Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP174: Can You Really Write A Book a Week for a Year?

What does it take to write a full-length novel every week for months on end? In this episode of Fully Booked, we talk with author Alison McBain about her ambitious goal to write 52 books in a year, and how her first attempt led to 34 completed novels in 34 weeks, spanning a wide range of genres. While she didn’t hit her full target, writing over a million words in a focused sprint gave her the tools and confidence to try again, this time with even more insight and strategy.
Sustaining that pace takes more than motivation. It can only be done through careful planning, which is why Alison walks us through the preparation that made it all possible. From outlining and character work to managing daily word counts and genre shifts, she shares how long-term planning, disciplined workflows, and the support of writing communities helped her stay on track. Whether you're looking to write faster, take on an ambitious challenge of your own, or simply build a more efficient creative process, Alison’s experience offers practical takeaways for writers at any stage.
 
Alison McBainhttps://www.alisonmcbain.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP173: The Power of Ambiguity in Science Fiction

On 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 reader's imagination.
Karl shares his experience writing a novel set in a world populated by AI characters. Each of these characters is inspired by well-known fictional robots, but they are never named outright, and recognizing their origins is not essential to understanding the plot. This leaves the door open for every reader to enjoy the story, while offering added depth for those who pick up on the subtle references. The conversation explores how ambiguity can keep readers engaged without overwhelming them with detail, offering practical insights into how authors can say just enough and let the rest unfold in the reader's mind.
 
Karl Hörnellhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXYM4DPJ
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP172: Maximizing the Power of Every Book Review

After a decade of running an ARC service, we’re very familiar with getting reviews and how important they are to making your book stand out from the crowd. But attracting attention is just one way that reviews can help drive sales. This week, Fully Booked is joined by Roxanne Burkey and Charles Breakfield, co-authors who have built an entire strategy around using reader feedback to amplify their books’ visibility and build stronger connections with their audience. From extracting standout quotes to publicly thanking reviewers, they reveal how thoughtful review management can become a powerful marketing tool.
Breakfield and Burkey explain how authors can leverage both positive and critical feedback to grow their platforms, the importance of expanding visibility across multiple sites and formats, and how creatively repurposing reader comments can drive buzz and loyalty. Whether you’re sitting on a backlog of reviews or just starting out, today’s conversation offers plenty of unique ideas and actionable tips for making the most of the feedback readers are giving your work.
 
Breakfield and Burkeyhttps://enigmabookseries.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP171: Bleeding onto the Page: The Emotional Journey of a First Novel

This week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by romance author Elle Christopher, whose debut novel is rooted in profound personal loss and emotional transformation. After the sudden death of her husband, Elle turned to writing as a coping mechanism for both herself and her five children. What started as a private act of healing eventually evolved into an immersive love story that has already struck a chord with early readers.
Drawing from her background in corporate marketing, Elle shares how she applied those skills to the steep learning curve of self-publishing. From navigating beta reader feedback and laying the foundation for a personal brand, to finding authentic ways to connect with readers in a crowded market, Elle discusses her experience as a first-time author. With no formal writing background, she dove into research and quickly discovered that sincerity and authenticity can be some of the most powerful tools in reaching an audience.
 
Elle Christopher
https://ellechristopher.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP170: Crafting Hooks and Cliffhangers That Keep Pages Turning

In 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 explains, elements like genre, pacing, and point of view all shape how (and when) hooks and cliffhangers should be used. From opening lines that spark instant intrigue to chapter endings that demand “just one more page,” she offers a wide range of strategies to keep your readers captivated. Whether you're a plotter, a discovery writer (pantser), or somewhere in between, this conversation is packed with insights to help craft stories that leave readers always wanting more.
 
N.L. Blandford
https://www.nlblandford.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP169: How and Why to Add Humor to Your Writing

You don’t have to be a comedian to bring humor into your writing, and just because your book isn’t a comedy doesn’t mean it can’t benefit from a few well-placed laughs. As veteran comedian, keynote speaker, and author Jan McInnis explains in this week’s episode of Fully Booked, humor is a powerful way to connect with your audience and make your message more memorable. Together, we explore what makes humor such an effective storytelling tool—and how any author can inject it into their writing, regardless of genre.
Drawing on her decades-long career in stand-up, radio, and corporate comedy, Jan shares practical advice on writing humor with purpose. From key rules of comedy and spotting humor in everyday situations to avoiding clichés and refining punchlines, her tips are useful for any author—whether or not they think of themselves as funny. For those looking beyond just adding a bit of levity, Jan also discusses professional opportunities in comedy writing, from radio to greeting cards. Whether you're looking to enrich your stories with humor or explore comedy as a career path, this discussion is full of insight and entertaining anecdotes to help you get started.
 
Jan McInnis
https://theworklady.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP168: Turning True Events into Compelling Storylines

This week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by military thriller author and former U.S. Air Force special agent Derrick M. Jackson to discuss how real-life experiences can be used to shape compelling fiction. Rather than writing a memoir about his time in the military, Derrick crafted a high-stakes thriller infused with emotional authenticity pulled directly from the most intense moments of his career.
By drawing not just on the events themselves, but on his personal reactions to them, Derrick created flawed, relatable characters who stand apart from the superhuman archetypes often found in the genre. In this episode, he shares insights on everything from turning real people into fictional characters and writing emotionally resonant scenes, to navigating the approval process required to include military experiences in a novel. Packed with thoughtful advice and practical takeaways, this conversation offers valuable guidance for any author looking to blend real-life material into fiction that feels both grounded and compelling.
 
Derrick Jacksonhttps://www.amazon.com/SHADOW-ONE-DERRICK-JACKSON-ebook/dp/B0DFVNN3GD
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP167: How Atticus is Simplifying Writing, Editing, and Formatting

This week, we’re welcoming back a familiar face in both the self-publishing world and on this podcast. Dave Chesson, the creative force behind industry-leading tools like Publisher Rocket, returns to discuss one of his other major successes—Atticus. After more than two years on the market and continuous user-driven improvements, Atticus has steadily evolved and built a large, dedicated following. By blending the best features of writing, editing, collaboration, and formatting tools, it delivers unparalleled functionality for a one-time price that includes all future upgrades.
Dave leads us deep into the core of Atticus's capabilities, from real-time collaboration and customizable permissions for editors and beta readers, to cloud-based security and intuitive drag-and-drop formatting. With each update, Atticus moves closer to his broader vision of a comprehensive book management system—designed not only for authors, but also for the publishing team they work with. If you're ready to simplify your workflow and move away from juggling a costly suite of tools, this episode offers valuable insight into how Atticus can save you time and money by replacing them all with a single, streamlined solution.
 
Dave Chesson and Atticus
https://www.atticus.io/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP166: Unlocking the Power of Personal Branding

Besides a great book, what is it that makes readers remember you and keep coming back for more? According to award-winning brand strategist and personal brand navigator Lauren Clemett, an author’s success is directly tied to their branding. With years of experience helping authors amplify their visibility worldwide, Lauren reveals how the science of neurobranding shapes the way readers connect with your books—and why identifying your target reader is the key to knowing not just what to say, but where to say it.
Today’s discussion goes beyond theory, as Lauren offers practical, concrete tips for any author, regardless of genre or publishing experience. From building a recognizable identity around your message to leveraging micro-influencers and word-of-mouth marketing, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and no-nonsense advice that will help you raise awareness of your author brand and provide a clear path to amplifying your author profile.
 
Lauren Clemetthttps://theaudaciousagency.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP165: Crafting Connection Through Life’s Ups and Downs

One of the most crucial aspects of writing is understanding your audience so that the stories you tell truly resonate. In today’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore this concept with author and speaker Randi-Lee Bowslaugh, who connects with her readers by sharing her personal experiences with mental health and autism. By blending storytelling with an engaging, accessible style, Randi ensures her books reach the people who need them most, offering a sense of companionship to those facing similar struggles.
For Randi, authenticity is key—her conversational approach fosters a deeper connection with readers than a more formal, textbook-style format would. She also incorporates practical elements, such as worksheets, to blend emotional resonance with actionable support. Beyond writing, she shares insights into marketing strategies that emphasize personal connections, including the power of podcasts and word of mouth to reach the right audience. Whether you’re crafting memoir, self-help, or even fiction, this episode explores how writing with purpose, honesty, and a clear understanding of your audience can leave a lasting impact.
 
Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
https://www.rbwriting.ca/
 
Hidden Gems
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