Podcast, Kindle or Dead Tree - Get this Book
345685
I don't usually like Horror Stories but  I loved it.  It has elements from Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Deborah Green's City Talkers Fantasy stories.
3067877
I still can't remember who recommended this book to me, but many thanks to whoever it was because I zipped through this 8 hour, 20 minute audiobook like a hot knife through butter.  Admittedly, had I known that the author, Ben H. Winters, was he of the "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" fame, I would have ignored this recommendations (is that phase of fiction finally over?  It got really old, really quick).

Anyhoo, I was expecting a police procedural, but one this unique.  Detective Hank Palace of the Concord, NH police department admittedly has little qualifications or experience with his new job.  That's because there is no one really left to do his job, primarily due to the huge asteroid that is due to impact with Earth in about a year or so.  People, it seems, aren't really interested in maintaining any kind of normal life when everyone knows they've only got about a year left to live.

Detective Palace, finally achieving his dream of being a detective, is one of the few left bound and determined to do his job and solve a murder that no one really cares about anymore.  And so he bumbles his way through (using his training academy manual, of course, lol).  More compelling than the actual murder case, of course, is all the subtle ways life has changed since the asteroid was detected and it's path determined to have a 100% probability of impacting Earth (statistics play a large roll in this novel).

The audiobook, for those interested, is narrated by Peter Berkot, who does a very nice (if slightly over-enthusiastic) job reading this first-person narrative.  It isn't Berkot's fault that the author has an irritating habit of over-using the phrase "high as a satellite."  If you can not let that little think drive you nuts, it's an enjoyable ride and you'll have REM's song stuck in your head for days.

Currently, the Kindle version of this novel is only $2.09 and I highly recommend you grab it.  I was thrilled to hear there is a sequel to this novel (the world hasn't ended yet, folks), but the price on that is still up around $10 for Kindle and paperback, so I'll hold off for now.
1187461
I've been listening to Decoder Ring Theatre podcasts for years, I don't even know how many. I've enjoyed Martin Bracknell's immortal Black Jack Justice and his hot-as-inner-city-sidewalks-during-a-heatwave side kick Trixie Dixon long enough that just writing that brings the sound of the opening credits into my inner inner ear, the one deep inside my brain. And now I know the back story, I know how these two smart talking detectives became a team. The story seems longer than the usual podcast. It's perfect as a book. And, because of those unwasted hours spent listening to the able voices of the Decoder Ring Theatre, I was able to "hear" this book, again in that inner inner ear.
It's a great story, good plot, great pacing, and swell banter throughout. Loved the alternating point-of-view, made a strong story stronger. If only I had the wit at hand to express my feelings as clearly and obliquely as Mr. Justice and Miss Dixon.
Even if you're not a Decoder Ring Theatre afficionado, this is a great detective story in the school of "hard boiled" '40s and '50s pulp fiction genre. And if you're not a Decoder Ring Theatre listener you're missing some great theatre, don't read any further, just hop over to your podcast subscription tool d'platform and grab yourself a regular dose of great coffee and detection. Even though Jack has yet to offer me a cup, forcing me to provide my own and dream of his story-famous coffee pot, I feel welcomed time and time again.
I raise my cup, Gregg Taylor has hit it out of the park on this one.
1774901
Jim Korkis is the man. I listened to him on a bunch of podcasts before deciding to order this book as my first of his large catalog. It's got some awesome stories that are really short and easily digestible. I love the format, his stories broken up by lands, then just gives you one short, yet super interesting story per page. Easy to pick up, read a couple, then set down to come back later. Or just to devour all in one sitting.
2801813
When I made the decision at the end of 2012 to begin recording my novels as audiobooks, and to release them as podcasts on podiobooks, I floundered. A lot. The learning curve is steep. I spent countless hours googling. My knowledge, until I read this book, remained patchy.

I wish I'd had this book on hand then. It would have saved me a lot of time.

Some of the information I already knew, viz. googling, but some things I didn't know and really appreciated about this book were:

* how to make money from giving away your audiobooks on podiobooks. Your loss leader has to lead somewhere. Duh, why didn't I think of that??? He gives specific suggestions of how turn quality, free audio into cash.

* I can handle Audacity, but a DAW? Never occurred to me it was worth the effort. I think for my next project I will be spending some quality time with Ardour.

* Mr. Sawyer isn't an Apple-only guru. Too many audio people are like, "use a MacBook. Why would you use anything else????" I, for one, am not an Apple fanboy. And while recording and producing an audiobook is not easy and it's a hell of a lot of work, it is not rocket science, either. Using Pro Tools to master your audiobook is like driving a Lamborghini to the supermarket for a carton of milk. All the tips in the this book are relevant across whatever your software of choice is, with emphasis on what is freely available. Linux users, like myself, will be pleased to know this book contains the goods on what free software tools to use.

* It's all about your time. Flubbing your lines costs you money. Every retake, every edit costs you money. Mr. Sawyer gives many tips on how to maximize your time effectively. For instance, I will definitely be looking to markup my manuscripts in the future with self-directing notes.

Thinks I didn't like about this book:

* A bunch of stuff I knew already. I've had acting training, and stuff on breathing and diction is old hat. (It may not be to others.) I've also spent the last four months teaching myself how to do all this the hard way, so some of it I already know (but wish I had known before I'd started). So that's not really a negative.

* the book is padded with a bunch of stuff most people will never need to know. Full-cast production? Foley sound effects in your home studio? Sorry, but I don't see that as being of general interest for your average home author/narrator/producer.

I could probably write more but I think I'd rather go work on my next novel. :)

Making Tracks is not a perfect book, but for the beginning or intermediate home audiobook author/narrator/producer, it will save you tons of time, and maybe even some money.

How much is your time worth? For me, this was totally worth the ten bucks.

Five stars.
1634748
I got this book not knowing Vinnie at all. Half way through I was already a huge fan! Paper copy was great, Ive read it twice... and got audiobook which is even better! Funny stories (most of them), great fitness insight. Simple tweaks which gave me my life back! Thank you Vinnie!! Dont forget to look for a podcast!:)
343046
This book is well written and fun to read.  I read it in one sitting, and found it very interesting and helpful.  Unlike some books in this space, the author seems more interested in sharing his knowledge and experiences in a genuine effort to help the readers make life improvements, not merely to showcase his own successes.  Also, check out the author's excellent podcasts at [...]  Warning, the podcasts can be highly addictive.
289337
Love the podcast and I adore monsters and cryptids, so this was a must have.  I ended up having to buy two because my dad visited and started reading it and loved it so much I gave him a copy.  That man NEVER reads, so that should tell you something :)
4402399
I have listened to the podcast for years...and just like the podcast, this book delivers amazing, unexpected insights by looking at data without prior bias.

It is quite entertaining and even guides the reader through the process of applying this type of analysis to their own life.
596360
If you are a lover of the podcast, then you will love this book.  I kept hearing the character's voices in my head as I was reading! I can't wait for the next book to come out!!!
1559898
This is some really good stuff.  I am loving it.  Only complaint is I bought this and the short storied at the same time.  The shot stories I got have audible.  This collection does not have audible, however it appears that I  can now buy the books separately with audible at about  $6 per book.  Can I not get a bulk deal for the collection of the audible since I have the books.  Most books allow you to add audbile for $1.99 to any book you already have.  Jonathan Sleep can narrate these guys like the need to be down.  $1.99 is not bad, be wonderful for the whole collection!  ;-)

But seriously, great fun, and continuity.  The side stories are great,  I wanna say more but I am sleepy.  I need this in audible so I plug it in and help me sleep.  The kind of funny, feelgood I can go to sleep listening to.  Or fire up and listen to with friends and have beer, wings, and pizza!
1696635
Tim's podcasts are legendary as a source of fantastic information on whatever topics interest you, but let's face it, information in them is hard to find in a hurry, and may take hours of scrubbing through audio trying to find that tidbit the you finally are starting to get and you need the rest of the context.  The solution is right here, in this book, with a table of contents and broad topical index right up front.  If you have followed his podcast for the insights in them, this book is your rapid access system to capitalizing on that information over the long-haul.
2759688
Being new to podcasting I'm have kind of a thirst for everything I can learn on the topic. I want to know history, technique, equipment, promotion, etc. I even wanted to know what all the hype about Adam Curry was. This book is a smart, intelligently written guide to the "podosphere" and "blogosphere". It's the perfect guide to help you get started, running, and maintain your podcast or videoblog.

This book was key in helping me launch my Global Mobile Online podcast. (Search "global mobile online" on iTunes).

Thanks guys, can't wait for revision 2!

Fred
3439483
This is a great collection of observations, from Marc's podcast - the WTF pod.  If you don't know what "WTF" stands for, ask your mom.  Anyway, The guests on Marc's show (which I listen to every week) talk about their lives and things which are important to them.  I recommend this book for everyone who likes to read, listen, and learn from others.
4603248
The best thing about the book is how well it compliments everything to do with the podcast. Leading up to the books release there were a flurry of fantastic podcasts on the Tim ferriss show. Lo and behold, they also ended up being fantastic excerpts of this book. Both a wonderful read and a terrific reference. There are no bad parts of this book, nor bad people in it. Everyone has something to say, a book to recommend, or a quote to get you moving. Thank you Tim for another gem!
2810359
This book is highly informative and entertaining.  I read it in one sitting.  Barbara's writing style is charming and engaging; I wouldn't be surprised if she talks exactly the same way as she writes.
  You might be disappointed if you're looking for a guideline on becoming a one-stop-shop for producing audiobooks on say Audible; Barbara is an actor first, and has no illusions about her abilities on the technical side of recording audiobooks.  It's hard to blame her, though, since she has been doing this long before the birth of the home studio, and is often working with a director and audio engineer, which allows her to do what she does best: act, and tell a damn good story!
  What this book DOES offer is a number of great tips on learning about the audiobook industry, prepping a book, developing and maintaining characters, as well as strategies to improve your workflow, and even your vocal health.
  If you have even a remote interest in recording audiobooks, you'd be a fool not to get this book.
3969318
I got my Kindle and this book on the same day - yesterday - then read the entire book last evening. My joy was limitless.

First, I enjoyed John's stories about his background and the things he's tried. I wasn't tempted to jump to the money spot. Instead, I reveled in the build-up.  The payoff came after a mindset play and it was great.

I already knew that social media was the key to everything. What I didn't know was how to use it properly. That's what John explains here.  It's simple but it takes a certain ability to see through the forest to the trees that are your audience and what will appeal to them.

Thank you, John, for sharing. You gave me exactly what I needed. Looking forward to a long weekend to begin implementing my plan based on your insight.
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