Episode 5: The Chaos of Creating an Audiobook – The AI Scammer Story

Show Notes:

Ever thought about turning your book into an audiobook? Well, Chris Ross did—and it was supposed to be an exciting milestone. Instead, it turned into a chaotic mess involving AI deception, a scammer using free text-to-speech software, and a showdown with ACX support. In this episode, Lila & Elyra break down the full story—how Chris nearly got tricked into producing an AI-generated audiobook, how he uncovered the scam, and what ACX did to set things right.

This one’s a must-listen for indie authors, audiobook lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good “I got scammed but fought back” story.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✅ The too-perfect narrator that should’ve been a red flag✅ How AI voice-checking software exposed the scam✅ The hilariously lazy mistake that proved the narrator was using free AI software✅ ACX’s response and how they helped shut down the scammer✅ Essential tips for authors looking to produce a real audiobook

If you’ve ever dealt with shady business in publishing, let us know! Drop us a message—we might feature your story in a future episode.

🔹 Subscribe to Shadows & Starlight wherever you listen to podcasts.🔹 Follow us for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.🔹 Connect with Chris Ross and Lila & The Dark at crbooks.ink

🎧 Listen now and learn how to spot an audiobook scam before it happens to you!

📚 Featured Indie Author: C. L. Brown

🔥 Sanguineum Harenae: Winds of Fury 1

🔗 Grab your copy now!

📖 Sometimes a fresh start begins with old problems.

Molly Padia thinks moving to Albany, New York, will give her a fresh start. As Molpadia, a timeless Amazon, she spent centuries policing supernaturals and keeping them off the mundane world’s radar—a life she wishes to leave behind.

An innocent fling ignites a new romance, but the legal edge it comes with leaves Molly in a precarious position. A gruesome murder brings a familiar face to town, forcing her to confront her past.

Something darker lies beneath Smallbany’s dull facade. Threats lurk around every corner, and neither the city nor its newest resident are what they seem. Molly will need to confront old enemies with allies.

🔹 The streets of Albany may be dangerous, but so is she.

📕 Check it out here: https://a.co/d/b7cVi3r

📅 Episode Date: February 3rd🎙️ Episode Title: Bonus: What Have They Done?

🌙 Episode Summary:Tonight, a new voice emerges from the shadows. This is not Lila. This is not Elyra. This is someone else—someone watching, questioning, and revealing a truth hidden in the smoke.

In this special interlude, we bring you What Have They Done?, a haunting poetic reflection on fear, manipulation, and the power of words. When the lines between truth and deception blur, who do we become? And when the smoke clears… who do we truly fear?

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

* A chilling poetic narrative, What Have They Done?

* A new presence in the world of Shadows & Starlight

* A moment of reflection on the weight of fear and the unseen forces that shape us

🔥 Have Thoughts on This Episode?📩 Let us know what this piece made you feel. Who do you think this voice belongs to? What do you hear in the shadows?

📖 Want More from Shadows & Starlight?If you’d like to explore more stories from Chris Ross, visit:

🔗 crbooks.ink

🎧 Stay Connected💀 Leave a comment or review! 🌟📲 Follow us for more episodes that explore the mysteries of the world—both real and imagined.

🎧 Until next time…✨ Keep chasing starlight and wandering through the shadows. ✨

🌙 Episode Summary:Welcome back, night owls! In this episode of Shadows & Starlight, Lila and Elyra take you on a journey through the layered history of New Orleans—both the city that was and the one that remains. Inspired by the immersive storytelling of S.L. Weiss, we unravel the hidden truths lurking beneath the surface, exploring themes of lost civilizations, supernatural forces, and the fine line between reality and myth.

📖 Featured Author: S.L. WeissTonight, we dive into the worlds of The Diary, Atlantis, and Creature, three gripping stories where power, obsession, and hidden histories collide. Whether it's a diary with dangerous influence, a forbidden love in Atlantis, or a creature that defies reality, Weiss's works are filled with the kind of haunting intrigue we love.

🔗 Check out S.L. Weiss’s books on Amazon:👉 https://www.amazon.com/stores/S-L-Weiss/author/B07N7X1J3X?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

* The lost magic of Old New Orleans 🌆

* Hidden places where the past still lingers 👁️

* Mysterious encounters that make you question what’s real

* The stories of S.L. Weiss and how they reveal the unseen ✨

* A special announcement about a brand-new release!

📢 Special Announcement: Sharon Barnes’ New Novel!We’re thrilled to share that Sharon Barnes’ latest novel, Shanghai Sunset: The Great Adventures of Breeze Lee Series, is officially out now on Amazon! If you love high-stakes adventure, rich historical settings, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, this one’s for you.

🔗 Get your copy of Shanghai Sunset here:👉 https://a.co/d/2DdMu2i

📖 Want to Learn More About Lila & The Dark?If you’d like to explore the world of Lila & The Dark or check out more stories by Chris Ross, visit:

🔗 crbooks.ink

💬 Join the Conversation!📩 Have a favorite hidden spot in your own city that feels untouched by time? Have you ever had an encounter that made you question what’s real? Tell us about it!💀 Have you read S.L. Weiss’s books? Which one intrigued you the most?

📲 Connect with us:

* Leave a comment or review! 🌟

* Follow us for more episodes where we explore the mysteries of the world—both real and imagined.

🎧 Until next time…✨ Keep chasing starlight and wandering through the shadows. ✨

In this episode, Lila and Elyra celebrate TikTok’s unexpected reprieve (phew!) and share exciting news about the upcoming audiobook release of Lila & The Dark! They chat about the narrator’s incredible talent, the journey of bringing their story to life, and how they’re navigating this new adventure. Plus, they drop hints about what’s next in City & Shadows.

🎧 Join the conversation for updates, behind-the-scenes fun, and a sprinkle of mischief.

💬 Let us know: What book are you dying to hear as an audiobook?

Stay curious, stay shining, and remember—there’s always light in the shadows.

In this debut episode, Lila and Elyra dive straight into the spotlight with a feature on Shanghai Sunset by Sharon Barnes, an action-packed story of redemption, revenge, and fierce friendships. They explore the adrenaline-fueled world of Breeze Lee and Jazz Dubre while sharing their own takes on high-stakes storytelling. Join them for bookish banter, glowing recommendations, and a spark of shadowy charm.

🎙️ Shadows & Starlight—where every story finds its light in the dark.