Shows
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP200: What We’ve Learned After 200 EpisodesFor the 200th episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland go solo to reflect on how much the self-publishing world has evolved since the podcast first launched almost four years ago. This milestone discussion explores the industry’s biggest shifts, from the rise of direct sales and the decline of platform dependence to the growing need for authentic reader relationships. It’s a wide-ranging, state-of-the-industry conversation rooted in insight from past episodes and the hard-earned perspective of two hosts who have seen it all.
Whether you're launching your first book or working to stay ahead of changing algo...
2025-11-1343 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP200: What We’ve Learned After 200 EpisodesFor the 200th episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland go solo to reflect on how much the self-publishing world has evolved since the podcast first launched almost four years ago. This milestone discussion explores the industry’s biggest shifts, from the rise of direct sales and the decline of platform dependence to the growing need for authentic reader relationships. It’s a wide-ranging, state-of-the-industry conversation rooted in insight from past episodes and the hard-earned perspective of two hosts who have seen it all.
Whether you're launching your first book or working to stay ahead of changing algo...
2025-11-1343 min
After The WhistleEpisode 696 "TUCH FLYING UP TOP UFA LIST"WITH MARTIN NECAS SIGNING HIS 8 YEAR $92M EXTENSION, THE QUESTIONS ARE NOW, EVEN MORE SURROUNDING THE SABRES AND PENDING UFA ALEX TUCH.
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IF THE SABRES AREN'T GOING TO SIGN HIM, THEY HAVE TO TRADE HIM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-11-0330 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP197: Building an Audience Through Consistent and Honest StorytellingThis week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by Aaron Calafato, creator of the acclaimed podcast "7 Minute Stories", which has reached over 30 million listeners. A master of short-form storytelling, Aaron shares how he builds powerful connections with his audience through a personal process he calls “story catching.” By drawing meaning from everyday experiences and telling them with clarity and heart, he has carved out a unique space in the storytelling landscape.
In this fascinating conversation, Aaron takes Craig and Roland through the principles that make a story truly resonate. He explores how trust, authenticity, and vulnerability play a vita...
2025-10-231h 02Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP197: Building an Audience Through Consistent and Honest StorytellingThis week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by Aaron Calafato, creator of the acclaimed podcast "7 Minute Stories", which has reached over 30 million listeners. A master of short-form storytelling, Aaron shares how he builds powerful connections with his audience through a personal process he calls “story catching.” By drawing meaning from everyday experiences and telling them with clarity and heart, he has carved out a unique space in the storytelling landscape.
In this fascinating conversation, Aaron takes Craig and Roland through the principles that make a story truly resonate. He explores how trust, authenticity, and vulnerability play a vita...
2025-10-231h 02
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP193: The Truth About Book PublicityPublicity is one of the most misunderstood parts of an author’s career, and in this episode of Fully Booked, we break down what it really involves. Publicist and author Terena Bell joins Craig and Roland to explain how writers can approach publicity with clear goals, whether the aim is to sell more copies, reach new readers, or secure recognition in libraries and the media.
From podcasts and library pushes to finding unexpected outlets beyond the book world, the discussion explores practical strategies authors can use to draw attention to their books. While Terena shares insight into ho...
2025-09-2547 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP193: The Truth About Book PublicityPublicity is one of the most misunderstood parts of an author’s career, and in this episode of Fully Booked, we break down what it really involves. Publicist and author Terena Bell joins Craig and Roland to explain how writers can approach publicity with clear goals, whether the aim is to sell more copies, reach new readers, or secure recognition in libraries and the media.
From podcasts and library pushes to finding unexpected outlets beyond the book world, the discussion explores practical strategies authors can use to draw attention to their books. While Terena shares insight into ho...
2025-09-2547 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP192: The Return of Pocket-Sized Adventure FictionWhen mass market publishing first started, short and sweet “dime novels” were all the rage. Over the decades, books have fattened up considerably, with some of the most popular modern fiction weighing in at nearly 800 pages (I’m looking at you, A Court of Silver Flames!)
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland welcome returning guest Terrance Layhew back to the podcast to discuss whether it’s time to embrace a return to shorter fiction, such as his recent award-winning novella Unwanted Passenger.
In terms of printing costs, purchase price, and even just...
2025-09-1847 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP192: The Return of Pocket-Sized Adventure FictionWhen mass market publishing first started, short and sweet “dime novels” were all the rage. Over the decades, books have fattened up considerably, with some of the most popular modern fiction weighing in at nearly 800 pages (I’m looking at you, A Court of Silver Flames!)
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland welcome returning guest Terrance Layhew back to the podcast to discuss whether it’s time to embrace a return to shorter fiction, such as his recent award-winning novella Unwanted Passenger.
In terms of printing costs, purchase price, and even just...
2025-09-1847 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP191: Avoid These Common Self-Publishing MistakesFor aspiring authors navigating the world of self-publishing, the path to success is lined with potential missteps. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, publishing consultant and seasoned author Michelle Hill joins Craig and Roland to break down the most common mistakes that can derail new writers. Drawing from her journey as a “recovering ghostwriter” and her extensive experience guiding nonfiction authors, Michelle shares practical insights for those looking to produce polished, professional books that stand out in today’s competitive market.
The discussion covers essential topics including professional editing, cover design, and how to avoid predatory publis...
2025-09-1144 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP191: Avoid These Common Self-Publishing MistakesFor aspiring authors navigating the world of self-publishing, the path to success is lined with potential missteps. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, publishing consultant and seasoned author Michelle Hill joins Craig and Roland to break down the most common mistakes that can derail new writers. Drawing from her journey as a “recovering ghostwriter” and her extensive experience guiding nonfiction authors, Michelle shares practical insights for those looking to produce polished, professional books that stand out in today’s competitive market.
The discussion covers essential topics including professional editing, cover design, and how to avoid predatory publis...
2025-09-1144 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP190: Building Better Antiheroes in RomanceThis week, Fully Booked turns the conversation to the complex and often misunderstood world of dark romance and the anti-heroes that readers obsess over. Actor, coach, and author M.C. Paas joins Craig and Roland to explore the emotional depth and psychological nuance behind stories of morally gray characters, dangerous obsessions, and high-stakes relationships. Drawing on her upbringing in post-Soviet Estonia, M.C. reveals how personal history and deep emotional awareness shape her writing, and why dark romance offers a safe space to explore the forbidden.
The discussion examines the ethics of writing taboo characters, the central...
2025-09-0445 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP190: Building Better Antiheroes in RomanceThis week, Fully Booked turns the conversation to the complex and often misunderstood world of dark romance and the anti-heroes that readers obsess over. Actor, coach, and author M.C. Paas joins Craig and Roland to explore the emotional depth and psychological nuance behind stories of morally gray characters, dangerous obsessions, and high-stakes relationships. Drawing on her upbringing in post-Soviet Estonia, M.C. reveals how personal history and deep emotional awareness shape her writing, and why dark romance offers a safe space to explore the forbidden.
The discussion examines the ethics of writing taboo characters, the central...
2025-09-0445 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP188: Tips for Publishing Print Books with KDPPublishing a paperback book through Amazon KDP can seem straightforward, but producing a professional, print-ready title involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, author Michael Pickard joins Craig and Roland to break down the KDP paperback process. From formatting your manuscript and solving layout challenges to working with cover designers and preparing final files for upload, Mike shares the key steps many first-time authors overlook.
With more than a dozen titles to his name, Mike offers practical advice drawn from years of self-publishing experience and from guiding other authors through the...
2025-08-2146 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP188: Tips for Publishing Print Books with KDPPublishing a paperback book through Amazon KDP can seem straightforward, but producing a professional, print-ready title involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, author Michael Pickard joins Craig and Roland to break down the KDP paperback process. From formatting your manuscript and solving layout challenges to working with cover designers and preparing final files for upload, Mike shares the key steps many first-time authors overlook.
With more than a dozen titles to his name, Mike offers practical advice drawn from years of self-publishing experience and from guiding other authors through the...
2025-08-2146 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP187: You Only Print Twice: Revising a Second EditionThis week, Craig and Roland welcome Joseph Darlington to the Fully Booked podcast. One of the best-known figures in the James Bond fandom, Joseph is the author of a successful 2015 non-fiction book called Being James Bond, which was written to help make the skills and experiences of the world’s most famous superspy accessible to everybody.
But after ten years in print, it was time for an update—and in this episode, Joseph explains the thinking and process behind updating and expanding his 2015 book into a dynamic new second edition; incorporating additional segments, making important revisions, and leve...
2025-08-1449 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP187: You Only Print Twice: Revising a Second EditionThis week, Craig and Roland welcome Joseph Darlington to the Fully Booked podcast. One of the best-known figures in the James Bond fandom, Joseph is the author of a successful 2015 non-fiction book called Being James Bond, which was written to help make the skills and experiences of the world’s most famous superspy accessible to everybody.
But after ten years in print, it was time for an update—and in this episode, Joseph explains the thinking and process behind updating and expanding his 2015 book into a dynamic new second edition; incorporating additional segments, making important revisions, and leve...
2025-08-1449 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP180: The Creative Power of FanfictionOn today's episode of Fully Booked, returning guest KimBoo York guides Craig and Roland through the rich and vibrant world of fanfiction. Having recently published a book on the subject, KimBoo is uniquely suited to unpack what fanfiction is, how it’s written, and why so many writers find it a rewarding creative outlet. From the early days of Sherlock Holmes pastiches to today’s thriving online fandoms on platforms like AO3, she explores the genre’s evolution, terminology, and community-driven roots.
The conversation explores why fanfiction resonates so strongly with both writers and readers, how it foster...
2025-06-2649 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP180: The Creative Power of FanfictionOn today's episode of Fully Booked, returning guest KimBoo York guides Craig and Roland through the rich and vibrant world of fanfiction. Having recently published a book on the subject, KimBoo is uniquely suited to unpack what fanfiction is, how it’s written, and why so many writers find it a rewarding creative outlet. From the early days of Sherlock Holmes pastiches to today’s thriving online fandoms on platforms like AO3, she explores the genre’s evolution, terminology, and community-driven roots.
The conversation explores why fanfiction resonates so strongly with both writers and readers, how it foster...
2025-06-2649 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP175: Can You Have a Writing Career Without Amazon?This week, Craig and Roland welcome Lauren Carter Reilly to the podcast—a trailblazing author who’s rewriting the rules of self-publishing by steering clear of Amazon entirely when it comes to finding readers for her Gothic horror series The Wonderful Lady B and her upcoming romantic comedy In This Fair Chase.
Lauren’s writing career has roots in her background as a classically trained actress, a background she used to captivate an audience of 142,000 TikTok followers with witty, shocking, and engaging video shorts that featured many of the characters she’d later go on to write about in...
2025-05-2253 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP175: Can You Have a Writing Career Without Amazon?This week, Craig and Roland welcome Lauren Carter Reilly to the podcast—a trailblazing author who’s rewriting the rules of self-publishing by steering clear of Amazon entirely when it comes to finding readers for her Gothic horror series The Wonderful Lady B and her upcoming romantic comedy In This Fair Chase.
Lauren’s writing career has roots in her background as a classically trained actress, a background she used to captivate an audience of 142,000 TikTok followers with witty, shocking, and engaging video shorts that featured many of the characters she’d later go on to write about in...
2025-05-2253 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP173: The Power of Ambiguity in Science FictionOn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the idea of writing with intentional ambiguity, a technique that involves leaving certain details unsaid to encourage deeper reader engagement. By strategically withholding information, authors allow readers to draw their own conclusions, imagine unwritten backstories, and interpret character motivations in different ways. Swedish author Karl Hörnell joins Craig and Roland to discuss how this approach can preserve narrative momentum and create a more immersive experience. While ambiguity has value across genres, it is especially powerful in science fiction, where over-explaining can quickly date a story or limit the rea...
2025-05-0844 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP173: The Power of Ambiguity in Science FictionOn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the idea of writing with intentional ambiguity, a technique that involves leaving certain details unsaid to encourage deeper reader engagement. By strategically withholding information, authors allow readers to draw their own conclusions, imagine unwritten backstories, and interpret character motivations in different ways. Swedish author Karl Hörnell joins Craig and Roland to discuss how this approach can preserve narrative momentum and create a more immersive experience. While ambiguity has value across genres, it is especially powerful in science fiction, where over-explaining can quickly date a story or limit the rea...
2025-05-0844 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP170: Crafting Hooks and Cliffhangers That Keep Pages TurningIn today’s episode of Fully Booked, we’re exploring how to build momentum in your fiction and make sure readers have a hard time putting your book down. Author and workshop leader Natasha Blandford, who writes as N.L. Blandford, joins Craig and Roland to discuss how to write compelling hooks and cliffhangers that keep readers engaged from the first page to the last. Drawing on her experience writing dark psychological thrillers and leading community workshops, Blandford shares her techniques on how to open strong, end stronger, and maintain narrative tension throughout your story.
As Natasha expl...
2025-04-1751 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP170: Crafting Hooks and Cliffhangers That Keep Pages TurningIn today’s episode of Fully Booked, we’re exploring how to build momentum in your fiction and make sure readers have a hard time putting your book down. Author and workshop leader Natasha Blandford, who writes as N.L. Blandford, joins Craig and Roland to discuss how to write compelling hooks and cliffhangers that keep readers engaged from the first page to the last. Drawing on her experience writing dark psychological thrillers and leading community workshops, Blandford shares her techniques on how to open strong, end stronger, and maintain narrative tension throughout your story.
As Natasha expl...
2025-04-1751 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP163: The Power of Firsthand Research in WritingFrom visiting unfamiliar locations to speaking directly with locals, nothing beats experiencing key elements of your story firsthand. When possible, this kind of immersive research can make the difference between a good book and one that truly transports readers. In today’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland sit down with award-winning author Dr. Randy Overbeck to explore how direct, on-the-ground research enhances storytelling. Overbeck, a former educator turned award-winning mystery author, shares how traveling to real settings, consulting experts, and even participating in activities like sailing or dune buggy rides has helped him craft compelling, authentic narratives....
2025-02-2745 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP163: The Power of Firsthand Research in WritingFrom visiting unfamiliar locations to speaking directly with locals, nothing beats experiencing key elements of your story firsthand. When possible, this kind of immersive research can make the difference between a good book and one that truly transports readers. In today’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland sit down with award-winning author Dr. Randy Overbeck to explore how direct, on-the-ground research enhances storytelling. Overbeck, a former educator turned award-winning mystery author, shares how traveling to real settings, consulting experts, and even participating in activities like sailing or dune buggy rides has helped him craft compelling, authentic narratives....
2025-02-2745 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP159: Asking "What if...?" to Develop Creative Concepts for your NovelOn this week's episode, Craig and Roland are joined by thriller author John Bukowski, who asks the provocative question: “What if…?”
John argues that posing the question of “What if…?” is one of the best ways to come up with ideas and concepts guaranteed to hook new readers. It’s the question which inspired the first of his novels, the provocative Project Suicide, and it was the compelling answer he came up with which led to the book being snatched up by an eager publisher.
Whether it’s introducing conflicting new characters, shattering the status quo with unexpect...
2025-01-3045 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP159: Asking "What if...?" to Develop Creative Concepts for your NovelOn this week's episode, Craig and Roland are joined by thriller author John Bukowski, who asks the provocative question: “What if…?”
John argues that posing the question of “What if…?” is one of the best ways to come up with ideas and concepts guaranteed to hook new readers. It’s the question which inspired the first of his novels, the provocative Project Suicide, and it was the compelling answer he came up with which led to the book being snatched up by an eager publisher.
Whether it’s introducing conflicting new characters, shattering the status quo with unexpect...
2025-01-3045 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP158: How and Why You Should Submit Your Books for an AwardIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by author and journalist Renee Garrison, the former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association and a passionate advocate for entering your books into some of the many award competitions held across America each year. Renee argues that winning or being nominated for a book award can provide invaluable credibility to your writing, inspire many new readers to take a chance on your work, and deliver powerful free publicity that can help your books stand out among the millions of new titles being published each ye...
2025-01-2349 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP158: How and Why You Should Submit Your Books for an AwardIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by author and journalist Renee Garrison, the former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association and a passionate advocate for entering your books into some of the many award competitions held across America each year. Renee argues that winning or being nominated for a book award can provide invaluable credibility to your writing, inspire many new readers to take a chance on your work, and deliver powerful free publicity that can help your books stand out among the millions of new titles being published each ye...
2025-01-2349 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP154: Grow Your Success with the Self-Pub Growth HubIn this week's episode, Craig and Roland unveil all the details about Hidden Gems' newest initiative, the Self-Pub Growth Hub. Launching in January 2025, this innovative service is designed to support authors on their self-publishing journey through regular video meetings focused on key topics. They explain how the program works, outline the three specialized groups available—Advertising & Marketing, General Self-Publishing Tips, and AI for Authors—and share everything you need to know about these dynamic and collaborative sessions.
Being an independent author can often feel isolating, as Craig and Roland both know, having often emphasized how much their own...
2024-12-2650 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP154: Grow Your Success with the Self-Pub Growth HubIn this week's episode, Craig and Roland unveil all the details about Hidden Gems' newest initiative, the Self-Pub Growth Hub. Launching in January 2025, this innovative service is designed to support authors on their self-publishing journey through regular video meetings focused on key topics. They explain how the program works, outline the three specialized groups available—Advertising & Marketing, General Self-Publishing Tips, and AI for Authors—and share everything you need to know about these dynamic and collaborative sessions.
Being an independent author can often feel isolating, as Craig and Roland both know, having often emphasized how much their own...
2024-12-2650 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP153: Niche Non-Fiction: Writing for the Few to Reach the ManyOn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by writer and filmmaker Mark Edlitz, whose career as a television and film writer led him to write a series of books about movies and superheroes that have attracted international attention.
Mark discusses his path from filmmaking to the written word, including making the shift from traditional publishing to self-publishing. He also outlines the unique challenges presented when writing non-fiction books about intellectual property and popular franchises, but balances that by exploring the ways pop culture writing can connect authors with a unique audience of...
2024-12-1947 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP153: Niche Non-Fiction: Writing for the Few to Reach the ManyOn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by writer and filmmaker Mark Edlitz, whose career as a television and film writer led him to write a series of books about movies and superheroes that have attracted international attention.
Mark discusses his path from filmmaking to the written word, including making the shift from traditional publishing to self-publishing. He also outlines the unique challenges presented when writing non-fiction books about intellectual property and popular franchises, but balances that by exploring the ways pop culture writing can connect authors with a unique audience of...
2024-12-1947 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP150: The Power of Mentorship: Transforming Book Sales with AdsOver the past few months, Craig and Roland have been mentoring author Michelle Hazen to improve the sales of one of her rockstar romance series of novels. Despite not releasing any new books in the series, Michelle achieved a tenfold increase in sales by the end of the mentorship. Through the mentorship, she made data-driven changes to her advertising strategy and Amazon product pages to help reach new readers—such as optimizing her covers, writing new blurbs, and adding A+ content. Through her journey she also gained a greater mastery over the intricacies of Facebook advertising and how to ma...
2024-11-2858 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP150: The Power of Mentorship: Transforming Book Sales with AdsOver the past few months, Craig and Roland have been mentoring author Michelle Hazen to improve the sales of one of her rockstar romance series of novels. Despite not releasing any new books in the series, Michelle achieved a tenfold increase in sales by the end of the mentorship. Through the mentorship, she made data-driven changes to her advertising strategy and Amazon product pages to help reach new readers—such as optimizing her covers, writing new blurbs, and adding A+ content. Through her journey she also gained a greater mastery over the intricacies of Facebook advertising and how to ma...
2024-11-2858 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP149: The Do's and Don'ts of Creating AudiobooksAudiobooks are more than just a narrated version of a book—they are a performance brought to life through a complex mix of technical expertise and creative artistry. In this week’s episode, Craig and Roland are joined by author, artist, and activist Franke James, who shares her firsthand experience of transforming her award-winning book into an audiobook that has gone on to win numerous accolades of its own.
From casting professional voice actors to tackling the challenges of studio recording, Franke details out everything she did right—and wrong—throughout the process. Whether it’s overcoming unexpected...
2024-11-2144 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP149: The Do's and Don'ts of Creating AudiobooksAudiobooks are more than just a narrated version of a book—they are a performance brought to life through a complex mix of technical expertise and creative artistry. In this week’s episode, Craig and Roland are joined by author, artist, and activist Franke James, who shares her firsthand experience of transforming her award-winning book into an audiobook that has gone on to win numerous accolades of its own.
From casting professional voice actors to tackling the challenges of studio recording, Franke details out everything she did right—and wrong—throughout the process. Whether it’s overcoming unexpected...
2024-11-2144 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP146: Why Should Authors Approach Self-Publishing as a Business?In this week’s episode, Craig and Roland take on a topic essential for any indie author aiming for success: the importance of treating self-publishing as a business. To help with this discussion, they’re joined by romance author and podcaster Gigi Meier, who shares her insights on balancing the creative and business demands of self-publishing. Together, they discuss why authors need more than just storytelling skills to succeed—they also need a strategic mindset, effective marketing, and a solid plan to reach and retain readers.
Gigi highlights the importance of reader engagement, branding, and thoughtful time manage...
2024-10-3145 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP146: Why Should Authors Approach Self-Publishing as a Business?In this week’s episode, Craig and Roland take on a topic essential for any indie author aiming for success: the importance of treating self-publishing as a business. To help with this discussion, they’re joined by romance author and podcaster Gigi Meier, who shares her insights on balancing the creative and business demands of self-publishing. Together, they discuss why authors need more than just storytelling skills to succeed—they also need a strategic mindset, effective marketing, and a solid plan to reach and retain readers.
Gigi highlights the importance of reader engagement, branding, and thoughtful time manage...
2024-10-3145 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP145: Has Self-Publishing Gone Mainstream?Inspired by a recent move from Taylor Swift to snub traditional publishers for her forthcoming Eras Tour book, hosts Craig and Roland discuss whether or not self-publishing has gone mainstream. Swift isn't the only high-profile figure to embrace self-publishing, and with each big name that moves away from the big 5, the power dynamic increasingly shifts to self-publishing. Retailers are becoming more open to selling self-published books, Kickstarter campaigns are finding greater success, and new distribution channels and marketing tools are starting to service the community as a whole.
While big stars like Swift have built-in fan bases...
2024-10-2442 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP145: Has Self-Publishing Gone Mainstream?Inspired by a recent move from Taylor Swift to snub traditional publishers for her forthcoming Eras Tour book, hosts Craig and Roland discuss whether or not self-publishing has gone mainstream. Swift isn't the only high-profile figure to embrace self-publishing, and with each big name that moves away from the big 5, the power dynamic increasingly shifts to self-publishing. Retailers are becoming more open to selling self-published books, Kickstarter campaigns are finding greater success, and new distribution channels and marketing tools are starting to service the community as a whole.
While big stars like Swift have built-in fan bases...
2024-10-2442 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP142: What Are The Essential Elements of a Spooky Story?With Halloween just around the corner, there's no better time to explore the art of crafting the perfect spooky story. To help with that, Craig and Roland sit down with Beth Castrodale, an experienced author who specializes in writing eerie and atmospheric novels. According to Beth, creating a truly haunting tale comes down to managing the delicate balance between psychological tension, unsettling settings, and building empathy for your characters—even the villains!
Adding that spine-tingling feeling to your horrors requires learning how to pace your stories properly and understanding how small, subtle details can amplify suspense. From cr...
2024-10-0351 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP142: What Are The Essential Elements of a Spooky Story?With Halloween just around the corner, there's no better time to explore the art of crafting the perfect spooky story. To help with that, Craig and Roland sit down with Beth Castrodale, an experienced author who specializes in writing eerie and atmospheric novels. According to Beth, creating a truly haunting tale comes down to managing the delicate balance between psychological tension, unsettling settings, and building empathy for your characters—even the villains!
Adding that spine-tingling feeling to your horrors requires learning how to pace your stories properly and understanding how small, subtle details can amplify suspense. From cr...
2024-10-0351 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP141: A Publishing Powerhouse Roundtable about AI writing and more...Once in a while, hosts Craig and Roland comb through the latest happenings in the ever-evolving world of self-publishing. In this episode, they’re joined by author, self-publishing expert, and well-known YouTube star Dale L. Roberts for a roundtable discussion. Dale, always on top of the hottest trends affecting authors, brings fresh insights to the conversation, leading to a lively discussion on the rise of AI in publishing, maximizing engagement through targeted content creation, and recent issues surrounding KDP blocking books.
The episode doesn’t shy away from big questions, such as how AI is reshaping the writ...
2024-09-2649 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP141: A Publishing Powerhouse Roundtable about AI writing and more...Once in a while, hosts Craig and Roland comb through the latest happenings in the ever-evolving world of self-publishing. In this episode, they’re joined by author, self-publishing expert, and well-known YouTube star Dale L. Roberts for a roundtable discussion. Dale, always on top of the hottest trends affecting authors, brings fresh insights to the conversation, leading to a lively discussion on the rise of AI in publishing, maximizing engagement through targeted content creation, and recent issues surrounding KDP blocking books.
The episode doesn’t shy away from big questions, such as how AI is reshaping the writ...
2024-09-2649 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP140: How To REALLY Get Inside Your Character’s HeadWell-written stories are driven by the choices characters make, and understanding why the characters made those choices is crucial if you want them to seem believable and authentic. That’s where psychology can come in.
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, journalist and High Fantasy author Steffanie Costigan joins Craig and Roland to discuss how she uses elements from the classic Myers-Briggs Type Indicator when she develops her characters, because she believes it offers a powerful guide into how each of them might think, act, and interact with each other.
Inspired by th...
2024-09-1950 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP140: How To REALLY Get Inside Your Character’s HeadWell-written stories are driven by the choices characters make, and understanding why the characters made those choices is crucial if you want them to seem believable and authentic. That’s where psychology can come in.
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, journalist and High Fantasy author Steffanie Costigan joins Craig and Roland to discuss how she uses elements from the classic Myers-Briggs Type Indicator when she develops her characters, because she believes it offers a powerful guide into how each of them might think, act, and interact with each other.
Inspired by th...
2024-09-1950 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP139: The Reality of Selling Your Books DirectlyYou might have heard influential figures in self-publishing declare that Direct Sales are “the next big trend” - but is selling your ebooks directly to your readers really a better option than using a tried-and-tested platform like Amazon?
Today, Craig and Roland sit down to discuss exactly that, using Roland’s months of experience selling his books directly to provide a real-life example. They discuss the challenges of setting up an effective sales funnel, how much technical knowledge you’ll require, the difficulty of turning a profit, and they weigh the pros and cons against more traditional self-publ...
2024-09-1256 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP139: The Reality of Selling Your Books DirectlyYou might have heard influential figures in self-publishing declare that Direct Sales are “the next big trend” - but is selling your ebooks directly to your readers really a better option than using a tried-and-tested platform like Amazon?
Today, Craig and Roland sit down to discuss exactly that, using Roland’s months of experience selling his books directly to provide a real-life example. They discuss the challenges of setting up an effective sales funnel, how much technical knowledge you’ll require, the difficulty of turning a profit, and they weigh the pros and cons against more traditional self-publ...
2024-09-1256 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP138: Kink Meets Crowdfunding: Navigating Publishing as a Controversial AuthorIt’s tough enough to find a traditional publisher for your first book, but even tougher when that book is about a controversial topic. Yet, when today’s guest Ariel Anderssen decided to publish a memoir about her career as a submissive BDSM model, she topped from the bottom and refused to take “no” for an answer. The result of those efforts, her book “Playing to Lose,” is available now.
Ariel’s unique publishing journey is the subject of today’s discussion. She shares with Craig and Roland the challenges of finding a publisher when one of the core topics o...
2024-09-0551 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP138: Kink Meets Crowdfunding: Navigating Publishing as a Controversial AuthorIt’s tough enough to find a traditional publisher for your first book, but even tougher when that book is about a controversial topic. Yet, when today’s guest Ariel Anderssen decided to publish a memoir about her career as a submissive BDSM model, she topped from the bottom and refused to take “no” for an answer. The result of those efforts, her book “Playing to Lose,” is available now.
Ariel’s unique publishing journey is the subject of today’s discussion. She shares with Craig and Roland the challenges of finding a publisher when one of the core topics o...
2024-09-0551 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP137: What is a Zero Draft and Why Do You Need One?In this episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are exploring the concept of the "zero draft," a powerful tool for writers at any stage of their manuscript. Guest Cara Stevens, an experienced editor, book coach, and writer, explains how the zero draft differs from other drafts and why it's an essential part of the writing process. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, the zero draft helps you clarify your story, providing a scaffold that supports the development of your narrative without the pressure of crafting a perfect first draft.
Cara shares practical insights on how...
2024-08-2946 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP137: What is a Zero Draft and Why Do You Need One?In this episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are exploring the concept of the "zero draft," a powerful tool for writers at any stage of their manuscript. Guest Cara Stevens, an experienced editor, book coach, and writer, explains how the zero draft differs from other drafts and why it's an essential part of the writing process. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, the zero draft helps you clarify your story, providing a scaffold that supports the development of your narrative without the pressure of crafting a perfect first draft.
Cara shares practical insights on how...
2024-08-2946 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP136: From Blank Page to Pilot: Taking The Initiative to Sell Your StoriesIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Zack Morrison for a hard look at the challenges of breaking into the television industry and the unconventional path he's taken in trying to sell his own comedy pilot. Despite his impressive credentials, including work on shows like SNL and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Zack reveals that in today’s market, even the most talented writers need more than just a great script to succeed. He discusses the importance of initiative and creativity in transforming an idea from paper to screen, an...
2024-08-2251 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP136: From Blank Page to Pilot: Taking The Initiative to Sell Your StoriesIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Zack Morrison for a hard look at the challenges of breaking into the television industry and the unconventional path he's taken in trying to sell his own comedy pilot. Despite his impressive credentials, including work on shows like SNL and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Zack reveals that in today’s market, even the most talented writers need more than just a great script to succeed. He discusses the importance of initiative and creativity in transforming an idea from paper to screen, an...
2024-08-2251 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP135: Five Things You Need to be a Successful AuthorEven though he didn’t start publishing until he was in his sixties, travel writer Emil Rem has always set his own definition of success when it comes to his writing - and in this week’s episode of Fully Booked, he sits down with Craig and Roland to discuss the five essential attributes he believes are critical for writers hoping to share his satisfaction at engaging with readers and sharing his stories with the world.
Using examples drawn from his own globe-trotting history, Emil outlines core concepts like relentless self-belief, unwavering tenacity in your work ethic, find...
2024-08-1531 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP135: Five Things You Need to be a Successful AuthorEven though he didn’t start publishing until he was in his sixties, travel writer Emil Rem has always set his own definition of success when it comes to his writing - and in this week’s episode of Fully Booked, he sits down with Craig and Roland to discuss the five essential attributes he believes are critical for writers hoping to share his satisfaction at engaging with readers and sharing his stories with the world.
Using examples drawn from his own globe-trotting history, Emil outlines core concepts like relentless self-belief, unwavering tenacity in your work ethic, find...
2024-08-1531 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP134: What Can The Monomyth Teach Us About Structuring Our Stories?What turns a description into a story? For most writers, the answer is structure - the timeless, immutable formula of storytelling that originated when our ancestors told tales around the campfire, yet continues today in Hollywood blockbusters and best-selling books.
Entertainment journalist and comic book writer Christian Angeles knows all about story structure. In fact, he’s even started a company called Monomythic which aims to help preserve the foundational elements of storytelling even as artists and creators explore telling their tales through new mediums and technologies.
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Chri...
2024-08-0843 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP134: What Can The Monomyth Teach Us About Structuring Our Stories?What turns a description into a story? For most writers, the answer is structure - the timeless, immutable formula of storytelling that originated when our ancestors told tales around the campfire, yet continues today in Hollywood blockbusters and best-selling books.
Entertainment journalist and comic book writer Christian Angeles knows all about story structure. In fact, he’s even started a company called Monomythic which aims to help preserve the foundational elements of storytelling even as artists and creators explore telling their tales through new mediums and technologies.
In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Chri...
2024-08-0843 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP133: The Versatile Author: Crafting Stories for Every PlatformIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland examine the dynamic world of storytelling with author and screenwriter Sheri Langer. Renowned for her versatility across various mediums, Sheri shares her experience in crafting stories not only as novels and screenplays but also as TV pilots, audiobooks, and more. She discusses the unique challenges and considerations of making a story successful across these different formats, highlighting the importance of staying true to the original creative vision while meeting the demands of each medium.
Sheri reflects on how her childhood fascination with TV and movies shaped her...
2024-08-0148 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP133: The Versatile Author: Crafting Stories for Every PlatformIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland examine the dynamic world of storytelling with author and screenwriter Sheri Langer. Renowned for her versatility across various mediums, Sheri shares her experience in crafting stories not only as novels and screenplays but also as TV pilots, audiobooks, and more. She discusses the unique challenges and considerations of making a story successful across these different formats, highlighting the importance of staying true to the original creative vision while meeting the demands of each medium.
Sheri reflects on how her childhood fascination with TV and movies shaped her...
2024-08-0148 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP132: When Publishing Meets ActivismIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland explore how publishing can provide an author with more than just readers and royalties. Special guest Ali Horriyat joins them to talk about Compassiviste, a groundbreaking non-profit organization he created that’s dedicated to driving social change by providing a platform for authors, artists, and other creative activists to share their work.
Ali’s own story is pretty remarkable. After a highly successful career in finance, Ali left it all behind to focus on bringing more compassion into the world, combining activism and the arts to inspire mean...
2024-07-2555 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP132: When Publishing Meets ActivismIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland explore how publishing can provide an author with more than just readers and royalties. Special guest Ali Horriyat joins them to talk about Compassiviste, a groundbreaking non-profit organization he created that’s dedicated to driving social change by providing a platform for authors, artists, and other creative activists to share their work.
Ali’s own story is pretty remarkable. After a highly successful career in finance, Ali left it all behind to focus on bringing more compassion into the world, combining activism and the arts to inspire mean...
2024-07-2555 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP131: Is Publisher Rocket 2.0 a Game-Changer for Amazon Ads?In today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by returning guest Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur to discuss the latest update to one of the most powerful tools for self-published authors: Publisher Rocket. The recently released Version 2.0 of this tool is designed to revolutionize your Amazon advertising strategy by optimizing your book's relevancy and helping you properly categorize it.
Dave explains how Publisher Rocket's new Amazon ads functionality allows authors to see their book through Amazon's eyes. With this enhanced visibility, the tool provides invaluable insights into the keywords, phrases, and categories that Amazon associates...
2024-07-1850 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP131: Is Publisher Rocket 2.0 a Game-Changer for Amazon Ads?In today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by returning guest Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur to discuss the latest update to one of the most powerful tools for self-published authors: Publisher Rocket. The recently released Version 2.0 of this tool is designed to revolutionize your Amazon advertising strategy by optimizing your book's relevancy and helping you properly categorize it.
Dave explains how Publisher Rocket's new Amazon ads functionality allows authors to see their book through Amazon's eyes. With this enhanced visibility, the tool provides invaluable insights into the keywords, phrases, and categories that Amazon associates...
2024-07-1850 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP128: How to Add Authenticity to your Romance StoriesIn today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are discussing the different ways that authors can infuse genuine romance and emotional realism into their stories. Both hosts are romance novelists themselves, but are lucky enough to be joined by Caroline McIntosh for this episode - who is not just an accomplished romance author, but also a writing coach who excels at helping other authors bring compelling and heartfelt relationships alive on the pages of their stories.
Caroline shares her journey from writing YA and fantasy to discovering her passion for romance novels. She emphasizes the importance...
2024-06-2741 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP128: How to Add Authenticity to your Romance StoriesIn today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are discussing the different ways that authors can infuse genuine romance and emotional realism into their stories. Both hosts are romance novelists themselves, but are lucky enough to be joined by Caroline McIntosh for this episode - who is not just an accomplished romance author, but also a writing coach who excels at helping other authors bring compelling and heartfelt relationships alive on the pages of their stories.
Caroline shares her journey from writing YA and fantasy to discovering her passion for romance novels. She emphasizes the importance...
2024-06-2741 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP127: Can Poetry Still Make an Impact in 2024?It’s rhyme-time in this week's episode of Fully Booked, as Craig and Roland explore the enduring power of poetry even in today's fast-paced digital world. Their guide through the evocative world of rhythm and flow is Viral Gor, spoken word performer and author of "Poetry is Motion: Mind, Body, and Soul."
Virus the Poet shares his insights on how poetry remains a vital form of expression and connection in the modern age, even as social media and technology increasingly dominate our lives. He argues that poetry continues to inspire, provoke thought, and evoke emotions in our rap...
2024-06-2049 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP127: Can Poetry Still Make an Impact in 2024?It’s rhyme-time in this week's episode of Fully Booked, as Craig and Roland explore the enduring power of poetry even in today's fast-paced digital world. Their guide through the evocative world of rhythm and flow is Viral Gor, spoken word performer and author of "Poetry is Motion: Mind, Body, and Soul."
Virus the Poet shares his insights on how poetry remains a vital form of expression and connection in the modern age, even as social media and technology increasingly dominate our lives. He argues that poetry continues to inspire, provoke thought, and evoke emotions in our rap...
2024-06-2049 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP124: How Can Authors Define Their Target Market?In this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland dive into a crucial, but often overlooked aspect of author success: defining your target market. Joined by seasoned publisher and author Ann Aubitz, they explore the significance of understanding who your readers are, why it's essential to know your audience before you even start writing, and how this knowledge can shape both your writing and marketing process.
Much like advertisers invest heavily in understanding their target market, authors need to be keenly aware of who they are writing for so that they can adjust their marketing strategies...
2024-05-3047 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP124: How Can Authors Define Their Target Market?In this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland dive into a crucial, but often overlooked aspect of author success: defining your target market. Joined by seasoned publisher and author Ann Aubitz, they explore the significance of understanding who your readers are, why it's essential to know your audience before you even start writing, and how this knowledge can shape both your writing and marketing process.
Much like advertisers invest heavily in understanding their target market, authors need to be keenly aware of who they are writing for so that they can adjust their marketing strategies...
2024-05-3047 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP122: Is Mindset an Author's Most Valuable Asset?What’s a self-published author’s most valuable asset? Their writing experience? Their marketing expertise? Their ability to create vivid and engaging characters? All of those attributes are undeniably important - but former Air Force fighter pilot and USA Today bestselling author Steve Pieper argues that the most important asset an author has at their disposal comes from within - their mindset.
It’s mindset that has set Steve up as a pioneer in direct sales of his self-published books, and seen him lead dozens of other authors to similar success. He argues that mindset values such as gri...
2024-05-1650 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP122: Is Mindset an Author's Most Valuable Asset?What’s a self-published author’s most valuable asset? Their writing experience? Their marketing expertise? Their ability to create vivid and engaging characters? All of those attributes are undeniably important - but former Air Force fighter pilot and USA Today bestselling author Steve Pieper argues that the most important asset an author has at their disposal comes from within - their mindset.
It’s mindset that has set Steve up as a pioneer in direct sales of his self-published books, and seen him lead dozens of other authors to similar success. He argues that mindset values such as gri...
2024-05-1650 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastEP120: Enhancing Author Productivity with SudowriteIn today's episode of Fully Booked, we're diving into the future of writing by taking a look at Sudowrite, an AI-powered tool designed to transform the writing process. In the past few years, Sudowrite has grown from a small experimental tool into a revolutionary writing assistant, expanding in capabilities as the dynamic needs of modern authors change and evolve. To walk us through all that it can do, we're joined by one of its co-founders, James Yu.
James not only takes us through specifics of how Sudowrite aids authors now, such as through detailed AI brainstorming and...
2024-05-0248 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP119: Helping Author's Find Their Own StoryHave you ever considered what truly defines you beyond the highlights of your resume? This week on Fully Booked, we engage in an enlightening conversation with author and columnist Brent Olson, who regularly challenges authors to strip back the layers of accolades and academics and instead focus on the raw and personal experiences that shape their essence.
Brent's own eclectic array of life experiences reads like a series of classic one-liner Chuck Norris jokes, such as "Of the ten most dangerous jobs in America I’ve dabbled in six." While most of us lead more mundane lives, we...
2024-04-2545 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP118: Diversifying Your Author IncomeIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the concept of diversifying your income stream beyond traditional book sales with our guest, Kendra Q. Drawing on her background in HR consulting and her transition to authorship and speaking engagements, Kendra guides us through the maze of opportunities available for authors eager to transform their literary passion into multiple profitable ventures.
An alternative to juggling a traditional job with writing on the side is for authors to bolster their income through avenues such as speaking engagements, workshops, or personalized consulting services. By leveraging their unique areas of...
2024-04-1848 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP117: A Psychological Approach to Character DevelopmentIn today's episode of Fully Booked, we dive deep into the human mind for a unique psychological spin on character development. Caroline Dunford, novelist, lecturer and forensic psychologist, takes us through the profound impact of using psychological principles to shape memorable and multi-dimensional characters. As the author of over 20 mystery novels and an expert in the psychological underpinnings of criminal behavior, Caroline provides a fascinating exploration of how an understanding of forensic psychology enriches the depth and authenticity of fictional characters.
Her expertise offers a roadmap for authors seeking to elevate their characters through balancing both their...
2024-04-1151 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP116: Old Stories, New Angles: Giving Classic Tales a Modern TwistIn this week's episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with Jeanne Blasberg for an enthralling discussion on the transformative art of re-envisioning classic narratives for the contemporary reader. Blasberg is known for transforming age-old tales into contemporary narratives, such as in her novel "Daughter of Promise"—a modern retelling of a biblical tale. Through adapting and reimagining the classics, authors can refresh such stories to better reflect current societal norms and values.
As Blasberg explains, it is possible to reshape familiar plots with sensitivity and creativity, ensuring they resonate powerfully with today's audiences while still preserving th...
2024-04-0448 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP115: Steering Clear of Predatory Publishing TrapsIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we delve into the murky waters of the publishing industry with a special focus on predatory publishing practices. Our conversation with Walter Broach, a spiritual and metaphysical author with a wealth of experience and insights, sheds light on a variety of traps that both emerging and established authors should be wary of. In attempt to help others avoid his mistakes, Walter shares his personal journey of navigating his way through a variety of questionable paid services that promised much more than they delivered.
Walter's candid recounting serves as a ca...
2024-03-2841 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP114: Sister Act: Unveiling the Co-Authoring ExperienceCollaborative writing can take many forms, and in this week's episode, we delve into the story of two authors who have defied the physical distance between them to co-author and self-publish an impressive array of novels. With a blend of romantic suspense, comedy, and second-chance romance, Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson have leveraged their distinct strengths and modern communication tools to become a cross-state writing powerhouse.
Unique challenges are inherent in any writing partnership, but when these obstacles are seen as opportunities, they can enhance the creative process. Blending the spontaneous instincts of Judi's 'pantser' mentality with...
2024-03-2143 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP113: Where Do Writing and AI Intersect?On this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland welcome Jennifer Lewy to the podcast. Jennifer, a seasoned author with considerable AI experience, shares her insights and experiences on the many innovative ways authors can take advantage of Artificial Intelligence tools in their self-publishing career, while at the same time staying aware of the potential pitfalls and problems this new technology might pose in the future.
Drawing on her extensive background in the tech industry, Jennifer provides a distinctive perspective on the role of AI in the writing and publishing process, with first-hand knowledge on a...
2024-03-1447 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP113: Where Do Writing and AI Intersect?On this week's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland welcome Jennifer Lewy to the podcast. Jennifer, a seasoned author with considerable AI experience, shares her insights and experiences on the many innovative ways authors can take advantage of Artificial Intelligence tools in their self-publishing career, while at the same time staying aware of the potential pitfalls and problems this new technology might pose in the future.
Drawing on her extensive background in the tech industry, Jennifer provides a distinctive perspective on the role of AI in the writing and publishing process, with first-hand knowledge on a...
2024-03-1447 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP112: Podcast Launchpad: Propelling Your Book into the SpotlightWhile many people complain that podcasting has become an oversaturated industry, there are millions of daily listeners who’d say something different. Podcasting still offers a powerful platform for those with specific and niche interests to build an audience, and getting featured on those podcasts is a wonderful opportunity for authors to reach new readers.
But how does one get started making guest appearances on podcasts? That’s a question that Craig and Roland posed to this week’s guest, “THE Podcast Matchmaker” Michelle Glogovac.
Michelle specializes in connecting authors with podcasts, and in this week’s epi...
2024-03-0743 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP112: Podcast Launchpad: Propelling Your Book into the SpotlightWhile many people complain that podcasting has become an oversaturated industry, there are millions of daily listeners who’d say something different. Podcasting still offers a powerful platform for those with specific and niche interests to build an audience, and getting featured on those podcasts is a wonderful opportunity for authors to reach new readers.
But how does one get started making guest appearances on podcasts? That’s a question that Craig and Roland posed to this week’s guest, “THE Podcast Matchmaker” Michelle Glogovac.
Michelle specializes in connecting authors with podcasts, and in this week’s epi...
2024-03-0743 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP111: Building Believable Science Fiction UniversesThe term “Space Lawyer” might sound like something out of science fiction, but that’s the real life career of attorney Laura Montgomery, whose practice “Ground Based Space Matters” specializes in regulatory space law and Outer Space Treaties.
All of which provides ample inspiration for Laura’s other specialization - writing and self-publishing science fiction! Her knowledge of space, and the laws that govern it (or lack of them,) have enabled her to create incredible fictional universes rooted in believable science, set both in the near future and eons ahead of us.
In this week’s episode of F...
2024-02-2948 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP111: Building Believable Science Fiction UniversesThe term “Space Lawyer” might sound like something out of science fiction, but that’s the real life career of attorney Laura Montgomery, whose practice “Ground Based Space Matters” specializes in regulatory space law and Outer Space Treaties.
All of which provides ample inspiration for Laura’s other specialization - writing and self-publishing science fiction! Her knowledge of space, and the laws that govern it (or lack of them,) have enabled her to create incredible fictional universes rooted in believable science, set both in the near future and eons ahead of us.
In this week’s episode of F...
2024-02-2948 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP110: How Can Authors Best Represent Disability in Fiction?On today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland explore the portrayal of disabilities in literature, with a focus on the often misunderstood realm of invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities refer to conditions that aren't obvious when simply looking at a person, yet still deeply affect the lives of individuals that have them. To help them navigate these tricky waters, they’re joined by author Michael Coolwood, who shares his personal journey of writing with and about his own disabilities.
Michael explains the intricate balance authors must strike between authenticity and the expectations of a market that may no...
2024-02-2251 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP110: How Can Authors Best Represent Disability in Fiction?On today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland explore the portrayal of disabilities in literature, with a focus on the often misunderstood realm of invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities refer to conditions that aren't obvious when simply looking at a person, yet still deeply affect the lives of individuals that have them. To help them navigate these tricky waters, they’re joined by author Michael Coolwood, who shares his personal journey of writing with and about his own disabilities.
Michael explains the intricate balance authors must strike between authenticity and the expectations of a market that may no...
2024-02-2251 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP109: Kickstarting the Creative ProcessIn today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by indie filmmaker and writer Andrew Schrader to explore the nuances of igniting and sustaining the creative spark. The source of creative inspiration is as individual to every writer as a fingerprint, and leveraging that inspiration often takes a variety of diverse techniques, habits, and intuitive actions that are unique to every author. Andrew explains how he employs an array of motivational tactics and personal rituals to fan the flames of his own creativity, and helps outline how to get started using many of these techniques. From accessing...
2024-02-1543 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP109: Kickstarting the Creative ProcessIn today's episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by indie filmmaker and writer Andrew Schrader to explore the nuances of igniting and sustaining the creative spark. The source of creative inspiration is as individual to every writer as a fingerprint, and leveraging that inspiration often takes a variety of diverse techniques, habits, and intuitive actions that are unique to every author. Andrew explains how he employs an array of motivational tactics and personal rituals to fan the flames of his own creativity, and helps outline how to get started using many of these techniques. From accessing...
2024-02-1543 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP108: The Writer's Roadmap: Using the 3-Act Structure to Drive Your Stories ForwardIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, hosts Craig and Roland delve into the world of story structure with Mel Mattison, author of gripping financial thrillers that he builds using one of the most resilient story frameworks of modern literature - the three-act structure.
Mel leads the discussion through the intricate art of crafting compelling narratives using this structure, dissecting the nuances of plot development, character arcs, and pacing within the context of self-publishing. From laying the groundwork in the setup phase to delivering satisfying resolutions in the final act, this episode offers a comprehensive roadmap fo...
2024-02-0847 minFully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP108: The Writer's Roadmap: Using the 3-Act Structure to Drive Your Stories ForwardIn this week’s episode of Fully Booked, hosts Craig and Roland delve into the world of story structure with Mel Mattison, author of gripping financial thrillers that he builds using one of the most resilient story frameworks of modern literature - the three-act structure.
Mel leads the discussion through the intricate art of crafting compelling narratives using this structure, dissecting the nuances of plot development, character arcs, and pacing within the context of self-publishing. From laying the groundwork in the setup phase to delivering satisfying resolutions in the final act, this episode offers a comprehensive roadmap fo...
2024-02-0847 min
Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author PodcastFully Booked EP107: The Pen vs the Algorithm: AI's Place in the Writer's StudioAs the dust settles on the initial awe and apprehension surrounding artificial intelligence, the discussion now turns to its practical role. But how can authors harness AI to enhance their craft? In today's episode of Fully Booked, we discuss this question with Patrick Greenwood, a writer and seasoned cybersecurity expert with 28 years in the field. Greenwood guides us through the evolution of AI from a simple data processing tool to the more sophisticated chatbots that we're more familiar with today, and outlines how major corporations are using it to shape the future of their industries.
As AI...
2024-02-0148 min
1 Minute Writing TipEpisode #49 - Interview with Craig Tuch - Bestselling Author and Founder of HiddenGemsBooks.comCraig Tuch is the founder of HiddenGemsBooks.com, an author services company that offers ARC reviews, beta reads, blurb writing, and a whole bunch of other services and tools. They even have a weekly author blog and podcast of their own called Fully Booked designed to provide valuable content to the writing community. And, for those authors that need more in-depth and specific help, Craig holds one-on-one consult calls as needed that can help you along on your self-publishing journey. Connect with Craig and Learn More:https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/---T...
2023-03-0823 min
Behind the Book CoverThe Secret to Getting Amazon Reviews for Your Book with Craig TuchCraig Tuch is doing God's work. At least when it comes to the author who really wants Amazon reviews. See, Tuch started a company called Hidden Gems that, among other author services, provides a way for authors to gather reader reviews for their books. As anyone who has managed an Advanced Reader Team can attest, getting people to follow through on actually writing the reviews they've promised is no simple feat. Hidden Gems to the rescue—with very reasonable prices to boot! In this interview, Tuch broke down...
2022-08-3134 minAfter The WhistleEpisode 13: “Un-Tuch It!” with Alex TuchIN THIS EPISODE:Former NHLers, Andrew Peters & Craig Rivet, bring their former nationally ranked hockey show to their new platform as After the Whistle. This episode features special guest, the new Buffalo Sabres hockey player Alex Tuch.After The Whistle is a hockey podcast for the true hockey fan. Hosts Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet bring their over 1000 combined NHL games behind the mic to bring you their unique take on the game. From former and current stars to hockey executives and insiders, After the Whistle will put a smile on your...
2021-11-2056 min
Write Hot PodcastBook Promotion with Hidden Gems Founder Craig TuchCraig Tuch has always been a writer at heart, but only started thinking about it as a career once he got into his late 30s. After spending years within the writing community and leaving a well paying desk job to work full time on his craft, he started to identify some of the difficulties that self-published and independent authors had in promoting, marketing and improving their books. He started Hidden Gems as a way to help that community, and provide services to authors that let them spend more time writing books and less time worrying about all of the other...
2019-12-1936 min
The Self Publishing ShowThe Advanced Reader Powerhouse - with Craig TuchGetting advance reviews from a team of readers should be a key part of your book marketing strategy. Craig Tuch of Hidden Gems explains why and how ARC teams are great news for authors and readers.
2018-12-0753 min