141: So, You'd Like To Record Your Own Audiobook? Here's What To Know, with Gabe Wicks

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“It’s hard, but make yourself step back, take a breath and do this as if you were having a conversation with a friend. The minute that someone starts thinking that they’re performing to an audience and not sitting across the table from a friend, they start making mistakes.” - Gabe Wicks

Whether you’re already a published author, or you’re thinking of writing your first book, you are probably aware of the growing popularity of audiobooks. Maybe you’ve already decided to record your own audiobook, but you’re not sure where to begin with the process. Today’s Finding Brave guest reveals how audiobooks are rewarding to publish but hard work for both the narrator and studio, and there are numerous pitfalls and nuances that I wish I knew about before I recorded the audiobook for my new book The Most Powerful You (which I’m thrilled to share is in the Top 100 Bestsellers on Amazon’s Women In Business audiobooks!). It’s about so much more than just showing up and getting behind the microphone.

Gabe Wicks is a Nashville-based producer for over twenty years, most of that within the book industry. He is the VP of Creative Services for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, which currently produces over 500 audiobooks annually. Gabe produced my audiobook and was a joy to work with!

In this episode, Gabe reveals why an author should or should not read his or her own audiobook, the elements that make up a compelling audiobook, where he sees the audiobook world going in the near future, and perhaps most importantly, why you need to not be so hard on yourself during this experience.

To learn more about today's guest, visit: https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/