Many years ago my sister Christine wrote to me about the audio books she bought and listened to as she drove home from work. It was a long drive and so listening to a book was a great way to spend her time coming home. I did not understand what that was about till my own publishers -- Leadstart Publishing and Amazon Audio, contacted me to make an ebook of my latest book on Parkinsons.

It was really interesting to see how they included me, the author in all their decisions, which made it so exciting. I was sent short clips of voice overs with different people and different accents reading my book. Then between my sister and myself we zeroed in on one reader, with a pleasant accent and chose the voice over for the whole book.

Then a few days back I got a wonderful notification from Leadstart and Amazon saying my book was for sale in the US, UK, France and Germany. Wow! I really got a shock reading that email.


Dear Marianne,

Greetings from Leadstart Publishing!


We are happy to announce that your book "A Bend in the River of Life" is now available as an Audiobooks on Audible (an Amazon company).


Here are the links to the audiobook -
US
https://www.audible.com/pd/B08NY1C93M/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-224141&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_224141_rh_us

UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B08NXZW8MD/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-224141&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_224141_rh_uk

France
https://www.audible.fr/pd/B08NY16JQ3/?source_code=FRAORWS022318903B-BK-ACX0-224141&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_224141_rh_fr

Germany
https://www.audible.de/pd/B08NY1PY14/?source_code=EKAORWS0223189009-BK-ACX0-224141&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_224141_rh_de

Please click on the above link and download the audiobook.


If you do not have the Audible App on your phone, you can download the same from the App center/ Play store on your phone. Also, please get the Audible membership with 30 days free trial, so you can download the first Audiobook of your title for free. The steps to create an Audible account on the Audible App and Audible Website (www.audible.com) is attached to this email. All you need to do is sign in with your existing Amazon account. Enter your card details and make the test payment of Rs. 2/- which will get refunded to you within 48 hours. If you wish to not to continue with the Audible membership after the free trial, there is an option to pause the membership and no charges will be deducted from your account.

Many of my friends and family across the globe have downloaded my audio book for free and that's so exciting.

Then my second son reminded me about the audio- books on a cassette which I played for him when he was ill in hospital. He especially loved Jungle Book and I think we played and played the book till the cassette conked out!

It’s becoming an exciting world for writers today.My next book is on the editing table with Leadstart and I am looking forward to its release in 2021.