Audiobook Connection - Behind the Scenes with the Creative Teams

Becky Parker Geist
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Books
  • Weekly

Engaging conversations with Authors, Narrators, Post-production audio engineers, Marketing teams as well as audio book listeners and fans. Go behind the scenes with audiobook creators as host Becky Parker Geist guides the conversation to discover the surprises, victories and challenges in publishing and producing audiobooks. Ideal for indie authors, small publishers, audiobook fans, and anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes peek into the audiobook world - as well as authors and publishers looking for tips from the pros on production and marketing. Behind-the-scenes interviews with audiobook creators as well as audiobook production and marketing tips - with episodes weekly. #C-Suite Radio.

  1. 1d ago

    AC-I-348 Saintsville - A Halloween Treat

    Just in time for Halloween, Becky welcomes indie author Rory Surtain and narrator Jen McCool to explore Saintsville, a supernatural urban fantasy audiobook featuring a full cast of human voice actors. Discover how complex characters, immersive performances, and collaborative production bring this dark tale of witches, vampires, lycans, and a summoned warrior to life. The conversation also explores the creative process behind full-cast audiobooks, the challenges of indie publishing, and why authentic human performances continue to matter in an AI-driven industry. Plus, hear insights from behind the scenes and enjoy an exclusive sample from Saintsville! Explore more: Amplify Audiobooks: https://amplifyaudiobooks.com Rory Surtain’s website: https://surtain.net Pro Audio Voices: https://proaudiovoices.com Watch the video of this episode Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection    #AudiobookConnection #Saintsville #RorySurtain #JenMcCool #Audiobooks #FullCastAudiobook #AudiobookNarration #IndieAuthors #UrbanFantasy #AudioDrama #AudiobookProduction #AmplifyAudiobooks

    AC-I-348 Saintsville - A Halloween Treat

  2. Oct 22

    AC-I-347 From Page to Audio: Kestral Gaian on Storytelling and Audiobook Narration

    Host Becky Parker Geist talks with author Kestral Gaian about the journey to becoming a published writer and narrating The Boy from Elsewhere. Kestral shares how poetry helped them understand the world, how they overcame discouragement, and why reading their work aloud transformed their editing process. Discover valuable insights for authors considering self-narration and the art of bringing stories to life through audio.

    AC-I-347 From Page to Audio: Kestral Gaian on Storytelling and Audiobook Narration

  3. Oct 15

    AC-I-346 Beyond Prognosis: Living Life to the Fullest with Christine "Kippy" Hoene

    What if the key to living life to the fullest isn’t mastering something new, but having the courage to begin? In this inspiring episode, Becky sits down with entrepreneur, adventurer, and author Christine “Kippy” Hoene to discuss her memoir, The Whistler’s Daughter: Defying My Prognosis One New Sport at a Time, narrated by Carrie Brewer. Living with muscular dystrophy and several other health conditions, Kippy has spent nearly three decades challenging expectations by learning more than 40 sports—including rock climbing, scuba diving, kite surfing, surfing, mountain biking, and aerial arts. Despite medical prognoses about her physical limitations, she continues to embrace new experiences, pursue adventure, and discover joy in being a beginner. Kippy shares the deeply personal journey behind writing her first book, from finding her voice through journaling to navigating the challenges of editing, reflection, and vulnerability. She discusses why sharing failures and uncomfortable experiences matters just as much as celebrating accomplishments, and how learning something new can transform our understanding of what’s possible. Becky and Kippy also go behind the scenes of bringing The Whistler’s Daughter to audiobook, exploring the narrator selection process, collaborating on accents and pronunciations, and the unique experience of hearing your own life story told in another person’s voice. Kippy’s philosophy is a powerful reminder: You don’t have to be great at something to find joy in doing it. Life is a gift, and embracing it means continuing to learn, explore, and make the most of the opportunities available to us. 🎧 Listen to the audiobook: The Whistler’s Daughter by Christine “Kippy” Hoene, narrated by Carrie Brewer, available through AMPlify Audiobooks.   Connect with Kippy on her Website and blog: https://thewhistlersdaughter.net AMPlify Audiobooks: https://amplifyaudiobooks.com Pro Audio Voices: https://proaudiovoices.com Watch the video of this interview Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection    #AudiobookConnection #ChristineHoene #KippyHoene #TheWhistlersDaughter #BeckyParkerGeist #AMPlifyAudiobooks #ProAudioVoices #Audiobooks #AudiobookNarration #AuthorJourney #Memoir #InspiringStories #Resilience #LivingLifeToTheFullest #DisabilityRepresentation #PersonalGrowth #NeverStopLearning #Adventure #AuthorLife #BehindTheScenes

    AC-I-346 Beyond Prognosis: Living Life to the Fullest with Christine "Kippy" Hoene

  4. Oct 8

    AC-T-345 The Human Connection: Notes from The Flathead Writers Conference

    In this episode, Becky shares reflections from her time at the Authors of the Flathead Writers Conference in Montana and explores the profound, human-to-human exchange that defines true audiobook storytelling. As technology advances, authors face tempting offers like free AI-generated narration. Becky dives deep into why "free" might actually come at a high cost to your brand. Drawing on recent trends from the Audio Publishers Association, she discusses the declining listener interest in AI voices and why a poor narration experience can actually act as a barrier between an author and their audience. Is it better to have no audiobook at all than one that alienates your readers? Join us as we discuss the importance of protecting your reputation, the value of human vibration in storytelling, and how to choose the right path for your literary journey. In this episode, we cover: Insights from the Authors of the Flathead Writers Conference. The "human-to-human" essence of professional narration. Why listener trends are shifting away from AI voices. The risk of "negative value" when choosing low-quality narration. How to build momentum and earn higher royalties with AMPlify Audiobooks. AMPlify Audiobooks – Empowering authors to earn more and connect directly with listeners. Watch the video of this episode Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection   #audiobooks #storytelling #authorlife #narrator #publishing #audiobookconnection #amplifyaudiobooks #writingcommunity

    AC-T-345 The Human Connection: Notes from The Flathead Writers Conference

  5. Oct 1

    AC-I-344 Business Acumen & Seeing the Big Picture: Kevin Cope on the Skills Every Leader Needs

    Have you ever felt disconnected from your company's mission, or struggled to understand how your specific role impacts the bottom line? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Cope, author of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling book, Seeing the Big Picture. Kevin shares his powerful journey—from his time at the Covey Leadership Center to founding Acumen Learning—and explains the critical "gap" that exists in modern organizations: the disconnect between functional expertise and business acumen. Whether you are a frontline employee, a mid-level manager, or a sales professional, understanding how a company makes money is the key to increasing your credibility, advancing your career, and driving meaningful results. In this episode, we discuss: The Cost of Disengagement: Why a lack of business understanding leads to a massive global productivity loss. Seeing the Big Picture: How to move beyond your specific department to understand profit margins, cash flow, and company objectives. Business Acumen for Sales Success: How to transition from a "product expert" to a "trusted business advisor" by solving your client's financial challenges. Practical Tips: Simple habits to build your business literacy, from tracking industry news to asking the right questions in leadership meetings. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about Acumen Learning: acumenlearning.com Explore Seeing the Big Picture: seeingthebigpicture.com Discover more audiobooks: amplifyaudiobooks.com Watch the video of this episode Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection    #BusinessAcumen #SeeingTheBigPicture #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SalesSuccess #AudiobookConnection #ProfessionalDevelopment #FinancialLiteracy

    AC-I-344 Business Acumen & Seeing the Big Picture: Kevin Cope on the Skills Every Leader Needs

  6. Sep 24

    AC-T-343 Spotify's Free AI Audiobook Tool: What Authors Need to Know

    In this episode, Becky pulls back the curtain on Spotify's recent announcement regarding its free AI audiobook narration tool. While the offer of "free" narration may seem like a lifeline for self-published authors, there are significant complexities and hidden costs that every creator must consider before hitting submit. Becky dives deep into the technicalities of the Spotify/Eleven Labs partnership, the royalty structures, and—most importantly—the worldwide non-exclusive license authors are granting in exchange for this service. We also analyze recent consumer data from the Audio Publishers Association (APA) to see how listeners actually feel about AI-generated voices. Is the cost-saving benefit worth the potential loss of listener trust and content control? In this episode, we discuss: The Fine Print: Understanding the 5-book limit, the 150,000-word cap, and the rapid-fire publishing process. Licensing & Rights: What it actually means to give Spotify a worldwide non-exclusive license for "product development, testing, training, and modeling." Listener Trends: Breaking down the latest APA survey data regarding the declining interest in AI narration and the rising percentage of listeners who actively dislike AI voices. Value vs. Cost: A look at how professional narration builds a brand and why quality remains the most important factor in long-term success. Better Alternatives: How platforms like AMPlify Audiobooks are helping authors maintain control over pricing and earn higher royalties. Resources Mentioned: https://amplifyaudiobooks.com/ https://www.audiopub.org/ Connect with us: Have thoughts on AI narration? We want to hear from you! Email us at: ac@proaudiovoices.com #Audiobooks #SelfPublishing #Spotify #AInarration #AuthorTips #AudiobookConnection #AmplifyAudiobooks #WritingCommunity

    AC-T-343 Spotify's Free AI Audiobook Tool: What Authors Need to Know

  7. Sep 17

    AC-I-342 Behind the Audiobook: David Lee on Fewer Pills, More Paws and the Healing Power of Pets

    In this episode, Becky sits down with David Lee, PharmD, PhD, a veteran pharmacist and the founder of MyRxPro, to discuss his transformative new book, Fewer Pills, More Paws: Caring for Your Aging Parents and Lessons from Our Pets. Drawing from 20 years of pharmaceutical experience, David shares a refreshing and vital perspective on "deprescribing"—the importance of using medications more precisely to avoid the risks associated with polypharmacy in older adults. He discusses the challenges of navigating a complex healthcare system and how caregivers can be empowered with the right tools to ensure safe, effective care for their loved ones. Beyond the clinical science, David explores the profound, healing connection between humans and animals. He reveals how the intuitive care we provide to our pets—observing non-verbal cues and practicing presence—can be applied to caregiving and our own mental well-being. From reducing anxiety to practicing mindfulness, discover how the bond with our furry friends can help us navigate life's most challenging transitions. In this episode, you’ll learn about: The risks of over-medication in older adults and the concept of deprescribing. Practical tools for caregivers to manage healthcare and nursing home interactions. How observing pet behavior can improve human caregiving skills. The physiological benefits of animal companionship, including stress reduction and mindfulness. Connect with the Guest: Website: www.myrxpro.com Listen to the audiobook version of Fewer Pills, More Paws on Amplify Audiobooks. Watch the video of this interview Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection  #Audiobooks #Caregiving #SeniorHealth #PetConnection #Mindfulness #Deprescribing #AudiobookConnection #HealthyAging #Wellness #MyRxPro

    AC-I-342 Behind the Audiobook: David Lee on Fewer Pills, More Paws and the Healing Power of Pets

  8. Sep 10

    AC-T-341 How Audiobooks Affect Your Brain

    In this episode, Becky dives deep into the science and artistry of listening. Inspired by a recent article in The Epoch Times, Becky explores the fascinating question: Does your brain process audiobooks differently than printed text? While studies suggest that listeners may sometimes struggle with retention in dense, academic material, Becky argues that the "format" isn't the problem—it's the performance. We discuss the critical role of the narrator in maintaining listener attention, the importance of strategic pausing, and why "audio-native" manuscript preparation is a game-changer for nonfiction authors. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Science of Sound: How the brain's speech system helps us decode meaning in both audio and text. The Narrator Variable: Why high-quality performance and pacing are the keys to preventing "mind-wandering." Audio-Native Strategies: How authors can adapt dense content (like textbooks) to include natural reminders and cues for better retention. Fluency & Learning: The benefits of simultaneous reading and listening for second-language learners and struggling readers. A Glimpse of Storytelling: Stick around for a moving sample from the memoir Something Worth Saving by Mary Means, narrated by Marie Hoffman. Whether you are an author looking to maximize your book's impact or a listener curious about the cognitive benefits of audio, this episode provides essential insights into the evolving world of audiobooks. Resources Mentioned: Amplify Audiobooks: amplifyaudiobooks.com – Empowering authors with higher royalties and better marketing tools. The Epoch Times article How Audiobooks Affect your Brain Connect with us: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a fellow book lover or author! Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection    #Audiobooks #Narration #Podcast #AuthorTips #AudiobookProduction #BrainScience #Storytelling #AmplifyAudiobooks #AudiobookConnection

    AC-T-341 How Audiobooks Affect Your Brain
See All (300)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Engaging conversations with Authors, Narrators, Post-production audio engineers, Marketing teams as well as audio book listeners and fans. Go behind the scenes with audiobook creators as host Becky Parker Geist guides the conversation to discover the surprises, victories and challenges in publishing and producing audiobooks. Ideal for indie authors, small publishers, audiobook fans, and anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes peek into the audiobook world - as well as authors and publishers looking for tips from the pros on production and marketing. Behind-the-scenes interviews with audiobook creators as well as audiobook production and marketing tips - with episodes weekly. #C-Suite Radio.

Information