What Do You Think about Virtual Voice?

Earlier this year, an email announced that a couple of Leora books were eligible if I wanted to create them into audio books with “virtual voice” narration.

I’d run into AI generated narration when I listened to an essay on Newsweek magazine’s website about WWII. Well, the narration called it “WW eye eye.” No computer narration for me!

After I’d dismissed the invitation, I noticed that an ebook of an author I respect (Dan Walsh) has an audio version narrated by a “virtual voice.” So I did more checking.

After Paul Berge’s compelling narration of Leora’s Letters, I’d hoped to have Leora’s Dexter Stories done the same way. But, because of the expenses of the editing, I may never earn what it cost to have that wonderful Audible version created. So, I’d given up on ever having more audio books.

Virtual voice through KDP costs nothing but the investment of several hours listening to my chosen computer gal (there are 8 voices to choose from) and trying to correct “her” pronunciation. “She read” the stories with welcome inflection, which I hadn’t expected. The biggest drawback to audiobooks is no photos.

Now these are available as a stand-alone audio books, or as an add-on to an ebook. If you’d like to hear what they sound like, on each audio book page there’s a link right below the book cover:

Leora’s Letters, with Paul Berge’s incredible narration

Leora’s Dexter Stories, with “virtual voice”

, with “virtual voice”

What Leora Never Knew is not eligible for virtual voice through KDP, but I haven’t discovered why. Yet.

I think Grandma Leora would be delighted with the way “her stories” turned out, maybe especially the audio versions.