Harassed

It might be a good idea, but you don't have to be the one doing the narrating, because that's a lot of work! It would be up to the producer of the audio book to suggest an alternate speaker, though I think ultimately the choice as to whether to use one should be up to you.

 

A friend of mine who is an aspiring author had his book published and also hired a professional voice guy to do the audio book. My recollection is that it cost him about $2,500 for the audio book to get made and published on Amazon. He knew it might not make money but he really wanted to have that Amazon author page with the regular and audio book available. He’s a funny guy, really geeky Air Force JAG/Attorney who writes Zombie Apocalypse novels set in Italy.

My review is the second one...

https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Plague-Collapse-dp-B018RG5F0I/dp/B018RG5F0I/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1598150683

Depending on how tech savvy you want to be or if you know someone there are decent USB microphones pretty cheap. The biggest piece of work in my mind would really be editing it and putting it together and getting it set up on Amazon or whatever. There is something cool about books read by the author, particularly something like this. It would certainly be something neat for family members.

 

I bought your book in paperback although I am an ardent amazon digital reader. The subject was so similar to my life experience that I wanted to read it with book in hand. At 85 I wouldn't want ti read to me. My thoughts for whatever they are worth.

 

That's funny.... Software engineer / inventor / tinkerer who writes Zombie Apocalypse novels set in Memphis. Lots of aviation elements and flying.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PFLQ1W3

I thought about doing an audio book. After talking to people who consume such things, it was stressed that the speaker should be professional as author narrated books are usually boring and hard to listen to. I don't use audio books so I really am in the dark as to the real story.

 

Bob - regarding demand and audience for your book. As others have shared with you... today's smart phones are basically pocket transistor radios that can tune into any program someone wants at any time. There is a large market for aviation content.

I dont watch TV anymore, but I do listen to least 20 hours of audiobooks or podcasts per week. Usually at least 25% of that is aviation related.

To paraphrase James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams... If you record it, they will listen.

 

Bob- Your relatives will really appreciate you doing this. There was a huge effort to record interviews with WW-II veterans recently, and yours should be even better because you know the questions and the answers.

 

Bob-- I think this is a great idea!

 

Yes Bob, vocal recordings (oral books, podcasts, Youtube) are the thing. People (friends, family, general public) would all benefit from hearing you. Not hard to get going, you got a camera and/or a mic hooked up to your computer?

-F

 

Bob, I thought your book was excellent but to be able to hear it in your own voice would just add so much more depth, make it a really special experience for those of us who marvel at your experiences that you choose to share with us. I look forward to it.

John

 

Hi Bob..

Well I bought your book. A new copy I might add, and I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Although you’ve got almost 30 years on me, I could still relate to a lot of things you talked about.

In the early 1930’s my Grandfather bought Zane Grey, the western author’s horse ranch at the base of the Mogollon Rim just north of Payson, Arizona. It had a log cabin, wood stove, and yes, an outhouse. When we’d stay at the ranch, I can remember as a little kid taking a bath in a wash tub, and trips to the outhouse at night with a kerosene lantern. Our water came from a well in the front yard. And I can remember for the longest time my Grandmother using a huge wood burning stove at their residence. Terrific memories to recall!

I pictured your adventures as a kid and could, as probably so many can, remember similar experiences. I can remember riding our bicycles to Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona to climb around on a B-23 Dragon, a B-18 Bolo, and watch the guy that owned the flying service there fly his P-51. I ultimately got my Private license there years later.

I related to your stories from basic Training too. When I went through Lackland, Air Force Base we were billeted in two story barracks that were built in 1941. This was in November and December, and although the day may have started at 80 degrees by night fall it could be 40 degrees and rain! And of course the building had no heat! I also remember coming home in a Boeing KC-97 from the Arizona Air Guard. What an experience.

Your stories from WWII and the training that went on in Florida, reminded me of stories that my folks would tell about when my dad was in Cadets and advanced training. He was at Tarrant field in Fort Worth in B-24’s and ended up in B-25’s in the Pacific. And like you, I’ve even had the experience of riding in the tail gunners’ position of a B-17, the Sentimental Journey.

Your stories about your time at Boeing and the 720 struck a chord. My brother, as a new hire with Western Airlines, was a “Plumber” on the 720. I got to do a “Walk Around” with him one morning while he was on a Lay Over in Phoenix. Try that today! Years later as a “Plumber” myself on the 727 for Eastern Airlines, one finally knew what phrase “If ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going” meant.

And holy cow you even worked on the 777! I retired off that airplane and now they’re being scrapped. Can you believe it?

Thanks so much for writing your book and helping spark so many great memories, it was a great trip.

Audio book..hell yeah!