I’m currently listening to Memory Lane’s audiobook before I make it available!
Here’s the timeline of how this audiobook came to be…
Mid-October – I emailed narrator Heather Masters to inquire if she’d be interested in narrating Memory Lane (slated to release mid-February). All of my prior novels were produced by Recorded Books after my publisher sold them the audiobook rights. I’ve only ever commissioned one other audiobook, Then Came You (an epistolary novella which released in 2018). I knew back then that Heather was the perfect narrator for that project because I’d listened to her fantastic work narrating my good friend KE Ganshert’s The Gifting trilogy. Happily, Heather said yes. At that point, I listened to voice samples for male narrators on ACX (an audiobook production platform) until one voice stopped me in my tracks. Ryan Hudson. He came on board for the novella and I was delighted with how that project turned out.
This past October, Heather told me that she’d be happy to narrate Memory Lane but that she only had one slot open in the next six months — February. I wished I’d thought to reach out to her earlier so that I might have been able to release the audiobook at the same time as the print book and ebook. Lesson learned. At that point, I could have switched gears and tried to find another narrator who could fit my book into their schedule sooner. But I didn’t. I earnestly wanted Heather to do Memory Lane. Not only is she crazy talented but she’s great to work with — friendly and professional.
Heather still had Ryan’s contact info from the last audiobook they’d done together for me. She reached out to him and he signed on, too! DREAM TEAM.
Mid-November – The narration contract was signed, which specified the timeline and the responsibilities of the parties involved.
January 5-15 – I ran a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to fund the audiobook. My awesome readers showed up in force and we exceeded my goal.
Mid-January – I paid the narrators a retainer.
January 22 – I sent the narrators a manuscript that specified which of them was to read which sections. Note: Memory Lane is written in third person and the hero and heroine’s point of view scenes are interspersed. On rare occasions, I even switch point of view mid-scene. My vision for this audiobook was always for Heather to read all the sections written from the female point of view and Ryan to handle the male point of view sections. At this stage, I also gave the narrators character information on the entire cast. Photos, personality traits, age, how I imagined the characters sounded, etc.
February 5 – I received audio samples from both narrators. I listened and got back to them with suggestions. (They pretty much nailed it from the start. I only had one small request for each of them.)
March 4 – I received the finished files. For the past several days, I’ve been listening to the entire novel so that I can request final edits before the audiobook goes out into the world. I can’t resist sharing another sneak peek of Ryan’s narration so you’ll understand why I’ve been swooning all week long.
I’ll finish listening soon. The narrators will make my requested adjustments. And then it will be available to you! Currently, you can pre-order the audiobook of Memory Lane via my web site bookstore. Once it releases it will be available at all your favorite audiobook platforms.
I can’t overstate enough how thrilled I am with this audiobook. It’s been so satisfying to experience a novel of mine in audio the way I’ve always wanted it to sound. I’m proud of this one! I love these characters and the way the narrators brought them to life. If you see me around Dallas over the next few days smiling while wearing earbuds, you’ll know why.
Before I go, I wanted to tell you about the wonderful giveaway I’m offering to celebrate Memory Lane! Click here or on the image below to enter!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on
audiobook creation!
Becky Wade
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It’s cool to hear how an audiobook comes together. Thanks for sharing your process. Congratulations on the book!
Thanks, Deena!
I love audio books, and I can’t wait to listen to this one. I have my paperback copy from the kickstarter, but I’m sure I’ll buy the audio too. Loved the samples!!
I love audiobooks, too! They’ve more than doubled the number of books I read in a year. Plus, they make driving, cleaning, exercise, etc so much more fun.
I hope you will let us know how to find it once it is released. Thanks!
You bet!
What an involved process, Becky. But I can tell you enjoyed every minute of it. And I have to agree that Ryan’s voice is perfect for a strong, male hero. Very swoony.
Yep! I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Oh wow…I am so excited to hear thar Heather and Ryan are narrating Memory Lane too!! I loved their narration of Then Came You. I am so excited to listen to Memory Lane when it’s ready!! Yay!
Heather and Ryan are so talented! I love their narration style. 🙂
I have just gotten into audio books. As a busy mom of many and a sole proprietor of an online craft store, I don’t have as much time as I would like to sit and read, so audio books fill my head with stories while I race from one task to another.
P.S. Right now, I am listening to A Love Like Ours while I edit tutorials and craft next month’s newsletter. 😋
Can’t wait to listen to Memory Lane, Becky!
“audio books fill my head with stories while I race from one task to another” YES! Exactly! They do the very same for me. 🙂
I love audiobooks!! I listen to them every single day. And sometimes, I’ll even read the book while the narrators are reading it. I’m sure Heather & Ryan will hit this one out of the park!
I know a few other readers who love to read while listening! I haven’t tried that but it must create both an auditory and visual experience.
I imagine it’s quite fun and fulfilling to have more control over the audiobook process! I can’t wait to read or listen.
Thanks! Yes, this has been a rewarding process for sure.
This is so awesome, Becky! I LOVED the audio of Then Came You and I didn’t realize it was the same narrators doing Memory Lane so now I’m even more excited to listen to it! 😍
I’m an indie author and a few years ago I had one of my novellas turned into an audiobook. It was such a thrilling and incredible experience to listen to a narrator read the words I wrote! 😍
I have an audiobook recommendation for you if you’re ever looking for a romantic comedy (not Christian fiction, but completely clean) check out Compared by Kortney Keisel, it has dual narrators, but takes it one step further and the male narrator not only reads the hero’s POV but actually also reads every line spoken by a male character in the entire book, the female narrator does likewise and it is the coolest thing, almost like listening to a movie!
This whole process with the Kickstarter campaign for the audiobook and its development has been interesting to.I am waiting very impatiently for the audiobook. I did cave and buy the ebook, and the sample sounds wonderful!
I ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ audiobooks and have increased how many books I have been able devour because of them!
Thanks for sharing then process and sample!
I really enjoy audiobooks. I can get more things done while listening.
I am so thankful for audio books! I rarely have the time (or inclination) to sit down with a book, but I listen to audio books daily while I am doing other things. It makes tasks so much more enjoyable and I learn so much. Audio books are friends that do life with me.