Susan Hanfield did an incredible job recording my audio book. My book is now available on Audible!
For thirty years I didn’t write. But In 2010, I opened up my heart completely and my journey of insight began. The material that poured forth on my blog became the script for my book.
I dreamed of releasing an audio book for over eight years. I recorded it myself four times and learned a great deal about recording from that. I hesitate to even think about how many hours I spent working on my passionate project.
I always envisioned my book as an audio book because I loved the idea of adding audio clips to enhance the story. Those clips weren’t actually used in the final rendition, but I added them as out-takes at the end of the book.
In 2015, I met with the publisher of Punch Audio to see if he could distribute my most recent book recording. His name was Alex and his feedback was that I didn’t have a trained speaking voice to carry my material. He said that authors rarely speak their story well and instead recommended I have it professionally recorded.
His suggestion was to listen to one of Susan Hanfield’s audiobooks. I did, and immediately understood. I set up another appointment to discuss with Alex having Susan record my audiobook. When I came to the recording studio, Alex introduced me to Susan who happened to be there because she was recording another book. We immediately hit it off.
I confessed to Susan that I was anxious about having someone else read my story. She completely understood and a few months later generously recorded a 10-minute sample of one of my stories.
When I began to listen to her sample I was nervous. But then I became emotional listening and realized what a beautiful voice she had to tell my story.
It took another two years after that before my project moved forward. I decided that I wanted to improve my book. My close friend, Janet who was an author helped with additional editing and I will be forever grateful to her. I ended up adding four more chapters due to her excellent suggestions.
Sitting in a recording studio and watching Susan record my story was magical and moving. I could hardly believe that my life stories were unfolding in such a beautiful way.
At the same time that my book was moving forward to completion, I began creating a new meditation song for “Beside Me Always.” The melody that I composed when I was 17 reverberated through my life. I felt completely inspired and uplifted by the exquisitely haunting melody.
When my book became available two days before Mother’s Day, I eagerly shared the news. I created a slideshow with my new music “in progress” playing along with the lyrics that Susan so beautifully read.
I shared it with friends and family. And then the reality of it all hit me. I put my head down on my desk and cried.
They were tears of sorrow, tears of joy, and tears of healing.