How Authors Can Use Audio for Promotion & Publishing

My guest this week is Dana Davis, award-winning author of speculative fiction for teens and adults.

Welcome Dana! I confess to being an audio addict and creating an audio interview for my first book. The project was a huge amount of work and fun.

Thank you for having me, Amber. Yes, creating audio files is a time-consuming process. But I also love doing it. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.

In what ways can authors use audio?
There's really no limit to what authors can do with audio. I think it's just a matter of what you can come up with in your imagination and making time to do it. We've become such a fast-paced society, I think creating audio files can only enhance written work. I have made audio book commercials, as well as entire audio books. And once I got the bug, I even started doing my own video book trailers. I also plan to create audio interviews to help promote future books. Right now, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them done.

What types of fiction adapt best to the audio format?
All types of fiction can be turned into audio books, and they can be as simple or elaborate as budgets allow. Think of the old books-on-tape. Many genres were put onto tapes and CDs for the audience's listening pleasure and are still sold in bookstores today. Not only are they great for workouts or long car trips, but they are also wonderful for the visually challenged. This is a boon for the writer, as well, to get the work to those who otherwise might not have access to it.

My mother is visually impaired, so she really appreciates audio books. In fact, she goes through mine faster than I can make them and is always on me to create more. Guess I better get to work on the next one.

Please share how your acting career in stage, television and film helped with recording, editing, and the overall creation of your audio books?

It's nice to see all those acting lessons finally paying off. Seriously though, I spent the majority of my youth in the theater, television and film industries, so I have a lot of experience with vocal work. My basic knowledge with stage sound equipment prompted me to set up a mini sound studio in my office. It was just a matter of researching what kind of equipment I needed in today's computer market.

And most of all, my days in the entertainment industry helped me learn patience with technology. Setting up film shots takes a lot of waiting on the actor's part. If you record in a home office, like I do, you'll have to consider those pesky planes, air conditioners, phones, kids, animals, and other noises that will cause you to have to re-record sections of your work. You don't need experience to create audio files, but you do need practice.

What advice to you have for the author considering audio publishing?
Production suggestions? Equipment? Software?
If you have a decent voice and basic computer knowledge, you can create your own audio files. The equipment I used was fairly simple. Rather than spend a lot of time and money purchasing separate pieces, I bought a Behringer Podcastudio kit from an online music store. It contained everything I needed to get started, a microphone with desktop stand, sound mixer, headphones and audio interface. The USB version costs about $100. Since I was planning to spend long stretches recording, I also bought a set of Bose headphones to use in place of the ones that came with my kit. But that's a personal choice.

Some authors use only a microphone or digital recorder to do their files. While this may be fine for commercials or interviews, I suggest spending a little more on equipment if you plan to do entire books. And I also suggest either buying or creating a pop filter to soften those popping p, k, t and s sounds. This will save you headaches when it comes time to edit. I made mine out of an embroidery hoop, a clamp and pantyhose for about $8. There's a great video on youtube that shows you exactly how to create one.

As for software, I still use Audacity to record and edit my audio, and it came free with my computer. I downloaded free Levelator software to level the sound quality. And finally, I used free iTunes software to convert the audacity files to the formats I wanted and put tags in for the various audio devices people would be using to listen to the books. I suggest creating a sample audio file as a way of teaching yourself these basics.

What about music and/or sound effects to enhance the reading? Can authors use any music they like?
No. Music, like books, is copyrighted and you must have permission to use it.
The best way is to go with royalty-free pieces. For a one-time payment, royalty-free music can be used for audio books, videos, commercials, and just about any other media. Be sure and read the terms of agreement before making purchases, but there are many companies who create royalty-free music for the entertainment industry, so you can find a lot of it out there.

I was able to listen to samples on websites to help me decide which music to purchase. I paid $40 for two CDs from opuzz.com and $5 for a single music download from an independent artist. As an extra thanks, I always give credit to the artist or studio, whether or not they require it.

Any final tips for authors wanting to try their hand at audio?
Yes. Audio production is time-consuming, but in today's techno-society, it’s a great media tool for writers and a way to reach those who otherwise might not pay attention to your work. And most of all, it's fun! So, relax, warm up that voice, and give it a try.

Thanks, Dana, for visiting and sharing.

Special Note to Authors: Explore Dana's website for some great ideas. Like a list of places where she has donated books.

Dana Davis is the award-winning author of the paranormal fantasy Desert Magick: Superstitions and the teen novel The Mask of Tamirella.Her fantasy novels Breach of Worlds and Deadly Fate: Book One of the Teadai Prophecies are due out soon from SynergEbooks.

Her audio book Quest for Freedom is currently being revamped for future release with another publisher.Dana lives in the Arizona desert with her husband and two crazy parakeets, where she is writing another novel. She invites readers to visit her website

Dana's Contest

Win a free signed copy of Desert Magick: Superstitions, a 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist. Simply go to Dana's website homepage at www.danadaviswriting.com, click on the email icon in the left column, and send your name and email address. All who enter will go into a drawing for the prize and a winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be notified to send his/her mailing address to receive the prize. One email per person, please. Good luck!
Contest ends August 10, 2009
Contest Closed. Winner Notified.
Thanks to all who entered.