Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP103: Final Draft: Navigating Estate Planning to Secure Your Literary Legacy

In today's episode of Fully Booked, we delve into a topic that often goes unexplored because some find it uncomfortable to think about, but is crucial for any author: estate planning. With the expertise of estate planning attorney Sarah Marie Page, we unravel the intricate web of decisions and legalities surrounding the posthumous future of your literary assets. From understanding the rights of survivorship to the complexities of trusts and probate, this episode lays out the foundational knowledge every author should have to ensure their work is protected and passed on according to their wishes.
 
As we discuss with Sarah, the details matter as much as the broader strokes in estate planning. Whether it's choosing the right person to manage your publishing empire, knowing how to handle digital assets like KDP accounts and social media, or the importance of having your intentions (and passwords!) clearly documented, we cover it all. We dive into why it's vital to keep your estate plan updated amidst the fast-paced changes of the publishing industry and how to make these critical decisions in a way that honors your legacy and minimizes future burdens on your loved ones. For authors, your words live on; make sure they continue to tell the story you intended.
 
Sarah Marie Page
https://www.sarahpagestories.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 EP102: How to Weave Layers of Complexity into Your Scenes

Bestselling author Mary Carroll Moore has taught writing throughout the world, but this week she stops by to chat with us about the intricate craft of layering complexity into your scenes. The key to captivating and engaging readers is by transforming ideas into multidimensional experiences. As Mary explains, this can be done in a variety of ways, such as interlacing character arcs, plot twists and setting details together to enrich both your scenes and story as a whole.
Her hybrid approach of writing like a pantser after creating storyboards like a plotter can be useful to authors of either style, and is beneficial for staying on track and keeping consistency within your work. So if you’re looking to enrich your writing with depth and surprise, this episode will provide you with all the tools needed to add dimension and nuance to your creative work.
 
Mary Carroll Moore
https://www.marycarrollmoore.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
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP101: Authorpreneurship: Crafting First Impressions for Lasting Impact

In the competitive world of self-publishing, it's crucial for authors to embrace the role of entrepreneur, with each book representing a new and unique product. Attention to detail is key, as every aspect of your book must beckon to potential customers—your readers.
Join us on this episode of Fully Booked, where we explore the intricacies of authorship with guest novelist Tyler Snure. Tyler takes us through his concept of the "Reader Roadmap", a strategic guide for understanding the decision-making process of avid readers in search of their next adventure. 
While a captivating cover and a compelling blurb are key, it's the initial pages that often seal the deal. The opening lines are often where readers are won or lost. Tyler offers his expert insights on crafting those crucial first pages that ensure readers are not just hooked, but reeled in. Don't miss this exploration of the techniques that transform browsers into buyers, and writers into savvy authorpreneurs.
 
Tyler Snure
https://www.snurestories.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
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP100: Celebrating 100 Episodes - what we’ve learned and how things have changed

It's been 100 episodes, or almost 2 years since we began this podcast journey and many things have changed. Not only have Roland and I learned a lot, but with the rise of artificial intelligence and everything it threatens to upend, the self-publishing industry is facing some of the biggest changes since it first started.
Today, we're looking back at why we started this podcast to begin with, and whether or not we've met the goals we had for it. We also discuss some of the episodes and guests that have really taught us something and changed the way we work and think about our craft. And then we wrap things up by examining where things are headed in the industry - both now and going forward; especially with AI now touching almost every aspect of the publishing process.
So come have a listen, and join us in celebrating episode 100 of the Fully Booked Podcast!
 
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 https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast
 

Fully Booked EP99: Write with Intent: Defining the Purpose and Audience of Your Book

When it comes to storytelling, fiction novels are usually bursting with boundless creativity, while non-fiction books require more dedicated focus, delving into the heart of real experiences and genuine issues. Even the subject matter and wording are often tailored specifically to the intended audience of a non-fiction book, which is why understanding who you are writing for, and why, is so important in the genre.
In this week's episode of Fully Booked, author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh is here to help unpack the nuances of non-fiction writing - from identifying your core readership to authentically representing true events without losing the narrative's emotional essence. So whether you're carefully plotting or leaving room for organic development, Randi-Lee has advice for all authors aiming to make their mark and be successful in their non-fiction writing.
 
Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
https://www.rbwriting.ca/
 
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
https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP98: Exploring the Nuances of Character-driven Storytelling

In the heart of every captivating story lies a cast of characters who breathe life into the narrative. To bring them to life, however, it's essential to understand them not only within the pages but also beyond them. An author has to really dive deep into their backgrounds, motivations, and what really makes them tick.
To help guide us through the art of crafting compelling characters, we're joined by Lynne Golodner, a seasoned author, writing coach, and marketing entrepreneur. As Lynne explains, characters are all around us, from family and friends to the strangers we encounter daily. There's no excuse for recycling the same character types in your stories repeatedly. Embracing interesting and distinctive characters paves the way for fresh writing and captivated readers, provided you possess a profound understanding of their motivations and a commitment to preserving their authenticity.
The importance of mastering this skill cannot be overstated because well-crafted characters wield a profound influence not only in fiction but also in non-fiction writing.
 
Lynne Golodner
https://lynnegolodner.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 EP97: How Authors Can Build Their Brand by Crafting an Experience

While authors excel at crafting captivating narratives within the pages of their books, these storytelling skills can also be used to build your author brand and enhance the customer experience.
In this episode of Fully Booked, we are joined by Jess Cervellon, VP of Customer Experience at Feastables, a global brand associated with 'Mr. Beast.' From her artistic roots to diverse roles in customer service, Jess brings invaluable insights into the creation of unforgettable customer experiences. She firmly believes that these insights are a goldmine for authors, especially those interested in marketing and enhancing the reader's journey.
Authors, just like any brand, must captivate their audience through storytelling and content creation that extend beyond their books. Whether it's through social media, advertising, podcast appearances, or conferences, successful authors generate content that delivers a lasting brand experience, keeping readers engaged even between book releases.
 
Jess Cervellon
https://jesscervellon.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 EP96: Invisible Ink: The Secret World of Ghostwriting

Many readers would be surprised to know that some of their favorite books were not written by the author plastered across the cover, but by a ghostwriter. Behind the scenes, ghostwriters are hired by authors, publishers, and even entrepreneurs to pen a book in the shadows, with the finished product being published by the client under their own name.
In the years that she's been a ghostwriter, Rhiannon D'Averc has had close to 100 books published, but only a handful under her own name.  Rhiannon has become the go-to ghostwriter for a variety of clients, from recognizable authors and publishers to business executives who need a book to drive their speaking engagements. Whether it's fiction or non, Rhiannon writes it all, and her experience has provided her not only with tremendous knowledge of the industry, but with the ability to put quality books together quickly and efficiently.
So whether you're considering the benefits of hiring a ghostwriter for yourself, or intrigued by the prospect of becoming one, this episode is a treasure trove of insights that should not be missed.
 
Rhiannon D'Averc
https://rhiannondaverc.co.uk/
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 EP95: How Review Journals Can Boost Your Publishing Career

Every self-published author knows how important reviews are - but there are different types of reviews than just those left by readers. Editorial reviews and review journals are a legacy of traditional publishing, but still incredibly valuable - even to self-published writers. In fact, review journals are unsung heroes in helping authors expand their reach beyond just publishing in the digital realm. In this episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland have invited back a previous guest to help dive deep into the world of review journals such as Booklist, Library Journal, and the School Library Journal - all to demonstrate how useful they can be to an author's career.
Returning guest Dr. Roger Leslie is not only a seasoned author and owner of his publishing company, but someone who also spent eight years as a Booklist reviewer. With this experience, Dr. Leslie provides an exceptional explanation not only of the purpose of review journals but also the steps authors need to take to get featured within them. Doing so can supercharge any author's career by not only helping get their books into libraries, but also by enhancing their editorial credibility (and potentially leading to securing coveted spots in mainstream bookstore chains.)
 
Dr. Roger Leslie
https://rogerleslie.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 EP94: The Accidental Success of a Self-Published Author

In the realm of self-publishing, where there's no universal path to success, authors often forge their own routes. The effectiveness of various methods or strategies vary, and authors often choose how to move forward based on their personal interests and skillsets, but it's not always obvious what would work best without a frame of reference.
That's why we find it invaluable to occasionally delve into the personal stories of authors, exploring their choices and motivations as a means of drawing parallels that can be applied to our own circumstances. Today, we sit down with author Sarah Firisen, a self-described "accidental success" in the literary world.
Writing historical mysteries under the pseudonym "Sarah F. Noel," Sarah released her debut book in early 2023 and has already added another two novels to the series, with a fourth on pre-order. Her books have been racking up reviews and shifting copies with very little marketing behind them, which begs the question: Was Sarah's success truly accidental, or did she navigate her unique journey with intuitive brilliance? Join us as we uncover the enigma of Sarah Firisen's unconventional ascent in the world of self-publishing.
 
Sarah Firisen (writing as Sarah F. Noel)
https://sarahfnoel.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