PHOTO: Author Marc MacDonald, whose introspective prose and heartfelt narratives have redefined the literary landscape of contemporary character-driven fiction.
Forgiveness Connection And The Power Of Quiet Storytelling
Marc MacDonald reflects on his re-release of Between Two Seasons, creative growth with Spilt Ink Press, the emotional truth behind character-driven stories, and the quiet power of human connection.
Marc MacDonald writes with the kind of sensitivity that elevates the everyday into the unforgettable. His novel Between Two Seasons offers a meditation on forgiveness, connection, and the quiet courage required to face ourselves honestly. At the heart of his work is a deep reverence for the emotional threads that bind us—threads that often reveal their strength in our most vulnerable moments.
MacDonald’s voice is thoughtful, precise, and refreshingly sincere. His approach to storytelling blends emotional resonance with introspective character work, creating fiction that doesn’t shout but stays with you. There is a rare humility to his craft, shaped as much by his love for language as by his belief in its capacity to heal and connect.
The re-release of Between Two Seasons signals more than a second chance for a debut—it marks the arrival of an author whose commitment to authenticity feels both timely and timeless. Whether through fiction or conversation, Marc MacDonald reminds us that some stories don’t need to be loud to be heard. They only need to be true.
Between Two Seasons, formerly Autumn, is set for release through Spilt Ink Press this fall. After self-publishing your debut, what happened to make this new edition possible, and how did the opportunity to re-release it with a publisher come about?
While finishing my second manuscript, I fully expected to self-publish again, just as I had with my debut. As part of that process, I turned to my LinkedIn network to find a literary fiction editor. I was grateful for the overwhelming response, but one message stood out: a note from Hannah Gordon, the publisher behind Spilt Ink Press, an imprint of Gordon Publishing Collective.
That message sparked a conversation that quickly revealed a shared vision for storytelling, creative integrity, and the kind of books we both wanted to champion. Hannah saw something in my work, and in that moment, what began as a simple request for editing help evolved into something much bigger. She offered me a two-book deal, one that not only welcomed my upcoming manuscript but also embraced my debut. That book, formerly Autumn, will now be re-released as Between Two Seasons on September 2, 2025, under the Spilt Ink Press banner.
Between Two Seasons is a journey of forgiveness and human connection. How do those themes unfold through the characters and their relationships, and what drew you to explore them in this way?
Forgiveness is vast and deeply personal, and often misunderstood. It isn’t just about extending grace to someone else; it’s about finding the courage to forgive ourselves. Between Two Seasons brings that to life through two characters who are each carrying their own emotional histories. As their journeys unfold, they come to realise that healing begins not by rewriting the past, but by learning to see it through a more compassionate lens.
What drew me to these themes was the idea that true connection with another person can shift how we understand ourselves. The bond these characters form becomes the catalyst, not just for confronting their regrets, but for allowing themselves the dignity of growth and grace. In that way, the story is less about dramatic redemption and more about the quiet, human act of choosing empathy over guilt, understanding over judgment.
Partnering with Spilt Ink Press marks a major step in your writing journey. How has working with a publisher shaped your experience of bringing Between Two Seasons to readers, and what does this represent for you creatively and personally?
Partnering with Spilt Ink Press has been transformative, both creatively and personally. After navigating the self-publishing world on my own, stepping into a collaborative environment was a powerful shift. For the first time, I had a team deeply invested in shaping the book’s journey alongside me, not just refining the manuscript, but considering how Between Two Seasons would meet readers in the world.
Working with a publisher has allowed me to trust the process in new ways. There’s a deeper sense of intention behind every decision, from editorial development to cover design to timing. It’s no longer just about getting the story out; it’s about delivering it with care, resonance, and the kind of reach that felt impossible before.
In a nutshell, it’s a second chance for the story, and a new chapter for me.
You’ve described music as an important source of creative energy in your writing. How do you use music to develop characters or atmosphere, and are there specific genres or artists that feel essential to your process?
Music is one of the most vital tools in my creative process. It’s how I find the emotional current of a scene before I ever write a word. Certain songs help me step into the mindset of my characters, letting me feel what they’re carrying long before the dialogue or plot makes it clear. Sometimes it’s about rhythm, setting the pace of a chapter to match the mood, and other times it’s about tone: the atmosphere a piece of music creates, which I try to translate into language.
For Between Two Seasons, I built a playlist that became almost like a compass for the emotive arc of the book. Artists like The National and Bon Iver gave voice to the ache and introspection that runs through so much of the story. J.B. Boone’s raw honesty and Carly King’s gentle vulnerability really helped me tap into the inner lives of the characters, especially in moments of stillness, tension, or reckoning.
More than anything, music keeps me tethered to the truth of the story.
You’ve engaged readers at literary events and community readings. Why do you think it’s important for independent authors to have these opportunities, and what have you taken away from those experiences?
Literary events and community readings have been some of the most meaningful parts of my experience as an author. Writing can be such a solitary process, but sharing that work in a room full of readers brings it to life in a completely different way. It’s where the story stops being just mine and starts becoming something shared, open to interpretation, emotion, and conversation.
For independent authors especially, these spaces are invaluable. It’s one thing to publish a book; it’s another to look someone in the eye as they tell you how a certain passage stayed with them. That kind of exchange is powerful, and it reminds you why you started writing in the first place.
What I’ve taken away from these experiences is a deeper sense of community and responsibility. Readers want to engage, to ask questions, to feel something real, and showing up in person is a way to honour that.
Your writing blends introspective character work with emotionally resonant storytelling. How has being an avid reader shaped your voice as a writer?
Being a reader came long before being a writer, and in many ways, it’s what shaped my voice more than anything else. The books that moved me most weren’t always plot-driven or high-concept; they were the ones that leaned into emotional honesty and made space for complex, imperfect characters.
Writers like Amy Jones, Terry Fallis, Ali Bryan, Nickolas Butler, Fredrik Backman, and Matthew Quick have all inspired me in different ways. Whether it’s the warmth and wit in their dialogue, their ability to find humour in hard places, or their deep compassion for flawed characters, each of them has helped shape how I think about storytelling. Their work strikes that delicate balance between heartfelt and hopeful, which is something I try to bring into my own writing.
Ultimately, my voice as a writer is an echo of the books that made me feel seen, and my hope is to offer that same sense of recognition to others.
With the re-release of Between Two Seasons coming in fall 2025, can you share what readers can expect in the new edition?
With the re-release of Between Two Seasons arriving in fall 2025, readers can expect the same heartfelt story, but now wrapped in a brand-new cover that better reflects the tone, mood, and emotional depth of the novel. While the narrative remains unchanged, this new edition offers a visual refresh that captures the quiet intimacy and layered themes at the heart of the book.
This release is less about revision and more about reintroduction: a chance to share the story with new readers and longtime supporters alike, with a design that more fully honours its spirit.
The re-release will also include a sneak peek at what’s coming next in my writing journey. A few teaser chapters from my upcoming novel will be tucked into the back.
What advice would you give to writers working on deeply personal, character-driven stories, especially those navigating the independent publishing path?
If you’re writing a deeply personal, character-driven story, my first piece of advice is this: trust your voice. It can be tempting, especially in the noise of traditional publishing or market trends, to think your story needs to be bigger, faster, louder to matter. But stories that centre on vulnerability, introspection, and emotional truth have a lasting impact. Stay grounded in what you want to say, not just what you think will sell.
When you’re navigating the independent publishing path, it’s just as important to treat your work with the same care and intention a traditional publisher would. That means investing in thoughtful editing, design, and packaging.
Most of all, be patient—with the process, and with yourself. Writing something personal requires emotional stamina. Publishing it requires courage. But when even one reader connects with your work and feels seen, it’s worth every step.
