The Journey Behind "To Love a Dragon": Overcoming Delays

​Creating a book can be a beautiful yet challenging process, and my latest release, "To Love a Dragon," was no exception. While the writing journey is often filled with excitement, the delays along the way can be quite discouraging. The unfortunate hiccup this time revolved around the book cover, which was simply not right and required a technical revision that took longer than anticipated. Fortunately, I'm happy to announce that "To Love a Dragon" will finally be out in the world next week!

​Addressing the Delay: What Happened?

The primary issue causing the delay with "To Love a Dragon" was, essentially, the cover design. The vision I had for the cover translated flawlessly. My team created a beautiful cover that blends well yet stands apart from "To Tame a Dragon". 

However, Amazon took issue with the RGB colors. Thus─technical difficulties. I could not upload the cover. This situation prompted a tweak to comply with Amazon, which pushed back the release date. IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM is the cover A.I. generated. That wasn't the issue here. The colors for the ebook were simply not transferred to RGB. ​

​Seeking Reader Opinions: Voices for Narration

Now that the RGB issue is behind us, I'm giving serious thought to starting the audiobook for book 1, "To Tame a Dragon". But I'm going to say the cost is not negligible. 

Exploring Narration Options: Real vs. AI Voices
With advancements in technology, two primary options stand out for audiobook narration: real human voice talent and AI-generated voices. I'm laying out the options here. 

Real Voice Narration

• Pros:
  • Authentic emotion and nuances that a human voice can convey.
  • Personal connection allows listeners to feel more engaged.
  • Flexibility in performance, enabling unique characterization.
• Cons:
  • Costs can be higher, especially with seasoned voice actors.
  • Scheduling can be more complicated, leading to further delays. (But I really don't see this happening. I'm not in a rush.  

AI Voice Narration

• Pros:
  • More cost-effective than hiring talent.
  • Quick turn-around time since recording and editing are simpler.
  • Modern AI voices can sound very natural and are constantly improving.
• Cons:
  • May lack the emotional depth a human narrator can provide.
  • Listeners could feel a disconnect, affecting their engagement with the story.

Now that "To Love a Dragon" is finally ready for release, I’m interested in how readers want to experience the book through audio. My own narration is off the table due to my extensive knowledge of sound.

What do I mean?

I know the pain, strain, and frustration that comes with narrating an audiobook. I'm an audiobook producer at the small press I work with. I've narrated before so I know what to do, but, I want a male voice, not my girly, fairly high-pitched squeaking. I'd have to do some serious exercises to get back into narration, so I’m exploring options for a male voice actor to bring the characters and story to life.

To tailor this decision to reader preferences, it’s crucial to gather feedback on whether you, as readers, would prefer a real voice talent or if listeners would accept an AI-generated narration.

This choice is not just about changing the tone of the storytelling; it encapsulates the overall experience. With a real voice, you might find that the nuances of human inflection and emotion can add depth to the characters. A skilled voice actor can convey subtleties that resonate differently with listeners compared to AI-generated voices, which may lack certain emotional cadences or warmth.

If you’ve faced similar dilemmas—be it clarifying artistic vision or choosing the right medium for storytelling—feel free to share those experiences. Have you ever encountered narration that didn’t fit? How did you address that disconnect?

I'm keen to ensure every decision enhances your journey through the novel, so your insights are invaluable.

Whether you’re excited about the book’s release or passionate about how you engage with the story, your thoughts will help shape the future of audiobook options for the Pyromage series. 

I'll post links and an official release next week! 
​
Until next time...
...happy reading! 

​~ Stephy