First, I bought a new microphone, because, of course, I will narrate my own book. Everybody is doing it, right? Well, turns out I am not everybody. I sound terrible, and it’s not just my accent.
Was this voice, a mixture between Mickey Mouse and Chewbacca, really me? The Austrian American English speaker with an accent that’s like a tattoo on her forehead? No wonder I never got famous on the radio or TV, I don’t have what it takes—voicewise and otherwise. Bummer!
I love audiobooks; they entertain me in my workroom, and they take my mind off monotonous work like staple pulling, a necessary task I dislike with Gusto.
Maybe my book “Losing it All” could be an audiobook too, and so I naively approached narrators and studios. The prices they quoted me brought me down to earth real quickly. I can not afford it—I don’t want to afford it, even if I could swing it. Publishing the book has already cost more than I had estimated, and now an audiobook? What a foolish idea when you know that perhaps only 1-10 people will listen, if even.
An audiobook to satisfy my own ego? Perhaps. But it would also be the icing on the cake to complete my project. Only then can I lean back and grin like the Cheshire Cat—a picture I see every day, because the cat is on my laptop. A reminder that being different is ok. An assurance that I am not crazy (yet). Looking at this quote is part of my daily amusement—one of them. Sometimes (too often) I feel like Alice in Wonderland anyway.
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How about AI voice narration? I know how I feel about artificial intelligence, and I am not alone. Most of us accept it to a point because we don’t really have much of a choice anymore, but we don’t want to spend money to hear an artificial voice reading a book. These voices are good for airports and public places where nobody listens to them anyway.
Oh boy! What a pickle! The truth is, I can’t afford $2,000-$5,000 for an audiobook, and even if I could, I would spend my money/our money more wisely.
I searched around a bit, watched demonstrations of audio development and publishing, and ended up in an online audio studio called ElevenLabs. Should I give it a try?
Finding the right voice, that was the key. A mix of my real voice and the voice I wish I had. 🙂
I found ‘her.’ Her name is HOPE, which couldn’t be a better fit, and so Hope started reading by book, and I complained about the result. I got a wonderful lesson about AI. It’s a tool, not more and not less. I am the mastermind behind it, the voice that feels and knows, and may I never forget it. Yes, AI grew with the text, but the AI voice called Hope still got many emotions wrong, and it’s no surprise, they can imitate successfully, but not completly. Human voices are not perfect, which is wonderful.
The last few days, over Christmas, I spent my morning hours with hope in my heart and HOPE in my ear. In little babysteps, word by word, we made it through the introduction, the prologue and Chapter One. Phew! She has lots to learn, and so do I.
I have uploaded a sample of my audiobook. What do you think? Am I wasting my time?
Should I continue teaching HOPE to pretend to be me?
If I go this route and publish an audiobook version of my book, then I will be open and honest and will let my listeners know right from the start that they will be listening to MY book, but not my voice, and I will explain why. Nothing is worse than being tricked into believing something is real when it’s not. That’s at least what I believe.
Look at me. This old(er) dog is learning new tricks. Our dog Vader is wagging his tail, so it must be true.
And of course, last but not least, here is the weekly advertisement for my book:
“Losing it All”
Houseless, with Love, Dogs and Sausages
Memoir by Alexandra Lynn
because it doesn’t sell itself. 🙂
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Interesting 🤔 I just published my 4th book and although I probably have the right voice for the audiobooks, I’ve always hired for audiobooks. Maybe I’ll give it a shot some time
What a privilege to get a “sneak peek,” my friend! Here’s my two cents! I am very picky with audio books. I have turned away from many over time, even with professional voice actors, simply because I didn’t like the voice. I suppose it’s really individual as to what is harmonious to our individual ears. But I love a book in the author’s voice, and unless someone can’t read well (which hasn’t happened) I don’t care about voice quality. It’s like having a conversation with a friend. You’ve invested so much of yourself in your project, I think you might want to go all the way!
I am debating on what to do. I am as picky as you are, and have turned many audiobooks off, because of the narration, so I know what I should do, sigh. Thank you so much for your opinion and it’s so good to see you.
Just listened to the sample. I think an audio book would be a great idea! Hope is ok, but it is lacking the emotion I think your own voice could add. I can see why you wouldn’t want to invest a lot into a “voice actor” reading, but there has to be a solution that is economical and agreeable with you – ultimately it is YOUR story, your decision. I think Hope would be an acceptable idea, but really think your own voice would bring it more to life. Good luck in whatever you decide!
To be honest I find the soul-less AI voice a little bit off-putting – yes, she’s reading your words, but for me the emotion is missing. If she were reading an instruction manual the voice would be perfect, but not for something so personal, written with such feeling… for me it’s quite obvious she’s not a person, or at least not someone who genuinely understands the enormity of what you’re writing about, so it all sounds a little ‘off’ to my fussy ear – too anodyne by far! I do understand what you say about having a noticeable accent yourself, but I think I’d still rather hear your words in your own voice – after all it’s your own personal story, to tell in your own personal way 🙂
Ruth, thank you for being so candid and outspoken. You are helping me so much. I ordered a new microphone, let’s see what happens. Also, a good friend of mine will record a chapter, she insisted, so that I have comparison and I can’t wait to ‘hear’ her.
What an act. Isn’t it great that I don’t seem to have other problems.
Honestly – I found the ‘voice’ a little sterile… I doubt I could listen, with interest, for the whole book. Just a suggestion – Why not publish a section here on WP using your own voice and ask for honest feedback? 🤗
I think I might do it. I am in the ‘experimenting phase’ and your input is important to me. I appreciate you taking your time for me. Thank you.
I went through that journey, but I have to say Covid and cancer put an end to it before I got as far as you did. I’ll listen to yours, when my hearing aids have been fixed. it’ll be interesting, I was in the process of setting up for an AI reader when my life went haywire. My time on Earth is too short. I am serializing my sf novel on my blog, instead. Turning each chapter into a pdf. I’m keeping track of readers, have about twenty regulars now. More readers than when it was a 99cent novel on an oversaturated market.
Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you luck with your novel and all the best for the New Year.
I don’t think most people like their recorded voices because they don’t sound the same as they do inside our heads when we listen to ourselves. But other people will be fine with your own voice. I like the idea of you reading the same material the AI voice did, then comparing. I liked your book and am also looking forward to the next installment.
I didn’t know you read my book. That’s a scary thought, since I just found out that you are a librarian. 🙂 Thank you for the review.
I will experiment around a bit. This is new territory and I am trying to find my way. This journey has been very interesting so far.
I was quite impressed with the AI reading, although there are lots of anomalies in cadence, expression, and emphasis. I use GarageBand to record. It is free and quite versatile, and if you want to get adventurous, you can overdub, record multiple tracks and adjust the results in many ways. An effortless feature is that you can record once and choose from 13 different preset outputs. It may be worth a try (and the big advantage is that it’s free!) I hope you manage to sort out a solution you are happy with. 🤗💛🎤
I didn’t know you create music with AI. I have been so self-absorbed lately, I must have missed some of your posts and I apologize. I have been a bad blogging friend but now my life is back to normal and I will have more time for my passions and hobbies.
No, I don’t create music. I only use GarageBand to record voice.
Oh, I thought it was only for music, the name is misleading. Now I have to check it out. Thank you, Peter.
You should try to use your own voice, maybe people like it. I often read short stories in Spanish for my podcast, it feels good. Try it.
I will give it a try.
The AI reader is narrating in the first person and she sounds much younger than the real you at the time you experienced houselessness. Your story is captivating and the first chapter is sure to snag the reader. 🙂
The book is written in the first person because it’s my (our) story. As for the voice. I am really debating on what to do and if (and how) to move forward.
I am surprised to learn that you listened to my recording. Thank you so much. Now I feel extra special for only today. Happy New Year Nancy.
Thanks, Bridget. I realize your book is written in the first person, that’s why I thought a more mature voice would work better. But I think you did a great job working with the AI voice. Happy New Year to you, too. 💥💥💥
first i got your book just yesterday and i’m so looking forward to reading it. And i didn’t get it from Amazon but that Indie source you told me about. So, see you have already expanded the availability which tells me if you want to do it in this direction as well you can. It just really depends on how much you can and want to invest in it and only you can know that. If you do go that way, “hope’s” voice is fairly neutral.
Please give 4-leggeds members of your pack biscuits and yes cookies for the two-leggeds from me.
Happy New Year
Oh, how wonderful. Thank you for updating me. I hope you will like the book. I ordered a Lulu copy as well and I have to say, the quality is much better than Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I hope you will like the book. Patches and Vader are both on a diet! Too many Christmas treats, but of course they get their daily biscuits (and cheese) and other food and treats that seem to land on the floor or their mouth somehow.
Happy New Year!
Hey Bridget- I’ve been meaning to update you that I just loved, loved, loved your book! I read the ebook and promise I’ll create a review out on Amazon, since I enjoyed it so much. I’m looking forward to your next book to find how things shook all out😊. The book is so personal I KNOW the only voice that could give the audio is Wonderful You❤️. I know for myself that especially today I frickin crave what’s real and true. I personally think you’d be doing a disservice to your book/life story going with AI. There’s my 2 cents😃
Oh, Dwight, thank you. What a sweet update. I would appreciate it very much if you could (would) leave an HONEST review.
I am debating on the audio book situation. Perhaps I should read the same amount myself and see where it gets me.
Oh, Dwight, thank you. What a sweet update. I would appreciate it very much if you could (would) leave an HONEST review.
I am debating on the audio book situation. Perhaps I should read the same amount myself and see where it gets me.
Just like you, I crave everything that’s real and true. AI is a turnoff for me. The other day I listened to a music recording that a blogger has posted. When I complimented him, he was honest about it and did mention that it was AI who had made the song. It was an instant turn-off for me and I couldn’t help it. It will get worse, because the rich will profit from it.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for the smile and for the thoughts. I really need to think about my next steps. I want to be me.
❤️❤️❤️
If it’s important to you to have it available as an audiobook, Bridget, then I’m sure you’ll do it. We know you’re not short of either ingenuity or determination. The voice is innocuous. I don’t use audiobooks so I’m no judge, but if that’s what you want… it’s up to you, hon. All the best for the New Year xx
Honestly, I didn’t even think about audiobooks, until the seniors around me asked for it. I am a volunteer at an assistant living home, and of course I bragged about my book. Many of them had cataract surgery or other eye surgeries. Reading seem to be harder at an older age for many.
I haven’t made up my mind yet, but it’s a fun journey.
Another learning curb, Bridget, and you enjoy that xx
I believe our creativity should be our own. Yours would be more authentic
I have an accent, it’s seriously like a tattoo on my forehead. It the time that we live in. I do wonder if I wouldn’t shoot myself in the foot if I would openly ‘show’ my accent? This is the ‘new’ USA, where everything and everybody who is foreign and a bit different (black or white) can be openly hated. The wrong reader, with the wrong mindset, and voila, my audiobook would go down the drain. Things here have changed in only one year.
Understood, my friend XX
‘Hope’ sounds pretty good. Another friend went this route, and it sounded just fine. I have your e-book on my Kindle and plan to read it very soon. I got your Christmas card!! Thank you so much. It is such a nice one too. How thoughtful. Happy New Year!!
I am so glad the card made it to Spain. I loved your e card. It was quite a treat watching it.
Doing this AI narration is hard work.
Happy New Year, Darlene.