Categories: How I did itLook what I did!The Third Heaven: The Realm of the Dead

Take a listen to the Audio demo to Realm of the Dead!

Hey everyone God bless you! I’ve been playing around with the idea of doing the narration for the Realm of the Dead myself for a while now, and wanted to give you all a listen, and get some feed back.

So yours truly has taken it upon himself to record a sample audio for the possible project.

I’d like to know and get your honest feedback. So if you would take my survey and let me know what you think I should do let me know.

Let me give you some background on the audiobook making process.

It takes over a thirteen hundred dollars to produce an audiobook like mine. This cost includes the cover design, and the narrator. Now for some, perhaps this is not a large sum. But for me it is. It requires a significant investment on my part, that typically takes about 4 months in sales to get back. As an independent publisher I don’t have (yet) the luxury of certain other authors.

While the narrator is indeed worth his weight in gold for the wonderful narration. He’s still not free and deserves to be paid for his time and talent. So as any businessperson I have to determine if the cost is worth it. And more importantly do I have the funds.

If I pay the narrator if will be some time before I can release this book on audio. My fans need to be aware of that. The funds at this time are simply not there.

So my options are few, but as I see them, they are as follows.

Produce the book with the original narrator later in the year or as funds avail themselves.
Produce the book myself.
To pay for narration by utilizing some type of crowdfunding campaign with the thought that my fan base is wiling and large enough to help fund it.

Option 3 while possible still really delays when the book can be released. It would be October at the earliest before it was available, and that assumes the narrator can produce it in that time frame. Also I have misgivings about asking my fans to support me in this way.

Option 1: Is doable, but it’s all about time and money. Raising the money and giving the narrator the time he needs to get it done.

Option 2. If I do it myself I save quite of bit of upfront costs, and am able to probably have the book out in about 2 weeks maybe less. I’d like to think that I am a pretty good voice actor, and of course have an idea of how the book should sound. I also recognize that some people wouldn’t mind having the story read to them by the author. Yet, I also recognize it would be a break halfway through the series to have a new narrator. Even if it is me. And some fans might be disappointed to hear a new voice. If I do this book I would do the final book in the series as well.

So I’m looking for your feedback and I will make a decision by the end of the month. It was fun doing the audio, but also challenging as well.

Let me know your thoughts—oh I hope you enjoy the demo!

Here’s the link to the survey! Thanks again for you help in making this decision.

Donovan

Donovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.