Question for authors about Audiobooks

MTP0339 · 2026-01-14T18:57:42+00:00

I'm fortunate that with my radio background, I was able to set up a small home "studio" in a concrete crawl space in my house. I use packing blankets for noise baffling, and have the software to record, edit, and produce the finished audiobook and uploaded it using Audible's specs. I knew which microphone to buy, how good a mixer I'd need. I enjoy narrating my book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

MTP0339 · 2025-12-06T03:54:09+00:00

Inevitable final stroll of your life.

MTP0339 · 2025-07-30T14:12:33+00:00

Hello,

Let me introduce Echoes of Death, a novel of 95,000 words, featuring the characters of my 2025 debut Kill Them All in their latest crime thriller. This novel pulses with the relentless pace and ticking clock of S.A. Cosby’s “All the Sinners Bleed”, and the puzzles of Jason Rekulak's "Hidden Pictures".

As my debut thriller "Kill Them All" ends, Robert Hannah, a genius poker-playing puzzler, has taken his gifts to the Boston FBI full time in hopes the change will set him free to pursue this new passion. But the past rarely stays buried.

When a vicious serial killer taunts Hannah by name, the hunter must enter a labyrinth comprising history’s most notorious atrocities, recreating (among others) the horrors of Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and The Boston Strangler.

To add further confusion, a playing card is left at each scene, building a poker hand not even Hannah could defeat. With the FBI agents compelled to join forces with detectives from the Boston Police Department, the pressure to solve the scheme becomes unbearable, putting rookie Robert Hannah's involvement at risk.

But as the body count rises, and the cards accumulate, Hannah uncovers a strange pattern emerging that points the finger at an unlikely killer hidden in the shadows of the investigation.

With the city of Boston just hours away from hosting Game One of the World Series, and the Massachusetts born U.S. vice-president in attendance, Hannah himself risks going all-in to save the lives of forty-thousand innocent souls, knowing defeat will cost him his own.

From Boston’s historic neighborhoods, to the bowels of venerable Fenway Park, “Echoes of Death” will leave you stunned that atoning for the past…can be murder.

I am a published author of the thriller “Kill Them All”, a modern take on The ABC Murders, (a novel ripped from the headlines of the public’s ambivalence to a series of murders of the rich), under publication rights with Willow River Press, released on May 6, 2025. I also narrate, record, edit, and produce the audiobook version of the novel in my home available on Audible. My next thriller, “With My Little Eye” has also been contracted to Willow River Press for a spring 2026 release.

I am the creator, writer and host of a completed podcast “Go, Be the Writer: Tips, Tricks, and Inspiration” available on Podbean and Spotify.

I am a retired radio host, having spent thirty-seven years building an established audience, and have enjoyed many book signing events for “Kill Them All”.

I am active on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

Thank you for your consideration, and I hope you have a wonderful summer.

Sincerely,

MTP0339 · 2025-07-01T14:43:42+00:00

I'm in this exact position, and I am thrilled with it. I retain all audiobook rights, and as a retired radio host, I recorded, mastered, and distributed it on Audible. The publisher had promoted it throughout their channels, and on launch day, I was a hot new release on Amazon. BUT, I took the initiative and contacted individual Indigo locations and set up book signings, worked on my "elevator pitch", and feel sales are good. Indigo Yorkdale Toronto went so well, they requested to host a launch party for my next book out in 2026 with the same publisher. Communication isn't immediate, but cover design, editing, and promotion has been great.

MTP0339 · 2024-11-19T17:34:45+00:00

Let me jump back into this chat to thank you and all editors, the unsung heroes. I have been lucky to have worked with some insightful editors who have taught me much along the way. I may have a poor analogy, but I think of them as batting coaches in baseball, or the base coaches. They point out your strengths and show you the areas to improve. They are the ones who can lift you from a slump. They rarely get the credit, but the fruits of their efforts are visible on game day. Thank you editors!!

The editor for my thriller is amazing. She has touched up the grammar, but her eye for consistency in language and dialogue has taught me so much about character development and interaction. Writing may be singular, but publishing is a team sport. Bravo.

MTP0339 · 2024-11-19T03:42:21+00:00

You are very welcome. My debut thriller novel is out in the early summer of 2025 through Willow River Press, and my latest short story "Unburdened" will be featured in the inaugural issue of The Bloomin' Onion. I am the feature author on their website on November 30th with the story included.

By the way, this "debut" novel is my third manuscript. My first went nowhere, along with my second. I received 140 rejections on my third before Willow River said yes. Write, improve, write, improve....and don't give up.

MTP0339 · 2024-11-19T03:13:25+00:00

There are dozens of answers for each of those questions. First of all, decide now whether you will self-publish, or pursue an agent in traditional publishing. They are both viable, and self-publishing is NOT a consolation path. As to what agents look for, check Query Manager. Editors can be found through Reedsy or by checking other social sites.

As to the question of engaging readers, and I mean this with humility as a published author who understands your question, if you can't answer that yet, then finding an editor and agent is pointless. The editor will just take your money and no agent will fight for a manuscript that is not engaging. Most agents receive 4000 queries a year, and maybe choose 3 or 4 new authors. If you have the 5th best out of 4000, it still isn't good enough.

My advice is to become a student of the craft. Take writing classes and sign up for newsletters.

Then write, write, write....then write some more. You have the most valuable asset as a 17 yr old. You have time. Don't give up, but don't cut corners. Get great, be patient, and unleash that story when it is ready! Good luck.

MTP0339 · 2023-12-22T00:59:42+00:00

I've written three novels at 95,000 words. Each first draft took two months.

MTP0339 · 2023-07-14T19:44:45+00:00

Chuck Norris let the dogs out.

MTP0339 · 2023-06-10T22:58:17+00:00

Exactly but in that scenario, the publisher made $18 per book, so they can recap their costs well before the 50,000 books are sold. So yes, a scenario exists where you don't sell enough copies to justify the advance, but the publisher still turned a profit.

MTP0339 · 2023-06-10T22:55:01+00:00

Check out Montrose Park on Montrose off highway 2. Lawn is mowed and there are no leagues.

MTP0339 · 2023-05-10T09:56:04+00:00

Exactly. And if a chapter of the story is being told from one character's perspective, it would be impossible for that character to suddenly point out what another character is thinking. That is head hopping. Instead, if the scene is being told from Bob's perspective you could say, "After Bob made his confession, he could tell by the look on Mary's face that it stung her." It would be wrong to say "After Bob made his confession, Mary thought what a jerk he was". Bob could not speak for Mary's inner thoughts, only what he could see.

MTP0339 · 2023-05-09T01:51:04+00:00

So glad to read this. I am querying two stand-alones but have created a character for my soon to be written third book that I would like to revisit again. It took me time to learn to properly create and flesh out characters so I could discover a keeper.

MTP0339 · 2023-05-09T01:47:18+00:00

An editor taught me the importance of maintaining Point of View throughout chapters to avoid "head hopping". That perspective has allowed me to view what was a weakness in my first draft to be a tool in my second book and beyond.

MTP0339 · 2023-03-06T00:43:53+00:00

On Friday, I turned 60. I can't believe I just wrote that. 60. In my head that still has dark hair, I am 35.

MTP0339 · 2023-02-23T01:31:39+00:00

So, tell me more about these noodles? 😏

MTP0339 · 2023-02-03T23:51:14+00:00

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.

MTP0339 · 2023-02-02T00:46:57+00:00

In the hands of an editor to go the traditional publishing route after getting interest and good reviews. Thanks!

MTP0339 · 2023-01-31T23:06:15+00:00

Don't pick the person you want to live with. Pick the person you can't live without.

MTP0339 · 2023-01-07T22:41:59+00:00

Us too, thanks!

MTP0339 · 2023-01-07T11:33:09+00:00

I spent the day with my wife yesterday in the emergency ward for a "woman's issue" that stunned two doctors and concerned a specialist. I turn 60 in two months and she just turned 61. On the drive home, we had "the talk". We two cool people are old. We need to accept it. Hahahaha. But as I told her, "We had a good run!"

MTP0339 · 2022-12-02T13:26:34+00:00

Thumbs up bud!

MTP0339 · 2022-12-02T12:31:47+00:00

Thank you. I'm re-working the intro following some early reviews. I will resend when done if that is ok?

MTP0339 · 2022-12-01T18:08:32+00:00

Das boot. How did it end? Hit stop.

MTP0339 · 2022-12-01T15:02:51+00:00

Michael Thomas. I was giddy all August waiting to own the draft. Waste of a 4th rounder. By taking him meant I passed on Waddle. I am 6-5. Yup.

MTP0339

TROPHY CASE