Spanglish in a Minute - by John Julius Reel

For anyone curious about how to self-publish an audiobook—and the possible benefits—I spent hours over the summer reading my memoir, My Half Orange (Tortoise Books, 2023), out loud into a mic, using AI to get competent with Audacity, and then to learn the requirements for getting a book approved on the various audiobook platforms. It’s convoluted, and Audible is by far the most meticulous.

I ploughed through, submitted the files in July, and by August they were approved everywhere except Audible. I busted chops with the INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices) support team—apparently not in vain—because I discovered today that the audiobook has been sitting beside the print and e-book editions on Amazon since December 18. It’s 99 cents if you’re subscribed, and free if you sign up for a trial. If only I’d known, I might have sold a million copies before Christmas (without becoming a millionaire).

Anyway, it was deeply satisfying to see the audiobook live today on the biggest bookselling platform in the world, no matter how much it takes advantage of obscure artists like me. I have a lot to be grateful for. I don’t need my books to make money—they can even lose me money—and I can still live well enough, with the help of my half orange, to support a family. At least in Spain.
In case you were waiting for the audiobook: it’s now available everywhere.

My Half Orange Check out this great listen on Audible.com. In his late thirties, John Julius Reel left his native New York for Seville, hoping to reinvent himself, find his voice as a writer, and cast off the shadow of his famous father. When his girlfriend dumped him after a month-long visit, the last tie was c.....

"'So this is variety,' I said to myself, not yet realizing that I was the variety."
https://johnjuliusreel.substack.com/p/la-vista-chapter-thirteen

Happy Thanksgiving, buena gente! Doy gracias por mucho, incluso esta entrevista. MY HALF ORANGE, publicado hace más de dos años, sigue dandome alegrías.

Entrevistas Jugosas a Autores ~14: John Julius Reel Un memorialista envuelto recientemente en la controversia…