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

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

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

Hidden Gems

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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 future might hold for the author community.

From the growing acceptance of AI tools (despite ongoing legal challenges), to the increasing accessibility of audiobook production, the landscape for indie authors is evolving rapidly. Craig and Roland explore how genre shifts like the surge in romantasy are opening new paths for creative experimentation, and why more authors are turning to direct sales and special print editions to deepen reader engagement. With 2026 now underway, authors can stay ahead of the curve by not only understanding where self-publishing currently stands, but where it may be headed next.

Hidden Gems

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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 a grounded approach to balancing creativity with strategy.

Drawing on her background in education and research, Maria outlines her four-stage model of author development and explains how to align writing goals with long-term growth. In addition, she breaks down key financial concepts, including return on ad spend and series readthrough value, giving authors a framework for making data-informed decisions while staying connected to the heart of their work. Regardless of where you are in your publishing career, today's insights will help you move forward with confidence and a clear path to success.

Maria Secoy

Hidden Gems

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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 achieve. From there, they determine how to measure success, create a strategy to support that goal, and finally use the book as one of the tactics to help fulfill it. In this way, the book becomes a powerful tool to grow a platform, drive business objectives, and establish lasting thought leadership.

Michael also shares how nonfiction authors can market their books ethically and effectively by focusing on long-term relationships rather than quick wins. Through real-world examples, he illustrates how clarity of purpose and consistent audience engagement can make a book far more impactful. That's why for many non-fiction authors, their book is not the end goal, but simply a tool to elevate the real product — their platform, expertise, and the value they bring to their audience.

Michael R. Drew

Hidden Gems

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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 resonant narratives that remain thematically focused from start to finish.

Riley draws on her background in animation and storyboarding to show how symbolic elements can shape every layer of a story, from character development to the world they inhabit. By pulling from personal experiences and details from everyday life, authors can create symbols that add emotional weight and thematic cohesion. Even the setting becomes part of this symbolic framework, offering opportunities for deeper connection through intentional design. When every element in a story has purpose, the world, characters, and narrative begin to feel inseparable and part of a single, unified vision.

Riley S. Quinn

Hidden Gems

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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, connects on a deep psychological level and how, when presented in fiction, it can even offer readers a “safe scare.”

Our discussion explores the craft of writing creepiness into ordinary moments, building tension with brevity, and striking the right balance between scares and levity. Monte also offers insight into the role of endings in short horror, what makes a satisfying psychological twist, and how paying attention to the world around you can spark unforgettable ideas. Whether you’re a horror author or simply interested in adding a bit of eeriness to your own writing, this conversation is full of practical takeaways and creative inspiration.

Monte Crabbs

Hidden Gems

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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 the many benefits of hiring a coach, we also discuss the rigorous training behind certification, the evolving nature of the writer–coach relationship, and the realities aspiring authors face in today’s publishing landscape. Liisa also shares her views on the importance of feedback, the pitfalls of unstructured critique groups, and how small-group programs can be a game-changer for productivity and confidence. If you’ve been considering ways to move your book forward, this episode offers an in-depth look at the tools, mindset, and support systems a skilled book coach can provide.

Liisa Kovala

Hidden Gems

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