Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

What makes a short story scary? In today's episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with short fiction author Monte Crabbs, whose stories blend horror, mystery, and a touch of dark humor. Drawing from his background as a school librarian and longtime horror fan, Monte shares how everyday anxieties and personal experiences can be transformed into chilling stories that linger with readers. He explains why horror, when done right, connect...

This week on Fully Booked, we’re exploring the world of book coaching with Liisa Kovala, a certified book coach and former educator who brings deep insight into how authors can benefit from guided support throughout their writing journey. From idea development to drafting, from pitching to prepping, Liisa shares the practical, emotional, and professional value that coaching can offer writers at any stage of their careers.

Alongside...

This week on Fully Booked, we speak with Tyler Wagner, founder of Authors Unite, about what it really takes to turn a book into a bestseller. Wagner walks us through the systems and strategies he uses to help thousands of authors hit major bestseller lists on Amazon, USA Today, and more. He explains how these campaigns can deliver a return on investment by elevating a book’s visibility and positioning the author as a trusted expert...

For the 200th episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland go solo to reflect on how much the self-publishing world has evolved since the podcast first launched almost four years ago. This milestone discussion explores the industry’s biggest shifts, from the rise of direct sales and the decline of platform dependence to the growing need for authentic reader relationships. It’s a wide-ranging, state-of-the-industry conversation rooted ...

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore the fascinating frontier where science fact meets science fiction. Our guest is debut author Nicholas Keating Casbarro, whose background in medical devices and deep-dive research habits have fueled the creation of a richly detailed hard sci-fi series set 700 years in the future. From warp bubbles to quantum entanglement, Casbarro explains how he grounds speculative technologies in ...

Although short fiction often gets overshadowed in today’s market-driven publishing landscape, for many writers it’s where the most vital work begins. That’s why, in this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we examine both the creative and commercial realities of writing short stories. Our guest is author Chris Kauzlarich, a hobbyist turned published writer who uses short fiction to build both his craft and his audience. From initial in...

This week on Fully Booked, we’re joined by Aaron Calafato, creator of the acclaimed podcast "7 Minute Stories", which has reached over 30 million listeners. A master of short-form storytelling, Aaron shares how he builds powerful connections with his audience through a personal process he calls “story catching.” By drawing meaning from everyday experiences and telling them with clarity and heart, he has carved out a unique space in...

What does it take to go from decades in biopharmaceuticals to publishing a time-travel mystery novel? In today’s episode of Fully Booked, debut author Mark Wilson shares how he applied his scientific mindset to the unpredictable world of fiction writing. From mapping out timelines on graph paper to learning key storytelling principles through trial and error, Mark walks us through the unexpected but rewarding journey that led to hi...

In this week's episode of Fully Booked, we speak with a young adult dystopian author whose years of humanitarian work across conflict zones have given her fiction an uncommon depth. Drawing on firsthand experience in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Sierra Leone, CC Robinson explains how real-life crises shaped her understanding of survival, resilience, and human connection, and how these insights now fuel her gripping post-apocalyptic s...

When self-published authors invest in outside help, the goal is to amplify their work, not end up worse off than when they started. Yet that is sometimes the unfortunate reality, especially when authors don't do enough due diligence before handing over their hard-earned money. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, author Aspry Jones shares a candid account of how he fell victim to a publicist who overpromised, underdelivered, and...

Publicity is one of the most misunderstood parts of an author’s career, and in this episode of Fully Booked, we break down what it really involves. Publicist and author Terena Bell joins Craig and Roland to explain how writers can approach publicity with clear goals, whether the aim is to sell more copies, reach new readers, or secure recognition in libraries and the media.

From podcasts and library pushes to finding unexpected out...

When mass market publishing first started, short and sweet “dime novels” were all the rage. Over the decades, books have fattened up considerably, with some of the most popular modern fiction weighing in at nearly 800 pages (I’m looking at you, A Court of Silver Flames!)

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland welcome returning guest Terrance Layhew back to the podcast to discuss whether it’s time to embrace a retu...

For aspiring authors navigating the world of self-publishing, the path to success is lined with potential missteps. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, publishing consultant and seasoned author Michelle Hill joins Craig and Roland to break down the most common mistakes that can derail new writers. Drawing from her journey as a “recovering ghostwriter” and her extensive experience guiding nonfiction authors, Michelle shares prac...

This week, Fully Booked turns the conversation to the complex and often misunderstood world of dark romance and the anti-heroes that readers obsess over. Actor, coach, and author M.C. Paas joins Craig and Roland to explore the emotional depth and psychological nuance behind stories of morally gray characters, dangerous obsessions, and high-stakes relationships. Drawing on her upbringing in post-Soviet Estonia, M.C. reveals how pers...

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 sh...

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 t...

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 ...

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.

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 ...