Thinkingdog Publishing

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...