Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP153: Niche Non-Fiction: Writing for the Few to Reach the Many

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 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 superfans that can amplify the impact of their work. 
 
Mark Edlitz
http://www.markedlitz.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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All episode details and links: 
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Fully Booked EP152: Connecting with Your Audience Across Platforms

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 his ability to connect with readers. From blogging about the Naval and Air Force Academies to hosting playlists and podcasts, Karl reveals how these creative strategies helped him find his people and bring them to his work.
As Karl explains, engaging with readers where they already gather and adding value to their community—rather than simply promoting your book—creates authentic, lasting connections. In his experience, this approach is a powerful long-term strategy that can even outperform traditional advertising in terms of building a loyal fanbase. For authors aiming to build and strengthen meaningful, organic relationships with their readers, the insights Karl shares in today’s episode are truly invaluable.
 
Karl Smith
https://karlsmithconnect.com
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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All episode details and links: 
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Fully Booked EP151: Using AI-Driven Data to Unlock Publishing Potential

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 book production and marketing processes, Ulysses Press has been able to enhance their profitability while still remaining adaptable to new opportunities.
 
By treating AI as an intelligent assistant, Keith explains how traditional publishers, authors, and self-publishers can simplify their workflows without compromising their creativity or ethics. He also offers a fascinating glimpse into emerging AI tools and platforms designed to help authors manage and build upon their creative work. For anyone curious about the future of books and publishing, Keith provides valuable insights and tips on how AI can make your job more efficient and innovative.
 
 
Ulysses Press
https://ulyssespress.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book?
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links:
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP150: The Power of Mentorship: Transforming Book Sales with Ads

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 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 make it more effective.
In this episode of Fully Booked, Michelle looks back across the mentorship and shares the remarkable results of her shift in strategies—breaking down the things she’d learned that made the biggest impact. From decoding metrics like CTR, CPC, and conversion rates to knowing when and how to change your pricing and product pages, Michelle’s story demonstrates how the support and coaching of subject-matter experts like Craig and Roland can empower authors to take more control over their self-publishing career and achieve sustainable growth.
 
Michelle Hazenhttps://michellehazenbooks.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast
 

Fully Booked EP149: The Do's and Don'ts of Creating Audiobooks

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 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 technical hurdles or discovering the importance of hiring the right talent, this conversation is packed with invaluable advice for any author considering turning their own story into an immersive auditory experience.
 
Franke James
https://freeingteresa.com/listen/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book?
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All episode details and links:
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Fully Booked EP148: How Can Authors Pitch Themselves and their Books?

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 book to crafting hooks that capture attention and curiosity.
But drafting the perfect pitch is only the beginning. David explains how authors need to maximize their personal networks and social media presence to truly get the word out. Most importantly, he encourages listeners not to fear the rejections that are part of the journey, as setbacks in this industry are essential stepping stones toward success. Whether you're pitching to the media, building connections with readers, or trying to stand out in a crowded market, this episode offers essential guidance to make your book shine.
 
David Stanley
http://dstanley.substack.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book?
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All episode details and links:
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Fully Booked EP147: How Authors Can Score Recommendations and Endorsements?

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, recommendations can be game-changing—more than just a marketing strategy, they’re a powerful way to build trust and connection with readers.
Ben’s approach, outlined in his “BRASH” method, provides a step-by-step guide for tackling the endorsement process with boldness and purpose. From identifying influential endorsers to making authentic connections with those aligned with your book’s message, Ben’s insights are invaluable for any author ready to take their work to the next level. Even if you’ve never pursued an endorsement before, Ben’s detailed blueprint will make the process feel achievable and might just give you the confidence to give it a try.
Ben Cooperhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/288469048346429
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully 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 management, providing a roadmap for long-term success. She also shares practical tips on everything from establishing a productive writing routine to managing social media and building a direct sales funnel. For any author still wrestling with the logistics of self-publishing, this episode is packed with actionable advice on running your business without sacrificing creativity and growth.
 
GiGi Meier
www.gigimeier.com
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book?
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All episode details and links:
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Fully 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 that assure a successful book launch, their choice to self-publish adds legitimacy to the model that helps to open new doors for the rest of us, allowing for greater creative control and higher revenue potential. Whereas self-publishing used to be a secondary option, it is starting to emerge as the true future of publishing itself.
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP144: Can an Author Website Maximize your Marketing?

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 using them to effectively drive traffic, attract new readers, and increase overall visibility. Even a well-designed site can be limited if it’s not easily discoverable.
Jennifer breaks down SEO (Search Engine Optimization), a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of online marketing, explaining how even a basic understanding can mean the difference between a thriving website and one that fades into obscurity. But she also stresses that having a strong website is just one piece of the puzzle. Diversifying your marketing approach—whether through social media, collaborations, or targeted ads—is key to building your author brand and ensuring long-term success.
 
Jenn Vancehttps://booksforward.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast