Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

On 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...

In 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 t...

Much of the conventional wisdom we discuss on this podcast around writing and publishing applies best to books that follow traditional formats and genres. But what happens when your story demands a new and unique format or perspective? And how do you market a book when your audience doesn't fit neatly into easily targeted categories or genres? These are the challenges faced by today’s guest, autho...

In this week’s episode, we explore the power of networking and publicity with Dr. Richard Kaye, a renowned expert in helping authors stand out in today’s competitive market. Dr. Kaye offers invaluable insights on leveraging media coverage, crafting compelling pitches, and why networking with peers is an essential step towards building your author brand. In an attempt to get their name noticed, man...

Many self-published authors treat paperbacks and hardcovers as an afterthought, assuming they’re too hard to sell or less lucrative than eBooks. This week's guest, author Kevin G. Chapman, challenges that notion by sharing how indie authors can effectively market and sell their physical books. From leveraging platforms like IngramSpark to building relationships with bookstores and libraries, Kevin...

In 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 & Mar...

On 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 a...

If you haven’t yet established your presence as an author in a way that brings your audience to your book, it’s time to focus on meeting readers where they already are. That’s exactly what Military Academy author Karl Smith has done. Drawing on his digital media expertise and personal experiences, Karl shares how creating multi-platform content and engaging with existing communities transformed hi...

Joining us on this episode of Fully Booked is Keith Riegert, CEO of Ulysses Press and Perfect Bound, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on the publishing industry. Ulysses Press is already harnessing AI to analyze large volumes of data, enabling them to identify emerging market trends before they become mainstream. Combined with the AI led productivity gains achieved through streamlining b...

Over 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 reac...

Audiobooks 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...

Whether you're aiming to land a traditional publisher, attract a literary agent, or promote your self-published book, knowing how to effectively pitch yourself and your work can be the difference between obscurity and a thriving writing career. Today’s guest, author and speaker David Stanley, shares invaluable insights on what makes a pitch stand out, from highlighting what’s unique about your boo...

In today's episode of Fully Booked, we explore the impact of book endorsements and recommendations with author, speaker, and educator Ben Cooper. Ben, who has successfully attracted notable names to endorse his own work, walks us through his journey and offers practical steps for securing endorsements that elevate an author’s credibility and visibility. For indie authors especially, recommendation...

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...

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 m...

In this week's episode, we explore some essential strategies for boosting your visibility as an author, focusing on the role of author websites, SEO, and a range of marketing techniques. Our guest, Jennifer Vance, marketing director of Books Forward, shares her expertise on how authors can make the most of their online presence. While many authors understand the need for a website, not all are usi...

Today, we’re exploring the world of true crime, a popular genre that delves into real criminal events, the people involved, and the impact on those around them. Our guest, author Pepper Anne, was drawn to true crime through a personal connection, and has since become well versed in turning these complex stories into gripping narratives. Pepper walks us through the research required of writing true...

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...

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...

Well-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 T...

You 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 d...

It’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 u...

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 c...

In 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 tha...

Even 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 st...