BOOKENDS PODCAST EPISODE #4
TRANSCRIPT
Hello and welcome to Bookends, the podcast that explores the ways in which books shape our lives. From our favorite chapters to memorable quotes and everything in between, we delve deep into the world of personal development. In addition to discussing our beloved books, we also share insider news from the world of indie authors. Don't miss out on all the literary goodness; subscribe to our podcast today!
In today's episode, we'll cover an exciting AI experiment. We'll also hear about the FATHER book launch and updates from the Indie Author Insider, including upcoming events and book marketing opportunities.
So, whether you're a fellow bookworm, indie author, aspiring writer, or simply love to learn and grow, BOOKENDS is the perfect spot for you. Stay tuned for some inspiring and thought-provoking conversations.
Hello, fellow tech-curious creatives. I’m testing a new AI for podcasters today. It’s called Wondercraft AI. You simply type your content, and this program creates a quality audio podcast, complete with an intro and outro in the voice of your choosing, including your own. Do you know how many hours that saves? I love technology!
Welcome to BOOKENDS!
This podcast is all about the books and stories that shape our lives. I'm your host WriterKat. I'm here to chat with you about all things related to writing, books, personal development, and creative entrepreneurship. We'll be exploring everything in between and beyond these topics. I can't wait to dive in with you. Please let me know what subjects interest you, and I may cover it in a future episode.
Today, I'm excited to test out a new AI for podcasters called Wondercraft AI. This program takes your written content and turns it into a podcast. How cool is that? This could save so many hours for content creators and reach a whole new audience. As a content creator, I understand that reaching your audience is crucial, and by offering content in different mediums, you can reach even more people. I'm a big fan of technology and the different formats it offers, from ebook reading to watching videos and listening to podcasts. I never realized how much my voice sounds like Katey Sagal. Using your own voice is an awesome feature, but I have to admit, I love Freddie's British voice for my intro and outro! You do have to purchase the upgrade to use your own voice and get more than a few minutes of audio, but so far, I'm impressed with this new service. It's like having my own podcast producer!
The goal of Bookends is to recommend books that have had a positive impact on me, and hopefully, they'll do the same for you. I love to read nonfiction and poetry. Each month I choose a favorite from the hundreds that are released. For May, I chose "Walking With Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain" by former brat pack actor Andrew McCarthy. I wish I would have found out about Camino de Santiago twenty or thirty years ago. I would have definitely gone on that adventure. Now, I can't imagine walking fifty miles, let alone five hundred! Any book that encourages prioritizing your health spending quality time with your loved ones, and making the most of your one precious life deserves to be number one! To see the list of best nonfiction books and learn more about the selected books, visit my blog at writerkat.medium.com
What are between the bookends of your life? For me, there is a wide range, including spirituality, holistic health, relationships, writing, entrepreneurship, technology, finances, philanthropy, travel, adventure, and fun! I plan on exploring each of these topics in my podcast episodes, keeping it short and sweet, at least for now.
I'm also eager to share updates from the Indie Author Insider, a monthly newsletter I publish on Substack. It focuses on the business side of writing, including trends and technology in the self-publishing industry. I also share updates on book releases and opportunities for indie authors. If you have an upcoming book launch, let me know, and I'll do my best to include it in a future episode and/or the Indie Author Insider at no charge. It pays to get in on the ground floor!
If you want to support my work, you can join the Indie Authors Association. I'm still trying to figure out the subscription model. For now, it's ten dollars a month or one hundred dollars a year. (Update: $5 per month or $30 per year for the remainder of 2023!)
My dream is to have enough subscribers to support myself financially, so I can continue to provide quality content and write to my heart's content. What makes a subscription valuable to you? I'm open to suggestions!
As a serial entrepreneur, I've had many businesses over the years without striking gold yet. However, I plan to have fun and experiment with Bookends while taking my fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and listeners on the journey. And speaking of journeys, holistic health is on my mind. It's a hot topic. I follow health experts like Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Mark Hyman, and many others. Who are the health experts you listen to?
Are you a poetry lover? Well, I have some exciting news for you. A few of my poems, along with poems from many other talented poets, are in the latest Poetry Society of Indiana (PSI) book released June 2023. It is titled FATHER. If you go to writerkat.com, you can find out all the details and where to purchase the book. Proceeds benefit PSI, a nonprofit organization promoting poetry.
Speaking of PSI and poetry. If you like to write poems, check out the PSI 45th Annual Poetry Contest, where you can win money and publication for your poems! There are 32 categories to choose from. I am the volunteer director of this contest for the first time this year. I can't wait to read your poems. Submissions begin July 1st and end September 1st. For more info, visit poetrysocietyofindiana.org.
Are you an aspiring writer or indie author? If so, save the date of July 28th and 29th, 2023, for the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference. They offer an Advanced and Teen Writers Track starting on July 27th. This is my favorite writers’ conference because it's only a few miles away from where I live. It's also intimate and affordable. They even sell your books for you so you can focus on attending the conference!
Visit TaylorProfessionalWritersConference.weebly.com to sign up and get more information.
Speaking of indie authors, Teresa Keefer and I are co-hosting the second annual Hoosier Indie Authors Book Fair in Gas City, Indiana, on September 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is the same weekend as the James Dean Festival, Ducktail Run, and Jonesboro River Rally, that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. Visit hoosierindieauthors.com to register for this event.
Last but not least, let me tell you about the Indiana Author Extravaganza hosted by the Friends of the Cambridge City Indiana Public Library. The event will be held on October 6th and 7th, 2023. Authors will have the opportunity to discuss their books, give readings and answer questions in the Author's Spotlight area. Check out their Facebook page by typing in Indiana Author Extravaganza or Cambridge City Public Library in the search bar for more registration information.
That's it for this episode of Bookends. I would love to hear your feedback about this exciting new podcast experience. Stay tuned for more book recommendations, business insights, and personal growth stories. Until next time, keep creating adventures to fill the bookends of your life!
On today's episode of the BOOKENDS podcast, we covered a range of topics, including the PSI Annual Poetry Contest, updates from the Indie Author Insider, nonfiction book recommendations, support options, and a new AI for podcasters. We also heard about the FATHER poetry book and upcoming writing events. Thanks for listening to today's episode; we will see you at the next one, and don't forget to subscribe!
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