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New Audiobook!
Sunlight on Cedar Creek is now available in audiobook! See the book page for updated links as it goes live in online stores.
I’m hoping to roll out the contemporary summer books by June. If that goes well, I’ll work my way through the remaining contemporaries by the end of September. So stay tuned for updates.
AI-Narrated Audiobooks
AI-NARRATED AUDIOBOOKS: A NEW FRONTIER IN READING
You can’t watch the news lately without hearing about AI, artificial intelligence. The world of literature has been using various forms of artificial intelligence for years. Grammar and spell checkers use AI, as do stores when they recommend other books you might like. While we’ve had text-to-speech, technology, for sometime, in recent months, the quality has grown to a point that it’s not always easy to distinguish between synthesized voice, and a human one. While human narrators might be cringing at the thought, no AI voice will ever replace the magic a human voice actor can create. Instead, AI narrators fill a gap human narrators can’t provide by bringing the written word to the ear by necessity or for convenience. As a result, AI-narrated books are gaining popularity among readers and online bookstores, transforming the way we consume literature.
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?
AI-narrated audiobooks have been around as long as Siri, but they’ve recently gained impressive momentum. AI voice quality has become so expressive that it’s not always easy to distinguish between human and AI narrators. As readers continue to respond positively, publishers will meet their needs with more audiobooks in less time and at a lower cost.
HOW ARE READERS RESPONDING?
Like many innovations (think ebooks), AI-narrated audiobooks have been met with mixed reactions from readers. Some are hesitant to embrace the new trend, preferring human narrators, while others have welcomed it, citing convenience and affordability. With busy schedules, many readers find it challenging to read physical books, and audiobooks provide a solution, making it possible to read while performing other activities.
WHERE CAN I FIND THESE AI-NARRATED AUDIOBOOKS
Online bookstores have also embraced AI-narrated audiobooks, making them more accessible to readers. Google, Apple, and Kobo all carry AI narrated audiobooks, along with many other online audiobook stores.
IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?
AI-narrated audiobooks are transforming the literary world, expanding the reader choices. As the quality of narration improves, readers will be able to read more books than ever before. Publishers are embracing the trend. As readers continue to accept AI-narrated audiobooks, their availability will increase, providing a more convenient and affordable way to consume literature.
The 5 Most Beloved Sweet Romance Novel Tropes of 2023
It’s 2023 and romance readers are embracing the novels of a new era. Classic tropes with a fresh, modern look have become especially popular. Let’s explore the five most beloved sweet romance novel tropes so far this year.
The first trope is that of forbidden love—filled with danger and mystery, characters from different social classes, races, or family backgrounds connect in a way that cannot be revealed to the outside world.
The second trope is that of a reunion romance—two characters who were separated for years suddenly find themselves back in each other’s lives, and must face whether their love can survive the test of time.
The third trope is the wealthy hero—this type of character sweeps the heroine off her feet, with wealth and power providing solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Fourthly, childhood friends-to-lovers is a classic story. A deep bond between two characters since childhood finally blossoms into something more—a beautiful story of love that has been long in the making.
Lastly, opposites attract—two people from different walks of life find themselves drawn to each other despite their differences, creating an enchanting tale of contrast and passion.
Some of the most beloved sweet romance stories of 2023 embrace these five tropes—all brimming with conflict, passion, and love.
Now Available on Audiobook!
You can now get Work-Crush Balance in audiobook format!
This short story was the perfect project to experiment with digital voice narration. I’m really pleased with the outcome.
I got started down this road because I struggle with horrendous insomnia. Among other things, it has really interfered with my writing. When I’m foggy-headed from lack of sleep, creativity doesn’t happen. One of the strategies I’ve tried is listening to audiobooks. When those aren’t available, I’ve listened to Kindle’s text-to-speech. That sparked my interest in digital narration.
AI-generated narration has become astonishingly realistic. But don’t take my word for it. Click the image above, and listen to the opening of the story.
I am seriously considering creating audiobooks for my contemporary books. At this time, the distribution options are limited. Kobo is the only distribution channel that allows publishing finished audiobooks. (Apple and Google require using their voices and process, which would mean re-creating a different version for each store.) I’m confident more options will open up as AI narration becomes more widely accepted. Until then, I’m happy to distribute through Kobo.
It’s a new and exciting audiobook game. Stay tuned.