Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Fully Booked EP93: Write or Wrong: The ethics of AI-Generated Text and Art for Authors

As generative AI advances at a breakneck pace, it poses pressing questions and concerns for both authors and artists. With a variety of tools and services available that can generate cover images, advertisements, and even entire written works, the legality of their use is being questioned by several lawsuits.
Join us in this episode of Fully Booked, in which Craig, Roland, and Hidden Gems designer Nate Allison attempt to offer a fair and balanced perspective on these critical issues through discussion and debate. While it might be years before the legal landscape around AI-generated content is finally determined, it is essential for current users of these tools to grapple with the moral and ethical dilemmas that affect both creators and creatives. By understanding the concerns raised by artists and authors, you can make informed decisions about the use and potential risks of generative text and image creation within your own work.
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP92: Licence to Thrill: How To Structure Satisfying Thrillers and Mysteries

From the intriguing mysteries of Agatha Christie to the heart-pounding thrills of Lee Child's novels, there's no doubt that readers have an insatiable appetite for well-structured, satisfying page-turners. But have you ever wondered what it takes to craft one? That’s the question Craig and Roland pose to this week's guest, award-winning author of over 40 thriller and mystery novels, Raymond Benson.
While Raymond is most renowned for his officially-licensed James Bond continuation novels, he has also earned a well-deserved reputation for crafting beautifully-crafted stories that are not just satisfying but utterly addictive. In today's episode, Raymond shares his invaluable strategies and techniques for planning and executing writing projects efficiently and effectively, ensuring they consistently meet and exceed reader expectations.
 
For authors who take their writing seriously and want to learn about structure from a respected craftsman, this episode is essential listening.
Raymond Benson
https://raymondbenson.com/
Hidden Gems
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Fully Booked EP91: The Second Life of Your Book: The Dos and Don’ts of Self-Republishing

Traditional and independent publishers are continuing to struggle. As a result, more and more previously-published authors are deciding to try self-publishing when they regain the rights to books that had previously been traditionally published. 
While this offers authors an opportunity to breathe new life into their old books, it’s not necessarily the most straightforward process to self-publish a book that already exists on Amazon. Many authors have concerns about whether or not they can access previous reviews, how multiple editions of the same book might show up on Amazon, and whether issues will arise with copyright.
Fortunately for those authors, award-winning science fiction and fantasy author Edward Willett has navigated the treacherous process of republishing books many times before - both for his own works, and those of the many authors he works with. In this episode of Fully Booked, Edward explains to Craig and Roland how authors should go about republishing their previously-published books, what things they can leverage from their book’s previous editions on Amazon, and issues to be aware of as they breathe new life into their beloved old work.
 
Edward Willett
https://edwardwillett.com/
 
Hidden Gems
Need our help publishing or marketing your book? 
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All episode details and links: 
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