Do you like listening to audiobooks? I do, as it makes the content of books much more accessible. When I don’t have the time to sit down and read a physical book or if I’m already engaged in another activity such as driving, cooking or exercising, this is where being able to listen to the audiobook version of a book is ideal.
While I was writing my book, Focus on Why, people asked me if it would be available as an audiobook and as a keen podcaster and auditory learner who loves the medium of audio, my answer was an easy 'yes, it will'.
So this week I made sure that the audiobook version will be released simultaneously to both the physical book and the ebook on 24 October 2024 spending two days' recording in Sound Understanding’s professional studio near Bath.
Recording a non-fiction audiobook was a very different experience to recording my usual podcasting interviews and solo episodes. However, I have to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience made even easier by the professional yet relaxed approach of MC, my producer. I’m confident now that the editor and producer will work their magic to bring together all the hundreds of separate audio files to become just one.
I knew before we recorded though that I couldn’t read the whole book on my own. Well, I could but I felt it really needed at least two voices to bring it to life; one to voice my sections and another to read my grandfather George’s excerpts.
Sitting down one evening with my husband Jon discussing how best to record it, Jon reminded me that at the time of writing his scrapbook, George was in his early twenties (therefore not even a father let alone a grandfather) so I needed to find a young voice to represent him.
Therefore, three people occupied the studios this week recording at different times giving the audiobook version three distinct voices. Arthur Lindsay read George’s WW2 POW scrapbook entries and correspondence, I voiced all my content and MC Huntley from Sound Understanding kindly read the Foreword penned by Dr Lynda Shaw. It didn't seem right for me to read the Foreword that was written about me.
Having different voices creates a clear separation between my modern analysis of purpose and the historical personal experience George shares. This allows the listener to deeply connect with both the intellectual insights of the book and the raw, emotional reality of being a POW in WW2 providing a richer, more immersive listening experience. It’s by no means a radio play but the audiobook really does bring the content to life.
So, recording done, Focus on Why will soon be available for hands-free listening with access to it anytime, anywhere! You will be able to speed us up or slow us down to listen at the pace that works for you.
Focus on Audiobooks. Focus on WHY!
ACTION POINT - How are you making what you do more inclusive and accessible to your audience?
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