Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP183: How Historical Context Elevates Storytelling in Any Genre

In this week's episode of Fully Booked, we're exploring how adding historical context into storytelling can enrich fiction across all genres. Joining the discussion is skilled historical novelist and former archaeologist N.L. Holmes, who shares insights on how incorporating history into your writing can deepen narratives, foster empathy, and illuminate meaningful parallels between past events and modern experiences.
N.L. Holmes also highlights the practical benefits of using historical research as a versatile tool, no matter your genre. From crafting compelling plots to forming stronger emotional connections with readers, she explains how historical elements can elevate storytelling and offer fresh perspectives on contemporary issues.
 
N. L. Holmes
https://www.nlholmes.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP182: Sci-Fi with a Smile: Crafting Positive Futures

This week on Fully Booked, we explore the lighter side of science fiction with guest Ray Tabler, an engineer-turned-author who believes the future doesn't have to be bleak to be compelling. In a genre often dominated by dystopias and dark futures, Ray offers an alternative approach rooted in humor, optimism, and human complexity. He shares how a love of history, a dash of engineering know-how, and a well-timed bout of insomnia have all shaped his storytelling lens.
Ray argues that writing hopeful visions of the future can be more challenging than crafting dystopias, but he believes it is far more important to tell science fiction stories that inspire rather than alarm. He also shares insights on the benefits of discovery writing, the value of weaving humor into speculative settings, and why believable, engaging characters are just as crucial as imaginative world-building. Today's episode makes a compelling case for giving positive futures a larger place in the genre and offers practical techniques for writers looking to bring that vision to life.
 
Ray Tablerhttps://raytabler.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP181: Creating Unforgettable Characters Readers Will Love

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the art of crafting unforgettable characters with award-winning author, playwright, and clinical psychologist Patricia Black-Gould. Drawing on her rich background in theater and psychology, Patricia shares how deep character work and improvisational techniques from the stage can empower writers to create emotionally resonant, distinctive personalities on the page. From building psychological backstories to infusing dialogue with nuance, she discusses strategies to help writers workshop even minor characters into memorable figures.
The conversation also touches on essential storytelling elements like pacing, dialogue, and scene construction, all of which support a strong cast of characters. From background roles to the story’s lead, Patricia’s advice can be applied across your manuscript. More dynamic characterization not only elevates your narrative but creates lasting impact, helping to build a loyal readership that comes back for every book.
 
Pat Black-Gouldhttps://www.patblackgould.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP180: The Creative Power of Fanfiction

On 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 fosters community, and what it offers in terms of honing voice and craft. Because fanfiction involves writing in someone else’s universe, the discussion also touches on legal considerations and how some writers have transitioned their works into original, publishable fiction. Whether you’re a longtime fan or simply fanfiction-curious, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the form’s creative power and lasting appeal.
 
KimBoo Yorkhttps://houseofyork.info/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP179: How Unbound Publishing Failed Its Authors

In this eye-opening episode of Fully Booked, returning guest Ariel Anderssen shares her firsthand account of the collapse of Unbound Publishing. After successfully crowdfunding her debut memoir through the hybrid publisher, Ariel soon encountered missed royalty payments, a lack of transparency around sales data, and growing frustration. It was only through threatened legal action that she recovered her earnings, leading her to realize the company had far deeper issues. Sensing trouble ahead, she reclaimed her book rights and exited just days before Unbound collapsed, a move that spared her the worst of the fallout experienced by more than 300 affected authors.
Ariel’s story is a powerful case study in how easily authors can be taken advantage of, even by seemingly reputable publishers. Her experience underscores the importance of understanding your rights, recognizing red flags early, and maintaining control over your work. The wider failures at Unbound — and the emotional and financial toll on its authors — offer a cautionary reminder of why transparency and accountability matter in every stage of a publishing career.
Ariel Anderssenhttps://www.arielanderssenauthor.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP178: Why Every Writer Needs a Community

This week on Fully Booked, we’re exploring the essential role that community plays in a writer’s journey, particularly in genres that thrive on collaboration and shared passion. Our guest is Clay Vermulm, a dark fiction author and podcaster who shares how he transitioned from a background in wrestling and film to a full-time writing career, and how creative communities helped guide and sustain that path. Clay is not only an active participant in writing communities of all kinds, but also a committed builder who works to ensure these spaces continue to grow, thrive, and support new voices.
Clay makes a compelling case for why writers should actively engage with others, whether through local workshops, genre conventions, online spaces, or small presses. He speaks candidly about the power of showing up, volunteering, and contributing authentically to communities that align with your creative goals. From resurrecting a horror writing contest to helping lead regional and national groups, his story shows how investing in community builds opportunity and fosters long-term sustainability in a writing career. Above all, this episode is a powerful reminder that no writer succeeds alone.
 
Clay Vermulmhttps://linktr.ee/clayvermulm
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP177: Turning Real Life into Vivid Fiction

How do you write fiction that readers can truly see? In today's episode of Fully Booked, we speak with author Gary Smith about crafting vivid, immersive stories by drawing on real-life experience, strong character instincts, and a deep sense of place. From his free-flowing, scene-by-scene writing method to his use of real locations and photography, Gary shows how authenticity and visual clarity work together to bring stories to life.
We also explore how short fiction demands a sharper, more immediate visual style, and how translating a book into another language can unintentionally blur the imagery and nuance of the original. Throughout our discussion, Gary offers insight into writing believable dialogue, grounding stories in real settings, and the importance of trusting your own creative voice. Writers looking to make their fiction more vivid and emotionally resonant will find plenty of practical inspiration in this conversation.
 
Gary Smith
https://garysmithauthor.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP176: Write Like a TED Talk: Turning Ideas Into Influence

In this episode of Fully Booked, we talk with Dr. Ravi Iyer, a physician, TEDx speaker, and nonfiction author who knows how to turn big concepts into books that truly connect. Dr. Ravi shares how writing a book is a lot like giving a great talk. It’s all about knowing your message, understanding your audience, and delivering your ideas with clarity and emotion. Drawing on insights from cognitive science, he explains how nonfiction writers can stay focused, write with purpose, and build real trust with their readers.
We also dive into how to build a consistent writing habit, how to shape your ideas into a strong structure, and why storytelling can be just as powerful in nonfiction as it is in fiction. Dr. Ravi’s advice is packed with value for anyone looking to establish credibility, grow their career, and create lasting impact. If you’re a nonfiction author looking to deepen your influence and connect with readers on a more emotional level, this episode offers the tools and insights to help you stand out in your field.
 
Dr. Ravi R. Iyerhttps://www.driyer.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully 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 her books. This audience gave her the leverage to skip the hamster wheel of Amazon publishing entirely, empowering her to sell books directly to readers instead, through both her website and local independent bookstores.
Driven by a commitment to creative freedom and ethical publishing in a world that often pushes authors toward corporate platforms, Lauren’s journey is a powerful example of how authors can build a brand on their own terms, market their books organically, and navigate the challenges of writing across genres.
 
Lauren Carter Reilly
https://www.glamourpossum.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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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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All episode details and links: 
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