My first audiobook published last month, a recording of Miraculous that released the same day as the hardback. What a thrill!
In March I got an email from Penguin Random House Audio letting me know the producer for my book. The email explained the book would be recorded a few weeks before the release date and that I’d be contacted by the producer, Orli Moscowitz, with any questions she had. I heard from Orli during our family trip to the Pacific Northwest. She gave me a choice between two narrators — samples included — that she thought would best suit my story. Thankfully, my first choice, Kirby Heyborne,* was available and interested.
Near the end of June, when I was sitting on a plane ready to come home, I got an email asking how to pronounce various names, including my own (I’m a LINE, not a LYN, in case you were wondering) as well as these three:
Kingsbury = kings-BAIR-ee or kings-BURR-ee ?
Mr. Mueller = MULL-er or MYOO-ler ?
McPherson = mik-FEER-son or mik-FERR-son ?
I honestly wasn’t sure about Kingsbury — I think I’ve said it both ways myself — but I settled on BURR -ee (after saying the name both ways to myself a couple dozen times).
On the day recording began, I got a quick text from Orli, then a few weeks later, I found this sample from my own book. So fun! Penguin Random House Audio sent me a copy of the entire book after it released.
I find it hard to read my own words and not get caught up in the rhythm or anticipate what comes next. But listening helped me be one step removed and kept me present in the story. Most authors are tired of their books by publication, but honestly, I love the chance to return to Book World. This was my final time through Miraculous (for now). It was the perfect way to cap off the years I’ve spent in Oakdale, Ohio.
I know I’m biased, but my gosh, I LOVE THIS STORY. I think it’s so good! It’s got all the things that get me excited: atmosphere, an interesting cast of characters, a whiff of mystery. I’m partial to the language, the layers of meaning, the promises scattered throughout that either come to pass or are somehow reversed (I guess authors call those foreshadowing and irony, right?). Sorry to gush. I’m SO proud of this one.
*Later on Instagram, Kirby told me he LOVED Miraculous, that it was a well-written and beautiful story. SO cool.
*** If you’ve read and enjoyed Miraculous, would you consider leaving a review at Amazon and / or Goodreads? I offer my endless gratitude! ***
