The process was really interesting.
I have to say, I feel very fortunate that my publishing house is able and willing to assist its authors in getting their books formatted into an audiobook. I can’t imagine trying to do this on my own.
It has been two years since Magic or Die was published, so I had to go back and re-examine my work and that alone was an intellectual exercise. I had to create some documents that would give potential narrators a feel for the characters in the book. Who they were, what they looked like, and how I felt their voice might be portrayed. All of this work made me reevaluate the writing and my characters, and I was often surprised at my writing. After a two year break from the storyline, I had forgotten a lot of details. It was fun to go back and visit this project.
After this step was completed, I had to put together a quick script. A scene that had a good selection of characters speaking so that potential narrators had something to work from, and could audition with.
Then, the script and character sheets were posted (again, thanks to NineStar), and we waited for narrators to audition. I was fortunate that I had a couple who were interested. After listening to their reads of the script I had prepared, there was one that clearly felt ‘right’. Robbie Molinari’s (find Robbie here) voices and tone were perfect.
Robbie was then sent the offer to produce the book. He sent a sample back, reading the first few chapters. The content was fantastic.
When he was done narrating the book, I sat down with my own book in hand, and listened to Robbie as he narrated Magic or Die, following along in my book. If I came across a mistake, it was noted. Mistakes were sent off to him, they were corrected and then the entire book was uploaded to the Audible website.
One month later – 43 downloads! WOOHOO!
Now, I also know, you were busy creating a book trailer as well. Tell us about that process?
I thought it might be a good idea to advertise the release of the audiobook, as no one would even know about it otherwise. So I contacted Baz Collins (learn more about Baz and Akwekon Media here) – a fellow author from NineStar – and a media whiz, and asked him if he could create a video book trailer. He had done some in the past which I thought were stunning.
Baz and I worked together. I sent him the same character tip sheet that I sent off to the Narrator, along with a couple lines about the plot of the book, something that would ‘hook’ the readers, or make the project sound really interesting.
From there, Baz found stock images for the various characters, overlaid a number of effects with a perfectly paired soundtrack, and from all that work, he created a fantastic trailer!
Click here for the link – go watch – Baz did an incredible job.
Tell me, if there was one thing you would like readers to take away about your writing, what would it be?
Being Urban Fantasy, the stories are meant to be fantastical. To make the unreal, real. So I would hope that readers get lost in the stories and immersed in a world full of magic and possibilities.
But each book has its own theme or dilemma. So there’ll be lessons in each book, or takeaways, or things that I hope will make readers ponder and question. For instance, Magic or Die is about dealing with your own Inner Demons, and in fact, that’s the name of the series. Perhaps readers will self examine their own monsters and come to terms with them
The last thing I want, is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to have stories where they can see themselves being the hero. So often, we’ve had to fight, and fight hard in order to have the same things as our heterosexual friends and family. It’s nice to see ourselves depicted in fiction in positive ways.
Lastly, I want others who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community to see that we can be the heroes too. Members of our community are strong, smart, capable, reliable, clever, resilient, and creative. We are just as capable of fighting off the monster, defeating the villain and overcoming our own faults to be a character to look up to and strive to be.
How are your Demons treating you? What about your African Violets?
My demons are always tormenting me. They do it for fun. Sometimes they come for snuggles and pets, other times it’s to claw, bite, and scratch. They are unusual beasties, but I love them.
The violets are great right now! I have about 200 seedlings slowly growing, and a couple of seed pods ripening on some plants. New violets are on the way!
What else do you have coming up? What are you working on?
I’m really focusing on finishing the second book of the Inner Demons series – that’s the next book after Magic or Die. It’s called Blood and Sacrifice and it’s all about dealing with James’ sister, Shauna and her use of Blood Magic. There are ghosts, zombies, vampires, siphons, and a whole new brand of magic that has a Voudon feel to it.
Then I have a couple of short stories I need to write – ideas that have come to me.
And then it’s time to start cracking down on Nephilim – Book Two of the Apocalypse. I’m equally terrified and excited to be continuing this project, and it’s long overdue.
***
I want to extend a big thanks to J.P. Jackson for stopping by and chatting with us today. if you like it a little creepy and dark then I absolutely recommend that you go out and pick up a copy of Magic or Die and listen to chilling tale. Until next time I hope you stay safe and have a great week.
Find the Book trailer:
Click here to view the trailer for Magic or Die
Magic or Die Details:
James Martin is a teacher, a powerful Psychic, and an alcoholic. He used to work for the Center for Magical Research and Development, a facility that houses people who can’t control their supernatural abilities, but left after one of his students was killed, turning to vodka to soothe his emotional pain. The problem is he still has one year left on his contract. When James returns to the CMRD to fulfill the rest of his contract, he finds himself confronting the demons of his past and attempting to protect his new class from a possible death sentence, because if they don’t pass their final exams, they’ll be euthanized. James also discovers that his class isn’t bringing in enough sponsors, the agencies and world governments who supply grants and ultimately purchase graduates of the CMRD, and that means no profit for the facility. James and his students face impossible odds—measure up to the facility’s unreachable standards or escape.
Find the audiobook here.
Find the ebook and paperback here.
About J.P. Jackson
