Every so often, after working on hundreds of books, you get to be part of a project that feels less like a job and more like coming home. It’s a rare and wonderful feeling, like watching a close friend achieve a lifelong dream. That’s exactly how I feel about Sweet City Hearts & Kisses, the debut collection from a truly special new author, Emma Hartlight. I admit I might be a little biased here, but oh well…
It’s not every day a book publishing story makes you stop. Makes you really think. But a couple of days ago, news crossed my feed that did just that. A Ukrainian publishing house, KSD, made a dramatic decision. They wouldn't just stop selling books by romance author Sophie Lark. They would destroy a massive print run – some 30,000 copies, it seems – of her novel, "Brutal Prince."
We kicked off this series by diving into the exciting world of audiobooks – a world that's booming, especially for us romance authors and readers. We also introduced the new kid on the block, AI narration, and the siren song of "free" audio offered by platforms like KDP Virtual Voice. But the question that lingered, the one that's probably been buzzing in your mind, is all about quality. Can a computer really capture the passion, the heartbreak, the sheer feeling of a romance novel?
Hello everyone, and thanks for being such a valued part of our community here at Deanna’s World. I’m dropping in with a little bit of housekeeping news today – something I’m actually quite excited about and wanted to share with you all straight away. Our newsletter, your regular dose of author support insights and romance read discussions, is getting a new home!
I’ve been seeing quite a few conversations online recently, like the one mentioning how easy it can be to remove American products or companies from daily life – switching from an American fast food chain (like Maccas!) to a local spot, or swapping a Kindle for a Kobo. And honestly? My first reaction was… well, let's just say it involved a fair bit of steam coming out of my ears. I actually typed out a whole rant – angry, frustrated, probably a bit self-righteous – ready to hit 'post' on social media.
Get ready to dive into the world of audiobooks! This is the first in a series of seven articles (plus a bonus!) where we'll explore everything you need to know about the booming audiobook market, the rise of AI narration, and what it all means for romance authors. We'll cover topics from comparing human and AI narration, to cost breakdowns, using KDP Virtual Voice, protecting your brand, exploring hybrid approaches, and looking at the future of the industry. This series was sparked by a conversation with one of my author clients who, while busy with a new release, was invited to KDP's Virtual Voice program. We agreed to explore it "after the release," but my curiosity took over, and I knew I had to investigate.
