Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP107: The Pen vs the Algorithm: AI's Place in the Writer's Studio

As the dust settles on the initial awe and apprehension surrounding artificial intelligence, the discussion now turns to its practical role. But how can authors harness AI to enhance their craft? In today's episode of Fully Booked, we discuss this question with Patrick Greenwood, a writer and seasoned cybersecurity expert with 28 years in the field. Greenwood guides us through the evolution of AI from a simple data processing tool to the more sophisticated chatbots that we're more familiar with today, and outlines how major corporations are using it to shape the future of their industries.
As AI has matured, we've already begun to see a tendency toward over-reliance as organizations rush to outpace competitors, occasionally at the cost of informed decision-making. As a result, Greenwood points to a growing "Crisis of Trust" around AI content creation, with questions arising around the authorship, authenticity and legalities of what is being produced. However, as the technology has become so widely entrenched in our lives, it seems increasingly unlikely that any of these concerns will make it go away. That's why continuing to ignore AI isn't the solution. Instead, authors should take a balanced approach, engaging with it as a collaborative tool or assistant rather than as a substitute to creativity. Not only will this strategy serve to preserve and invigorate their artistry, but it will also enable them to survive and flourish in this new era of digital integration.
 
Patrick Greenwood
https://cyclewriterllc.com/
 
Hidden Gems
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All episode details and links: 
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https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast

Fully Booked EP106: Polish Your Prose: The Journey from Draft to Masterpiece

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland delve into the detailed process of book editing and revision with special guest S.G. Blaise, a seasoned author with five novels and a decade of storytelling experience behind her. 
Blaise helps lead the discussion through some of the essential steps that transform a rough draft into a literary masterpiece, including gathering feedback from beta readers, iterating through revisions and rewrites, and selecting an editor who understands both your genre and your personal writing style.
If the first draft is step one of your publishing journey, and the finished, polished draft your final destination, then the revision process makes up the rest of the way. Blaise offers guidance on interpreting reader feedback, determining the right time to finally stop rewriting, and when to move forward with a professional edit. This final process can improve your story, enhance its finer details, and add a layer of polish that, with the right editor, can elevate a good book into an exceptional one.
 
SG Blaise
https://sgblaise.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 EP105: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Serialization

In the ever-evolving landscape of self-publishing, the rise of the subscription and serialization model has opened new opportunities for writers and readers alike. This week on Fully Booked, we delve into the intricacies of crafting compelling serialized stories with the insight of Kimboo York, a seasoned author and podcaster with extensive experience in the subject. Her latest book, "Become an Unstoppable Storyteller: How to Craft Compelling Serials," sheds light on the art of creating engaging serialized story arcs that keep readers hooked across multiple installments. 
Our conversation explores the merits, challenges, and practicalities of serialized storytelling, along with strategies for maintaining reader interest even in stories that don’t have a definitive final installment in sight.  With details on some of the new and exciting platforms that have emerged in this space, along with their compensation models and limitations, this episode is essential listening for any author seeking to take control of their career and connect more directly with their audience through serialization.
 
Kimboo York
https://houseofyork.info/
Kimboo's Serialization Outline Spreadsheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E6I6Z4TwKgVtUTaid28J2ng_tSxU0HjauV9OievkcTE/edit#gid=0
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 EP104: The Story and Services of Hidden Gems

In today's special episode of Fully Booked, co-hosts Craig and Roland take a moment to step back and reflect on the journey of HiddenGemsBooks, a platform that offers a variety of services and resources for aspiring and established authors alike. They explore everything from the weekly author podcasts and blogs to the suite of practical tools and services designed to assist authors on their publishing journey from manuscript to market.
Craig and Roland share insights from their own writing paths, shedding light on the passions that drive their work before delving into the array of services and tools that Hidden Gems has launched over the past decade. These include tailored one-on-one consultations, professional blurb writing, in-depth beta reading, and the pioneering industry-leading ARC review service. With a significant new update to the ARC service on the horizon, Craig provides a sneak peek at what's to come and discusses how the enhancements were thoughtfully crafted to improve both the author and reader experience, as well as to adapt to the ever-evolving literary landscape.
 
Hidden Gems Author Services
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 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? 
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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? 
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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? 
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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