Wednesday, April 6, 2022

IWSG April: Audiobooks, News, and Writing Samples

 

Many thanks to the Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
and the co-hosts for this month's hop:

OPTIONAL April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

This is a timely question. The answer is yes, just recently. Liftoff is new for audiobook. I think the most challenging aspects for me were: 

1. Deciding on a platform. I went with ACX. It seemed simplest and most cost effective.

2. Deciding on a narrator. That was tough. Avelina McRines did an excellent job with all of my oddly named characters and places. 

3. Not letting personal life stuff get in the way of the final bits of releasing it. Actually, my personal life did take precedent, otherwise it would have been out in December, but it did come out in March.


NEWS

My church's podcast has been going well and is on Spotify, RSS.com as well as at our website, if you want to give it a listen. We have been working on a Lenten Journey through the Gospel of Mark.

Small Steps of Improved Health: I have been going to the gym and I would love to say my health has improved by leaps and bounds, but it is improving in small steps, and it is steady, so that is all good.

The Rayatana 3 is my main writing focus for April. I hope to have a revised version finished and prepped for my editor by the end of the month.

Dark Blade: Forged is my secondary focus. It's coming out on Kindle Vella and the first three episodes are free to read. 

I put out a query for one of my "trunk" books and I applied for an exciting part-time position for next fall, and the process for both of these made me take a close look at what I have accomplished, instead of what I haven't accomplished yet. Listing out what I've already finished was kind of wonderful and I recommend doing that if you feel stuck in a rut. 

In addition to all that, I got a temp job as a reading instructor for the summer. I'm looking forward to talking books with students online! :) My tutoring business has been small and I haven't had the energy to grow it, so for me, this is a growth and continuation of doing something I love (and actually get paid for doing). 

QUARANCON - THIS WEEK

Quarancon is a free, online writing conference for speculative fiction authors. The creators of the conference live in the UK, but the authors and publishers who are taking part are from around the world. April 5-11, as an attendee, a reader, and as a workshop teacher.  

Here's the "I look serious about a fun workshop" picture.

I'm not the only writer from IWSG involved in Quarancon.
L. Diane Wolfe is moderating a panel.
Damien Larkin is a panelist.

Also, a writer I know from IG, Jessa Forest, is moderating a panel and reading. 


CASSADARK

Our Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh has a new book out!


The award-winning series continues… CassaDark - iTunes– tinyurl.com/fs9nw8s2 Amazon– tinyurl.com/3e5tcdbu B&N– tinyurl.com/aupm8wst Kobo– tinyurl.com/fsj4tumj

CassaDark
By Alex J. Cavanaugh

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Release date – April 6, 2022
Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
Science fiction – Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space Exploration (FIC028130)
Print ISBN 9781939844842 $16.95 / eBook ISBN 9781939844859 $4.99

Links:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859
Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark








20 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

That's so awesome that you took the plunge and it worked out. I'm going to check out ACX. Thanks, Tyrean.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Congrats on all of your successes! That reading instructor job sounds awesome. And you know I'm all about the slow, small steps whether it's for working out or writing or anything in between. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

So much happening!! Congrats on all the goodies!
Audiobooks are in the One Day pile for me :)

Computer Tutor said...

Lots of interesting stuff in this post, Tyrean. I'm working on a healthier lifestyle, too, though with a Peloton (true to my introvert nature). I'll be interested in how Kindle Vella goes for you. It sounds intriguing, but haven't heard many success (or unsuccess) stories.

Leigh Caron said...

Wow...you're a busy lady. Good for you for sticking with your health goals. Congrats on all your writing efforts...and thanks for sharing about your audiobook.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for sharing my book.
Cool you have an audio book now.
So much exciting news!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Congratulations on all your success. Loved seeing Alex's book here :)

C. Lee McKenzie said...

Congratulations on getting your book into an audio format. Very smart.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on all that! A part time and temp job? I can't imagine.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Glad your health is improving, even if it's slower than you'd like. And you're got a lot of good writing projects in the works.

H. R. Sinclair said...

You have a lot of projects in the works. Congrats on the audiobook too!

Nick Wilford said...

Sounds like you have a lot of good stuff going on. And you make an audiobook sound achievable - I've never really looked into all the steps involved so this is helpful.

Quarancon sounds interesting. I think I've missed the boat this year, but hopefully it takes place next year too.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Hey all,

Thanks for stopping by! I may come back and reply to individual comments but would rather go visit your blogs.

For now...

To clarify, the temp job ends before the part-time job I'm hoping for begins.

Liza said...

"...the process for both of these made me take a close look at what I have accomplished, instead of what I haven't accomplished yet." These are marvelous words! Keep those feelings close to you and best wishes with your writing and tutoring projects.

Arlee Bird said...

Good for you on having your book in audio form. I imagine that will help you reach a wider audience.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Lori L. MacLaughlin said...

Congrats on your new audiobook and thank you for the advice! I've been hovering around the idea for a while but haven't seriously looked into it. I'll check out ACX. Glad your health is improving. I need to find some kind of exercise I can stick with. I sit too much for my job, which is not helping my weight management at all. I like what you said about listing your accomplishments. Positivity can be so uplifting. Good luck with everything!

C. Lee McKenzie said...

You are one busy lady/writer! I'm trying to imagine what it takes to put together all that you do. Podcast. Writing Conference. Job.

Pass the vitamins.

E. Arroyo said...

Wow! You are busy!

Fundy Blue said...

You have a lot going on, Tyrean! Health and fitness have been very much on my mind, so I'm cheering you on. Small steps add up. When I get discouraged, especially with health and fitness, I remind myself that it doesn't have to be all or nothing ~ Something is good. Just keep moving forward. Good luck with the job you applied for. May you get it!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better.

I'd like to do audio books, but it feels very complicated and expensive. I'm not sure it would pay off.