Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP68: Untangling the Complexities of Short Story Rights

Just as writing short stories is very different to writing novels, there’s a lot more to selling them as well. Generally, a short story is sold for a fixed amount to a publisher, meaning you don't get ongoing royalties - but if you do things properly, you can have the opportunity to sell that same story to other publishers again and again.
The most important thing is to understand all your rights. That way, you can only sell which rights are strictly necessary to each publisher, while ensuring that at some point most of these rights revert back to you. Multi-award-winning author Douglas Smith is an expert in this subject, having written extensively on how authors can maximize the value of their short story rights. Today, he sits down with Craig and Roland to go through everything you need to know on the subject: From understanding the different markets, to the format you're selling in, to the various dimensions of rights that need to be considered like geography, language and occurrence.
By following Douglas' advice, authors can maximize the reach of their stories as well as their earnings, ensuring that each one has the potential to bring in income for years to come.
 
Douglas Smith
http://www.smithwriter.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 EP67: Rising Together: How Writer’s Groups Foster Community and Collaboration

In the digital age, writing has become more collaborative than ever - in part thanks to the plethora of online groups and websites that offer support and resources for authors. From general writing help to finding niche communities, these groups can be a game-changer for writers seeking camaraderie and shared knowledge.
In this episode of Fully Booked, New York Times bestselling author Mimi Barbour shares the story of creating a private author group which has helped many writers build their careers. Mimi discusses how her group got started, the impact it has had on her and other members, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into running it. From managing social media and writing blogs, to organizing box sets and maintaining a group mailing list, the collaborative efforts of the group have yielded remarkable results.
While there may be challenges in running and being part of a private author group, Mimi demonstrates that the rewards are worth the effort. The companionship and support among members can lead to great success and open up new opportunities that may not have been possible individually.
 
Mimi Barbour
https://mimibarbour.com/
 
The Author’s Billboard
https://authorsbillboard.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 EP66: How can you calculate the Cost versus Value of your readers?

When it comes to book marketing and sales, understanding the difference between the cost of acquiring a new reader and the value that new reader provides is crucial for authors, and goes beyond just the price they paid for your book.
In today's episode, JD Caron, owner of Weekend Publisher, sits down with Craig and Roland to share the expertise he's gained in helping hundreds of authors understand this fundamental concept and why it’s so essential in marketing and promoting your books effectively. JD breaks down the process of calculating both the cost and the value of a reader, which can be more complex than it seems because there are many factors that influence how much acquiring new readers can cost - and multiple ways authors can increase that reader's value after acquiring them.
Continuing to confuse these two concepts or assuming they’re the same can be a costly mistake. Only by grasping the distinction between cost and value can authors make informed decisions that will improve their marketing and expand the efficiency of their sales strategies.
 
JD Caron is owner of Weekend Publisher
https://www.weekendpublisher.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 EP65: Infostack and the Book Profits Accelerator: Helping Authors Get Ahead

Join us for a conversation with Cary Richards, CEO and co-founder of Infostack, one of the premier bundling sites offering valuable resources to writers at a fraction of their retail prices. Cary and his team regularly put together self-publishing related bundles, including full length courses, books, and other digital material that can help take writers' skills and marketing strategies to the next level.
In this episode, Cary shares details about the upcoming Book Profits Accelerator Live event, a 3-day online writer's conference from April 27th to the 29th, featuring industry coaches, marketing experts, and influencers who will teach attendees how to effectively market their book and connect with their audience. And for Fully Booked listeners paying attention, Cary also offers a special way to take advantage of early bird pricing even if you reserve your seat past the April 13th deadline.
Whether you're interested in attending the event or not, this episode is packed with insights on how Infostack offers affordable ways to learn from experts and achieve success faster than trying to figure it all out on your own. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a varied group of self-publishing pros.
 
Infostack
https://infostack.io/
Book Profits Accelerator Live event
https://hiddengems--infostack.thrivecart.com/bpalive/
 
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 EP64: What are Sensitivity Readers, and do you need one?

In recent weeks, controversy has erupted as publishers have been taking a red pen to the works of Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming, Ursula K. LeGuin, and others, editing their work to make them more palatable for our more sensitive times. While the debate about censorship rages on, the reality is that handling characters and cultures that you are unfamiliar with can be tricky, and that's where sensitivity readers come in.
This week, Craig and Roland sit down with Patrice Williams Marks, one of the world's leading sensitivity readers. Patrice is the go-to person for many authors and companies seeking to add authenticity and avoid harmful stereotypes in their writing. Don't miss all of the valuable insight Patrice brings as she explains how sensitivity readers can help authors navigate complex issues and create more inclusive stories. When it comes to bringing diversity into your work, Patrice's expertise is invaluable to writers at all stages of their careers.
 
Patrice Williams Marks
https://SensitivityReviews.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 EP63: The Bestseller Blueprint: Essential Steps for Publishing Success

Aspiring authors dream of writing a bestseller, but crafting a great book is just the beginning of a long journey to publishing success. Self-publishing requires not only talent and dedication, but also knowledge of the steps that take a book from idea to bestseller.
Amazon Bestselling author and podcaster Katelyn Silva understands these steps, having spent the last few years developing a repeatable system to take a book from idea, through publishing, and onto bestseller status. In today's episode, Katelyn sits down with Fully Booked to go over her process, covering everything from the essential foundations of story planning to the intricacies of launch plans and strategies.
While there is no single guaranteed path to success for any author or book, unless you understand all of the key steps along the way, you're much more likely to diverge into obscurity than find your way to the top of the charts.
 
Katelyn Silva
https://club.wewritebooks.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 EP62: Using Goodreads to Connect with Readers and Increase Book Sales

In today's episode, we're excited to have returning guest, Inkers Con co-founder, and New York Times bestselling author Alessandra Torre share her expertise on Goodreads – the often-overlooked social media platform built specifically for books. While most authors may not see Goodreads as a key player like Twitter or Facebook, it's actually the best place for authors to connect with readers. With no other distractions or reasons to spend time there, Goodreads provides a unique space for authors to connect with their audience. 
 
As Alessandra explains, the Goodreads platform can connect authors to both existing fans and new readers by allowing people to follow you, get notifications about activity related to your books, and even get emails announcing your new releases. All of this is free, although Alessandra also goes over some of the paid options and their worth, such as hosting giveaways. 
 
But regardless of how you decide to use it, the Goodreads algorithm doesn't limit your reach based on how much you spend, which is yet another advantage it has over the other social sites. The best part is, all of this can be achieved through less than an hour a month spent on the site, which means there really is no excuse for continuing to overlook this valuable social media platform. If you do, you're missing out on a powerful tool that could help you reach and stay connected to a wider audience of fans. 
Alessandra Torre
https://www.alessandratorre.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 EP61: Book Launch on a Budget: Low/No-Cost Tips and Resources

For self-published authors, marketing and advertising expenses can be overwhelming, but not all book promotion options have to blow your budget. In this episode of Fully Booked, USA Today bestselling author Kyoko M shares her knowledge on the various ways of launching your book without spending a fortune.
Over the years of launching her own books, Kyoko has tried a variety of techniques and learned not only which ones work and which don't, but also whether they're budget friendly or will break the bank. Today she is sharing this knowledge on how to generate exposure for your work through promotional methods like blog tours, cover reveals, Goodreads giveaways, book trailers, guest posting, and a lot more.
Once you know what your options are, it's simply a matter of trying them out to determine which ones are most effective for you. Once you have that figured out, you can focus on the ones that work, bringing you to higher levels of success with each new release.
 
Kyoko M
https://shewhowritesmonsters.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 EP60: The Backlist Advantage: How to Make Money from Older Books

Authors tend to focus most of their marketing efforts on their newest releases, but just because a book is on your backlist doesn't mean it's lost any value. It may be older, but it's still brand new to millions of potential readers that have yet to discover it, and so it should be put to work for you just as hard as your latest novel.
That's exactly what USA Today bestselling author Golden Angel joins Fully Booked to discuss in today's episode. Golden Angel has been effectively promoting her older titles for years, and she's full of all sorts of tips and advice on how to keep your own backlist fresh and make sure those books continue to generate sales and find new fans.
From leveraging social media, tracking readthrough, rebranding and even book clubs, there are plenty of ideas here that can be used on older books that cost little or no money. So it's time to stop ignoring the words you wrote in the past, and optimize your marketing to monetize your entire catalog.
 
Golden Angel
https://www.goldenangelromance.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 EP59: The Endlessly Patient Co-Writer: Using AI for Faster, Better Writing

When ChatGPT emerged, the world was introduced to AI beyond anything we'd seen before. However, despite its potential to disrupt and revolutionize our lives, many still fail to realize the benefits it can bring.
While the media often focuses on the ominous uses of AI for cheating or replacing human writers completely, the reality is that this technology is far more suited at improving or enhancing the writing experience. In this episode, Craig and Roland speak with Nathan Cole, an author and teacher who has been at the forefront of writing technology for years. Nathan breaks down how GPT AI works and shares his insights on the best writing services and techniques he's discovered so far.
These tools not only make writing novels faster and easier, but they can also assist with brainstorming and plotting. The key is learning how to craft the right prompts to achieve the desired results, and Nathan offers specific examples on how to do so. This episode is essential for writers to understand because GPT-based writing tools are here to stay. AI technology is going to advance very quickly, and authors who fail to get on board soon are in danger of being left behind completely.
 
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