In this episode of Fully Booked, we’re joined by author and book coach Jen Braaksma, who shares her journey from teacher to full-time writing coach, and how that path shaped the way she helps writers bring their stories to life. With experience working with over a hundred authors while also publishing her own novels, Jen offers insight into what a book coach actually does and the role guidance can play when a manuscript isn’t quite coming together.

Jen shares a fascinating case where she was asked to help shape and finish a manuscript written by an author who had passed away, forcing her to find the story’s voice and connective thread without being able to speak to its creator. Using that experience as a lens, the conversation expands into the broader challenges writers face, from identifying what a story is really about maintaining consistency, structure, and momentum through revisions. It’s a thoughtful look at how raw ideas become cohesive books, and what it takes to turn a draft into something that truly works.

Jen Braaksma https://www.jenbraaksma.com/

Hidden Gems

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In this week’s episode of Fully Booked, Craig and Roland are joined by science fiction author Evan Kidwell for a conversation about why power-driven social hierarchies remain such a compelling force in YA fiction. Using the caste system and bloodline structure from his own debut novel as a starting point, Evan explains how stories built around rank, exclusion, and emerging power speak directly to the adolescent experience.

The episode also explores the emotional pull of underdog stories, the role of flawed, hierarchical societies in fiction, and the challenges around building complex fantasy worlds shaped by power, status, loyalty, and survival. Together, these storytelling elements help explain some of YA’s most enduring hooks, and why readers keep returning to them not only in their teens, but as adults as well.

Evan Kidwell https://www.timeaousspark.com/

Hidden Gems

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In this episode of Fully Booked, we welcome back returning guest Clay Vermulm to explore what truly makes horror work. Is it simply monsters, gore, and jump scares, or something far deeper? From grief and catastrophic loss to the power of isolation, our discussion takes us through the core emotional elements that allow great horror to connect with readers. By personifying these universal fears as supernatural forces, horror writers give shape to the emotions we often struggle to confront in real life.

Clay also shares practical insight for authors looking to craft their own unsettling fiction. He explains why character development is the foundation of fear, how real stakes elevate tension, and why every on page death must feel earned. By grounding terror in authentic human experience, writers can create stories that linger with readers long after the final terrifying chapter. Whether you're already writing horror or simply want to better understand its enduring appeal, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the psychology and craft behind fiction that truly frightens.

Clay Vermulm https://www.clayvermulmfiction.com/

Hidden Gems

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This week, Fully Booked welcomes back author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh for a thoughtful conversation about second editions and what it really means to revisit a published book. While the lifeblood of a sustained writing career often lies in sequels and new releases, there are compelling strategic and creative reasons to update and republish an older work. From expanding content and incorporating new research to strengthening earlier writing, adjusting pricing, and rethinking marketing, this discussion explores the practical and emotional considerations behind giving a book a second life.

Drawing from her own experience preparing a significantly expanded edition of her nonfiction work on grief and addiction, Randi-Lee shares how time, therapy, and deeper research reshaped her perspective and strengthened the book’s impact. She also outlines why fiction authors might consider releasing second editions, anniversary editions, or special releases of their own. If you have ever wondered whether to revise, relaunch, or simply move on to the next manuscript, this episode offers clear insight into making that decision without alienating your readers.

Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

https://www.rbwriting.ca/

Hidden Gems

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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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