The Process for Bringing Resist to Audio // Guest post by Emily Ann Putzke

Today (in conjunction with the release of her new novel this week), Emily's sharing a fascinating post on how she brought Resist to audio. Feel free to interact in the comments then follow the links through to read more about her new book; and also be sure to enter her giveaway!

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Hello fellow authors! I’m Emily Ann Putzke, author of Resist, a WWII historical fiction based on the true story of Hans and Sophie Scholl. I’m so grateful to Heidi for allowing me to guest post on her blog! I’m here to talk about the process of bringing my book to audio.

Back in December, I listed my novel on ACX.com, an Amazon platform that connects authors with narrators. From there you can either ask a narrator to audition, or wait until they come to you. I sought out a narrators who would best fit my book by narrowing down the search: accent, age, tone of voice, etc. 

Then I asked them if they’d be interested in auditioning for Resist. Jonathan Waters was one of the narrators I contacted and I really enjoyed his audition. He seemed like a good fit for my book. We agreed on a royalty share, then I made him an official offer.

But before he could produce the entire thing, ACX requires the producer to upload a 15 minute sample of the audiobook to be approved by the author. It’s really a great thing because it ensures that both the author and narrator are on the same page before the entire book is produced.




Once I approved the 15 minutes, he set to work producing the audiobook. Then I listened to each track, marked down spots that needed editing, and he quickly fixed them.

 

In an interview with my narrator, I asked him to share his side of things.

Jonathan Waters: I use a C-1u mic I picked up on eBay for about 60 bucks … I have a small desk stand and a pop screen … I use my mac laptop but would love to 1- get a better one and 2 - dual screen it. To kill some of the sound I have some old memory foam, egg crate, kind of stuff that I stole from my parents. The kind of things that you would put on your mattress to make it more comfortable. It helps. I've put one on my wall behind me. I'm also doing this all from my apartment's walk in closet so I also have some clothing that deadens the sound. Also - I use Skull Candy headphones that I paid about 12 bucks for pretty much anywhere. They, for my sake, get me the best sound when I'm speaking and hearing my voice. 

I then had to make cover art for the audiobook, submit the audio for review, and wait for ACX to approve everything. Hopefully by the time this is posted the audio will be available on Amazon and Audible. If not, you have only a few days to wait until it is!

Resist Audiobook Excerpt:

Giveaway:

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Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history lover. You can learn more about Emily and her books at authoremilyannputzke.com, facebook.com/authoremilyannputzke, and instagram.com/historicalhappenings 

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Note from Heidi: Thanks so much for sharing, Emily -- this was great!

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com

Heads Up on a New Book Launch by Jenelle Schmidt!

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

Have no fear, our January Inklings is coming up soon ;), but meanwhile I wanted to quickly let you all know that Yorien's Hand, the latest installment in Jenelle Schmidt's Minstrel's Song series, is now available! Jenelle's a lovely blogging friend and I'm looking forward to reading her series sometime in the hopefully-not-too-far-distant future. :)

As part of the launch, she's also hosting a big giveaway this week, so do hop over to her launch post HERE to check it all out!

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com

Writing Update, Inkling Explorations and Giveaway Winner, and a Link

Hello all! Life has been super busy here, but I've also most happily been able to keep up with David's Shoulders over the last two weeks! After an intense first draft of Chapter 7 (taking about a month to complete) I started Chapter 8 on Monday and actually reached the halfway point yesterday.

Chapter 8 is also embarking us en route back to the west -- this time with our hero firmly (and physically) on board -- hence, it's the perfect time to share another handy link. While I haven't yet fully explored the site, this page is an organized layout of bugle calls used daily (and in action) by the US Cavalry, etc. Ordered from sun-up to sun-down, you can also listen to an example of each. Check it out here and let me know what you think!

And I'm so delighted to have had all your enthusiastic participation in the Inkling Explorations launch this month! Thank you so much everyone!!

Our happy winner of the paperback copy of Greenwillow is: Natalie

(Congratulations, Natalie! :) And I'll be sending you a direct email with the details.)

Remember, the link-up IS still open through the end of the month! The original link post is here.

And have no fear -- the violet subject is not exhausted as there are still at least three Anne of Green Gables/Montgomery quotes (that I can think of). For a teaser: one mentions violets and amethyst during Anne's early days at Green Gables, one uses the description "empurpled" (also during her early days), and one comes from Paul Irving. Have fun guessing and if anyone wants to post them, I'd be thrilled!

Hoping you're having a wonderful Friday!

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com

Inkling Explorations Launch and Celebratory Giveaway!

Inkling Explorations is an exciting link-up for any and all story lovers who love discovering treasures in everything they read—whether it's in an old favorite or something crisply and deliciously new on the shelf.

It's completely optional (you can enter some months and not in others) and it's open to entries from literature and film—and with selections from fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, action, poetry, even sometimes non-fiction! The range is pretty much limitless. (Note: Entries will be moderated, however, and must be clean, edifying, and suitable for all ages.)

*Rules*

1. Post the Inklings button on your sidebar.

2. Do a post on your own blog relating to the month's selection/subject (a literary excerpt as short or as long as you like AND/OR—if specified that month—a screencap from a film with an explanation of how the scene builds/develops the story). Link back here somewhere in your post.

3. Come back here and paste your link in the comments box and I'll add it to the post. Then enjoy visiting and reading everyone else's contributions!

That's all there is to it!

Subject for May

Since we're just getting started here in May, I thought we'd pick something easy. Hence, this month's selection is “violets.” (And for a few whispered hints: L.M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and Laura Ingalls Wilder all share about them. ;))

And some May specific notes: If you absolutely, positively can't think of any violet references, feel free to share something referencing any other type of flower....EXCEPT roses (we're saving those for a later month). This month is also open for film/screen entries. (They just have to be integral to the plot: i.e. Colonel Brandon and Willoughby both bringing Marianne flowers in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.)

My entry for this month comes from Greenwillow by B.J. Chute: 

“He had been kneeling to single out the widest violet-faces, but he turned and stood up. “It's not my wish, Dorrie! Do you think I'd not stay forever if only I could?”

“I know.” She looked down at the roots of the tree he was standing by, moss so thick about them that the twists and gnarls were all cups of green velvet. “Gideon, at the candle-walking on Christmas Eve I used my wish against your call, though I've never told you.” She raised her eyes. “The candle blew out.”

“You should never have wasted your wish, Dorrie. You should have asked something for yourself.”

“I was asking for myself, Gideon,” said Dorrie.

“All the violets he had picked spilled through his fingers, and their bits of sky and their heart-leaves fell and lay at Dorrie's feet. He looked at her with the west wind lifing her unbound hair from her shoulders and April all around her and the earth jubilating, everything new and winter past and no more than a step between where she sat and he stood.”

Lovely, isn't it?

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And you can share your link here!

Hamlette's Soliloquy
The Edge of the Precipice
Raindrops on Roses & Whiskers on Kittens
An Old Fashioned Girl
Meanwhile, in Rivendell...
Violets -- Montgomery sure loved them! -- Wonderland Creek
Sweet with Violets -- Captured by the Word
Inkling Explorations in Gone with the Wind @ a room of one's own

And now for our giveaway! 

As part of our grand, opening celebration, I'm giving away a paperback copy of Greenwillow! (Note: you can participate in the link-up without entering the giveaway, but if you do choose to enter, you have to have done the link-up for your entry to be valid. The happy winner will be drawn on Friday, May 29th.)

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Now let the fun begin! Entries are open through the end of the month and I can't wait to see what you all share!

Up next month: A Gripping Story Opening in Literature

Giveaway Winners!

First, a huge thank you to everyone who visited, followed, shared or commented over the past week!

Our two giveaway winners are...

Natalie: Tales for Little Ears
Raquel Duarte: Ellen

Congratulations to both winners! (And I'll be contacting each winner directly with further details.)

Thanks again so much to all of you for all your wonderful support and enthusiasm! I'm so excited to be continuing on here with you!

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com

New Blog & A Giveaway!

Welcome to my new blog and author website! 

Storytelling takes many forms and a good story is influenced from a myriad of sources. Here on this blog—with quotes, encouragement and conversations with other creative souls—we’ll be able to explore some of the tremendous similarities, differences, and delights between diverse forms of story crafting.

And yes…there will be updates on my writing as well! So on that note, enjoy checking out the various pages here and be certain to enter the giveaway!

Giveaway Rules

You can enter one or both giveaways with each winner eligible for one book (i.e. whichever one is first drawn). For both books it's also winner's choice of either a paperback or Kindle edition. For summaries and excerpts of each book, check out the tabs just under the header at the top of this page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do enjoy!

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com