Thinkingdog Publishing

The Perfect Stool for Recording Audiobooks You probably know by now that I've started recording my own books as audiobooks. One of the things I learned fairly early on, is how important it is to maintain good posture while recording. Recently, I stumbled upon a little stool that has completely transformed my recording sessions, and I just have to share! When you’re sitting for long periods, especially while focusing on your voice and pronunciation, sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward is crucial. I used to use a barstool, but it wasn’t quite cutting it anymore, and now and then it would creak! No good for an audiorecording. That all changed last weekend when I walked into my local HomeSense and found this little beauty! One test sit and I was convinced. Why Posture Matters Good posture helps with voice projection and clarity. Slumping or slouching can hinder your performance, and trust me, that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to deliver the best possible au

Hello, art lovers and holiday enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be participating in the enchanting Bronte Christmas Art Show this year! 🎨🎄 This festive event promises to be a delightful blend of creativity, community spirit, and holiday cheer. Event Details: What : Bronte Christmas Art Show Where : Sovereign House, 7 West River Street, Bronte When : Saturday November 16th, 10AM to 4PM Admission : FREE!! What to Expect: Get ready for a visual feast! The historic Sovereign House will be transformed into a winter wonderland, showcasing a diverse array of artistic talents. From paintings to sculptures, jewelry to ceramics, there's something to captivate every art enthusiast. As one of the featured artists, I'll be displaying my Bronte artwork, art cards, calendars and of course artwear made with my own art. So much fun! It's a perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for your loved ones or to treat yourself to a special piece of art. Exciting Raf

I want to create an Audiobook - should I?  Ever since the release of book one in the "Cannabis Preacher" series of thrillers, that question has been on my mind.  The "Cannabis Preacher" books were quite long. To produce an audiobook from each of the four, including voice actors and audio production with a turn key service, I was looking at around $15,000 per book. Financially, that was a non-starter for me at the time. That amount represented a LOT of books and audiobooks to sell to recover the investment, and I shelved my plan again.  With the popularity of the "Magical Papillon" cozy mystery series, I found myself coming back to the growing popularity of audiobooks. I knew that audiobooks could reach a wider audience and catered to busy readers who prefer listening while multitasking. The idea of bringing my characters to life through narration excited me, as it offered a new dimension to my storytelling.  The cozy mysteries were only 60-65,000

Picture this:  a mild-mannered mystery writer, armed with nothing but a dream, a microphone, and a relative who knows his way around a soundboard. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, my friends. Everything. The Birth of a Brilliant (Read: Insane) Idea It all started when I thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be great if my cozy mystery 'Whispers in the Attic' could actually whisper in people's ears?" Little did I know, I was about to embark on a four-month journey that would test my sanity, my vocal cords, and my family's patience. Learning to Talk: Take 436 First step: learn to narrate. How hard could it be? I talk all the time! Turns out, talking into a microphone for hours on end is about as natural as trying to lick your elbow. There were days when I sounded less like a smooth narrator and more like a choking cat trying to recite Shakespeare. Software: The Real Mystery Next up: mastering audio software. Because apparently, writing a mystery novel wa

  Happy Labor Day, Cozy Mystery Lovers! Labor Day weekend is finally here! It's time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. For me, that means curling up with a good book (of course!), spending quality time with family, and maybe even doing a little research for Book Five in the Magic Papillon series. I know, I know, I should probably be taking a complete break from writing. But the characters in my head are already plotting their next adventure, and I can't seem to shake the urge to start jotting down ideas. Besides, a little research never hurt anyone, right? Speaking of my characters, I want to take a moment to thank all of you amazing readers for your support. Your kind words and comments mean the world to me. I'm so grateful for your enthusiasm and for joining me on this cozy mystery adventure. So, what are your Labor Day plans? Are you spending time with loved ones, tackling a DIY project, or simply enjoying some much-needed downtime? Whatever you'

  Art in the Park Oakville - A Magical Day! What an absolutely enchanting day we had at Art in the Park, Oakville! It was a pure delight meeting so many of you wonderful readers and fellow art and book lovers. The energy was electric, and the atmosphere was just perfect. So much beautiful art in the charming village of Bronte - it was almost overwhelming to the eye. We had a blast chatting about our Magic Papillon series, and it was so heartwarming to see the excitement in your eyes as you discovered our books. To those of you who brought home a copy, we hope you're already immersed in the magical world of our characters! A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. Your support means the world to us! Thank you so much!