Audiobook: Author Marlan Warren Reads Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged (2) (Chapter 2)

Does it seem like the whole word is in VIEWING mode? Make an Audiobook!

I'm excited to announce that I've started creating an audiobook of my "fictionalized memoir" (aka "novel") Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All's Not Fair in Love or War].

The e-book has enjoyed success on Amazon Kindle, and it will be coming out soon in paperback.

In L.A. we are still fairly locked down. For everyone that's hard, and it impacts publicists also. Sure you can Zoom, Zoom, Zoom your events and readings...but it ain't the same. It's a stop gap measure. And everyone knows it.

The other day, I decided to check out audiobooks on YouTube -- and wow! What a game changer! A service known as "Great Audiobooks" asks for volunteers to read well known books on the "air." I could listen while making breakfast to The Art of War if I wanted to. And it was so pleasurable that I realized...

The time has come to go Audio! With my book. It wouldn't have to even be every page. Excerpts would do, after the main gist of the setup was absorbed by readers.

A few years back, I reprinted "How To Make An Audiobook" from another blog (with permission) and I must say that at the time, it was rather daunting. You'd need some good equipment and at the very least, a very quiet closet to record in. AND a great speaking voice that suits the content.

But when I heard recently that a tech-phobic friend has been making How To videos on her iPhone, that stirred my own initiative. I  haven't yet succumbed to iPhone or adequate video editing equipment (due to financial constraints; I'm not a snob!). And I thought:

"Why not try to make this audiobook with what I have one hand?

So I recorded on my Android phone, which produces an MP4 file, and edited on the low-tech "Movie Maker" app on my PC, along with some jpg photos for a slide show.

And...(drum roll)...it worked great! 

Next, I uploaded the nearly 3 min. video to my MarlanWarren YouTube channel. And voila!

My closet is pretty noisy. You can heard the plumbing going and people walking in the hall. But I found that recording after most folks are in bed or before they wake up makes for excellent sound studio conditions.

I had no problem reading. Thanks to my first grade teacher Mrs. Stryker (her real name) who made me stay after school and read until she could hear "expression" in my voice. 

Social Media Video Time Limits

YouTube: 7-15 min. for unverified user. Verified users? Up to 12 hours!

Instagram: 1 min.

Facebook: It used to be 2 minutes. But today on my Book Publicity By Marlan site, FB suggested my video post be "at least" 3 minutes! Hallelujah!

Vimeo: Allows a total of 500MB per week with the basic free membership, with a total of 5GB storage.

Twitter: 2 min. 20 sec. Max. 

Okay. Yes, it can be a pain cutting the various lengths of your video, but if you want it to have a long "reach," you will joyfully spread it around your social media sites, and don't forget Linked In and Goodreads!

 About My Book and the First Audiobook Recording

Posted above is the beginning of Chapter 1 (“Signs”); Page 1.

Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged is a post-divorce tale set against the backdrop of the O.J. Simpson trial with a consciousness raising journey through the wilds of Los Angeles.

What saves the story from being straight up Chick Lit are the divorcing woman's close encounters with the generational scars of the Japanese American Internment, interracial dating questions, and the story’s ultimate warning that no matter how great the sex is, how deeply you feel about someone:

“Don’t go unconscious for love.”

 And yes, I recorded the next segment this morning at 4 a.m. and will be posting it on YouTube, etc. very soon!

How to find this e-book, reviews, etc. on Amazon: Click Here

#amazonbooks  #audiobook #divorce #relationshipbook

#feministliterature  #californiawriter #losangeles #psychic

#filmthisbook  #interracialdating

How to Write a Memoir Panel : L.A. Writers Conference #Zoom 8/12 7:30pm

Details: Book Publicity By Marlan

We're presenting the "How to Write a Memoir Panel" at L.A. Writers Conference (8/12 7:30 PDT)!

For details, check out our Press Release!

GREATER LOS ANGELES WRITERS CONFERENCE PIVOTS TO ZOOM! AUG. 7-15

For immediate release:

Event: Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference
When: Friday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020
Where: ZOOM
Registration/Info: L.A. Writers Conference Website
Program: http://www.wcwriters.com/aglawc/program.html

Executive Director of the Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference (AGLAWC), Tony Todaro, has announced that this educational and networking event will celebrate its 26th year with a pivot from its pre-pandemic originally slated venue at the Culver City Doubletree by Hilton Hotel to Zoom, starting Friday, Aug. 7, and running through Saturday, Aug. 15.

"When it comes to virtual writers conferences, one major plus is that writers are able to interact with agents, writing experts, and publishing professionals who might otherwise not be able to attend in person," says Todaro. "Nobody is limited by geographical location anymore."

"The schedule is daily and linear, so writers won't have to choose between two workshops or panels happening simultaneously," Todaro says. "We'll have more than 40 literary agents, professional editors, and publishers on hand to give guidance on the craft and business of writing fiction and nonfiction."

Keith Ogorek, President of the Author Learning Center, will kick off opening day with a webinar titled "7 Things Every Writer Needs to Become an Author."

Speaker event topics include how-to's for pitching agents or publishers; writing a memoir; self-editing; ghostwriting; screenwriting. Writers may have their writing read and critiqued by publishing professionals. 

"Our faculty is not 'sheltering in place,'" says Todaro. "With this new technology, we consider them our Writers in Residence."

He assures attendees there will be ways to network, share your contact info, etc. And yes, they will still receive goody bags!

Tony N. Todaro
Photo ©Ester Benjamin Shifren

For the past 26 years, Todaro, aided and abetted by his wife, Lillian, have organized these writers conferences. Although the learning curve for transposing this massive event to the virtual realm is steep, Tony Todaro is a veteran at staying focused.



He quotes from his favorite t-shirt:

"Being an Executive Director is as easy as riding a bicycle, except you're on fire, the bike is on fire, and everything else is on fire."

(Sounds just a little bit like writing, doesn't it?)

#WritersConference

#LosAngelesWritersConference

#GLAWS

#TonyTodaro

#VirtualWritersConferences

This press release will be published and distributed by PR.com Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.

Celebrating 8 years of Service! 
Book Publicity By Marlan is a subsidiary of Roadmap Communications.

MARLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE OR GROUP COACHING AND

SPEAKING AT YOUR GROUP OR BOOK CLUB.

ABOUT MARLAN WARREN 

Location: Los Angeles, California (Hollywood)
Phone: 323-347-6762
E-Mail: marlanwarren at outlook.com
Twitter: @marlanwarren 
Linked In: Marlan Warren on Linked In
Facebook: Book Publicity by Marlan & Marlan Warren - PR

Faculty Member: Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS)
Member: Nonfiction Writers Association
Midwest Book Review: Contributor ("Marlan's Bookshelf")

Blogs: 
Roadmap Girl's Book Buzz
L.A. Now and Then 
Marlan Warren Author Blog 

PR services include, but are not limited to:

• Building Author Platforms
• Creating Exciting Book Campaigns
• Book Marketing & Publicity
• Coaching: Writing, Book PR
• Book Editing
• Writing Reviews
• Conducting Interviews
• Writing Press Releases
• Creating and Maintaining Press Kits
• Creating and Maintaining Websites, Blogs, Social media Outreach

 ABOUT MARLAN:

Marlan Warren is an experienced publicist, writing coach, writer, book editor, journalist, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, blogger, and website designer. Her skills include writing press releases, creating press kits, one-sheets, and launching events for authors, artists, designers, entertainers, and rock musicians. Marlan arranges for clients to appear on TV morning shows, NPR, and local radio programs. Her filmmaking credits include the documentary, What did you do in the War, Mama?: Kochiyama's Crusaders (currently in post-production), and the cross-cultural documentary, Reunion (shown at film festivals internationally). In addition, she is a produced playwright/director/actor. Currently, Marlan is on the faculty of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society. Her novel, Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged is still selling well on Amazon. Her BFA is from the University of Southern California in Screenwriting and English. She created the award-winning educational children's series, Reading Planet, and sold a screenplay (Midsummer Night Cowboy) for $30,000 in a Writers Guild signatory deal with Shadow Hill Entertainment.

Marlan is a featured speaker/panelist at the WC2 Writers Conferences in Los Angeles, California. Video interviews with her on topics ranging from Book Publicity and Marketing to Getting Great Reviews to Memoir Writing can be viewed at the Author Learning Center and YouTube.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR AN EFFECTIVE AUTHOR WEBSITE? (Video)

My interview with the Author Learning Center on "Key Elements of an Effective Author Website":

HOW TO HIRE THE RIGHT EDITOR FOR YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Thank you, Author Learning Center, for interviewing me on this topic every writer can benefit from:

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIRING THE RIGHT EDITOR FOR YOUR MANUSCRIPT