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Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

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Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing EP 071 - A Buffet of Writing Advice with Patricia McLinn

Apr 19, 2019

In this episode Mark interviews USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn about her three decades of experience in writing and publishing.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares a word from the episode's sponsor, Findaway Voices . . .You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

In the personal update section Mark shares the following:

  • A reminder about the Public Lending Right for Canadian authors (and authors from UK, AU, NZ)
  • An article he recently wrote for Hamilton Magazine (including a bit about the TV show The Hilarious House of Frightenstein
  • An interview he did with the guys from the Paranormal Faction Podcast in Harriston, Ontario in a haunted theatre
  • His forthcoming visit to Book Expo America in New York
  • An update on the prize offered for commenters on Episode 70
  • The deadline to comment has been extended to the end of April
  • A new StoryBundle called the Write Stuff 2019 Spring Bundle that is available until early May. A steal for $5 for 4 books or 15 for all 12 books plus a $50 online lecture. Listeners will have a chance to win this bundle

In their chat, Mark and Patricia talk about:

  • The original publishers Patricia worked with when she had a few different series traditionally published
  • How hearing a talk at NINC given by Chris Anderson (who coined the concept of "The Long Tail") inspired Patricia to take a fresh look at the publishing industry and to consider indie publishing opportunities
  • The "Writer's Work" website Patricia created in 2009 as "insurance" in case the publishing industry went a little bonkers
  • Getting the rights back for all of her previously released works (except for one German edition of a title)
  • CONTROL being one of the main differences between traditional publishing and indie or self-publishing
  • The difference in timeframes and how publishers will sometimes sit on a manuscript for a year
  • The reality of the "16 days" you had on the bookstore shelves with titles published in the Harlequin Silhouette imprint
  • What clauses and types of contracts would have to have for Patricia to consider signing one again

Of course, mid-way through the interview, Patricia turns the table and starts asking Mark questions. After a brief section of talking about things publishers do well, and things they don't do so well, Mark realizes what Patricia has done (she is a great podcast host and asks great questions), and turns the tables back on her. They then talk about:

  • What dried wallpaper paste has to do with helping Patricia make the move towards writing and publishing
  • The one letter Patricia got back from an editor earlier in her career that said: "It's clear that you know nothing about the publishing industry"
  • The various elements of romance and mystery that Patricia likes to include in her writing
  • How Patricia feels that writing 3 to 5 books a year still isn't enough to keep up with the characters and ideas floating through her mind
  • The reasons why Patricia started the Authors Love Readers Podcast and how she wanted to model over a simple conversation with a writer where readers could eavestrough
  • Patricia's recent non-fiction book for writers called Survival Kit for Writers Who Don't Write Right
  • How authors have approached Patricia with tears in their eyes after she delivered a presentation on this same topic because they thought they were the only ones who wrote in a more "pantsing" type of style
  • The reason why Patricia has the book for sale for 99 cents on her own website
  • Patricia's number one piece of advice for writers - that writing advice is a buffet. You can try a bit of this, a bit of that, go back for seconds of something else. YOU control the buffet

 

After the interview Mark reflects on the concept of writing advice being a buffet that authors can selectively pick and choose from.

Links of Interest

 

USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at the Washington Post after newspaper stints in Rockford, Ill., and Charlotte, N.C. She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.

McLinn is the author of more than 47 published novels, which are cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.

Now living in Northern Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook and Twitter.

 

The 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