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.
 Red Havoc Rogue |
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 At Grave's End (full cast dramatized version) 🎧Graphic Audio 📘Kindle eBook |
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Here's a small news update on this case as of April 16, 2025. A point to take into consideration - this is a legal case, so it's expected that there may not be many updates and things would take time to come to a conclusion.
Sometimes, something catches my attention and I feel compelled to write about it...
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in – we're diving deep into the Daddy's Little Toy controversy, exploring the legal fallout, reader outrage, and future of erotic daddy romance. TL;DR: Author explores taboo child abuse themes, faces legal action and arrest, serving as a cautionary tale for the publishing industry.
Fiction pushes boundaries. That's what it does. It explores the messy, the uncomfortable, even the terrifying parts of being human. It challenges us. It provokes us. It makes us think. But sometimes, it breaks. And when that happens, we have to ask: where's the damn line? How far is too far when we're talking about real-world harm, not just fictional discomfort?
