The making of The Special Guest, A Christmas Story by Lee Allen, has truly been a family affair and blessing. Lee first published the book 30 years ago, illustrated by his wife Donna Campbell Allen.

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Sally A.K.A Detective Writer is a self-published author, blogger, and podcaster who released her first book in 2021 and is currently working on a second book and the audio version of The Doctor. She first gained her inspiration to begin writing as a young child learning English. Join host Becky Parker Geist and Sally, author/podcaster, who is just starting her journey of recording her own audiobook, to hear about some of the challenges authors may face when narrating their own fiction. Check out her podcast for when the tables are flipped and she interviews Becky.

Learn more about Sally Barrilla at detectivewriter.com.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Corona joins Becky Parker Geist to discuss his latest book, The Corona Protocol. Through 30 short stories, Dr. Corona explores the complexities of mental health, covering conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. He shares insights into his writing journey, his passion for psychiatry, and how his personal experiences have influenced his work. The conversation also highlights the role of audiobooks in reaching wider audiences and underscores the importance of storytelling in addressing complex topics.

This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes journey of creating the audiobook Freeing Teresa, a powerful story about a family's fight to rescue their sister from an unjust placement in a nursing home. Host Becky Parker Geist and creative collaborators Franke and Billiam James discuss the emotional intensity of the narrative, the importance of authentic representation in storytelling, and the challenges of turning real-life events into an award-winning full-cast audiobook.

Through dramatic family conflict, vivid characters, and raw emotional moments, Freeing Teresa sheds light on systemic injustices affecting individuals with disabilities, resonating with listeners worldwide. The James duo also reflects on their creative process, from detailed audio recordings of real-life events to casting decisions that bring the story to life in a unique and impactful way.

Explore the interplay of advocacy, storytelling, and the transformative power of audio in this inspiring episode.

Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native (Exit 163), earned an Industrial Design degree from The Ohio State University. After years of agency work, his love of acting led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in dozens of television, film, and stage productions. Mark also spent his twenty-eight years in Tinseltown, entrepreneuring. He started five non-profit companies. But hold the applause, none were intended to be. He now lives in the South of France. But hold your pity. He of sound mind and body chose to suffer in the heart of wine country where the locals insist his French isn’t so bad—at least that’s what he thinks they’re saying. Join us for this delightful conversation about his debut novel, A Cup of Tea on the Commode, and his experience recording the audiobook.

Beverly Scott, author of Sarah's Secret: A Western Tale of Betrayal and Forgiveness, narrated her own memoir in a professional studio. Join Bev and Becky for a conversation about the inspiration for the researching and crafting of her book and her experience recording in a pro studio. What was the most surprising aspect of the process? Join us to find out!

Learn more at https://www.bevscottauthor.com/

Get the audiobook today at: AMPlify Audiobooks

Are you an author planning to record your own audiobook? Or maybe a narrator new to the industry? Get some tips to help you succeed! What do you need to figure out before you get started? What are some of the most challenging aspects of audiobook narration? Focused primarily on performance elements, Becky also covers some important tips regarding your studio set up.

Marketing can feel overwhelming—so many options, so many things we should do! While you might sometimes feel like doing anything is at least doing something, your results may suggest that the only result is that short-lived feeling of satisfaction.

Host Becky Parker Geist will walk you through the top four tasks to get yourself organized and able to move your marketing forward. Whether you’re marketing your audiobook or another format of your book or your author platform, the same top four apply.

Additional resources for this episode: proaudiovoices.com and stevenapolitan.com