life, and about how DropCap Marketplace is a great bridge …
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EP 359 - Capturing the Flow with Aaron Palmer
1:12:10
1:12:10
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Mark interviews author, songwriter, musician, and podcaster Aaron Palmer. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise. In their interview Mark and Aaron talk about: Aaron being tested at an early age…
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EP 358 - The Way of the Parable Writer with Donn King
54:49
54:49
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Mark interviews professor, pastor, speaker, and author Donn King about writing, his podcast, and his books THE WAY OF THE THREE-YEAR-OLD WHY and MEDIUM WELL. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused crui…
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EP 357 - 50 Years of Short Stories with Kevin J. Anderson
49:40
49:40
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In this episode, Mark interviews Kevin J. Anderson about his writing and the new approach he is taking to incorporate Kickstarter into the launch strategies for some of his indie-published titles. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-…
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EP 356 - The Midlist Indie Author Mindset with T. Thorn Coyle
49:50
49:50
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Mark interviews T Thorn Coyle about writing, community, and their new book The Midlist Indie Author Mindset. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor. Cruising Writers - 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise - Feb 22 to Mar 1, 2025 Featured Guest Speakers: Erin Wright and Mark Leslie Lefebvre More detail…
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EP 355 - Scribbling Pen Publishing with Melanie Gilbert and Heather Karn
1:01:51
1:01:51
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Mark interviews Melanie Gilbert and Heather Karn about their work writing and publishing together under the Scribbling Pen Publishing brand. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Cruising Writers - 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise - Feb 22 to Mar 1, 2025 Featured …
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EP 354 - Lydia and David Sherrer on Power Couple Publishing
58:29
58:29
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Mark interviews Lydia and David Sherrer about their company Chenoweth Press and the books and games they produce and publish collaboratively. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the awesome supporters of this podcast who provide their supprt via Patreon and Buy …
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Tom talks to Craig Porter who just took a job in Antarctica, about what it's like to be on the least populated continent in the world. Featuring Tom Merritt and Craig Porter. djfission.com Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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EP 353 - Tao Wong on the Toronto Indie Author Conference
39:21
39:21
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Mark interviews Tao Wong about his writing, LitRPG, entrepreneurship, and the Toronto Indie Author Conference that is coming in May 2024. Prior to the interview, Mark forgoes the usual brief personal update, or comments, and skips right to this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by the Toronto Indie Author Conference. The Toronto Indie Au…
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EP 352 - Being The Hero of Your Own Story With No Margins Agency
55:24
55:24
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Mark interviews Katie Nelson, Mari Dietz, and Brandon Winn about No Margins Agency, which offers stock photography of underrepresented and marginalized people. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update, and then plays a few words about this episode's sponsor. No Margins Agency offers stock photography of underrepresented and margi…
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EP 351 - Feverish Sore Throat Reflections
16:53
16:53
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In this brief solo episode Mark reflections on the importance of maintaining a streak - which is something he has done since first launching this podcast in January 2017. Links of Interest: ScribeCount (Mark's Affiliate Link) Mark's YouTube Channel Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds An Author's Guide to …
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EP 350 - Infinite Resources with Jeff Krehmer
40:40
40:40
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Mark interviews engineer and author Jeff Krehmer about his new book Infinite Resources: How to Sustainably Develop the Arctic, by Supplying Green Hydrogen, Fresh Water, and Healthy Food to the World. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. Imagine a gender …
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EP 349 - Edward Willett of Shadow Paw Press
56:26
56:26
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Mark interviews author, podcaster, and publisher Edward Willett about his writing, his podcast, Kickstarter campaigns, and some bold new ventures he is pursuing with his publishing company Shadow Paw Press. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, shares a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episo…
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EP 348 - Amanda Byrd on Direct Sales and AuthorsGoDirect
44:33
44:33
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Mark interviews Amanda Byrd about her writing, direct sales, and the new platform she has launched called AuthorsGoDirect. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, welcomes new patrons Rob Johnson, Jennifer Brinn, and Rasana Atreya and then shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by ScribeCount…
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EP 347 - Library Advocacy Support with John Chrastka of EveryLibrary
56:27
56:27
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Mark interviews John Chrastka, the executive director of EveryLibrary, the first nationwide political action committee for libraries, and the EveryLibrary Institute, a nonprofit research and training organization focused on the future of library funding. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, reads comments from recent episodes, and…
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Gary Fisher talks about his experiences with empathy throughout his life. Featuring Tom Merritt and Gary Fisher. Gary's link: http://seniorgeek.substack.com/ Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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EP 346 - 4 More Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
28:05
28:05
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A solo episode where Mark shares an excerpt from four elements from his book PUBLISHING PITFALLS FOR AUTHORS. PAST PATRIARCHY PAUSE PAYING The main content (those four points) are read by Mark's AI voice via Eleven Labs. Links of Interest: EP 246 - Four of The Pitfalls of Publishing An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries Smashwo…
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EP 345 - The Art of Libromancy with Josh Cook
1:13:42
1:13:42
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Mark interviews Josh Cook, Josh Cook, an author, bookseller and the co-owner at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has worked since 2004 about his writing, his book The Art of Libromancy and his life as a reader and writer. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, welcomes new patron Jennifer Brinn, t…
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EP 344 - Eric T. Knight on Fair Pay with StoryFair
56:46
56:46
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Mark interviews author Eric T. Knight about his writing and about the origin of StoryFair. net a platform that seeks to pay authors the highest royalty of any other third party platform for their audiobook sales. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes, welcomes new patron Rob Johnson, and shares a word about this episode's…
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Editor and producer of A Word with Tom Merritt, Anthony Lemos, aka Amos talks about his perspective as a veteran, on the word veteran. Featuring Tom Merritt and Anthony Lemos. anthonylemos.com @ethancaine77 on TikTok #ask-amos in the DTNS Discord Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…
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EP 343 - Self-Publishing Lesbian Fiction (or Something Equally Non-Threatening) with Elizabeth Andre
56:17
56:17
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Mark interviews Elizabeth Andre (AKA Karen and Victoria) about her/their journey through writing, collaboration, and the new book SELF-PUBLISHING LESBIAN FICTION. Prior to the interview, Mark reads comments from recent episodes and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by ScribeCount (affiliate link). Spend less time…
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EP 342 - Publishing Trend Reflections for 2024
25:37
25:37
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In this special bonus solo episode, Mark shares some reflections about recent publishing trends. Prior to the main content, Mark welcomes new patron Donn King, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor, the patrons of the Stark Reflections Podcast. Links of Interest: Written Word Media Publishing Trends Posts 2024 2023 2022 2020 How to Write a…
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EP 341 - Howling It Forward With Wulf Moon
1:03:03
1:03:03
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Mark interviews bestselling writer, editor, and writing instructor, Wulf Moon, who won the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards at the age of fifteen, and followed that with winning the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Contest, and Writers of the Future. He leads the Wulf Pack Writers group and is the author of The Illustrated Super Secrets of Wri…
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EP 340 - Personality, Passion, Presentation, and Persistence with Todd Fahnestock
1:12:33
1:12:33
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Mark interviews award-winning, #1 bestselling fantasy author Todd Fahnestock about his journey through both traditional publishing and indie-publishing, focusing on the moments for learning, growth, and applying passion and persistence. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episo…
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Matt Donnelly of Ice Cream Social joins us to talk improv. Yes and he tells us how it's done right and how it can go wrong. Featuring Tom Merritt and Matt Donelly. Matt and Mattingly's Ice Cream Social Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/a-word-with-tom-merritt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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EP 339 - Romancing the Writing Life with Bobby Hutchinson
1:00:32
1:00:32
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In this episode Mark interviews bestselling author Bobby Hutchinson about her unique journey through traditional publishing and self-publishing. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, welcomes new Patron Skye MacKinnon and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by patrons of the…
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EP 338 - An Amazing F*cking Pivot into Sh!t-Tons of Money with James Fell
1:29:52
1:29:52
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Mark interviews James Fell, the Sweary Historian, and bestselling author of ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY SH!T WENT DOWN. Prior to the interview Mark warns listeners of the adult language used in this episode, reads comments from recent episodes, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. Mark's Stark Publishing Solutions books are 50% off in the Sma…
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EP 337 - Collaborative Editing with Erika Steeves
48:15
48:15
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Mark interviews editor Erika Steeves about her experiences in working with publishers and authors as an editor. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a brief personal update and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by HOW TO WRITE A HOWLING GOOD STORY by Wulf Moon You can get this book in eBook, Trade Paperback, and Hardcove…
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EP 336 - Coming Out of The Writer Closet with Bradley Charbonneau
58:03
58:03
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Mark interviews Bradley Charbonneau about his new book PROCRASTINATE and his new "Book in a Weekend" program for writers. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, thanks Patrons, provides a personal update, and shares a word about this episode's sponsor. You can learn more about how you can get your audiobooks distributed …
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Author Gail Carriger is known for comedy-of-manners fantasy like the Parasol Protectorate or Finishing School. But she also is a huge fan of K-pop and has worked it into her Tinkered Starsong series. Featuring Tom Merritt and Gail Carriger. Visit Gail Carriger's site for more information about them! My 90 Year Old Dad Likes Kpop & This Says Somethi…
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