Episode 044 / Cozy mystery author Nikki Haverstock joins us to talk about how to record fiction audiobooks. This episode is packed with Nikki’s practical tips for set-up, tools, and promotion ideas.
Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com.
In this podcast episode, you’ll discover:
- How Nikki learned she didn’t need a special dispensation to be a writer–that it’s more about hard work
- Why Nikki wishes she’d known that it’s okay that writing is hard
- How Nikki gives away some of her work get her books in front of the right people
- Why finding readers of your genre is critical for getting good feedback
- Why sometimes it’s okay to make “bad” business decisions on the basis of personal growth
- Why Nikki decided to narrate her fiction books
- Nikki’s tips for authors who want to narrate their books
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- Be okay with listening to your voice
- Be reasonably good with hunting out your own information on how to record and edit
- Listen to audiobooks
- Nikki’s recording set-up and tools:
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- Closet
- Blue Yeti
- Music stand with Kindle app to read from
- Hospital (adjustable height) table
- Audacity
- ACX check
- Set RMS
- Practical tips:
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- Records when her family is out of the house
- Claps when she makes a mistake so she can find it later
- Recommends recording a couple of minutes, then go through the whole process as if you were going to upload it
- Plan to set aside a few weeks to record and edit
- Do a visual first pass edit to remove mouth sounds and some breaths
- Use a standard amount of time for a scene break
- Do a proof listen after editing
- Keep three versions: raw version, edited version, and final filtered version
- Use Findaway Voices
- Set up Authors Direct storefront
Genres discussed include cozy mystery and paranormal cozy mystery.
Links:
Facebook Group: Authors who Narrate Their Own Audio
Sara’s tips/set-up/editing:
Audiobooks Made Easy Course from Derek Doepker (affiliate link)
Audio Technica ATR2100x (affiliate link)
Creative Penn Podcast interview with Derek Doepker
Outsourced audio editing: reid.loessberg (at) gmail.com
The Big List of craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes
I greatly appreciate the content in this episode (well, ALL the episodes, really!) I love the rapport you have with your guests and your unique questions have really encouraged me to look at the mistakes I’ve made in my short publishing career with a sense of humor and hope. Thank you. 🙂
I love pinning useful articles/podcasts to Pinterest for myself and my clients to help other authors find resources like you provide. I only found one episode (the awesome one with David Gaugharan) when I searched “wish I’d known then for writers.” If you add a pin-it button to your site, could you mention it on the podcast. I will be so excited to come back and spread the wisdom you are sharing. Have an amazing day!
Thanks for letting us know you appreciate the podcast! And great idea about the “pin it” button. We’ll add it to the “to-do” list. Thanks for the suggestion!
Okay, “pin-it” button is active! 🙂
I loved this interview. I am launching into my writing and narrating adventure and so much of what Nikki had to say supported the learning I have done so far. I feel more confident now knowing I am on the right track and the tips and advice she gave were so helpful. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Naomi. Glad it was helpful!