Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP206: The Business Blueprint for Indie Authors

What does it take to turn a passion for writing into a sustainable, income-generating career? In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with Maria Secoy, founder of All Write and an experienced book coach, who shares a clear and practical path for writers ready to take control of the business side of publishing. From managing production costs to building a publishing schedule that works with Amazon’s algorithm, she offers a grounded approach to balancing creativity with strategy.
Drawing on her background in education and research, Maria outlines her four-stage model of author development and explains how to align writing goals with long-term growth. In addition, she breaks down key financial concepts, including return on ad spend and series readthrough value, giving authors a framework for making data-informed decisions while staying connected to the heart of their work. Regardless of where you are in your publishing career, today's insights will help you move forward with confidence and a clear path to success.
 
Maria Secoywww.allwritewell.com
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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Fully Booked EP205: With Non-Fiction Your Book Is Not the Product

What if the book you’re writing isn’t really the product you’re selling? In today's episode of Fully Booked, publishing strategist Michael R. Drew takes us through the deeper business logic behind nonfiction publishing. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience and over 130 bestsellers, Michael explains why the most successful nonfiction authors begin not with the book itself, but by first defining the outcome they want it to achieve. From there, they determine how to measure success, create a strategy to support that goal, and finally use the book as one of the tactics to help fulfill it. In this way, the book becomes a powerful tool to grow a platform, drive business objectives, and establish lasting thought leadership.
Michael also shares how nonfiction authors can market their books ethically and effectively by focusing on long-term relationships rather than quick wins. Through real-world examples, he illustrates how clarity of purpose and consistent audience engagement can make a book far more impactful. That's why for many non-fiction authors, their book is not the end goal, but simply a tool to elevate the real product — their platform, expertise, and the value they bring to their audience.
 
Michael R. Drewhttps://promoteabook.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 EP204: Using Symbolism to Shape Stories

Although some view symbolism as something readers discover after the fact, many authors use it deliberately from the very beginning as a tool to add cohesion and depth to their stories. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, visual artist and fantasy author Riley S. Quinn shares how authors can build symbolism into the foundation of their creative process. By doing so, she argues, writers can create more immersive, emotionally resonant narratives that remain thematically focused from start to finish.
Riley draws on her background in animation and storyboarding to show how symbolic elements can shape every layer of a story, from character development to the world they inhabit. By pulling from personal experiences and details from everyday life, authors can create symbols that add emotional weight and thematic cohesion. Even the setting becomes part of this symbolic framework, offering opportunities for deeper connection through intentional design. When every element in a story has purpose, the world, characters, and narrative begin to feel inseparable and part of a single, unified vision.
 
Riley S. Quinnhttps://www.rileyquinnart.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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Fully Booked EP203: Turning Real-Life Fears Into Fiction

What makes a short story scary? In today's episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with short fiction author Monte Crabbs, whose stories blend horror, mystery, and a touch of dark humor. Drawing from his background as a school librarian and longtime horror fan, Monte shares how everyday anxieties and personal experiences can be transformed into chilling stories that linger with readers. He explains why horror, when done right, connects on a deep psychological level and how, when presented in fiction, it can even offer readers a “safe scare.”
Our discussion explores the craft of writing creepiness into ordinary moments, building tension with brevity, and striking the right balance between scares and levity. Monte also offers insight into the role of endings in short horror, what makes a satisfying psychological twist, and how paying attention to the world around you can spark unforgettable ideas. Whether you’re a horror author or simply interested in adding a bit of eeriness to your own writing, this conversation is full of practical takeaways and creative inspiration.
 
Monte Crabbshttps://www.montecrabbs.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
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Fully Booked EP202: What a Book Coach Can Do for You

This week on Fully Booked, we’re exploring the world of book coaching with Liisa Kovala, a certified book coach and former educator who brings deep insight into how authors can benefit from guided support throughout their writing journey. From idea development to drafting, from pitching to prepping, Liisa shares the practical, emotional, and professional value that coaching can offer writers at any stage of their careers.
Alongside the many benefits of hiring a coach, we also discuss the rigorous training behind certification, the evolving nature of the writer–coach relationship, and the realities aspiring authors face in today’s publishing landscape. Liisa also shares her views on the importance of feedback, the pitfalls of unstructured critique groups, and how small-group programs can be a game-changer for productivity and confidence. If you’ve been considering ways to move your book forward, this episode offers an in-depth look at the tools, mindset, and support systems a skilled book coach can provide.
 
Liisa Kovalahttps://www.liisakovalabookcoach.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/
 
All episode details and links: 
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Fully Booked EP201: Using a Bestseller to Build Your Brand and Business

This week on Fully Booked, we speak with Tyler Wagner, founder of Authors Unite, about what it really takes to turn a book into a bestseller. Wagner walks us through the systems and strategies he uses to help thousands of authors hit major bestseller lists on Amazon, USA Today, and more. He explains how these campaigns can deliver a return on investment by elevating a book’s visibility and positioning the author as a trusted expert. For this reason, he primarily works with non-fiction clients such as entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to use their books to build personal brands and generate leads for other services.
While Wagner’s core expertise centers on non-fiction, the conversation also touches on how fiction authors can adapt aspects of these strategies to build momentum across their own catalogs. He shares insights on what it takes to get a book on major lists like Amazon and USA Today, how packaging and positioning play a critical role, and why even fiction authors need to think in terms of long-term audience building. For any author curious about how bestseller campaigns work and who they work for best, this episode offers a candid behind-the-scenes look at the business of book promotion.
Authors Unitehttps://authorsunite.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 EP200: What We’ve Learned After 200 Episodes

For the 200th episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland go solo to reflect on how much the self-publishing world has evolved since the podcast first launched almost four years ago. This milestone discussion explores the industry’s biggest shifts, from the rise of direct sales and the decline of platform dependence to the growing need for authentic reader relationships. It’s a wide-ranging, state-of-the-industry conversation rooted in insight from past episodes and the hard-earned perspective of two hosts who have seen it all.
Whether you're launching your first book or working to stay ahead of changing algorithms and business models, this episode distills key takeaways from hundreds of conversations with bestselling authors, experts, and innovators. From TikTok to Substack, short fiction to sales funnels, and scams to success stories, revisit the trends that matter and the lessons worth remembering in this candid and comprehensive look at where the indie author world stands today and where it may be headed next.
 
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 EP199: Making the Impossible Plausible with Hard Sci-Fi

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the fascinating frontier where science fact meets science fiction. Our guest is debut author Nicholas Keating Casbarro, whose background in medical devices and deep-dive research habits have fueled the creation of a richly detailed hard sci-fi series set 700 years in the future. From warp bubbles to quantum entanglement, Casbarro explains how he grounds speculative technologies in plausible science while keeping the narrative accessible and immersive.
He shares how world-building begins with asking the right questions about planetary ecology, authoritarian governments, and underground digital networks, and why anchoring every element in scientific theory lends authenticity. Because whether you're writing about the ethical implications of emerging tech or attempting to craft a believable future without losing the human thread, writing hard sci-fi requires a careful balance between rigorous science and storytelling craft.
 
Nicholas Keating Casbarrohttps://vitaleriumseries.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 EP198: The Art and Business of Short Stories

Although short fiction often gets overshadowed in today’s market-driven publishing landscape, for many writers it’s where the most vital work begins. That’s why, in this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we examine both the creative and commercial realities of writing short stories. Our guest is author Chris Kauzlarich, a hobbyist turned published writer who uses short fiction to build both his craft and his audience. From initial inspiration to final revision, Chris shares insights into the short story writing process, and why this form remains meaningful, even in a publishing world dominated by novels.
But this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, as Chris opens up about the challenges of making short stories viable. From limited publication outlets and shrinking markets to the frustrations of pricing, visibility, and discoverability. Still, the episode is filled with practical strategies for using short fiction to grow your readership, test novel-worthy ideas, and stay creatively sharp. For a grounded, honest look at what short stories can—and can’t—do for your career, this episode is a must-listen.
 
Chris Kauzlarichhttps://www.chriskauzlarich.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 EP197: Building an Audience Through Consistent and Honest Storytelling

This week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by Aaron Calafato, creator of the acclaimed podcast "7 Minute Stories", which has reached over 30 million listeners. A master of short-form storytelling, Aaron shares how he builds powerful connections with his audience through a personal process he calls “story catching.” By drawing meaning from everyday experiences and telling them with clarity and heart, he has carved out a unique space in the storytelling landscape.
In this fascinating conversation, Aaron takes Craig and Roland through the principles that make a story truly resonate. He explores how trust, authenticity, and vulnerability play a vital role in shaping stories that stick with listeners. Whether you're an author, a podcaster, or a creative of any kind, this episode offers practical insight into telling stories that engage deeply and keep your audience coming back.
 
Aaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.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