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 www.allwritewell.com

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 https://promoteabook.com/

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 https://www.rileyquinnart.com/

Hidden Gems

Need our help publishing or marketing your book?

https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/

All episode details and links:

https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast