Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

For many authors, hitting publish feels like crossing the finish line. But according to media and marketing expert Kristen White, it may actually be just the beginning. With a background in television news and more than two decades of experience helping authors, speakers, and coaches expand their platforms, Kristen has seen how writers can use their books as the foundation for something much bigger. Simply selling more copies isn't the sole goal for every author, with many using their books as a stepping stone to a world of other possibilities. By attracting media attention and building an audience, a book can lead to a variety of lucrative opportunities such as speaking engagements, courses, adaptations, and many other ventures.
In this week's episode of Fully Booked, Kristen explains why authors should treat their books as intellectual property with room to grow, along with practical ways to start doing so. Nonfiction authors may be more likely to transform their ideas into new opportunities by increasing their visibility and actively promoting themselves, but these concepts are important for fiction authors as well, who can use them to build communities around their stories and characters. That's why, whenever you're preparing to launch a new book, one of the most important things to consider is where your real finish line lies. 
 
Kristen White
https://beyondyourbestseller.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

For authors curious about screenwriting, knowing how to write for the screen is only part of the equation. Writing for the screen is entirely different from putting a novel together, and there is an entire industry surrounding the process that brings its own opportunities, challenges, and often unpredictable paths to success. This week, Craig and Roland explore that world with writer and Emmy-winning producer Elliot Blake, whose decades-long career has taken him down a winding path through animation, television, audio drama, and prose. Elliot shares how he found his way into the entertainment industry, what it really takes to get a project from idea to screen, and why persistence and patience can be just as important as writing talent.
The conversation not only covers the differences between writing for the page and writing for the screen, or what happens when stories move between mediums, but also the realities of the industry itself. Developing a project can involve far more than just the writer, with producers, studios, artists, and other collaborators all playing a role in bringing a story to life. Elliot generously shares lessons he’s learned throughout his career, such as how to work within the rules without getting trapped by them, the importance of studying successful scripts, and why you should never assume you’ve learned everything you need to know. Any author curious about screenwriting will find this discussion a fascinating and candid look at both the creative process and the industry surrounding it. 
 
Elliot Blake
https://elliotblake.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

Marketing a book is one thing, but building an author career is something else entirely. This week on Fully Booked, Craig and Roland sit down with publishing professional and author brand strategist Jessica Sorentino to explore why the most successful authors focus on building and maintaining relationships with their readers that start long before launch and continue between every release. Today's readers are buying you as an author just as much as your book, which is why your marketing should focus on building trust and recognition over time, not simply promoting whatever your latest project happens to be.
To help with that, Jessica shares actionable strategies for creating a memorable brand, avoiding the biggest mistakes she sees writers make on social media, and turning the overwhelming chore of marketing into an opportunity to create genuine connections with readers. Along the way, the discussion also explores immersive book promotion, how to measure what actually works, and why your email list should be your biggest marketing priority. Consistent visibility that extends far beyond release day is the key to long term success, and this episode will leave you with a fresh perspective on what it really takes to build an author career that lasts. 
 
Jessica Sorentino
https://jessicasorentino.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

Children's books may look simple on the surface, but creating one that resonates with young readers takes far more than a good idea. This week on Fully Booked, educator and children's author Bridget Gengler explains why writing for children requires purpose, empathy, and a deep understanding of what young readers truly need. She argues that writing for young minds is about more than entertaining or teaching in the moment, but about inspiring a lifelong love of reading.
Drawing on more than 30 years in the classroom, Bridget shares how she uses her students as beta readers, what their reactions have taught her about refining a story, and why the strongest children's books balance meaningful messages with engaging storytelling. From collaborating with illustrators to learning how young readers interact with every page, today's conversation is packed with practical insights for authors hoping to connect more deeply with young minds and keep them coming back for more. 
 
Bridget Gengler
https://bridgetgengler.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

Social media can feel like one more thing on an author's endless to do list, but what if it could become one of your most effective marketing tools? This week, social media strategist Karlyn Ankrom joins us to explain how authors can stop chasing algorithms and start building genuine connections that turn casual followers into loyal readers. From choosing the right platform to creating content that keeps working long after launch day, she shares practical strategies any author can put into action.
Today's conversation explores why relationship building matters more than going viral, how to create engaging content without spending hours online, and simple techniques like documenting your writing journey, repurposing your existing work, and using "one page, one line, one post" to generate an endless stream of ideas. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, this conversation is packed with realistic advice to help you grow your audience, keep readers engaged, and make social media feel a little less overwhelming. 
 
Karlyn Ankrom
https://ohsnapsocial.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

In this episode of Fully Booked, Roland and Craig are joined by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, a 28 year U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, former Defense Attaché to France, and author of the Major Jake Forina thriller series. Rick shares how a career spent commanding troops, working with NATO, leading counterterrorism efforts, and building international partnerships has shaped the stories he writes today. From deadly virus outbreaks to the Russia Ukraine conflict, he explains how real world experience helps him create fast paced thrillers that feel both authentic and cinematic.
The conversation also explores Rick's approach to the writing process, including what he learned from James Patterson, Dan Brown, and Ken Follett, why he combines planning with discovery as he writes, and how short chapters and strong cliffhangers keep readers turning the page. Rick also shares insights from his writing journey, including how he balances realism with entertainment and the realities of publishing on Amazon. Whether you're writing your own thriller or simply enjoy stories inspired by today's global events, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.
 
Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke
https://ricksteinke.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

Blending genres is one thing, but making readers believe they belong together is something else entirely. And when you're combining supernatural elements with crime fiction, there are even more considerations. This week's guest, Caryn McCann, explains how mythology can deepen a mystery by raising the stakes, shaping character motivations, and driving the narrative, but if the supernatural becomes the solution to the mystery, readers can feel cheated. Caryn shares how she carefully combined Chinese mythology with crime fiction while keeping every investigation grounded in evidence, logic, and procedural credibility.
That commitment to authenticity didn't just strengthen the stories. It also gave Caryn unexpected marketing advantages, opening the door to creative partnerships and helping her reach readers in ways traditional advertising couldn't. Her experience is a reminder that the qualities that make your book different can also become your greatest marketing asset. 
 
Caryn McCann
https://carynmccann.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

Every author is looking for the next marketing strategy that will help their book break through the noise. This week's guest, JD Barker, believes that instead of copying what successful authors are already doing, the real opportunity lies in finding the ideas nobody else has thought of yet. That unconventional mindset has helped him build an international bestselling career, launching books in unexpected ways and creating publicity that readers and the media can't ignore.
This week's conversation isn't about running better ads or tweaking your Amazon keywords, but rather approaching book promotion from an entirely different perspective. Through a variety of real-world examples, JD explains why authors should think of themselves as a brand, challenge conventional publishing wisdom, and constantly look for opportunities to stand apart from the crowd. If you're struggling to get your books noticed in today's increasingly crowded marketplace, this episode may change the way you think about marketing your next release. 
 
J.D. Barker
https://jdbarker.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

What makes a memoir different from an autobiography, and why do some personal stories resonate so deeply with readers? This week on Fully Booked, Craig and Roland sit down with memoir coach Ally Berthiaume to explore the power of personal storytelling. From uncovering the deeper meaning behind life's defining moments to understanding why memoirs so often focus on resilience, adversity, and growth, Ally explains what separates a memoir from a simple retelling of events.
As a memoir coach, Ally understands both the practical and emotional realities of writing about your own life and shares her insights on navigating difficult memories, overcoming emotional roadblocks, and balancing honesty with the challenges of writing about the real people who are part of our stories. Whether you're considering telling your own story or simply curious about the memoir genre, this conversation highlights why memoirs matter and how they create meaningful connections between writers and readers. 
 
Ally Berthiaume
https://thewriteplacerighttime.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

When writing historical fiction, research can be challenging enough. But what happens when some of the most important details simply don't exist? In this week's episode of Fully Booked, bestselling author Randy Overbeck returns to discuss the unique process of filling in the gaps, as he did while writing his latest novel, which centers on a Revolutionary War spy whose true identity remains one of history's enduring mysteries.
Drawing on years of research experience, Randy shares his typical process of uncovering elusive details by digging into primary source documents, following unexpected trails through archives and historical records, and piecing together clues from related events and stories. Along the way, he reveals some of the surprising discoveries he made about the American Revolution and explains how authors can blend fact and fiction while still remaining true to the spirit of the historical record. Whether you're writing historical fiction, researching nonfiction, or simply looking for ways to make your stories feel richer and more authentic, this episode offers plenty of practical insights for your writing journey. 
 
Randy Overbeck
https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.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