Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP189: What Every Author Should Know About Substack

What happens when a celebrated magazine editor and ghostwriter faces the collapse of traditional publishing? For Peter Moore, it sparked a creative reinvention. In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore how Peter used Substack to rebuild his career on his own terms, transforming a period of professional uncertainty into a thriving platform where he writes, illustrates, and connects directly with thousands of readers. He shares how the platform became more than just a newsletter, evolving into a community, a launchpad, and a sustainable creative outlet for his humorous and insightful work.
Whether you’re new to Substack or already experimenting with it, this discussion will give you a variety of practical ideas for using the platform to gain more control over your audience and writing. Among other things, Peter breaks down strategies for growing your subscriber base, the importance of defining a clear creative niche, and why reader feedback now matters to him more than ever. If you’ve been on the fence about Substack, this episode offers a compelling case for why it could be a game-changer for your self-publishing career.
Peter Moorehttps://petermoore.substack.com/
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP188: Tips for Publishing Print Books with KDP

Publishing a paperback book through Amazon KDP can seem straightforward, but producing a professional, print-ready title involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, author Michael Pickard joins Craig and Roland to break down the KDP paperback process. From formatting your manuscript and solving layout challenges to working with cover designers and preparing final files for upload, Mike shares the key steps many first-time authors overlook.
With more than a dozen titles to his name, Mike offers practical advice drawn from years of self-publishing experience and from guiding other authors through the process. He explains how to avoid costly formatting mistakes, manage ISBN decisions, and ensure that your book meets professional standards before it goes live. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from proofing, coordinating with designers, and navigating KDP’s print-on-demand limitations. For anyone beginning their print book journey, this conversation delivers a clear and realistic guide to creating a high-quality paperback without traditional publishing support.
 
Michael Pickard
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APFNIO
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP187: You Only Print Twice: Revising a Second Edition

This week, Craig and Roland welcome Joseph Darlington to the Fully Booked podcast. One of the best-known figures in the James Bond fandom, Joseph is the author of a successful 2015 non-fiction book called Being James Bond, which was written to help make the skills and experiences of the world’s most famous superspy accessible to everybody.
But after ten years in print, it was time for an update—and in this episode, Joseph explains the thinking and process behind updating and expanding his 2015 book into a dynamic new second edition; incorporating additional segments, making important revisions, and leveraging his now-larger social media footprint to reach an even larger global audience of James Bond fans.
If you’re a veteran of the self-publishing industry and want to breath new life into some of your older titles, you’ll find this episode a really useful perspective on how to improve, expand, and recapture the excitement that inspired you to write those books in the first place. 
Joseph Darlingtonhttps://www.beingjamesbond.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP186: How to Build a Writing Career that Lasts

This week on Fully Booked, we talk with veteran writer and speaker Jason Brick about what it means to take writing seriously as a profession. With countless books and articles to his name, Jason shares the personal journey that took him from martial arts studio owner to full-time author. He discusses the habits that helped him build a lasting career and explains why resilience, not perfection, is often the key to long-term success.
Jason also offers his perspective on topics like writer’s block, career longevity and marketing for authors. He explores how mindset shapes creative output, how setting small daily goals can lead to major progress, and why understanding the business side of writing is essential. Whether you're writing part-time or aiming to become a more consistent and productive author, this episode offers clear and practical advice for building a sustainable writing life.
 
Jason Brickhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Jason-Brick/author/B00H4INFBM
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP185: The Art and Agony of Screenwriting Success

This week on Fully Booked, we examine the challenging and often invisible world of screenwriting with writer and director Alex R. Johnson. From his early roots in documentary production to his transition into feature filmmaking and studio work, Johnson shares the gritty realities behind a writing career that can generate income without ever producing a final product for audiences to see. He sheds light on the paradox of sustaining a career in an industry where outcomes are often unpredictable, the economics of the Hollywood system, and the emotional toll of investing time and talent into stories that disappear into development limbo.
In a candid and revealing conversation, Johnson traces his path from indie success to selling scripts to major studios, only to watch them stall for reasons beyond his control. He breaks down the economics of spec scripts, the process and financial implications of rewrites, and shares hard-won advice on how to engage with studio notes without compromising your voice. For any author interested in the business and craft of screenwriting, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the industry's complexities and what it takes to survive and stay creative within it.
 
Alex R. Johnsonhttps://haciendafilmsinc.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP184: Creative Marketing for Indie Authors

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, fiction author and marketing veteran Kae Wagner joins us to share how indie authors can approach publishing with a more strategic mindset. Drawing from her success with the Frankie Girl series, Kae explains how treating fiction as both art and product can lead to stronger sales, deeper reader engagement, and long-term growth.
She offers a wealth of practical insights that many fiction authors overlook, from building series with intention to understanding reader psychology and leveraging tools that drive real results. This conversation is packed with inventive and actionable marketing strategies that go far beyond the basics. If you're ready to take your writing career to the next level, this episode delivers the guidance to get you there.
 
Kae Wagnerhttps://www.kaewagner.com/
 
The Bold Author's Networkhttps://www.BoldAuthorsNetwork.com
 
Hidden Gems
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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
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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All episode details and links: 
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