In this episode Mark interviews Laura Holley, a Utah-based voice actor and speculative fiction writer whose passion for storytelling began with her first stage performance at seven years old.

Prior to the main content, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.

This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report.

In the interview, Mark and Laura talk about:

Laura getting into theatre in the second grade and the first role that she played
The power of playing a villain really well and how fun it is to play (in both acting and voice acting) the antagonist
Transitioning into the role of voice actor
The early decision between two roles Laura held in high regard: Hollywood actress and stay-at-home mom
Recognizing that she could get involved in voice acting from home
Paying for a voice acting program early on during the pandemic
The term "creative catalyst" that Orna Ross mentioned in Episode and Laura's term "creative luminary"
Different techniques that can be used when performing audiobooks and voice acting
How acting can inform one's writing
And more...

Links of Interest:

Laura Holley's Website
Episode 472 - Going All In On Substack with Orna Ross
Episode 479 - The Keyboard is My Favorite Fidget Toy with Premee Mohamed
Episode 480 - Rambling Reflections From the Road: Returning From Camping & Vitamin N
Substack Reflection: The Trees and I, The Rooted, yet Restless Writer
Substack Reflection: The Long & Winding Road Back To A Typewriter
The Creative Penn Podcast - June 22, 2026 Episode (Mark as guest): Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset with Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)
Buy Mark a Coffee
Patreon for Stark Reflections
Mark's YouTube channel
ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)
Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)
Stark Realities Book
An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries
The Relaxed Author
- Buy eBook Direct
- Buy Audiobook Direct
Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
Wide for the Win
Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books
- This Time Around (Short Story)
- A Canadian Werewolf in New York
- Stowe Away (Novella)
- Fear and Longing in Los Angeles
- Fright Nights, Big City
- Lover's Moon
- Hex and the City
- Only Monsters in the Building
- Once Bitten (Novella)
The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard
Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises

Laura Holley is a Utah-based voice actor and speculative fiction writer. Her passion for storytelling began with her first stage performance at seven years old. Trained by vocal coaches Jessica Straus and Glad Klassen and writing mentor Wulf Moon, she brings depth and richness to every story with her voice or her pen. When not creating new worlds in her private studio, she's often in her home's hidden game room—plotting to conquer them.

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