Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP214: The Mindset Behind a Debut Novel

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with debut author Ben Leman to discuss the long and often humbling road from idea to finished novel. What began as a deeply personal promise to a friend evolved into years of research, multiple full rewrites, and a deliberate commitment to getting the story right before sharing it with readers. Ben walks us through the realities of drafting, scrapping, rebuilding, and learning how to step back from your own work with enough objectivity to truly improve it.
While the historical backdrop of his novel presented unique challenges, the lessons Ben shares apply to authors in any genre. Drawing on his business background, he approached writing and publishing with a strategic mindset, from working with early readers and editors to developing a targeted marketing plan and retaining control of his rights. His insights on discipline, daily habits, focus, and treating authorship as a professional endeavor offer practical guidance for anyone serious about building a sustainable writing career.
 
Ben Leman
https://www.benlemanauthor.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP213: Writing Authentic Crime Fiction

Credibility and authenticity are two of the qualities that make crime thrillers work, but without insider knowledge they can be difficult to achieve. In this episode of Fully Booked, former detective Peter J. Charles joins Craig and Roland to break down what authenticity really means in crime fiction, and why the details readers cannot always articulate are often the ones that make a story feel true. Drawing on decades of real experience, Peter explains how surveillance, interview technique, and informant work are commonly misrepresented, and how small but critical choices can separate a convincing procedural from one that simply feels wrong.
Peter also shares how he translated his real-world background into a practical approach to craft. After publishing his first novel, he began studying story structure, refining his prose, and using modern tools to strengthen his writing. The result is a body of work that moves confidently beyond his law enforcement and intelligence career into accomplished crime and thriller fiction. For authors writing stories that rely on police work or intelligence, this conversation offers clear, practical takeaways to help make scenes sharper, procedures believable, and narratives more authoritative.
 
Peter J Charleshttps://www.peterjcharles.co.uk/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP212: Rethinking the Traditional Publishing Path

In this episode of Fully Booked, science fiction author Pat Daily shares the story behind his break from traditional publishing and the hard-earned lessons that led him to take full ownership of his work. From slow production timelines to editorial mishandling and rigid contracts, Pat walks through the key decisions that led him to buy back the rights to his debut novel and transition to self-publishing.
While going independent brought greater creative control and stronger reader engagement, it also came with new challenges such as sourcing the right editorial support, managing marketing, and treating writing like a business. Pat’s experience with traditional publishing wasn’t entirely negative, and reflecting on those trade-offs has him thoughtfully considering whether it might be worth revisiting in the future. Today’s discussion offers a grounded look at what it means to take control of your writing career and why, for some authors, handing back a bit of that control may still have its place.
 
Pat Dailyhttps://thepatdaily.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP211: Claiming Control in the Age of AI

As AI continues to reshape the publishing landscape, authors are being pulled into a complex debate around data, rights, and compensation. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, we’re joined by publishing veteran Julie Trelstad to explore how writers can protect and profit from their work in an increasingly AI-integrated world. Julie introduces Amlet, a forward-looking rights registry designed to help authors retain control over how their content is used in training and generating AI tools, and discusses the growing movement toward standardized digital identifiers across the industry.
From understanding what current and future AI models are really looking for to navigating the legal gray areas of past data scraping, this conversation offers a fascinating and compelling look at what’s next for digital rights management. We also examine how the publishing industry is experimenting with new licensing models and why authors must begin thinking beyond traditional copyright. If you're wondering how to futureproof your work or strategically engage with the rise of AI, this episode is essential listening.
 
Julie Trelstad
https://amlet.ai/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP210: How to Choose the Right Editors for Your Book

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore one of the most critical decisions in the publishing process: how to choose the right editor for your book. Developmental editor and book coach Sue Toth joins us to explain the different types of editing, how they compare to coaching, when and why professional support is worth the investment, and how to prepare your manuscript before handing it off.
Specializing in series editing, Sue offers insight into the unique challenges series present, from tracking character arcs to maintaining continuity across multiple books. She shares practical strategies like starting a series bible early and ensuring your editor has access to it. As she explains, choosing an editor isn't just about skill, but also about compatibility. A strong author-editor relationship can make all the difference in shaping your story into the best version of itself. Whether you're writing your debut novel or managing a multi-book arc, this episode is packed with valuable advice for every stage of the process.
 
Sue Tothhttps://suetoth.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP209: Crafting Fantasy Worlds and the Characters Who Live in Them

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, author Tricia Copeland joins Craig and Roland for an in-depth look at fantasy world-building and character-driven storytelling. Tricia shares how her initial story idea evolved into a four-book series of interconnected realms, and how that experience ultimately propelled her into the realm of YA fantasy. From hybrid vampire-witches navigating identity to anxiety-stricken fairy queens thrust into leadership, Tricia’s characters are as layered as the richly imagined worlds they inhabit.
By walking us through her creative process, Tricia reveals how she builds immersive fantasy realms around the emotional arcs of her characters. Rather than beginning with a map or magic system, she starts with internal conflict and personal stakes, allowing the world to take shape in response. Drawing from real-life experience and relatable struggles, she shows how moral complexity can be woven into speculative fiction through characters who break societal rules or challenge tradition. Whether you're blending genres or managing the continuity of a multi-series universe, today’s episode offers valuable insight into crafting fantasy that feels both imaginative and deeply human.
 
Tricia Copelandwww.triciacopeland.com
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP208: Modern Ideas for Marketing Your Book

Marketing can be one of the most daunting challenges for authors, especially those who would rather be writing than promoting. In this episode of Fully Booked, we speak with Kae Wagner, founder of the Bold Authors Network, about how writers can shift from dreading marketing to embracing it as an essential part of being a self-publisher. Drawing from decades of marketing experience and her own journey as a writer, Kae shares modern, practical strategies for building visibility, engaging readers, and laying the groundwork for long-term success.
From mindset shifts to metadata, Kae explains how authors can approach marketing without compromising their creative identity. She discusses why series are powerful, how AI is changing book discovery, and why often-overlooked tools like press releases are worth revisiting. Whether you're a debut author or looking to expand your reach, this conversation delivers clear, actionable advice to help you connect your books with the readers who are looking for them.
 
Kae Wagnerhttps://kaewagner.simplero.com/page/592727-bold-authors-network
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP207: Self Publishing in 2025 and What Comes Next

In this special year-end roundup, Craig and Roland look back at some of the biggest developments and trends that shaped the self-publishing world in 2025. It was a year defined by the continuing rise of AI, but in some ways, it also sparked a renewed push for authors to make stronger connections with their audiences. Not only do the hosts recap key moments and movements from the past year, but they also offer insights into what the future might hold for the author community.
From the growing acceptance of AI tools (despite ongoing legal challenges), to the increasing accessibility of audiobook production, the landscape for indie authors is evolving rapidly. Craig and Roland explore how genre shifts like the surge in romantasy are opening new paths for creative experimentation, and why more authors are turning to direct sales and special print editions to deepen reader engagement. With 2026 now underway, authors can stay ahead of the curve by not only understanding where self-publishing currently stands, but where it may be headed next.
 
Hidden Gems
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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
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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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