I'm a wee bit slow at adopting new things and new technologies. It took me years of owning a smartphone before I finally caved and learned how to text. Heck, I refused to use computers until they came out with Windows. This likely dates me significantly, but there you go.
Over the past few months, perhaps much longer than that, Joanna Penn from The Creative Penn would mention that Google was not only allowing AI narrated audiobooks, they had made it easy to turn any book into an AI-narrated audiobook and then sell it on Google Play.
Luddite that I am, I had a difficult time finding the site. Then I had a challenge understanding exactly what to do and how to transform the books into audio, despite it being ridiculously easy. And this morning, as I figured out the ins and outs of it all for one book, I jumped in and did all the books because, heck, why not?!
I'm pretty impressed with Google's selection of voices, and I think you will be too. I've gone ahead and created links to all of the audiobooks. I tried to price them low, just $3.99 for most of the fiction books, $5.99 for non-fiction, and just $7.99 for the three book War's End series. Hours of entertainment for a low price.
Click on the links below and listen to a sample. I think you will find that, overall, AI can provide a decent audiobook experience. Occasional words might be mispronounced and sometimes the pacing is a little off. But, frankly, with audio narration as expensive as it is, this is the best chance I have at having all of my books available in audio for the next 2-5 years of my author career. My book sales income simply does not provide enough to fork over $1,500 or more for each book to be professionally narrated.
Life gets busy, and if you are always on the go, here's a chance to still enjoy my books by listening to them rather than reading them.
Note: Google Play is still processing my content requests, so not all of the links are active yet. I'll update them when they go live, it might take up to a week.
Non-Fiction
Get Organized, Stay Organized - $5.99
The War on Drugs: An Old Wives Tale - Just 99 cents!
Short-Term Rental Success - $5.99
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic:
War's End: The Storm - $3.99
War's End: A Brave New World - $3.99
War's End: Tales of the Collapse - $3.99
Science Fiction/Post-Apocalyptic:
G581: The Departure - $3.99
G581: Mars - $3.99
G581: Earth - $3.99
Steamy Thrillers:
Hired Gun - $3.99
Smoke and Steel - $3.99
Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:
Fate's Highway - $3.99
Psychological/Domestic Thriller:
Winter's Child - $3.99
Dang, that's one heck of a list! From here on out, I will line up the release of the AI narrated audiobook to be within one week of the release date of the ebook. I love the idea of offering it all to you - ebook, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover, large print hardcover, and audiobook. On each of these, there is a Sample button you can press to listen to the first part of the book and get a feel for AI narration. Drop me an email and let me know what you think of it!
Big Sales on Smashwords
But that's not all! All of my ebooks are available on Smashwords for 50% off their regular prices. From December 15th through January 1st, visit Smashwords and get any (or all) of my ebooks for half of their regular price (normally $4.99 for fiction and $6.99 for non-fiction, now just $2.49 and $3.49 each).
Further Excursions with Chat/GPT
For some reason, my brain is rather unimaginative when it comes to coming up with innovative queries for Chat/GPT, the AI interface I've been playing with on and off over the past week. It took reading an article by Freethink to help me with a few more ideas. After reading one user's command to "develop a movie synopsis for a horror film" I altered it and used it as a prompt for a romantic thriller. But Chat/GPT breaks all the rules of romance in it. There is no happily ever after!
Check this out. I asked it to, "Develop a 25 chapter book synopsis for a romantic thriller with a bodyguard company and evil multinational organization"
And this is what ChatGPT returned with...
The book, titled "Protected by Love," follows the story of Rachel, a successful businesswoman who finds herself in danger after stumbling upon evidence of corruption within her company, a powerful multinational organization. Desperate for help, she reaches out to a bodyguard company, who assigns the handsome and skilled Jake to protect her.
As Jake and Rachel spend more time together, they begin to develop feelings for each other. But their romance is threatened by the dangerous situation Rachel is in, as the corrupt executives at her company stop at nothing to silence her and keep their illegal activities hidden.
As Jake fights to keep Rachel safe and uncover the truth about her company, the two must navigate their blossoming relationship and the constant threats to their lives.
Chapter 1: Rachel is a successful businesswoman working for a powerful multinational organization. She is happy with her life and career, but everything changes when she discovers evidence of corruption within the company.
Chapter 2: Rachel is unsure of what to do with the information she has uncovered, but knows that she can't ignore it. She decides to reach out to a bodyguard company for protection.
Chapter 3: The bodyguard company assigns Jake to be Rachel's personal protector. Jake is a skilled and experienced bodyguard, but he is also ruggedly handsome, which catches Rachel's attention.
Chapter 4: As Jake begins to protect Rachel, the two of them spend more and more time together. Despite the danger of the situation, they can't deny the attraction they feel for each other.
Chapter 5: As Jake and Rachel grow closer, the threats against Rachel's life become more intense. The corrupt executives at her company will stop at nothing to silence her and keep their illegal activities hidden.
Chapter 6: Jake is forced to use his training and expertise to protect Rachel from multiple attempts on her life. Despite the danger, Rachel is drawn to Jake's bravery and strength.
Chapter 7: As the threats against Rachel escalate, she and Jake must figure out a way to bring the corrupt executives to justice. But doing so will put their lives in even greater danger.
Chapter 8: Rachel and Jake must work together to gather evidence and build a case against the corrupt executives at her company. But their relationship is put to the test as the danger around them intensifies.
Chapter 9: As they work to bring the corrupt executives to justice, Rachel and Jake face several close calls and narrow escapes. But their love for each other only grows stronger.
Chapter 10: Finally, with the help of Jake and the bodyguard company, Rachel is able to present the evidence she has gathered to the authorities. The corrupt executives are arrested and Rachel's company is shut down.
Chapter 11: With the threat against her life now neutralized, Rachel and Jake can finally focus on their relationship. They decide to start a new life together, away from the dangers and corruption of Rachel's old company.
Chapter 12: As they settle into their new life together, Rachel and Jake face the challenges of a long-distance relationship as Jake continues to work for the bodyguard company.
Chapter 13: Despite the distance, Rachel and Jake's love for each other only grows stronger. They make plans to reunite and start a family together.
Chapter 14: Tragedy strikes when Jake is killed on a bodyguard assignment. Rachel is devastated and struggles to come to terms with her loss.
Chapter 15: As Rachel mourns Jake, she discovers that she is pregnant with his child. She is determined to raise their baby on her own and carry on Jake's legacy.
Chapter 16: Rachel raises her child, a son whom she names Jake Jr., on her own.
When I asked it for a "happily ever after" ending, this is what it came up with:
Chapter 17: As Jake Jr. grows up, he becomes more and more like his father. He is brave, strong, and protective of those he loves.
Chapter 18: Rachel is able to find love again and marries a kind and supportive man who helps her raise Jake Jr. together.
Chapter 19: Jake Jr. grows up to become a skilled and successful bodyguard, following in his father's footsteps.
Chapter 20: Rachel and her husband live a happy and fulfilling life together, surrounded by their loved ones.
Chapter 21: As Jake Jr. embarks on his own bodyguard assignments, he is constantly reminded of the love and sacrifice of his father.
Chapter 22: Despite the challenges and dangers of their professions, both Rachel and Jake Jr. are able to find happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
Chapter 23: Rachel and Jake Jr. are able to connect with each other on a deeper level, bonding over their shared experiences and the memory of Jake Sr.
Chapter 24: As they look back on their lives, Rachel and Jake Jr. are grateful for the love and protection they have found and the happy ending they have both earned.
Chapter 25: The book ends with Rachel and Jake Jr. living happily ever after, surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends. What can I say? AI isn't perfect. And isn't that as expected? They can imitate, but not truly create. That is still the purvue of humans. I think that it always will be. The reality is that AI may augment, but it will not replace, humans. Not in my lifetime, possibly not ever.
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