In this episode Becky welcomes Edward L. James, author of The Duras Kingdom.

Edward shares his personal journey as a writer, reflecting on his background, early influences, and what ultimately led him to create The Duras Kingdom. He discusses the deeper themes and conflicts at the heart of the story, why those issues matter to him, and the impact he hopes the book will have on readers.

The conversation also dives into the audiobook production process, with Edward explaining why he chose a full-cast audiobook.

In the closing segment, Edward talks about his aspirations for the book moving forward, how listeners can connect with him and his work, and why platforms like AMPlify Audiobooks play an important role in helping authors expand their reach and impact.

Whether you’re an author considering audio, a producer curious about full-cast productions, or a listener who loves immersive storytelling, this episode offers valuable insight into the creative and collaborative process behind a standout audiobook.

Becky and Pro Audio Voices would like to welcome you to the new year with a reminder about the importance of communication, and how you will be impacted when communication intersects with community and audiobooks. As certain aspects of media and technology continue to promote divisive content, let's all focus on coming together to try to understand each other without pre-judging, which will help build our communities and pave the way for our younger generation to develop the beneficial skills of effective communication.

In this short holiday episode of Audiobook Connection: Behind the Scenes with the Creative Teams, I pause to give thanks to the incredible authors, publishers, narrators, engineers, and creative professionals I have the privilege of working with, as well as to you—the listeners who support and sustain this work.

Inspired by the winter solstice, I reflect on the balance between darkness and light, and how our choices, our creativity, and our support of independent artists and platforms help us build a more connected and humane creative economy. This episode is a simple invitation to look for the light, be the light, and share it with one another—during the holidays and beyond.

In this episode, Becky welcomes Mike Mirabella, author and songwriter of the Carla Stories series—including Sister Butterfly, I Used to Be Shy, and Special People—as well as On the Luck of an Irish Sailor.

Mike shares his personal journey into writing and the life experiences that inspired him to create stories centered on compassion, understanding, and inclusion. He discusses the motivations behind his books, the meaning behind their titles, and the social and emotional issues they address—particularly the importance of empathy, self-acceptance, and celebrating what makes each person unique.

Throughout the conversation, Mike reflects on the impact he hopes his stories will have on readers of all ages, especially children and families navigating conversations about difference, kindness, and belonging. He explains how storytelling can open hearts, foster understanding, and encourage readers to see the world—and each other—with greater compassion.

In this episode, Becky sits down with Patrick McLaughlin, award-winning author of Cheerful Obedience: A Novel, U.S. Army veteran, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame inductee, and retired fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Patrick shares how his early life, military service, and career in law shaped his perspective as a storyteller. He reveals the inspirations behind his debut novel, how he chose the striking title Cheerful Obedience, and why he believes readers have connected so deeply with the book—earning it multiple national awards.

The conversation explores the themes at the heart of his work: moral duty, personal sacrifice, and the complexities of living with integrity. Patrick discusses the real-world issues his book addresses, the impact he hopes to create for readers, and what it means to bring authenticity and emotional truth into fiction.

Whether you’re a fan of character-driven fiction, military-inspired stories, or the craft of writing itself, this episode offers a rich and thoughtful conversation with an author whose life experience deeply informs his art.

Visit AMPlify Audiobooks to explore Cheerful Obedience and learn more about Patrick McLaughlin’s work.

In today's episode, Becky discusses the topic of control - as it relates to audiobooks, and beyond. She reveals some ways (you may or may not know) that companies, such as Amazon, have their hands in EVERYTHING - from audiobook publishing to data storage - and why this is an issue. She breaks down how this can affect you personally, and in the bigger picture, the community. She also highlights some ways that authors and listeners can affordably protect the things that they create and are passionate about!

On this day when everyone is thinking about being thankful, host Becky Parker Geist takes a moment to express her gratitude for everyone who has offered kind words and support over the past year.

In this episode, Becky interviews Julie Trelstad, who is currently the head of U.S. Publishing. They dive into her 30+ years of experience guiding authors and publishers throughout the publishing industry. Julie also outlines her partnership with Streetlib to create powerful new tools and software, including Amlet, which is the world's first ISCC registry designed for the AI era. To learn more, visit amlet.ai.