What did I do on my summer staycation in Florida? Besides dreaming of my next trip, I spent two weeks in a closet.
Since publishing my own book last year, I’ve heard lots of people say, “Congrats, I can’t wait to read it.” But they really mean they CAN wait. Probably forever, because they’re just too busy. And reading takes effort.
At the same time, audio content is booming. Podcasts and audiobooks on your mobile device are a great way to spend the downtime when you’re waiting in an airport, stuck in traffic, or trying to motivate yourself on the treadmill at the gym. You could also sit back and relax. Just listen. The person narrating the book is doing the work for you.
So I decided to skip long walks on the beach and make an audiobook myself.
Audiobook Adventures with the Stars
I thought that reading my own book would be easy. After all, I spent more than 30 years reading news stories on a teleprompter to a huge audience on TV. A few years ago, I even took an audiobook narration class from the great Marc Cashman.
But this was the first time I had to build my own studio. And be my own engineer. I watched endless tutorials on YouTube and bought a new microphone. As I struggled to change the settings on Garage Band in ways that only dogs and audiophiles can hear, it made me feel better to know I wasn’t alone.
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger confessed to his fans on social media that he struggled with dyslexia while recording his upcoming book: “When you listen to the audiobook, I hope you’re inspired, not just by the words, but by the process of recording them.”
How to Get the Audiobook of “Inventing TV News”
Much to my shock, the recordings from my DIY studio met the standards to be processed on ACX, Amazon’s audio marketplace. It’s now available on iTunes (click here) and Audible (click here). Five hours of my KTLA anchor voice reading the true stories of early TV news in Los Angeles.
I wish I could make it free for everyone, but Amazon sets the price. I also have a limited number of FREE downloads available for readers who will commit to kindly reviewing the book. If you’re interested, let me know in the comments. The code can only be redeemed on Audible, so you need to be a member or sign up for a 30-day FREE trial.
Of course, you could just download the actual book or order a print copy. When I travel, I always have a paperback in my carry-on bag, or an ebook downloaded to my tablet. In case you missed it, here’s the link to my June newsletter explanation of how to support indie authors and get FREE books
What I did when I got out of the audiobook closet
I played pickleball for the first time. Another thing I thought would be easy. I’ve been playing tennis since I was big enough to almost hold a racquet at age 6. Unfortunately, pickleball is what would happen if tennis and ping-pong had a baby.
Pickleball is wildly popular among Florida seniors, not least because of the smaller court and opportunities for socializing before/after the game. Even some tennis stars have signed up to play pickleball for big money.
What’s NEW on the travel blog
Outside of my audio closet, there’s lots to do on a vacation in Jupiter Florida. Click here for my top tips on how to enjoy an area that many rich and famous people have called home. Yes, it’s steamy here in the summer, but it’s a great destination to keep in mind if you’re already dreaming of a winter getaway in Palm Beach County. There’s lots of free and low cost fun for everyone — and their dog!
In the News: Fire Disaster on the Hawaiian Island of Maui
The wind-whipped flames destroyed the town of Lahaina, claimed a still-unknown number of lives and wiped out people’s homes and livelihoods. So it’s a relatively small thing if you only need to change your travel plans. Our friends at The Points Guy explain what to do if you have a trip to Hawaii coming up.
Flooding Disaster in Slovenia
Fans of this newsletter know that I live part time in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. A freaky series of summer storms over Central Europe caused deadly flooding over a wide area of the country, just when the tourism industry was beginning to bounce back from some lean years during the pandemic.
Why you should NOT cancel your plans to visit Slovenia: The most popular tourist attractions in the country were NOT affected by the flooding. Ljubljana is bursting with tourists having a good time. Lake Bled is filled with summer visitors enjoying the top things to do. The Soča Valley is wowing nature lovers. Roads are open to reach Postojna Cave’s underground wonders and dramatic Predjama Castle.
Relief efforts are pouring in from the EU, NATO and neighboring countries. World famous Slovenian athletes like NBA star Luka Dončič, LA Kings hockey player Anže Kopitar, rock climber Janja Garnbret, Tour de France leader Tadej Pogačar and skiing champion Tina Maze are leading fundraising efforts. Your donations and tourist dollars are badly needed! So it’s a good time to head on over to my blog and start planning your trip to Slovenia.
More FREE travel stuff
Free holiday in Greece: Speaking of disasters, the Greek island of Rhodes is ready to welcome tourists again, following destructive wildfires in July. The Greek prime minister is offering a FREE holiday in spring or fall 2024 to tourists whose trips were cut short this year. No details yet on exactly how it will work, but the peak summer season is excluded from the deal.
FREE drinks in Milan: It seems like everyone has a hand out for a undeserved tip these days, but tipping is a pleasure at the Piz pizza restaurant that I described in my post on sightseeing in Milan.
At a time when lots of restaurants have trouble getting workers to show up, this place was filled with enthusiastic servers who welcomed us with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. They thanked us for tipping by offering a free serving of meloncello. When I told the cashier that I had taught journalism in his home country of Sri Lanka — another free drink! And the pizza was a delicious bargain in what can be a very expensive city.