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A FRUSTRATING MONTH

This month has mostly been spent in trying to get the audiobook of ‘Jesus the Troublemaker’ uploaded to an audio platform.  I started on ACX, but then decided to switch to Authors Republic.  This was for two reasons.  ACX (a branch of Amazon) transmits to the big three:  Audible, I-tunes and Amazon.   Authors Republic transmits to them as well as dozens of independent platforms.  Also ACX gives authors 40% of sales, while Authors Republic gives 70%.  

A TAXING ISSUE

I got into trouble as soon as I tried registering.  I needed to fill in a form for the IRS, the US tax authorities. Both Authors Republic and ACX are based in the US.  Fortunately I was helped by a lady from Authors Republic who gave me the right advice (one question needed an answer of 0% – I had put 100%) and she put it up on the platform for me.  (My emails were getting increasingly hysterical.  I don’t do tech well). 

UPLOADING  – AGAIN  & AGAIN  & AGAIN 

Peter Walters at work

I started uploading the 21 tracks that Peter Walters, the narrator had finished.  I waited until they were all done, though that was not necessary.  Anyway, I uploaded two or three, then the system rejected the fourth.  The kBit had to be 44.1. (Don’t ask).  Peter sorted that out.  I downloaded it and then uploaded it.  The uploaded process was often very long, up to half an hour per track, because some were very big files.  Then I realised that I had the section numbers in the wrong order, so I had to delete all the files, get them renumbered and start again.  Finally, we got them all done and uploaded.  There was a review and three tracks were rejected.  Peter put them through a further noise reduction process.  One was still rejected a couple of times until Peter had a word with Heather from Authors Republic and success!  It is now in the process of sailing into the outside world – between 14 and 60 days depending on the platform.  Total angst time: 14 days.  Two weeks of introverted anxiety scuppering any creative thinking!

I started uploading the 21 tracks that Peter Walters, the narrator had finished.  I waited until they were all done, though that was not necessary.  Anyway, I uploaded two or three, then the system rejected the fourth.  The kBit had to be 44.1. (Don’t ask).  Peter sorted that out.  I downloaded it and then uploaded it.  The uploaded process was often very long, up to half an hour per track, because some were very big files.  Then I realised that I had the section numbers in the wrong order, so I had to delete all the files, renumber them and start again.  Finally, we got them all done and uploaded.  Then there was a review and three tracks were rejected.  Peter put them through a further noise reduction process.  They still rejected one track a couple of times until Peter had a word with Heather from Authors Republic and success!  It is now in the process of sailing into the outside world – between 14 and 60 days depending on the platform.  Total angst time: 14 days.  Two weeks of introverted anxiety scuppering any creative thinking!

A FAILED ZOOM

Last month I advertised a Zoom meeting on Eventbrite on ‘Creating an audiobook on Jesus’.  But when I put it up on Eventbrite, the system had changed, and I managed to link it to one of my two Zoom Meeting Rooms, but I did not know which.  Peter and I got together half an hour before and tried to link up on Zoom, but he found that entering by registering on Eventbrite was incredibly complicated.  One other person had signed up for the meeting, but  apparently he did not appear (very common with Eventbrite).  So Peter and I decided to do an action replay of the Zoom meeting, this time giving possible participants the actual Zoom meeting ID direct.  It will be 

8.00, Wednesday 22nd September on

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82909128301?pwd=QUxyc1JqOGY4S0RqbmFFNnhSY3JVZz09  

Meeting ID: 829 0912 8301     Passcode: 419685

Peter and I will spell out the whole process of making an audiobook, from creating a broadcastable script to sending it out on the ether.  If this interests you, drop me an email. 

PUBLIC LAUNCH

When ‘Jesus the Troublemaker’ came out in March, we were in the middle of a lockdown – no chance for a face-to-face celebration.  Now, apart from the audiobook, I am creating a larger colour edition with 24 of my photos of Jerusalem.  And we will launch it in the splendid Arts and Crafts church of St Cuthbert in Philbeach Gardens.  The launch will include interviews, one with my friend Jo Simister from Living Stones who lived in Jerusalem for a dozen years.  I hope that Giles Fraser (who resigned from                   Upper Room, St Mark’s                                                               St Paul’s Cathedral over the Occupy movement will also take part.  

There will be wine, bread and za’atar at the end.            

• When?  7.30 pm Wednesday 20th October Where?  St Cuthbert’s, Philbeach Gardens.  Earls Court tube, Warwick Road exit

I have already sent details to the Diocese of London and the Bishop of Kensington as well as local press, because we won’t get back from holiday until mid-September.  I am not used to such advance planning!

FILAMENT FAITH

The week before the launch, my publisher Chris and I will share a stall at Christian Resources Exhibition near Esher, to promote a new section of his publishing company called Filament Faith, currently about 20 titles, including my six.  It’s a great platform in which to meet potential customers and new outlets.  It’s an expense, but could be worth it in the  long term.  One project I want to do is to put my audiobook on CD, so there is something physical to show at the CRE.

MUSIC!

The great sanity saver for me this month has been the Proms.  It was so wonderful going back to the Royal Albert Hall and standing in the Arena with fellow aficionados experiencing fantastic music.  At just £7 a time!  From 11th, when I started uploading the  audio tracks, to 25th when I finished it, I attended seven evening proms at the Albert Hall and two lunchtime ones at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square. 

Outstanding highlights were Rachmaninov’s Raphsody on a Theme by Paganini and Stravinsky’s Firebird (played from memory), Mozart’s Requiem, a thousand years of choral music,  Coleridge-Taylor and Fanny Price, Vivaldi and Piazzolla (Four Seasons by both). Lunchtimes included Haydn, Piazzola and Ramirez.  Do listen to Ramirez ‘Missa Criolla’ – simply great.  A total surprise was an evening of the young black British jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia and her group playing ‘Source’.  Completely entrancing and it got my creative juices flowing – I actually planned the public launch of the colour and audio-book while I was there.

YORKSHIRE CALLS!

But, no more Proms for me this year.  Bank Holiday Monday will see Linda and I travelling north from my brother’s in Cambridge for two week in the Yorkshire dales and the North York Moors.  Bliss!