Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

Fully Booked EP83: Finding Inspiration at a Writing Retreat

In today's episode of Fully Booked, we're diving deep into the world of writing retreats with special guest Lisa Shaughnessy. Over the last few years, Lisa has spent her time building out a live searchable directory of these retreats, interviewing hosts and getting the details on all of the most creative and unique environments available. 
Lisa strongly believes in the transformative benefits of writing retreats, whether it's from the serenity of solo writing time or through the invigorating spark of collective creativity brought about by spending time with other writers. With so many different settings and venues, there is a getaway for every type of author looking to revitalize their writing journey; and Lisa explains to Craig and Roland where a writer can begin their search for the perfect venue. 
 
Lisa Shaughnessy
https://writingretreatdirectory.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 EP82: Seven Steps to Audiobook Success

This week, Fully Booked is diving back into the world of audiobook creation with actress and bestselling author, Jennifer Lieberman.  
Many authors choose to hire others to create or narrate their audiobooks, but it is possible to do everything yourself - which is the path that Jennifer chose to follow. It wasn't easy, however. Jennifer had to throw out her entire first recording attempt due to a variety of mistakes and the steep learning curve involved, but the process wasn't a complete waste of time. 
Eventually, Jennifer's experience provided her with the knowledge to write and publish her bestseller "Make Your Own Break: How To Record & Publish Your Audiobook in Seven Simple Steps". Join us as Jennifer shares her journey and insights, touching on all seven steps outlined in her book and why each one is important. If you've ever thought about what it takes to produce your own audiobook, Jennifer's advice and tips will set you on the path to success.
 
Jennifer Lieberman
https://makeyourownbreak.wordpress.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 EP81: Unraveling Genre Boundaries: Lessons from a Misfit Romance

In today's episode of Fully Booked, bestselling romance author Leah Busboom shares the intriguing results of a recent writing experiment. Last year, Leah took a chance and penned a novel that defied common tropes and deviated drastically from her usual type of romance. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of her worst-selling books.
Join us as Leah candidly recounts her daring journey, and how she discovered that simply having proven talent and a devoted fan base doesn't necessarily mean you can throw out genre expectations and norms that readers have come to expect. It's a cautionary tale for other authors contemplating trying something new, but it doesn't have to end the same way. Through her experience, Leah gained invaluable insights into the significance of understanding and meeting reader expectations, and time and self-reflection have provided her with ideas on how the book could have been more successful.
 
Leah Busboom
https://authorleahbusboom.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 EP80: The Collaborative Process of Working With Illustrators

In this episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland explore the challenges of creating illustrated books with award winning children’s author Terrel - one half of the mother/daughter partnership  behind the enchanting children's series "Once Upon a Dance." 
 
Terrel brings her stories to life through the collaboration with illustrators from all corners of the globe, guiding them as they craft mesmerizing covers and interior designs for her movement-inspired tales. From the inception of the series to the challenges of finding the perfect illustrators to work with, Terrel takes us through the entire process of meeting deadlines, navigating differing working and creative styles, and the importance of having clear contracts that cover all aspects of development. She also shares valuable insights into the interpersonal intricacies of working with illustrators, offering tips on finding the right people to work with and managing their production workflow. 
 
For authors looking to start working on illustrated books, this episode will be hugely valuable in helping to understand all that's involved in creating heartwarming illustrated tales filled with creativity and wonder with the fewest number of headaches! 
Terrel at Once Upon a Dance
https://onceuponadance.com/illustrate
 
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 EP79: How Can You Learn to Become a Better Writer?

Hemingway famously said of writers: “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” This was a philosophy he followed throughout his life - continuing to try and improve his writing even after he’d achieved both fame and fortune. But how can a writer improve their work? And does that improvement add value to a self-published author’s bottom line? 
Yes, argues this week’s guest on the Fully Booked podcast. Jane Warren is not just a successful author of YA and children’s fiction, but also an editing professional who shares the belief that writers should strive to continuously improve their craft; and she’s got plenty of ideas on how to do that. Not only did she get her Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing, but Jane frequently attends writer workshops, webinars and conferences.
In this discussion, Jane tells Craig and Roland about her own journey towards becoming a better writer, and what benefit authors may find from programs like an MFA, or simply by attending workshops and finding mentors. Either way, there is a lot of value for all authors in studying, learning and continuing to improve on their craft as they move through their career.
 
Jane Warren
www.janebairdwarren.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 EP78: From Concept to Creation: Kickstarting Your Book Project

Crowdfunding isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for authors, but it does offer immense potential for writers looking to provide their readers with special editions, anthologies, and other publishing ventures that require an upfront investment. In this episode of Fully Booked, we dive into how to leverage these aspects of Kickstarter with award-winning author Edward Willett, who successfully funded four story anthologies by using the platform. 
 
With Edward's experience to guide us, we explore the challenges and potential rewards crowdfunding offers authors. It's an insightful discussion that covers a variety of topics including strategies for setting up milestones, guidelines for crafting engaging reward levels, and how to surpass your funding goals. By the end of this episode, you'll be ready to launch a Kickstarter campaign of your own to help bring your next book project to life!
 
Edward Willett
https://edwardwillett.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 EP77: Unlocking the Author-Reader Bond via Social Media and Personal Appearances

Ernest Hemingway warned: “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life,” but it doesn’t need to be that way. In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland talk to USA Today bestselling author DC Gomez, who has amplified the impact of her writing career by making a personal connection with her readers - mostly via social media and by making live appearances at conventions and events across the United States.
 
While that might sound intimidating to a lot of authors, DC Gomez outlines not just the positive effect this has on her book sales, but also how rewarding it is to make real connections with real readers - often in real life. For those of us struggling with imposter syndrome and the desire to feel like a “real” writer, this episode will be deeply inspiring - and might even lead to you considering making a few live appearances yourself.
 
DC Gomez
https://dcgomez-author.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 EP76: The Art of Wit: Insights from a Veteran British Comedy Writer

In this episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland dive into the world of comedy writing with veteran British comedy writer and author Myron Edwards. With his vast experience and sharp wit, Myron shares invaluable insights on how to craft humor that leaves readers in stitches and elevates the quality and value of any written work. 
 
Throughout today's discussion, Myron reveals the secrets behind effective comedy writing, offering a treasure trove of practical advice. From sitcoms to stand-up routines, he discusses the nuances of different comedic mediums, exploring how the principles of comedy can be applied to enhance any genre of writing, as well as how comedy affects and resonates with people.
Myron Edwards
https://www.myronedwardsbooks.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 EP75: Crafting Authentic Characters: Writing Beyond Our Lived Experience

They often say, "Write what you know," but what happens when our stories demand characters who are vastly different from ourselves? In today's episode of Fully Booked, author Katie Marie joins us to help discuss the challenges of creating diverse characters that push the boundaries of our own experiences.
Katie is the perfect guest for this topic, after defying expectations by crafting a novella featuring an elderly gentleman with dementia, despite being in her 30s when she wrote it. Through that experience she learned about the complexities of writing characters so distinct from ourselves, and she is careful to highlight the crucial role of research, empathy, and humility that should be used in capturing their essence.
Katie offers valuable advice on how authors can authentically portray characters outside their own lived experiences, emphasizing the significance of stepping outside our comfort zones to create rich, diverse narratives. The important thing is to avoid stereotypes, conduct thorough research, and seek input from knowledgeable sources. By doing these things, authors can expand their creative horizons and craft characters that resonate with readers from all walks of life.
 
Katie Marie
https://katiemariewriter.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 EP74: Choosing Your Publishing Destiny: Traditional, Self, or Hybrid?

In previous episodes of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland have spoken with a number of authors about what inspired them to choose one particular path toward publication over another. In today’s episode, they’re joined by Dr. Roger Leslie in taking that discussion further - providing a deep dive into the three main options available: Traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing.
An author himself, and now head of his own hybrid publishing company, Dr. Leslie uses his professional insight to explore the crucial factors that authors should consider when making the decision of who to trust with the publication of their book - such as the apparent credibility and wide reach of traditional publishing, the intimacy and personalized attention offered by smaller presses, or the creative autonomy and professional guidance found in the hybrid approach.
If you’re looking to reach a wider audience with your book, this episode will provide a lot of value - giving you all the insights you need to choose the publishing path that aligns best with your personal goals and aspirations.
 
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