Leora’s Letters: The Audiobook
Do you listen to books?
People had asked if there’d be an audiobook of Leora’s Letters. I’ve never listened to one before, and didn’t know there’s a whole audience out there, hearing narrated stories on a trip or commuting to work.
I asked my online writers’ group how to go about creating one. Several authors sent me to Audible, where you can even listen to different voices to see who might be a good match for your story.
But thinking I’d like to keep it local, meaning Iowa, I asked a trusted professional (who’d interviewed me about Leora’s Letters) who he’d recommend. I was thinking a woman would narrate, but he listed four men’s names.
Paul Berge
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I knew the name at the top. Paul Berge.
He used to be an air traffic controller with my husband here at Des Moines. He’d even written his first book, Bootleg Skies, on mid (midnight) shifts in the control tower.
Paul had also created a radio drama series, “Rejection Slip Theater,” for WHO Radio 1040 AM. I submitted my “Reconciling Dad” story back then, and he edited it to fit in with the style of the program. That was long ago. I’d forgotten. This goes back to B.F. (before fibromyalgia, which began about 2001). He has also been the host of “Side Roads” on Iowa Public TV.
Paul said to send a copy of the Leora’s Letters. I waited. Being patient was hard.
But then had me send a another copy of it to Steve Mathews, who used to own a recording studio, and whose father flew B-25s in the Pacific during WWII.
Steve Mathews
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Well, they both said yes, they’d record the book, but that it’s “be a big project.” Steve had rigged up a studio in an old sauna in his basement and they got to work, doing a couple of chapters a day.
Steve sent me an mp3 of part of the story. Leora’s Letters brought to life! It about did me in when I heard my grandfather, Clabe, in his own words, as he talked with family members.
Paul uses a folksy diction with Clabe and the boys, which I’d imagined also. I knew I’d asked the right man to narrate this precious story.
Steve has also been so gracious about the whole thing. His part in the production takes twice as much time as Paul’s, plus keeping me in the loop and also uploading all the files.
Paul sent a note, saying that Steve is the “best in the business. Betchya didn’t know he’s been inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame–Twice.” Hmm, modest, too, as that’s not even mentioned on Steve’s Facebook page.
LinkedIn reveals Steve Mathews‘s history, as a drummer in a rock and roll band, and former owner of Radio Garage Productions. He also does audio for corporate communications and voicing for radio and TV commercials.
And recording and editing for Leora’s Letters.
[image error]Recording the prologue and epilogue in a converted sauna.
According to the latest Writer’s Digest (May/June 2020), one in five Americans listen to audiobooks. The article also discussed differentiating between voices. Paul does that, which I wasn’t expecting, even including a creditable FDR toward the beginning.
And sings a little of “Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder,” which was played as the recessional at my parents’ wedding!
I didn’t realize what my request would put the narrator through, how hard it would be to read out loud the words of the difficult telegrams after getting to know the brothers. Or even Steve as he recorded and edited. They have become part of Leora’s story, and have embraced the Wilson family, who lost three of their five sons during WWII.
Paul Berge says he’s honored to lend a voice to the Wilson stories, that it’s time they were heard.
I’m amazed and humbled.
Soon Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II will be available on Amazon.com as a paperback, an ebook, and even an audiobook.
