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 practical insights for those looking to produce polished, professional books that stand out in today’s competitive market.

The discussion covers essential topics including professional editing, cover design, and how to avoid predatory publishing services, while also exploring the importance of creative vision, effective collaboration, and staying involved throughout the publishing process. For writers ready to take their craft seriously, Michelle’s advice offers a roadmap for avoiding costly errors and building a strong foundation for long-term success.

Michelle Hill https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCL4CN5V

Hidden Gems

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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 personal history and deep emotional awareness shape her writing, and why dark romance offers a safe space to explore the forbidden.

The discussion examines the ethics of writing taboo characters, the central role of consent in fiction, and the enduring appeal of protagonists who might be irredeemable in real life. M.C. explains how fantasy provides freedom rather than endorsement, and how these stories can bring catharsis, solidarity, and even healing. Whether you’re looking to craft your own unforgettable anti-heroes or curious about what makes them so irresistible to readers, this episode offers an unflinching look at why darkness can tell the most powerful love stories.

M.C. Paas https://mcpaaswrites.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 shares how the platform became more than just a newsletter, evolving into a community, a launchpad, and a sustainable creative outlet for his humorous and insightful work.

Whether you’re new to Substack or already experimenting with it, this discussion will give you a variety of practical ideas for using the platform to gain more control over your audience and writing. Among other things, Peter breaks down strategies for growing your subscriber base, the importance of defining a clear creative niche, and why reader feedback now matters to him more than ever. If you’ve been on the fence about Substack, this episode offers a compelling case for why it could be a game-changer for your self-publishing career.

Peter Moore https://petermoore.substack.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 the key steps many first-time authors overlook.

With more than a dozen titles to his name, Mike offers practical advice drawn from years of self-publishing experience and from guiding other authors through the process. He explains how to avoid costly formatting mistakes, manage ISBN decisions, and ensure that your book meets professional standards before it goes live. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from proofing, coordinating with designers, and navigating KDP’s print-on-demand limitations. For anyone beginning their print book journey, this conversation delivers a clear and realistic guide to creating a high-quality paperback without traditional publishing support.

Michael Pickard

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APFNIO

Hidden Gems

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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 the thinking and process behind updating and expanding his 2015 book into a dynamic new second edition; incorporating additional segments, making important revisions, and leveraging his now-larger social media footprint to reach an even larger global audience of James Bond fans.

If you’re a veteran of the self-publishing industry and want to breath new life into some of your older titles, you’ll find this episode a really useful perspective on how to improve, expand, and recapture the excitement that inspired you to write those books in the first place.

Joseph Darlington https://www.beingjamesbond.com/

Hidden Gems

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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.

Jason also offers his perspective on topics like writer’s block, career longevity and marketing for authors. He explores how mindset shapes creative output, how setting small daily goals can lead to major progress, and why understanding the business side of writing is essential. Whether you're writing part-time or aiming to become a more consistent and productive author, this episode offers clear and practical advice for building a sustainable writing life.

Jason Brick https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jason-Brick/author/B00H4INFBM

Hidden Gems

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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 a career in an industry where outcomes are often unpredictable, the economics of the Hollywood system, and the emotional toll of investing time and talent into stories that disappear into development limbo.

In a candid and revealing conversation, Johnson traces his path from indie success to selling scripts to major studios, only to watch them stall for reasons beyond his control. He breaks down the economics of spec scripts, the process and financial implications of rewrites, and shares hard-won advice on how to engage with studio notes without compromising your voice. For any author interested in the business and craft of screenwriting, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the industry's complexities and what it takes to survive and stay creative within it.

Alex R. Johnson https://haciendafilmsinc.com/

Hidden Gems

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In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, fiction author and marketing veteran Kae Wagner joins us to share how indie authors can approach publishing with a more strategic mindset. Drawing from her success with the Frankie Girl series, Kae explains how treating fiction as both art and product can lead to stronger sales, deeper reader engagement, and long-term growth.

She offers a wealth of practical insights that many fiction authors overlook, from building series with intention to understanding reader psychology and leveraging tools that drive real results. This conversation is packed with inventive and actionable marketing strategies that go far beyond the basics. If you're ready to take your writing career to the next level, this episode delivers the guidance to get you there.

Kae Wagner https://www.kaewagner.com/

The Bold Author's Network https://www.BoldAuthorsNetwork.com

Hidden Gems

Need our help publishing or marketing your book?

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