Bestselling science fiction author Rick Partlow joins Fully Booked to discuss one of the most elusive skills in publishing: sustained productivity. With nearly 90 novels written since 2011 and an average output of 3,000 words a day, Rick explains how disciplined routines, detailed outlining, and long-term series planning have enabled him to build expansive fictional universes without losing momentum. From the early days of KDP, when 99 cent pricing helped him find his first wave of readers, to building a sustainable publishing career, this episode explores what it truly takes to turn writing into a lasting profession.

Rick walks us through the practical mechanics behind his success, including why he transitioned from discovery writing to deep structural outlining, how tools like NotebookLM help him maintain continuity across dozens of books, and why partnering with specialist publishers transformed his business. He also shares candid insights on discipline, avoiding burnout, alternating series to stay creatively sharp, and making the mindset shift from hobbyist to professional. For authors seeking greater output without sacrificing story quality, this conversation offers a clear and actionable path forward.

Rick Partlow

https://rickpartlow.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 to step back from your own work with enough objectivity to truly improve it.

While the historical backdrop of his novel presented unique challenges, the lessons Ben shares apply to authors in any genre. Drawing on his business background, he approached writing and publishing with a strategic mindset, from working with early readers and editors to developing a targeted marketing plan and retaining control of his rights. His insights on discipline, daily habits, focus, and treating authorship as a professional endeavor offer practical guidance for anyone serious about building a sustainable writing career.

Ben Leman

https://www.benlemanauthor.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 experience, Peter explains how surveillance, interview technique, and informant work are commonly misrepresented, and how small but critical choices can separate a convincing procedural from one that simply feels wrong.

Peter also shares how he translated his real-world background into a practical approach to craft. After publishing his first novel, he began studying story structure, refining his prose, and using modern tools to strengthen his writing. The result is a body of work that moves confidently beyond his law enforcement and intelligence career into accomplished crime and thriller fiction. For authors writing stories that rely on police work or intelligence, this conversation offers clear, practical takeaways to help make scenes sharper, procedures believable, and narratives more authoritative.

Peter J Charles https://www.peterjcharles.co.uk/

Hidden Gems

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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 brought greater creative control and stronger reader engagement, it also came with new challenges such as sourcing the right editorial support, managing marketing, and treating writing like a business. Pat’s experience with traditional publishing wasn’t entirely negative, and reflecting on those trade-offs has him thoughtfully considering whether it might be worth revisiting in the future. Today’s discussion offers a grounded look at what it means to take control of your writing career and why, for some authors, handing back a bit of that control may still have its place.

Pat Daily https://thepatdaily.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 how their content is used in training and generating AI tools, and discusses the growing movement toward standardized digital identifiers across the industry.

From understanding what current and future AI models are really looking for to navigating the legal gray areas of past data scraping, this conversation offers a fascinating and compelling look at what’s next for digital rights management. We also examine how the publishing industry is experimenting with new licensing models and why authors must begin thinking beyond traditional copyright. If you're wondering how to futureproof your work or strategically engage with the rise of AI, this episode is essential listening.

Julie Trelstad

https://amlet.ai/

Hidden Gems

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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, Sue offers insight into the unique challenges series present, from tracking character arcs to maintaining continuity across multiple books. She shares practical strategies like starting a series bible early and ensuring your editor has access to it. As she explains, choosing an editor isn't just about skill, but also about compatibility. A strong author-editor relationship can make all the difference in shaping your story into the best version of itself. Whether you're writing your debut novel or managing a multi-book arc, this episode is packed with valuable advice for every stage of the process.

Sue Toth https://suetoth.com/

Hidden Gems

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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 into leadership, Tricia’s characters are as layered as the richly imagined worlds they inhabit.

By walking us through her creative process, Tricia reveals how she builds immersive fantasy realms around the emotional arcs of her characters. Rather than beginning with a map or magic system, she starts with internal conflict and personal stakes, allowing the world to take shape in response. Drawing from real-life experience and relatable struggles, she shows how moral complexity can be woven into speculative fiction through characters who break societal rules or challenge tradition. Whether you're blending genres or managing the continuity of a multi-series universe, today’s episode offers valuable insight into crafting fantasy that feels both imaginative and deeply human.

Tricia Copeland www.triciacopeland.com

Hidden Gems

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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, practical strategies for building visibility, engaging readers, and laying the groundwork for long-term success.

From mindset shifts to metadata, Kae explains how authors can approach marketing without compromising their creative identity. She discusses why series are powerful, how AI is changing book discovery, and why often-overlooked tools like press releases are worth revisiting. Whether you're a debut author or looking to expand your reach, this conversation delivers clear, actionable advice to help you connect your books with the readers who are looking for them.

Kae Wagner https://kaewagner.simplero.com/page/592727-bold-authors-network

Hidden Gems

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