D.J. Cowdall's Blog, page 2
July 5, 2023
Short Story - Inferno, Narrated by DJ Cowdall
Inferno.
As part of my ongoing YouTube channel dedicated to my narrating my books and stories, I have added one of the short stories that is part of my older back catalogue.
The story was published on Amazon way back in 2016, and remains on sale today. As I have moved on to longer works, novels and the like, I no longer write short stories.
I have written a great many of these of the years, most of which were published in magazines and newspapers, most of which are now defunct with the advent of the digital age.
You can find Inferno, witten and narrated by DJ Cowdall on YouTube here: Inferno by DJ Cowdall
I have also narrated and added another short story, The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, narrated by myself. These and others are on my channel.
Any comments or feedback on the story or my naration are very welcome.
As always, I continue to work on my new novel. More news on that soon.
Take Care.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
As part of my ongoing YouTube channel dedicated to my narrating my books and stories, I have added one of the short stories that is part of my older back catalogue.
The story was published on Amazon way back in 2016, and remains on sale today. As I have moved on to longer works, novels and the like, I no longer write short stories.
I have written a great many of these of the years, most of which were published in magazines and newspapers, most of which are now defunct with the advent of the digital age.
You can find Inferno, witten and narrated by DJ Cowdall on YouTube here: Inferno by DJ Cowdall
I have also narrated and added another short story, The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, narrated by myself. These and others are on my channel.
Any comments or feedback on the story or my naration are very welcome.
As always, I continue to work on my new novel. More news on that soon.
Take Care.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
June 20, 2023
The Dog That Wouldn't Sit 3 and New Video
I spent a lot of time writing the latest installment in the series of The Dog That Wouldn't Sit.
I must admit, I am having a lot of fun with it. It is such a playful series, and I love the characters of Champion and Ethel. They have such a strong bond, obviously love each other, and yet cannot help but be so awkward with each other.
This time, Champion goes for a jaunt, off on a little trip, and Ethel has to go after him. The fact that she wants to go after him is very telling.
Progress is great, and I look forward to launching it as soon as possible.
I am pleased to say that I have another piece narrated, as part of my wider practice for adding all of my books to Audible in time. This time I have narrated an old classic, The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
I enjoyed reading and narrating it, but it was quite a lot of work. There are definitely one or two very minor issues in it, but overall I am pleased with it, and my progress.
Any comments or feedback on the video and narration are always welcome.
Hope you are all well, and again, thank you for your support.
David.
I must admit, I am having a lot of fun with it. It is such a playful series, and I love the characters of Champion and Ethel. They have such a strong bond, obviously love each other, and yet cannot help but be so awkward with each other.
This time, Champion goes for a jaunt, off on a little trip, and Ethel has to go after him. The fact that she wants to go after him is very telling.
Progress is great, and I look forward to launching it as soon as possible.
I am pleased to say that I have another piece narrated, as part of my wider practice for adding all of my books to Audible in time. This time I have narrated an old classic, The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
I enjoyed reading and narrating it, but it was quite a lot of work. There are definitely one or two very minor issues in it, but overall I am pleased with it, and my progress.
Any comments or feedback on the video and narration are always welcome.
Hope you are all well, and again, thank you for your support.
David.
June 6, 2023
Two New Poems Narrated, New Book.
TWO NEW POEMS NARRATED BY DJ COWDALL
I am pleased to tell you two new videos are available on my DJ Cowdall YouTube channel. Both are poems that I have narrated.
The first is Spring by John Clare. It is a short poem, another about nature and I think a very fine piece.
The second is The Bridge, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This is a longer piece, and one that I found particularly emotive and inspiring.
As always, these are narrated by me as practice for eventually narrating my audio books. On this channel, I will add more first chapters of my own books, fully narrated by me, and I think next up will be a short story. I am uncertain whether this will be one of my own or another’s.
Click the title here to listen:
SPRING BY JOHN CLARE
THE BRIDGE BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
NEW BOOK
I am pleased to say progress on The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit 3 is going very well. I am very happy with it and I don’t think it will be long at all before a release.
It certainly helps with the lovely weather lately in the UK, and I have been sitting out a lot enjoying the sun and writing a great deal.
AI
I am sure everyone is getting a little tired of hearing AI mentioned so much in the news. The interesting part for some in all of this is the use of software to narrate our books into audio books by machine. As of right now, audio book publishers generally do not allow for this, but that may change. What I have seen and heard of machine narrated prose seems quite good, but doing this is expensive for now, and it has plenty of problems, such as odd pauses and an uncanny sense of the voice not being real, still.
Personally, I am more than happy to fully narrate my own books. I think the benefit I have is that I am the author and the narrator, and so can choose to do this. I am not reliant on being hired by others to do the work, and I don’t have to employ others to do my work for me.
Another aspect is that I believe people will appreciate actually hearing the author of a book narrate their own works, rather than from a machine or an unknown voice.
I am sure there are plenty of people out there that don’t mind or care, but if given the choice, I know what I would prefer.
The future is definitely going to be interesting in this space, that is for sure.
APPRECIATION
Thank you so much for your ongoing support. It matters so much and I always appreciate and develop and learn from your feedback.
PS. Don't forget to click the follow button on Amazon for updates on all my new books and new additions for my narration. You can sign up to my newsletter on my official site for occasional newsletters.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
David.
I am pleased to tell you two new videos are available on my DJ Cowdall YouTube channel. Both are poems that I have narrated.
The first is Spring by John Clare. It is a short poem, another about nature and I think a very fine piece.
The second is The Bridge, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This is a longer piece, and one that I found particularly emotive and inspiring.
As always, these are narrated by me as practice for eventually narrating my audio books. On this channel, I will add more first chapters of my own books, fully narrated by me, and I think next up will be a short story. I am uncertain whether this will be one of my own or another’s.
Click the title here to listen:
SPRING BY JOHN CLARE
THE BRIDGE BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
NEW BOOK
I am pleased to say progress on The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit 3 is going very well. I am very happy with it and I don’t think it will be long at all before a release.
It certainly helps with the lovely weather lately in the UK, and I have been sitting out a lot enjoying the sun and writing a great deal.
AI
I am sure everyone is getting a little tired of hearing AI mentioned so much in the news. The interesting part for some in all of this is the use of software to narrate our books into audio books by machine. As of right now, audio book publishers generally do not allow for this, but that may change. What I have seen and heard of machine narrated prose seems quite good, but doing this is expensive for now, and it has plenty of problems, such as odd pauses and an uncanny sense of the voice not being real, still.
Personally, I am more than happy to fully narrate my own books. I think the benefit I have is that I am the author and the narrator, and so can choose to do this. I am not reliant on being hired by others to do the work, and I don’t have to employ others to do my work for me.
Another aspect is that I believe people will appreciate actually hearing the author of a book narrate their own works, rather than from a machine or an unknown voice.
I am sure there are plenty of people out there that don’t mind or care, but if given the choice, I know what I would prefer.
The future is definitely going to be interesting in this space, that is for sure.
APPRECIATION
Thank you so much for your ongoing support. It matters so much and I always appreciate and develop and learn from your feedback.
PS. Don't forget to click the follow button on Amazon for updates on all my new books and new additions for my narration. You can sign up to my newsletter on my official site for occasional newsletters.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
David.
May 17, 2023
New Poem Narrated By DJ Cowdall.
Here is a new poem, Rain In Summer, which is another reading and created as a video on YouTube. This is a longer poem and another beautiful piece of creativity about the countryside and nature.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, here or on YouTube.
If you would like to see new content like this and have any suggestions, they are always welcome.
More poems will be made available on my official website and YouTube and then next up will be longer pieces, such as first chapters of some of my books and whole audio books, read by me.
My new book, the Dog That Wouldn't Sit 3 is coming along nicely. As usual Ethel and Champion are antagonizing each other and engaging in a never-ending battle of wills. I am sure this will be on sale soon.
Here is the poetry narration:
Rain In Summer By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As always, enjoy.
David.
PS. Don't forget to follow me on Amazon, and you can sign up to my newsletter on my official site for occasional newsletters.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
Comments and suggestions are welcome, here or on YouTube.
If you would like to see new content like this and have any suggestions, they are always welcome.
More poems will be made available on my official website and YouTube and then next up will be longer pieces, such as first chapters of some of my books and whole audio books, read by me.
My new book, the Dog That Wouldn't Sit 3 is coming along nicely. As usual Ethel and Champion are antagonizing each other and engaging in a never-ending battle of wills. I am sure this will be on sale soon.
Here is the poetry narration:
Rain In Summer By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As always, enjoy.
David.
PS. Don't forget to follow me on Amazon, and you can sign up to my newsletter on my official site for occasional newsletters.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
May 15, 2023
My First Poetry Narration.
As promised, I have started creating audio content with a view to, in time, narrating all of my books as audio books. I created a simple YouTube channel which I can add videos of me narrating poems, snippets of my books, some full audio books and more.
The first two poems are on the channel, and are lovely poems which are focused on nature, suitable for the new beginnings that Spring brings.
The first poem is The Country Beautiful, Poem by Paul Bewsher, which is short but beautiful. The video is simple and was recorded by my daughter, Maya Cowdall. She has recorded a lot of similar clips for me to use, but they are background B roll footage where what matters is the audio.
I have recorded and tested these aimed at Audible requirements, although YouTube compression may make an impact on this quality played from there.
I will post more on here as I add more, and once I have a reasonable size catalogue of narrated content, I will post them elsewhere, possibly on the likes of Spotify.
This is of course all for rehearsing and learning how to narrate to a professional standard, simply because I would like to narrate all of my own audio books to go alongside my many published titles.
Please feel free to leave comments here or on YouTube regarding anything to do with the narration, sound quality, my narrating, or the choice of poems, and if you have any suggestions for what I might narrate then you are very welcome to contact me and suggest some anytime.
Please enjoy the first of these videos linked below.
David.
A COUNTRY BEAUTIFUL - POEM NARRATED BY DJ COWDALL
The first two poems are on the channel, and are lovely poems which are focused on nature, suitable for the new beginnings that Spring brings.
The first poem is The Country Beautiful, Poem by Paul Bewsher, which is short but beautiful. The video is simple and was recorded by my daughter, Maya Cowdall. She has recorded a lot of similar clips for me to use, but they are background B roll footage where what matters is the audio.
I have recorded and tested these aimed at Audible requirements, although YouTube compression may make an impact on this quality played from there.
I will post more on here as I add more, and once I have a reasonable size catalogue of narrated content, I will post them elsewhere, possibly on the likes of Spotify.
This is of course all for rehearsing and learning how to narrate to a professional standard, simply because I would like to narrate all of my own audio books to go alongside my many published titles.
Please feel free to leave comments here or on YouTube regarding anything to do with the narration, sound quality, my narrating, or the choice of poems, and if you have any suggestions for what I might narrate then you are very welcome to contact me and suggest some anytime.
Please enjoy the first of these videos linked below.
David.
A COUNTRY BEAUTIFUL - POEM NARRATED BY DJ COWDALL
May 2, 2023
Spring Is Here, And Life Moves On
Spring is here at last, and summer is approaching. For me, this is the best time of the year. I usually write indoors, but when the weather is nice, I love to get outside and work and enjoy the sun. It seems to have been a bit slow to warm up lately, but I’m sure any time now we will have BBQs and shorts weather!
Time as always eases pain, and the loss of our beloved Scooby took just that to come to terms with. It affected what I was doing, because a lot of what I write and enjoy doing is related to our four-legged friends. Emotions have subsided now and we feel better able to look back occasionally, just a little to remember him with love and the wonderful memories we have of him. For us, we will never forget him. We took thousands of photographs and videos of him over the years and in time I will post some of them on a section on my website at David Cowdall Official Website just for him and maybe some of our other wonderful pooches.
Of course, life goes on, and I have begun writing again. I am pleased to say my focus is going to be The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit 3, and it shouldn’t be too long before that is out. At the time of the loss of our wonderful dog, I just couldn’t imagine writing about dogs, but as the sadness has subsided, I think it would be the best way to move forward to remember him and his love in this book. The best part of it is that until now the first two books were only available in eBook, Kindle, but once the third in the series is out, it will be an eBook, but I intend to bring all three first books together and publish them all in a single bumper paperback. Watch out for that.
Other plans are to release a hardback special edition of all three Dog Under The Bed series in one volume. This has been so well loved that I think it is something many would love to see.
I haven’t forgotten about my audiobooks, which are in the works. I am in the process of setting up a YouTube channel which I will read poetry, small snippets of my books, full-length books etc., as well as releasing all of my back catalogue of books in audiobook format, narrated by myself.
Watch out for news here and on my website for launches and new videos as I begin to release again soon.
You can subscribe to my newsletter on my website and don’t forget to follow me on Amazon.
I hope you are all well.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
Time as always eases pain, and the loss of our beloved Scooby took just that to come to terms with. It affected what I was doing, because a lot of what I write and enjoy doing is related to our four-legged friends. Emotions have subsided now and we feel better able to look back occasionally, just a little to remember him with love and the wonderful memories we have of him. For us, we will never forget him. We took thousands of photographs and videos of him over the years and in time I will post some of them on a section on my website at David Cowdall Official Website just for him and maybe some of our other wonderful pooches.
Of course, life goes on, and I have begun writing again. I am pleased to say my focus is going to be The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit 3, and it shouldn’t be too long before that is out. At the time of the loss of our wonderful dog, I just couldn’t imagine writing about dogs, but as the sadness has subsided, I think it would be the best way to move forward to remember him and his love in this book. The best part of it is that until now the first two books were only available in eBook, Kindle, but once the third in the series is out, it will be an eBook, but I intend to bring all three first books together and publish them all in a single bumper paperback. Watch out for that.
Other plans are to release a hardback special edition of all three Dog Under The Bed series in one volume. This has been so well loved that I think it is something many would love to see.
I haven’t forgotten about my audiobooks, which are in the works. I am in the process of setting up a YouTube channel which I will read poetry, small snippets of my books, full-length books etc., as well as releasing all of my back catalogue of books in audiobook format, narrated by myself.
Watch out for news here and on my website for launches and new videos as I begin to release again soon.
You can subscribe to my newsletter on my website and don’t forget to follow me on Amazon.
I hope you are all well.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmail.com
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
January 9, 2023
Happy New Year & Updates
Well, a very happy new year to everyone. It has been some time since my last update, but things have been a bit difficult for us all here.
Shortly before Christmas, my dog, who went by the name Scooby Doo, was diagnosed with cancer. It was such that the vet advised us he should be put to sleep, as he was suffering badly.
As I’m sure most dog owners will be aware, this was a very distressing and painful time. I took Scooby in and remained at his side throughout.
The impact on us all was very strong and left me feeling unable to write for some time.
We had Scooby from a dog’s home when he was very young, and I got him because I wanted my daughter to experience growing up with a dog. She, like all of us, loved him very much. She has suffered more than most in trying to come to terms with his death, but like so many things in life, we have to adjust and adapt and accept the inevitable with our lovely pooches.
Scooby lived until he was fourteen years old and had an amazing and wonderful life. We are proud to say that we spoiled him rotten, and he was one of the softest and most loving dogs I have ever had.
I can be philosophical about his passing, in that before him I had a dog named Bill, who lived until he was sixteen, which means across thirty years of my life I have had two very amazing dogs.
Most will know Scooby, as he was the very famous cover model on The Dog Under the Bed books. He always looked sad when we took photos of him for such things, but we have a ton of funny and enjoyable and happy photos of him which I will post on my website in time.
Right now, it is about taking a deep breath, thanking him for all the love and joy, and hoping he is keeping a close eye on us across the rainbow bridge.
THE FUTURE.
Given what had happened, I could not bring myself to write much lately, but had been looking to begin work on a new installment of my Missing series. As time has passed, I feel able now to work on a new dog book instead, because I think he was worth it, and through that I can allow some of my emotions to come out on to the page.
There can be no better way to deal with the loss of him than by writing something very funny and enjoyable, which is why I am now beginning to write the third installment of The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit series. I have often found myself laughing at the hijinks of Champion and how he comes up against Ethel, each trying to outdo each other. I have so many funny ideas that I am sure it will write itself.
Of course, there will be tears along the way. It would be impossible not to, given how wonderful a dog Scooby was.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that like all of us here, you are looking to the future, ready to deal with and overcome whatever comes your way.
David
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
Shortly before Christmas, my dog, who went by the name Scooby Doo, was diagnosed with cancer. It was such that the vet advised us he should be put to sleep, as he was suffering badly.
As I’m sure most dog owners will be aware, this was a very distressing and painful time. I took Scooby in and remained at his side throughout.
The impact on us all was very strong and left me feeling unable to write for some time.
We had Scooby from a dog’s home when he was very young, and I got him because I wanted my daughter to experience growing up with a dog. She, like all of us, loved him very much. She has suffered more than most in trying to come to terms with his death, but like so many things in life, we have to adjust and adapt and accept the inevitable with our lovely pooches.
Scooby lived until he was fourteen years old and had an amazing and wonderful life. We are proud to say that we spoiled him rotten, and he was one of the softest and most loving dogs I have ever had.
I can be philosophical about his passing, in that before him I had a dog named Bill, who lived until he was sixteen, which means across thirty years of my life I have had two very amazing dogs.
Most will know Scooby, as he was the very famous cover model on The Dog Under the Bed books. He always looked sad when we took photos of him for such things, but we have a ton of funny and enjoyable and happy photos of him which I will post on my website in time.
Right now, it is about taking a deep breath, thanking him for all the love and joy, and hoping he is keeping a close eye on us across the rainbow bridge.
THE FUTURE.
Given what had happened, I could not bring myself to write much lately, but had been looking to begin work on a new installment of my Missing series. As time has passed, I feel able now to work on a new dog book instead, because I think he was worth it, and through that I can allow some of my emotions to come out on to the page.
There can be no better way to deal with the loss of him than by writing something very funny and enjoyable, which is why I am now beginning to write the third installment of The Dog That Wouldn’t Sit series. I have often found myself laughing at the hijinks of Champion and how he comes up against Ethel, each trying to outdo each other. I have so many funny ideas that I am sure it will write itself.
Of course, there will be tears along the way. It would be impossible not to, given how wonderful a dog Scooby was.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that like all of us here, you are looking to the future, ready to deal with and overcome whatever comes your way.
David
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
Official Website: www.davidcowdall.com
July 13, 2022
New Book Launch, The Puppy
Finally, I am happy to say my new book has just launched. It is available in paperback and eBook, and can be bought immediately.
The book is titled The Puppy, and is available to buy from here:
The Puppy - Click Here To Buy
It follows the travails of a newborn puppy, and his adventures in the world as he struggles to find someone who will keep him. Like most young dogs, his life is uncertain, but he is resilient and never gives up.
It is a loving tale about a puppy, very much reminiscent of a puppy I once had when much younger. They are so cute and so beautiful, before often growing up into the huge handful they become, and as always, an integral part of our lives.
This novel is a wistful look at the life of one such puppy and the people he meets on his journey and the experiences he has with them. It is lighthearted, fun and down to earth, and filled with my usual love of dogs.
I am pleased to say my next novel will be the third installment of The Dog That Wouldn't Sit
Once again, it follows the trials and tribulations of Champion and Ethel, two of the most stubborn people and dogs in the world.
The good news is that book 3 in the series will also have a paperback. The first two books are only available in eBook form, but the third in the series will have all three books together for the first time in one bumper book.
Hopefully book three will be out before too long, and for now everyone will enjoy The Puppy.
Hope you are all enjoying the sun.
Take care.
David.
The book is titled The Puppy, and is available to buy from here:
The Puppy - Click Here To Buy
It follows the travails of a newborn puppy, and his adventures in the world as he struggles to find someone who will keep him. Like most young dogs, his life is uncertain, but he is resilient and never gives up.
It is a loving tale about a puppy, very much reminiscent of a puppy I once had when much younger. They are so cute and so beautiful, before often growing up into the huge handful they become, and as always, an integral part of our lives.
This novel is a wistful look at the life of one such puppy and the people he meets on his journey and the experiences he has with them. It is lighthearted, fun and down to earth, and filled with my usual love of dogs.
I am pleased to say my next novel will be the third installment of The Dog That Wouldn't Sit
Once again, it follows the trials and tribulations of Champion and Ethel, two of the most stubborn people and dogs in the world.
The good news is that book 3 in the series will also have a paperback. The first two books are only available in eBook form, but the third in the series will have all three books together for the first time in one bumper book.
Hopefully book three will be out before too long, and for now everyone will enjoy The Puppy.
Hope you are all enjoying the sun.
Take care.
David.
January 18, 2022
Happy New Year
Well, here we are with a bright new year. I hope you all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a fine new year.
Given how things have been over the past couple of years, we can only hope things improve for us all.
I am back at it now, working away to finish my new novel. I hope to have a very productive year ahead and am looking to release several new novels.
Thank you for all your support.
Take care and be well.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/djcowdall/
https://twitter.com/djcowdall
https://www.facebook.com/DJCowdall
www.davidcowdall.com
Given how things have been over the past couple of years, we can only hope things improve for us all.
I am back at it now, working away to finish my new novel. I hope to have a very productive year ahead and am looking to release several new novels.
Thank you for all your support.
Take care and be well.
David.
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/djcowdall/
https://twitter.com/djcowdall
https://www.facebook.com/DJCowdall
www.davidcowdall.com
November 10, 2021
Sale Now Ended
This Sale Has Now Ended
Thank you to all those who bought my novel.
I am pleased to say that one of my most popular books, The Dog Under The Bed is on sale at half price! On Kindle only for this promotion.
It is a part of Amazon’s Daily Deal and is being offered like this by Amazon, for a short time. So, if you ever wanted to read or own a copy on Kindle but haven’t yet done so, now is the time.
This novel has never been on sale before and has never had its price reduced, until now. So, don’t miss out, get your half price copy, now.
CLICK HERE to get a copy if you don't already own it on Kindle
Quick post today, but I will be posting again here shortly with a much more substantial update.
D.J.
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/djcowdall/
https://twitter.com/djcowdall
https://www.facebook.com/DJCowdall
www.davidcowdall.com
Thank you to all those who bought my novel.
I am pleased to say that one of my most popular books, The Dog Under The Bed is on sale at half price! On Kindle only for this promotion.
It is a part of Amazon’s Daily Deal and is being offered like this by Amazon, for a short time. So, if you ever wanted to read or own a copy on Kindle but haven’t yet done so, now is the time.
This novel has never been on sale before and has never had its price reduced, until now. So, don’t miss out, get your half price copy, now.
CLICK HERE to get a copy if you don't already own it on Kindle
Quick post today, but I will be posting again here shortly with a much more substantial update.
D.J.
Email: djcowdall@gmx.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/djcowdall/
https://twitter.com/djcowdall
https://www.facebook.com/DJCowdall
www.davidcowdall.com
