Indie Author and Audiobook Narrator, Becky Doughty, & a Christmas E-Book Giveaway!

This interviewee is so close to my heart! Becky Doughty is not only my critique partner, but my friend, my supporter, my sounding-board...and one of the few who encouraged me that I COULD go indie and succeed. I thank God upon every remembrance of her!

Today I wanted to chat with Becky, whose readers haven't ceased begging for more books with her Elderberry Croft protagonist, Willow Goodhope. Accordingly, Becky just released a holiday sequel, Elderberry Days: A Season of Joy.

Honestly, Becky is quite simply one of the most productive authors I know and a true Renaissance Woman. Not only does she have nine indie novels and novellas out, she has also narrated nineteen audiobooks through Audible (one of those is my God's Daughter). You can find her books here and BraveHeart audiobook samples here. ~Heather Day Gilbert

Becky Doughty, Author

Becky Doughty is the author of the best-selling Elderberry Croft series and the voice behind BraveHeart Audiobooks. 

Becky is married to her champion of more than 25 years, Kevin. They have three children, two of whom are grown and starting families of their own, and they all live within a few miles of each other in Southern California.

Author Website: BeckyDoughty.com

BraveHeart Audiobooks Website: BraveheartAudiobooks.com

Email: becky(at)beckydoughty(dot)com

Facebook: BeckyDoughtyAuthor

Twitter: @BeckySDoughty

Google Plus: +BeckyDoughty

Pinterest: BeckySDoughty

Interview with Becky Doughty, 

Indie Author & Audiobook Narrator

HG: Welcome, my friend! Let's go back in time...say, two years ago. What did your writing career look like then? What led you to go indie?

BD: Heather, thank you so much for inviting me here today! And thank you, Novel Rocket readers, for having me!

Actually, my indie journey began about 4 years ago, although I didn't quite realize that's what I was doing! Like so many authors I know, I've been writing stories, primarily for fun (and therapy!) since I was old enough to string sentences together. I've often considered “getting serious” about my writing, but put marriage and family and my day jobs first...so my writing was just a hobby, just “for me” projects. 

Well, one of the fun projects I took on was writing a series of Bible study stories for our church's women's monthly brunch. The series was well received, and the women requested I compile them into a collection so they could have a copy, and gift copies to friends and family. So I did a little research into the most efficient and cost-effective means to printing this collection, and discovered it was cheaper for me to publish it using a “print-on-demand” system than it would be for me to have a local print shop do them for me...and I wouldn't have to stock the books either! 

So I learned how to format, how to create a cover with the help of a friend who was proficient at PhotoShop, and how to set up my own publishing house (BraveHearts Press), and distributed the book, Life Letters: The Fruit of the Spirit, to the major online booksellers. It truly was the simplest way to create the product this group of women asked for. I had no real intention of doing more indie publishing, nor did I consider this a major milestone in my career.

However, the positive response I received to my writing encouraged me to pick up my pen more seriously, so over the next 18 months, I wrote like a maniac and landed a wonderful agent with my fiction. It was during this time that I met Heather, too!

As my books were being shopped around, I started paying close attention to what was going on in the indie publishing world. I decided to proactively pursue BOTH indie publishing and traditional publishing, and in January of 2013, I began self-publishing a serial novel, Elderberry Croft, first through my website in monthly episodes, then in volumes at the major online booksellers. I then compiled Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection and published that in January 2014. Over the last two years, the response to Elderberry Croft has grown in leaps and bounds, and because of its success, I opted to indie publish some of my other fiction. As a result of that decision, my agent and I parted ways amicably, but I still consider traditional publishing as a viable option for me and hope to pursue that again in the near future.

HG: Why did you choose to publish your novel, Elderberry Croft, as a serial novel on your blog? How did you go about that? And what was the response to it?

BD: I started writing Elderberry Croft, a serial novel in monthly episodes, as a way to give readers a taste of my story voice. I posted it for free on my website the whole year of 2013, then pulled it in 2014 and published the series as a complete collection. The series is by far my best seller, and I think much of that is due to the steady production, the fact that I wasn't initially looking at this project as a book to SELL, but as a book on which to build a readership, (Click to Tweet!) and therefore, I basically gave it away for a full year. Volume 1, the first 3 episodes of the series, is still FREE. This has been a long term investment project, and I'm beginning to see long term results.

Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection on Amazon

The response has been very positive and many have asked for more, so last month I published a holiday sequel novella, Elderberry Days:Season of Joy!

Elderberry Days: Season of Joy on Amazon

***And to say “Thank you” and “Merry Christmas” from me to you, I'm giving away digital copies of both Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection and Elderberry Days: Season of Joy to ALL WHO COMMENT HERE from now until December 25^th! (Click to Tweet!) Please be sure to leave your email address and the format you prefer: pdf, mobi for Kindle, or epub.***

HG: Our critique process is crucial for me and I don't feel comfortable publishing a book without your input. You tell me when a story is unworkable and heading the wrong way, when I misspell words I was sure I knew how to spell, or when characters aren't coming across the right way. What do you think is the key thing to look for in a critique partner? I would recommend someone whose writing you respect; someone whose judgment you trust; and someone who brings elements to the table that balance your writing style.

BD: Oh goodness. I always know I can count on you, Heather. Having a critique partner, someone you can trust to read your story without trying to make it sound like their voice is paramount to producing a quality product. And that IS what we're doing. We're not just writing stories. As indie publishers, we're producing a product in its entirety. 

We want the story to be sound and relevant, the cover to be professional, the editing to be quality, the presentation as a whole to be stellar. This is not about comparing indie to traditional, but about creating the best product possible, period. A critique partner must be of the same mindset. I don't want someone who will let things slide because we're buds. I want someone who will hold me to the highest standard BECAUSE we're buds and because she wants the best for me, just as I want the best for her. That's why I feel so confident in this partnership, Heather.

HG: Thank you and I feel the same way! You have several novels out: Elderberry Croft; Elderberry Days: Season of Joy; Waters Fall; and Juliette and the Monday ManDates. I believe next on your publication agenda is Renata and the Fall from Grace (you know I'm anxiously waiting to read that one!). Can you tell us a little about the four sisters in The Gustafson Girls series and Renata in particular?

BD: Absolutely! The Gustafson Girls is a series about 4 sisters whose parents were killed fifteen years earlier by a drunk driver. Although raised by loving grandparents, it’s the G-FOURce—the Gustafson Four Sisters Club—that binds them together when their differences would tear them apart. All grown up now, Juliette has become the quintessential doormat, Renata, the self-appointed matriarchal figure. Phoebe is, at least according to Renata, borderline narcissistic, and Gia is on the verge of a major identity crisis.

Then there’s Angela Clinton, the senior class darling who drove her cherry black 1970 el Camino into the side of their parents’ car on the night of Juliette’s high school graduation. Angela’s prison sentence is winding down; soon she’ll be eligible for parole and moving back to town. Will the G-FOURce be strong enough to hold them together as they step into the eye of the storm that’s been brewing for the last fifteen years? Will they finally be able to let go of the past and embrace the future, no matter what it holds?

Cover Art for the Gustafson Girls Series

Juliette's story is already available on Amazon (Juliette and the Monday ManDates), and will go to other online booksellers the first of the year. Renata is the second sister, and the only one who is married. She feels responsible for “keeping the other girls in line,” much to everyone else's chagrin. But Renata's own life is about to spin out of her tight-fisted control and no amount of careful planning, pride, or will power is going to save her. Her faith in God, the bonds of her marriage, her role in the G-FOURce, even her black and white ideas of right and wrong, will all be tested.

Renata and the Fall from Grace is scheduled for release in early Spring, around the first of February. Books 3 and 4, Phoebe and the Rock of Ages and Gia the Blast from the Past, will  also be released later in 2015.

HG: How did you decide to go into audiobook narration? How laborious of a process was it to get everything set up for that?

Becky in her audiobook studio

BD: This was actually a huge part of my decision to venture fully into indie publishing last year. I realized that if I was going to be a full time author/publisher, I'd need to diversify and find other income streams within the industry. 

As much as I enjoy editing, after a really difficult experience, I realized it was not a service I could comfortably offer. Although I enjoy creating my own covers, I knew I didn't have the patience or know-how or programs to do them for others. I'm not a consistent blogger, so turning my blog into a source of income stream wasn't a good fit, either. 

But I've spent my whole life reading stories out loud – to my siblings, to the kids on the school bus (usually my own serial novels before I knew they were called that! I'd write a new chapter each night and read it on the way to school the next day), then to my children, and hopefully, one day soon, to my grandchildren. I'm also quite comfortable behind a microphone, being a member of a very musical family (we have a family band, aptly named “The Rowdy Doughtys), and we already had much of the equipment I'd need to narrate from my home.

So my husband and I converted a closet in my office into a sound booth, purchased a few pieces of equipment and software as we could afford it, and now, almost a year later, I just completed my 19^th audiobook. I've had some wonderfully patient authors who have ridden the learning curve with me, and I'm really beginning to find my groove with the audiobooks. It's a fairly simple thing to get into, but it requires a lot of work to make the business successful, and a willingness to constantly look for ways to produce better sound, better working relationships, better standards, better voices, better interpretations.

I'm also learning to be selective about material I narrate, not just based on content rating (I've labeled myself as a “Clean Reads” narrator, something that is remarkably subjective in this industry), but also based on the story itself, whether or not it's something I enjoy reading personally. My husband works alongside me in this business, and he can tell when my heart isn't in a project. He's a good filter for me.

As the proverbial shoemaker whose children go barefoot, I have yet to narrate one of my own books, but that's a project I'm looking forward to at the beginning of the year, starting with Elderberry Croft and Elderberry Days.

Thank you, again, Heather, and all the Novel Rocket gang, for having me here today. I've learned so much from what others share on this website. Don't forget! I'm gifting e-book copies of Elderberry Croft and Elderberry Days to all who comment here from now until December 25^th! Be sure and leave your email address and the format you prefer: pdf, mobi for Kindle, or epub. Merry Christmas, friends!

HG: Thank you so much, Becky, and your giveaway just shows your heart of giving to others. Thank you for all the time and encouragement you've given to me! And be sure to comment with your email to receive your e-book copies of Becky's books!

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What’s Smarter than a Bookworm and Benefits Children’s Literacy?

Bookopotamus, Findaway World's New Audiobook Trivia App.

SOLON, OH December 30, 2013 – Findaway World, an audiobook technology provider, has announced the launch of Bookopotamus, an audiobook trivia app, designed to entertain book lovers while raising money for First Book, a nonprofit organization determined to see that all children have access to an ongoing supply of new books.

In an effort to increase the charitable impact of the app, Bookopotamus, which initially launched to Findaway World partners and customers during the holiday season, is now available to everyone via the Apple App Store and through Google Play.

“The most important thing we can do as a company is to build products that change lives. Bookopotamus exposes more users to the value of audiobooks while ensuring that children in need will get to experience them too,” comments Dean Skinner, Chief Creative and Marketing Officer at Findaway World

In each round of Bookopotamus, the player is presented with an audible audiobook quote and is asked to guess, against the clock, which book the quote is from. The earlier the answer is provided, the higher the score for the game. As they play, users evolve from a curious little Bookworm into a Bookopotamus with an insatiable appetite for books.

Book selections range from bestsellers to the classics and context clues within the quotes can guide even those with less book exposure to find the right answer. As an entertaining bonus, all sound effects in the game were verbally made by members of the Findaway World team.

The more people who download the app and play, the larger the donation (up to $10,000 in Playaways) Findaway World is making to First Book. Donations will continue to accumulate through March 2014.

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About Findaway WorldFindaway World is a provider of audiobook technology solutions with one of the world's largest collections of digital audiobook content. Playaway and Playaway View all-in-one, pre-loaded devices make it simple to deliver audiobooks and videos to library patrons, military personnel and students. Findaway World's digital products move audio forward with technology solutions that enable partners to deliver digital audiobook content to their users.

Founded and based in Solon, Ohio, Findaway World was named one of top 50 fastest growing consumer product companies in the country by Inc. Magazine from 2009 – 2012. To learn more about Findaway World's products and the Findawayers who make it all happen, visit www.findawayworld.com.

About First BookFirst Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 100 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

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The Day I Said a Naughty Word

I sat in the studio, my stomach nervous. I'd never read one of my books for an audio version before, which was one reason for my queasiness. But the main reason resided firmly on page 36 of Thin Places.

Jimmy, the producer, asked me at the beginning of the recording. "What are you going to do about that word?"

I'm not normally a swearer. Typically the only time I hurl an expletive is if I drop something on my foot, but even then, I don't say that word. It's too ugly. "Can I say something else that starts with F?"

"Of course. Just say it strong when you do."

So we started our two-day recording journey. And I thought about that awful word, about how it would sound if I said it out loud. I knew they'd bleep it out anyway, so I felt confident I wouldn't have to say it.

But something happened as I read my story. I was five years old again. Remembering the landscape of my kindergarten year. Feeling the fear I had inside, how it boiled and churned. Nearly every day teenage boys would take me from my babysitter's house and do that unthinkable, unmentionable word to me. I couldn't tell the babysitter because I knew if I did, she'd wash my mouth out with soap. The only word I knew to use to tell her exactly what was happening was that awful, stark word.

I let the abuse continue, afraid to say the word. Knowing that if I said it out loud, I would be in trouble. But the abuse escalated. The boys brought friends. And no one would rescue me, so I mustered up my courage, asked my babysitter to stoop to hear me, then whispered the word in her ear.

In the studio, a holy anger burst through me the moment the word came near. I saw it there, remembering my own fear of saying it. And when I found my voice, I let the word leave my tongue. Bare naked. In its awful glory.

Jimmy looked up at me, stunned, then gave me a thumbs up. Somehow he knew how hard it was to say that word, and I think he understood that saying it brought healing to me.

Because sometimes there is no other word to describe hell.

The word got bleeped, but I got healed.

Which goes to show that as storytellers (whether we're telling our stories, someone else's or a character's tale) we must be willing to allow for the dark places. Sometimes we have to write the truth in its dark nakedness. Not to titillate or glorify, but to show it's depravity. Because, as Ted Dekker once said as a keynoter at Mount Hermon, "The light of redemption shines brighter on a dark canvas."

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