Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with debut author Ben Leman to discuss the long and often humbling road from idea to finished novel. What began as a deeply personal promise to a friend evolved into years of research, multiple full rewrites, and a deliberate commitment to getting the story right before sharing it with readers. Ben walks us through the realities of drafting, scrapping, rebuilding, and learning how...

Credibility and authenticity are two of the qualities that make crime thrillers work, but without insider knowledge they can be difficult to achieve. In this episode of Fully Booked, former detective Peter J. Charles joins Craig and Roland to break down what authenticity really means in crime fiction, and why the details readers cannot always articulate are often the ones that make a story feel true. Drawing on decades of real expe...

In this episode of Fully Booked, science fiction author Pat Daily shares the story behind his break from traditional publishing and the hard-earned lessons that led him to take full ownership of his work. From slow production timelines to editorial mishandling and rigid contracts, Pat walks through the key decisions that led him to buy back the rights to his debut novel and transition to self-publishing.

While going independent bro...

As AI continues to reshape the publishing landscape, authors are being pulled into a complex debate around data, rights, and compensation. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, we’re joined by publishing veteran Julie Trelstad to explore how writers can protect and profit from their work in an increasingly AI-integrated world. Julie introduces Amlet, a forward-looking rights registry designed to help authors retain control over h...

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we explore one of the most critical decisions in the publishing process: how to choose the right editor for your book. Developmental editor and book coach Sue Toth joins us to explain the different types of editing, how they compare to coaching, when and why professional support is worth the investment, and how to prepare your manuscript before handing it off.

Specializing in series editing, ...

In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, author Tricia Copeland joins Craig and Roland for an in-depth look at fantasy world-building and character-driven storytelling. Tricia shares how her initial story idea evolved into a four-book series of interconnected realms, and how that experience ultimately propelled her into the realm of YA fantasy. From hybrid vampire-witches navigating identity to anxiety-stricken fairy queens thrust i...

Marketing can be one of the most daunting challenges for authors, especially those who would rather be writing than promoting. In this episode of Fully Booked, we speak with Kae Wagner, founder of the Bold Authors Network, about how writers can shift from dreading marketing to embracing it as an essential part of being a self-publisher. Drawing from decades of marketing experience and her own journey as a writer, Kae shares modern,...

In this special year-end roundup, Craig and Roland look back at some of the biggest developments and trends that shaped the self-publishing world in 2025. It was a year defined by the continuing rise of AI, but in some ways, it also sparked a renewed push for authors to make stronger connections with their audiences. Not only do the hosts recap key moments and movements from the past year, but they also offer insights into what the...

What does it take to turn a passion for writing into a sustainable, income-generating career? In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, we sit down with Maria Secoy, founder of All Write and an experienced book coach, who shares a clear and practical path for writers ready to take control of the business side of publishing. From managing production costs to building a publishing schedule that works with Amazon’s algorithm, she offers...

What if the book you’re writing isn’t really the product you’re selling? In today's episode of Fully Booked, publishing strategist Michael R. Drew takes us through the deeper business logic behind nonfiction publishing. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience and over 130 bestsellers, Michael explains why the most successful nonfiction authors begin not with the book itself, but by first defining the outcome they want it to a...

Although some view symbolism as something readers discover after the fact, many authors use it deliberately from the very beginning as a tool to add cohesion and depth to their stories. In this week's episode of Fully Booked, visual artist and fantasy author Riley S. Quinn shares how authors can build symbolism into the foundation of their creative process. By doing so, she argues, writers can create more immersive, emotionally res...

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...