The Creation of Lyrical Embrace, Audiobook
When my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, returned my audio rights to me last year, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I was hoping to go with them to get my latest release, Lyrical Embrace, into audio, but now that was a no-go. I procrastinated for months until I read a few posts on the TWRP forum about my fellow authors’ experiences in getting their books narrated. Everyone was using ACX, which is a subdivision of Amazon. After a bunch of research and chatting with those authors, I finally strapped on my big-girl panties and took the plunge.
After getting an account through ACX, I posted a script and listed the audio project as Royalty Shares, which means my narrator and I will split the royalties 50/50. I didn’t have to pay anything upfront or later. A few weeks passed and I hadn’t received any auditions. Turns out, I made a classic newbie mistake. Narrators don’t typically browse for scripts to audition for; the author needs to research the thousands (yes, there’s that many) of narrators available, listen to their audio samples, and email them, requesting they audition. That sounds like a daunting task, but I was able to narrow the search parameters with key words. I ended up listening to about 30 narrators and contacted half that many. Of those, only six narrators auditioned.
When I first heard Georgeann Haynes’s audition (she’s credited as Georgia Allens), I couldn’t stop smiling. She jumped right to the top of my list. I’m so glad she accepted my contract. It’s been wonderful working with her. For anyone who is interested in working with Georgeann, here’s her link: https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A1ZH1M23SK7MER
Anyway, the whole process of getting this story published into audio took about three months (from uploading my script to release day). ACX has given Georgeann and me 50 codes each, so we can give them out to listeners and reviewers.
I also had to get an audiobook cover made since I couldn’t use the ebook cover. Thankfully, my publisher assured me that I could create a cover similar but not exact to the ebook version. Purchasing book covers can be expensive, so I bought the pictures I needed from Deposit Photos and plunged into graphic design research. I downloaded a free software called GIMP, which is similar to Photoshop, and created the cover myself (with the help of author friend CeeRee Fields, and various websites and YouTube videos). Once I figured out how to use GIMP, manipulating photos and creating my cover was a blast.
Getting this book narrated and published wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. I’m proud to say Lyrical Embrace is now available in the big bad world of audio listeners.
Thanks so much for reading. If you want to hear a sample, scroll on down.
Lyrical Embrace
Series: Deerbourne Inn (book 4)
Narrator: Georgia Allens
Audiobook Release Date: January 23, 2020
Ebook Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Ebook Release Date: February 11, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 40k
Heat Rating: 3 Flames
Blurb
Out-of-work violinist Erica Timberly decides enough is enough. She leaves her abusive boyfriend and flees the big city, but then her car breaks down in the middle of the night. Though wary of men, she accepts help from Dylan Haynes, a stranger driving by on the road, and soon recognizes him as the sexy former drummer of her favorite indie rock band. Maybe, just maybe, her run of bad luck is finally turning around.
Music teacher Dylan Haynes knows Erica is in trouble, and her black eye is only the first clue. The stubborn yet vulnerable woman needs a friend, but he’s determined to give her everything she deserves.
Will Erica listen to the music in her heart and trust Dylan, or will her past always threaten her future?
Excerpt
Dylan deepened the kiss and lightly tugged on her bottom lip. Tears streaked his flushed cheeks as he smiled at her. “I’m so grateful I found you, baby. I heard you screaming. When I saw that bastard press a gun to your head, my heart nearly exploded. I thought I might lose you. I promise you, Erica, I will never control you as Phil did. You will always have the ability to choose. I just want to make you happy.”
She gripped his hand and brushed her lips across his calloused knuckles. “I know. You do make me happy. You took a bullet for me.” A sob constricted her throat, but she pushed it down.
A blast of noise rent the air. Fireworks filled the sky, visible in the alley from the narrow stretch of space between the buildings.
Erica loved the bright colors and designs, but hardly cared about watching the spectacle. She dropped her gaze back to Dylan.
A grin spread across his face. “It’s been one wild Fourth of July. Why don’t we do something more low-key next year? How about no guns and crazy exes? Just us, the creek, and a bottle of wine. Clothing optional.”
She laughed softly, amazed he could make light of the situation. “That sounds perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Want to hear a sample?
Audio Buy Links (US)
Amazon – https://amzn.to/37zIyKx
Audible – https://adbl.co/36q03LL
iTunes – https://apple.co/2RlLmVH
Audio Buy Link (UK)
Amazon – https://amzn.to/38DbXUc
Audible – https://adbl.co/2uxsN8g
Interested in the ebook instead? You can grab a copy here:
Books2Read – http://books2read.com/u/m0MYaV
About the Author
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and four demanding cats. Feel free to visit her at http://www.amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook Author Page – http://www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AmberDaulton1
Street Team – https://www.facebook.com/groups/572204316296198/
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/amberdaulton5/
Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/amberdaultonauthor/
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/amberdaulton
Wow! Such a lot of work but well worth it. Wishing you great success with the audiobook, Amber!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith.
DeleteIt does sound like a lot of work, but it wasn't that bad once I got the hang of it.
Definitely worth it.
I agree with Judith, a ton of work. Good for you
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. I'm so happy I took the plunge and finally got this audio made.
DeleteEnjoyed reading about your experience with ACX, Amber. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Mary!
DeleteWell done, Amber! The book...in all its formats...is great. I loved the audio book.
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet! I'm happy you listened to and read it. :)
DeleteI really appreciated hearing about your process of going digital, Amber. Congratulations and best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I had a lot of fun getting the audio made, and doing the cover myself was a blast.
DeleteThank you for sharing your experience. Very useful info. Great blurb too. Drummers are the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amber, for your detailed account of the audiobook process!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts and stories with us.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your audio. Great work.
ReplyDeleteVery informative blog, Amber. Thanks for posting about your experience. I was wondering, after reading your post, whether you had any expenses beyond producing the cover. I've heard some say they had to pay studio time, about $200 per hour, even with royalty sharing. Was that the case in your experience?
ReplyDelete