L.B. Anne's Blog, page 9

Interview With Audiobook Narrator Sally Sharpe of Sounds Sharpe

I'm so excited to interview Sally Sharpe, of Sounds Sharpe. Sally Sharpe is the amazing narrator of my Lolo and Winkle Go Viral audiobook. I had several narrators to choose from, but none held a candle to Sally Sharpe. If you haven't heard the audio version of Lolo and Winkle Go Viral, you're missing out. Her narration takes the story to another level. I call her a master storyteller. :) How did I get started recording audiobooks? I used to be a teacher. When I left teaching I wanted to embrace one of my favorite parts of connecting with kids which was by reading aloud. I investigated the audiobook industry, and learned how to make it happen. I’ve been recording now for about a year and love it. What was your favorite part of narrating Lolo and Winkle Go Viral? Just as L.B. Anne writes from her own experiences, I was drawn to a familiar experience in the story. I loved reading about Winkle being on fire because, hard to believe, but it happened to my brother too! He was messing around and the “Stop, Drop and Roll” saved him…with no lasting injury. Is it hard to switch up your voice for characters? I have a number of voices I can do and I have to remember which one to use. The narrator’s voice is my own, as recommended in the industry. Lolo is based generally on the middle school girls I used to teach. Winkle is based on my brother, when he was young. How long does it actually take to record a book? You read the book 4 times. Once before you start, to prepare for the overall tone and any voices you will need. Next you read it into the microphone, and then you listen to it back to the words to make sure you recorded it exactly the way the author wrote it. Lastly, you listen carefully and edit out any unwanted noises. This means a two-hour book will take a minimum of 8-10 hours to turn into an audiobook. What genres do I narrate? I have recorded kid’s books, non-fiction and romance books so far. I am open to new projects. What is my favorite genre to narrate? My passion is kid’s books and I loved that Lolo and Winkle reached out to middle school kids with positive, relatable kids. The humor made it fun too :) Thank you for your interest. If you’d like to know more, follow me on Instagram @soundssharpe . Thank you, Sally Sharpe, for allowing us to get to know you, and for giving us a behind the scenes glimpse of the audiobook process. Blessings, LB

Lolo and Winkle Go Viral is on Audible

Gah! The audible version of Lolo and Winkle Go Viral is now available, and I have promo codes for anyone in the U.S. or U. K. that wants to listen for free! I only ask that you consider leaving a review upon completion. Let me tell ya, it was a long process. This was my first time adding a book to Audible. I listen to auditions from several narrators, and it was really hard to choose. I am so happy with my choice though, and hopefully, my next post will be an interview with her. The hardest part was waiting weeks for the narration to be approved. You should have seen the smile on my face when I finally received the email that the audiobook was live. I'm sure you will enjoy the audio version, and how the narrator brought the characters to life. If you would like a promo code so you can listen for free, just use the contact page and write, send my code, or shoot an email to lbanne@auriblest.com . You can also request it via my Instagram or Facebook pages. Thank you so much for your support, LB

Launching During Family Crisis

Frenemies, the third book of my Lolo and Winkle series, is now available. Though I'm so very happy to get another book out there for my readers, I released this one with great sadness. My bonus daughter lost her battle with cancer. I dedicated the third book to her and it mentions her battle. Heartbroken and confused, I pushed myself to complete my editor's recommendations and get the book completed for launch day. It was no easy task. I approved the cover with the wrong spelling of frenemies. LOL. I'm glad I caught that. My heart was so heavy, but that's life right? When you have deadlines to meet, sometimes you just have to push through and get it done no matter what. I smile thinking about something she said while in hospice. With all the things she dealt with (pain, medications, and breathing issues), she talked about wanting to name her fish Lolo and Winkle. It was just the funniest thing that she even thought about that. But, that was her. In the midst of her battle, she believed in me and in this series. I hope my readers enjoy this third installment of the Lolo and Winkle series. Winkle's love of basketball plays a big part in this one. You'll find Winkle has calmed down a bit (for now) and that Lolo is finding her voice. Bruce, Bridgette, and the rest of the Zombie Apocalypse Club are back, and I introduce a few new friends. What's my favorite scene from Frenemies? This is the first time I can't choose a favorite scene. There's about three of them, but I can't find a way of telling you without revealing the story. Let me just say that anytime Winkle yells, "Release the Kraken," I just love it. LOL. This pic is from a scene at school where Lolo leans against the wall bracing herself for whatever Bridgette is going to do next. This is the wall the book describes. I don't know what school this is, or how I came upon pic, but I think it's awesome. "I love how Lolo has evolved over the school year and has learned to come out of her shell and speak up for herself. It's funny how far she takes it. Good on you for telling why Bridgette is such a bully. I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens in London." -ARC Reviewer I hope you enjoy Lolo and Winkle Frenemies, and look out for Lolo and Winkle Break London in August. Blessings, L.B.

Lolo and Winkle Go Viral Trailer

Author Moms, How Do You do it?

I dedicate this post to writers with small children. How do you do it? I'm spending a week helping with two of my grandchildren, ages one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half, while daddy works, and mommy rests with the new addition to the family. That's precious Julia there on the left. I have a whole new respect for writers or authors with children. You guys are superheroes. Not that I thought it was easy before, I hadn't experienced it yet. Take a walk with me through one of my days. :) The kids awake, eat breakfast, and I must double check they didn't just have coffee instead of Cheerios because their energy levels just went from ten to one-hundred in thirty seconds. They are zipping around the room with no knowledge of an inside voice, like it never existed. My name granny name, Yaya, is called thirty times within fifteen minutes, and the questions begin: "Why are you cooking, what is that, where are my toys, who did that, why is your stomach making that sound?" Why and why not are the most popular questions. They follow me into each room and round and round the kitchen table. My only respite is in the bathroom, but they're right outside the door waiting for me, and then the question is, "What were you doing in there?" Yikes! Before I can respond an enormous toy dump truck is rammed into my leg. "Read please." That comes from the one-and-a-half-year-old holding a book up at me. She has eyes that you could never say no to. I end up reading four books while they insist on taking turns sitting front and center on my lap. Next is our nature walk. We splash through every puddle we find, and questions continue about absolutely everything we see. "Why are those dandelions? What's wrong with the trees? What is that worm doing?" Afterward, the oldest wants to watch Blues Clues. That show still exists? Sure, why not? I haven't seen it in years, but okay. Kill me now, I thought as I watched it. I was going to pull my hair out if I had to sit through another half hour of that. It's snack time, and they consistently want orange slices and goldfish crackers. As I'm getting them set up at the table, I'm wondering if I even brushed my teeth that morning. I don't remember eating, and when was the last time I showered? They wanted me to help them build. I'm both excited, because I loved blocks as a kid, and a little apprehensive because one of them can get pretty upset if you don't do things according to his specifications. He says he's making an excavator. I don't even understand why he knows that word, so I ask what an excavator is for. "It scoops up dirt." Okay. Mind blown. By lunch time, do you know how many words I've written? Zilch. During their nap time I checked and responded to emails, edited the Lolo and Winkle Go Viral audio book cover, and tried to get a few minutes of a nap in. My eyes finally close and then pop open. They're awake! Where has the time gone? I decide I'll get some writing in after these miniature humans are in bed that night. I have to get this next book in final edits by the end of the week. I can do it, right? Isn't this the attitude I'm supposed to have--that I can conquer all? I'll let you know how it goes. Stay tuned. Pray for me. :) L. B.

Middle Grade Series Launch Day

The wait is over! The first book of my Lolo and Winkle series is now available. Woot Woot! The second book of the series, Lolo and Winkle Zombie Apocalypse Club, is now available for pre-order. Here's an author confession for ya: I'm on pins and needles! Launch day is exciting and scary at the same time. Authors want everyone to love their books, but what if they don't? Some of us sit, teeth clenched and holding our breath, waiting for the first sale of the day. And don't even get me started on the first review. Yikes! Ha! No worries, I'm just excited to get the book into the hands of a middle grader. All it takes is one kid to say, "Your book made me want to read," and I'm in it for life. LOL. Where do these stories come from? These stories are based on actual events from my childhood in Far, Rockaway, Queens, New York. My brother and I had quite adventurous childhoods. We were raised in a way that encouraged our imaginations. I guess we took that and ran with it. The things we did... Well, you'll read all about it. LOL Lolo and Winkle will take you on real-life adventures. They are city kids dealing with home life, school drama, and the development that takes place in becoming a teen. "If a parent ever wants to know the kind of things that happen with their kids when they're not around, they need to read this."
-ARC Reviewer I hope you enjoy Lolo and Winkle go Viral, and thanks for following my blog. Blessings, L.B.

Gah! It's happening!

The first book of the Lolo and Winkle series is launching. I can't believe it's happening. It hasn't been an easy process, but every trial and setback has been so worth it. Middle Grade Series Lolo and Winkle is a middle grade series for readers 8-12 years of age. The best part about the series is that all the books are based on true stories from my youth with my brother. I don't think I've enjoyed writing anything as much as I've enjoyed writing these books. The funniest thing happened. My editor read the first book and asked, "Did this really happen?" She had so many questions, and I'm sure many people will. I think it will be a good idea to go live on Facebook or Instagram to answer questions from my readers. Wouldn't that be fun? Lolo and Winkle Where did those names come from? That's what my mom has always called us. I wish I had a photo of us from our middle school years. The photo below is the only picture I have of us from when we were five and six years old. It looks pretty old, right? Am I telling my age? I don't know who the other people in the photo were. Winkle and I had probably made an escape from our mom and ran around looking at the merchandise the different vendors were selling on the sidewalks. Pre-order now! Lolo and Winkle Go Viral is available for pre-order on Amazon. The next book, Lolo and Winkle Zombie Apocalypse Club, will be available in April. Give Lolo and Winkle a read and let me know what you think. If you already have, please consider leaving a review. Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss out on in-depth info and videos discussing the events of Lolo and Winkle Go Viral, and information on other great middle school books for your children. Blessings, L.B.