Audiobook Connection - Behind the Scenes with the Creative Teams

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!

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#AudiobookConnection #Saintsville #RorySurtain #JenMcCool #Audiobooks #FullCastAudiobook #AudiobookNarration #IndieAuthors #UrbanFantasy #AudioDrama #AudiobookProduction #AmplifyAudiobooks

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. 

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.

#AudiobookConnection #ChristineHoene #KippyHoene #TheWhistlersDaughter #BeckyParkerGeist #AMPlifyAudiobooks #ProAudioVoices #Audiobooks #AudiobookNarration #AuthorJourney #Memoir #InspiringStories #Resilience #LivingLifeToTheFullest #DisabilityRepresentation #PersonalGrowth #NeverStopLearning #Adventure #AuthorLife #BehindTheScenes

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:

AMPlify Audiobooks – Empowering authors to earn more and connect directly with listeners.

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Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection

#audiobooks #storytelling #authorlife #narrator #publishing #audiobookconnection #amplifyaudiobooks #writingcommunity

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:

Resources Mentioned:

Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection 

#BusinessAcumen #SeeingTheBigPicture #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SalesSuccess #AudiobookConnection #ProfessionalDevelopment #FinancialLiteracy

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:

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with us: Have thoughts on AI narration? We want to hear from you! Email us at: [email protected]

#Audiobooks #SelfPublishing #Spotify #AInarration #AuthorTips #AudiobookConnection #AmplifyAudiobooks #WritingCommunity

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:

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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

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:

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.

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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

In this moving episode, Becky sits down with musician and author Madam Snowflake (Emily Richards) to discuss her groundbreaking immersive audiobook experience, Rise Up Babylon.

What began as a journey of survival through severe injury and bed rest transformed into a profound creative outpouring. Madam Snowflake shares the incredible story of how her musical compositions and narrative became intertwined, evolving from a concept for a Broadway musical into a unique, scored audiobook designed to be experienced through headphones.

In this episode, we explore:

Whether you are an author looking to expand your medium, a musician exploring narrative, or a listener seeking stories that touch the soul, this episode offers profound inspiration on the transformative power of human expression.

Discover Rise Up Babylon: riseupbabylon.com

Connect with Our Guest: madamsnowflake.com/, emilyrichards.com/

Empower Your Audiobook Journey: amplifyaudiobooks.com

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Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection

In this episode, Becky wraps up her series on the 2026 distribution shakeup. Moving beyond the "what" of the changes, Becky dives deep into the "how"—providing an actionable strategy for authors and publishers to navigate the evolving landscape.

Whether you are seeking simplicity, maximum reach, or maximum revenue, Becky breaks down the ideal combination of distributors to ensure your stories don't just exist, but thrive. Learn why relying solely on Audible might be a strategic mistake and why anchoring your distribution with AMPlify Audiobooks can transform your bottom line through higher royalties, direct customer relationships, and gamified marketing tools.

In this episode, you will learn:

Relevant Links:

Amplify Audiobooks

Authors Republic

IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association)

Watch the video of this episode

Support our work making the audiobook industry a more equitable place HERE: buymeacoffee.com/audiobookconnection 

Listen to the Full Series: If you missed the previous episodes regarding the distribution shakeup, be sure to check out the Audiobook Distribution Shakeup Series. Check out the Ultimate Audiobook Launch Strategy series to build your foundation.

#Audiobooks #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #AudiobookDistribution #AmplifyAudiobooks #PublishingStrategy #Authorship