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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Brought to you from the indie author experts at Draft2Digital! Each week, Self Publishing Insiders features an interview with a new guest, covering self-publishing topics from writing and craft to marketing and promoting your books, and anything that can help you build and grow your author career. Learn about new tools, new software, new markets—and of course, all the inside information that D2D can provide! This show features interviews taken from our live D2D Spotlight, available on YouTub ...
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He’s an alpha wolf and a beta boyfriend. She’s dated every monster in New York City. It’s time for their Meat-Cute. Michael Andrews, a Canadian living in New York, is learning to live with the side effects of lycanthropy. Other than waking up naked and bloody in Central Park once a month, he’s managing just fine. If only he could finish the book he’s supposed to be writing. If only he could find someone he trusted enough to tell the truth to. Gail Sommers may not have her love life in order, ...
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EP 376 - Dianne Scott on Writing Historical Mysteries
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Mark interviews bestselling and award-winning author Dianne Scott about her Christine Lane Mystery series which is set on Toronto Island in the 1960s. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from a recent newsletter he sent out asking writers to share their thoughts on the collective noun for a group of editors, a personal update (including…
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No one ever said indie publishing is easy! There's the writing, the publishing, the distribution. If that wasn't hard enough, there's the marketing. Indie authors have to worry about their websites, newsletter subscriptions, beta readers, book reviews, and more. Wouldn't it be cool if there was one site to help ease the marketing burden? That's the…
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Mark shares some behind-the-scenes insights and helpful tips offered to him for his forthcoming Kickstarter. He also loses it briefly after discovering that 40 minutes of in depth and detailed recording was lost due to a tech issue with Audacity crashing. Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, welcomes a new patron, a…
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Among the myriad things that indie authors have to grapple with is how to fund a successful book launch without going in the red. To help us tackle this subject, we're joined by Jamie Davis, a prolific author of sci-fi and fantasy. As a nurse, retired paramedic and nationally recognized medical educator, Jamie knows a thing or two about service and…
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EP 374 - WMG Publishing Editor Round Table
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In this episode Mark has a round-table discussion with the seven other editors in the August 2024 WMG Publishing Anthology Workshop. Prior to the main content, Mark shares a word from this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by Cruising Writers. The WMG Publishing Anthology workshops help authors see behind-the-scenes on how editors compil…
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Touching Base with D2D - Ask Us Anything!
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Once a month we host an "Ask Us Anything" episode. Usually these episode are tied to a specific topic, like the Smashwords to D2D merger, or D2D Print, or how to work with our promotions team. This time we'd like to keep free flowing, so if you've got a burning question you're dying to asks, now's the time! //Draft2Digital is where you start your I…
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EP 373 - Musings on Getting a Masters and Getting Married
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In this solo episode, Mark reflects and muses on the past couple of weeks where we got his Masters in Creative Writing with a concentration on Publishing (July 26th in Gunnison, CO) and got married to his partner Liz (July 29th in New York City, NY). Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons and Buy Me A Coffee buddies, welcomes new patron Jo-Ann…
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Indie authors are told that in order to be successful, "you've got to find your tribe" and "build your community." But how exactly do you do that? Where do you start? And once you gain some traction, how do you nurture your community to help it grow and thrive? Enter Amanda Traylor (also writing under June Patrick), an award-winning author of more …
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EP 372 - Getting Paid For Authors Interviews and Book Reviews with Rick Hipson
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Mark interviews Rick Hipson, author of the new book A REVIEWER'S GUIDE TO WRITING BOOK REVIEWS: AND HOW TO GET PAID FOR THEM. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons and Buy Me A Coffee buddies, welcomes new patron Kevin J. Anderson, shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about…
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Eleven months Draft2Digital announced the acquisition of SelfPubBookCovers.com (SPBC), a decade-old pioneering marketplace for premade book covers. We've been hard at work rebuilding a site that's committed to helping authors find the perfect cover, and helping professional cover designers build their businesses. Today our own Nick Thacker will pro…
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EP 371 - Rambling Reflections From The Road July 2024 Edition
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In this solo episode, Mark reflects and talks his way through a several week stretch where there are many things to do and too little time to get them done. Links of Interest: EP 301 - Procrastinating Partners: Collaborating with Liz Anderson DropCap Marketplace Use coupon STARK20 to get 20% off Cruising Writers Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark …
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Smashwords store sales keep getting bigger and better. More authors, more books, more first-time customers and more book sales! In this episode, we'll talk about how authors position their books for success in Smashwords' 16th Annual Summer/Winter Sale. It's a month-long celebration of indie authors and the readers who love them. //Draft2Digital is…
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EP 370 - Questioning & Reflecting with Becca Syme
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Mark interviews Becca Syme, an author and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach who has been helping writers with coaching success alignment for more than a decade. Prior to the interview, Mark thanks Patrons and Buy Me A Coffee buddies, shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about th…
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Translation Rights Management to Expand Your Global Reach
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Navigating foreign language rights and finding great translators is tricky business, even for the most experienced indie authors. That's why we're super excited to welcome Lindsay Jones, a co-founder and the CEO of DropCap, a global rights marketplace for indie authors that’s revolutionizing the way agents and editors discover exceptional books. //…
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EP 369 - The DIY Author With Kaye Lynn Booth
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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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Draft2Digital is known for its innovative publishing and distribution tools for indie authors. But do you know about all the cool things we're doing to promote your books to retailers and libraries? Or the free tools we offer to help you get more visibility for your titles? We're guessing you may not. Tune in so we can fix that! //Draft2Digital is …
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EP 368 - Written Word Media with Clayton Noblit
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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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Empowering Authorpreneurs with Indie Author Magazine
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Indie Author Magazine (IAM) is on a mission to inform, educate, and inspire authors at every stage of their careers. Flip through the pages of any issue and you'll see thoroughly researched, unbiased content dedicated to helping authors build their businesses. But there's more to IAM than the magazine. Join us as publisher Chelle Honiker takes us o…
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EP 367 - Amazing Stories, Fanzines, and Community with Lloyd Penney
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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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Master Review Campaigns to Increase Book Sales
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If you're reading this, you already know that best practices are what separates the publishing amateurs from the pros. But did you know there are a multitude of best practices when it comes to getting, and leveraging, book reviews to boost sales? Join us as Booksprout's Virginie Carmichael and Rossana Corniel walk us through an optimized book revie…
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EP 366 - Bolts of Fiction with Daniel Willcocks and Samantha Frost
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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 365 - An Interview That's A Hug with Gail Carriger
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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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Better. Stronger. Faster. It's what many of us strive for in our author careers. But how do we move the needle forward when life has other plans? Enter Becca Syme. Becca is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. Join us as we analyze a Strengths test in real time and discuss how success al…
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EP 364 - 40 Years of Rubes® Cartoons with Leigh Rubin
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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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Smashwords to D2D Migration - Ask Us Anything!
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When D2D announced the acquisition of Smashwords in March 2022, we knew the integration of the two companies would be a huge, long-haul effort. But totally worth it!! We're now in the final phase of our multi-phase integration project, which now involves moving Smashwords author accounts onto D2D. Join us to learn about progress made, what's coming…
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EP 363 - Greatness Together with Sarah McVanel
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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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Prepare to be a Success with Book Launchers
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Julie Broad is a four-time author and the Founder of Book Launchers, a professional self-publishing services company that helps non-fiction authors write, publish, and promote non-fiction books. Today we'll talk about how to set your book up for success before you even begin to write. We'll discuss typical author misconceptions, we'll chat about ho…
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EP 362 - The Book To Read Before Giving Up On Your Writing Dreams with Todd Fahnestock
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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
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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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Introducing Fable! D2D's newest retail partner!
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D2D just announced a new retail partnership with Fable, the popular online bookstore and social reading app that powers 25,000+ online book clubs. Joining us today is Kim Marsh Allee, Head of Operations & Community at Fable, as we discuss what this partnership means to you, your books, and your readers! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie…
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EP 360 - Foreign Rights Licensing with Roseanne Cheng of DropCap
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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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John Chrastka is 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. In this episode we'll discuss book bans and censorship, free speech and the First Amendment, political action…
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EP 359 - Capturing the Flow with Aaron Palmer
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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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Inspiration and Writing Conferences from Toronto Indie Authors Conference
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If you know Draft2Digital, you know we're huge fans of writers conferences. Where else can you form lasting author friendships, establish key partnerships, and gain essential knowledge to help guide you along your author career? The Toronto Indie Author Conference (TIAC) is one such event, focused deeply on indie authors and Canadian indie authors …
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EP 358 - The Way of the Parable Writer with Donn King
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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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DeAnna Hart, also known as D.F. Hart, writes crime thrillers and contemporary romance. She also has an MBA and over two decades of hands-on experience in accounting, and she co-wrote Accounting for Authors with Mark Lefebrve as a means to help indie authors better understand the nuances of running their businesses. If you want to learn general acco…
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EP 357 - 50 Years of Short Stories with Kevin J. Anderson
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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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Our followers are in charge for this week's "Ask Us Anything" (AUA) edition of Self Publishing Insiders. All topics were welcome! Be sure to join us live next time we do an AUA! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor…
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EP 356 - The Midlist Indie Author Mindset with T. Thorn Coyle
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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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Today we celebrate humor and creativity with accomplished author and cartoonist, Leigh Rubin. An author of more than 20 books, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Leigh's internationally syndicated cartoon, Rubes®, which is distributed by Creators Syndicate to hundreds of newspapers and media outlets worldwide. His work has been featured in film, te…
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EP 355 - Scribbling Pen Publishing with Melanie Gilbert and Heather Karn
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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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An award-winning writer and former newspaper reporter, Elizabeth Andre currently writes cozy paranormal mystery, science fiction, young adult and lesbian romance. Elizabeth began publishing lesbian fiction in 2014 and joins us today to discuss why self-publishing is such a great option for the genre. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Au…
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EP 354 - Lydia and David Sherrer on Power Couple Publishing
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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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Publishing and distributing your self-published books is the easy part. Reaching readers is still the challenge. Today we speak with Stephanie Chandler, the founder and CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association. Stephanie began building her email newsletter list and experimenting with self-publishing before D2D or even Smashwords existed! If you're…
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EP 353 - Tao Wong on the Toronto Indie Author Conference
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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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Publish with Confidence with ProWritingAid
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Have you ever watched a master at work? The best carpenters, musicians, chefs--and even authors--just seem to have a different way using their tools than the rest of us mere mortals. Fortunately for authors, ProWritingAid is a battle-tested writing tool that's helped some of today's bestselling authors smooth the rough edges of their works-in-progr…
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EP 352 - Being The Hero of Your Own Story With No Margins Agency
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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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Conferences are vital for author careers. The good ones not only provide stellar learning opportunities from the industry's best and brightest minds, they also provide a sense of community and belonging. In today's episode we'll catch up with D2D's own Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Nick Thacker as they attend the renowned Superstars Writing Seminars eve…
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EP 351 - Feverish Sore Throat Reflections
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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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Bestselling books have well-structured plots, compelling characters, and engaging settings that tell a great story. The other element bestselling books have in common is masterful editing. Today we welcome Kristina Stanley back to the show. An award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina is also the founder and CEO of Fictionary, an innovative…
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