Audiobooks for Authors with Jenny Hoops (Jenny Hoops)

I’m Jenny Hoops, and I’ve produced thousands of audiobooks and articles for Audible, all from my cozy home studio that used to be a storage closet. I recorded and edited my first audiobook just before I turned 50,  and I learned from industry pros how to get the best sound and use the same software the studio professionals use. And if I could learn how to do it, starting out knowing nothing about the tech or the industry standards, so can you.

If you’re an author who would love to have an audio edition of your books, but you’ve been put off by the high cost of hiring a narrator and the hard-to-understand computer programs, well then this podcast is for you.

Three easy steps you can take to make sure your recording session is efficient and error-free, so you don't get charged an arm and a leg by your audio editor.

PLUS! I mention the amazing recording session I had recently with author Lana Skauge, who recorded her entire book without a single pickup. Find out what her secret is for perfect recording!

All that and more at Audiobooks for Authors with Jenny Hoops!

Taking a bit of a break from lessons, in this episode Jenny talks about some of the little things you can do to lift your performance to pro-level.

Everything you need to set up a professional-sounding home studio without breaking the bank

What do authors want to know about audiobooks? Last weekend I sat on a panel of audiobook experts, at the world-famous WordBridge Writers Conference in Lethbridge, Alberta. Joining me to discuss current trends in audiobook production and answer burning questions from the audience of writers and publishers, were fellow audiobook professionals Heather Firth and Steve Campbell. Between us, we have over twenty-five years of audiobook production experience, fifty thousand hours of audiobooks produced, and hundreds of audiobook titles!

In today's episode, I discuss the top three questions that we were asked at our conference session - and funny enough, those are the same questions that the three of us are ALWAYS asked when we talk about audiobook production.

I give special shout-outs to authors who recorded their own books, both in their own homes and in my studio here at Snowdog Audio - check out their audiobooks for great examples of awesome audiobook narration by the author:

Norman Bacal ~ Take Charge

Dr. Caroline Brookfield ~ The Reluctant Creative

Janet Wiszowaty ~ ed., The Year the World Paused

Karen Stewart ~ Divorce the Fair Way

Wakefield Brewster ~ WakeWord

As always, please connect with me if you have any questions about audiobooks, or have a suggestion for a topic you'd like me to discuss ~ jenny@snowdogaudio.com

Happy listening :-)

In this episode, you learn if you are ready to start recording your audiobook, and get a handy check-list

Here's what you need to know about good (and some free!) recording programs that will help you sound like a professional

This is the episode you've been waiting for! You've recorded your raw audio, you've proof listened as best you can - now what? In this episode, I give you tips for finding a great editor who cares about your deadlines and audio quality, and is competent to do the work (hint, it's not your neighbour's computer-genius kid).

Like and subscribe today :-)

In this episode, I talk about all the little things that can wreck your perfectly good recording, and what you can do about them. From common tech issues to all the weird noises that emanate from us as we speak, I draw on my own years of experience as an audiobook producer, as well as the shared experience of thousands of professional narrators. You are not alone, and you can bet that lots and lots of people have had exactly the same issue that you're having right now - so don't panic, there is always a solution to your problem, and I share with you the most common problems narrators face and how to solve them.

Step-by-Step Guide for Authors to record their book using Audacity

"I'm intimidated by the software" - said almost every author I've ever worked with. If the software was easier to use, I know more authors would be willing to record their own audiobooks.

I want to break down barriers to audiobooks for authors, and it seems like many, many authors hit this particular technological barrier. One of the simplest, easiest-to-use recording programs, that has punch & roll capability, is Audacity, available at https://www.audacityteam.org

So, let's break down, step-by-step and click-by-click, how to record your audiobook, using the popular (and free!) audiobook recording software program Audacity. It's easier than you think!

In this episode you'll learn how to, using Audacity:

• Download the software
• Test your recording levels
• Push the right buttons to record, stop, and punch & roll
• Save your audio files so they don't get out of order
• Connect better with your listeners, by pacing your reading

Links for today's episode:

AudacityTeam.org (software download site)

SnowdogAudio.com (Jenny's site)

Theme music by the amazing James Zachary

In this episode, you'll get a big boost of confidence! I respond to the big objections and barriers to authors self-recording their books, and why you - yes, you! - are just like me. And if I can do it, learning at age 50 with no recording experience, then so can you! And you'll hear about some of my favourite authors that I've worked with, and how they overcame their own doubts to record great-sounding audiobooks.

I mention my book, The Dance of Success (available in print, e-book, and audiobook - of course!). Find it here

I mention these self-recording and self-published authors (there are no affiliate links here, I don't get any money for recommending them - I just really admire these authors):

Norman Bacal, author and narrator

Janet Wiszowaty, author and narrator:

Susan Sommers author and speaker:

Dr. Caroline Brookfield, author, speaker and narrator

Let me know how YOU have overcome your doubts and barriers to success!

jenny@snowdogaudio.com

In this episode, Jenny teaches the all-important audio recording skill of - drumroll please! - Punch and Roll. No, this is not what happens when you get frustrated with your computer. This is an audiobook industry essential skill - and it's one that will save you both time and money. You will be amazed at how quickly you will become expert in this critical audiobook recording method!