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Webinars and Jewel Audiobooks Releases


Put Yourself In The ACX Driver's Seat
Or have you created a profile on Audible’s marketplace site ACX.com – the Audiobook Creation Exchange – but not moved forward?
Perhaps you’ve read horror stories about how bad projects, low pay, and even narrators who’ve been scammed.
I was one of the beta testers for ACX 10 years ago, before Audible launched the site to the world. I have been using ACX ever since – as both a narrator and a rights holder – and have developed tremendous insider experience that I shared in this webinar FOR THE FIRST TIME.
With me as your tour guide in this info-packed webinar, you’ll be able to navigate ACX to success!
- Understand ACX payment systems.
- Set up your ACX profile to your best advantage.
- Use the ACX search engine to find titles of interest.
- Spot scam listings.
- Vet the title to ensure it’s one worth doing – even BEFORE you audition.
- Best practices about workload, from audition to payment.
- Communicate effectively with the rights holder throughout the project.
- Dive into contract clauses and protections.
- And much more!
Here are a few comments from some of the attendees about this informative webinar:
- “Worth every minute to be here! This information is invaluable.” – KN
- “Thank goodness for Karen’s honesty and her experience. I’m going to re-watch the video and read all the notes. Unbelievable. Such great info.” – AP
- “Wonderful presentation. So much to think about.” – MM
- “Wonderful webinar. Learned so much!” – MB
- “Your passion is evident. Thank you for all this information and inspiration. A wonderfully insightful webinar.” – CB
- “This has been unbelievably, incredibly helpful.” – JB
- “Many, many thanks, Karen. You’re an Uh-Mazing wealth of info, and so kind to share your pearls.” – CD
My presentation ran 2 hours, and then we had a full hour of questions and answers. You get the 3-hour audio and video recordings of the webinar, a PDF of my 90+ accompanying slides, and a resource list of over 40 helpful links you’ll use to get the most out of your ACX experience — all for only $59 via PayPal.
When you check out with PayPal, you will be sent an email with a link to download the file.


How To Acquire Audio Rights Webinar Recording
Perhaps you are a print publisher who wants to move into audiobooks.
In this webinar, my guest speaker Jessica Kaye gives you the information you won’t find anywhere else!
- She is a Grammy-award winning audiobook producer with more than 500 titles to her credit and audiobook/book publisher of more than 200 titles.
- As an attorney in the firm Kaye & Mills, Jessica specializes in intellectual property, publishing law, and licensing.
- She is the founder of Big Happy Family Audio, which is a well-established audiobook distributor.
- Jessica has served as the president of the Audio Publishers Association.
- Using the appropriate terminology and the etiquette
- Understanding rights holder expectations (advances, royalties, etc.)
- Determining fair costs and payment guidelines
- Structuring the offers/licenses/contracts
Just think – once you know how to acquire audio rights, you might be able to acquire the audio rights to your favorite book and then produce and narrate it!
Going one step further, you might even consider establishing your own boutique audio publishing company. Rather than auditioning and waiting for publishers to cast you, you could cast yourself!
You get the 1.5-hour audio and video recordings of the webinar, a sample agreement from Jessica, a transcript, and helpful links you’ll use to research rights for only $49 via PayPal.
When you check out with PayPal, you will be sent an email with a link to download the file.




Bly vs Bisland: Beating Phileas Fogg in a Race Around The World
Narrated by Karen Commins and Melissa Reizian Frank
11 hours 34 minutes
In 1889, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland were female reporters in New York. Each went on a daring solo trip around the world at the same time. Nellie wanted to beat the time of Phileas Fogg, Jules Verne’s fictional character in Around The World in 80 Days. Rival reporter Elizabeth Bisland left on a solo race around the world hoping to beat Nellie’s time!
Nellie sailed east to England in the morning. That night, and unbeknownst to Nellie, Elizabeth took a train west to San Francisco. In Bly vs Bisland: Beating Phileas Fogg In A Race Around The World, I combined the narratives from both women into a single book with 1 thrilling timeline! Who will win the race?!
I was thrilled to release this audiobook in honor of the 125th anniversary of this famous race.
This blog article has more details about the book and takes a peek at its creation.
Elizabeth Cochrane adopted the name of the Stephen Foster song Nelly Bly as her pen name. This famous song is performed in the credits by noted musicians Vivian and Phil Williams and is used with their gracious permission. You can hear more of their music at VoyagerRecords.com.


Fanny Herself: A Passionate Instinct
Narrated by Karen Commins
Fanny’s mother, a widow, makes a decision about her children’s education that affects all of them throughout their lives. Like many of us, Fanny has to decide how whether she will pursue wealth or her creative dreams. We also wonder whether Fanny will find love.
I have recently discovered Edna Ferber and find that she is a brilliant storyteller. Ferber won the Pulitzer Prize for Novel in 1925 and may be best known for her book Show Boat, which was adapted into a successful and long-running musical.
Rather than relying on dialogue to progress the story, she offers such vivid descriptions that we feel we are right there with the characters, experiencing the world as they did. Her female characters are strong and assertive, and I could identify with both Fanny and her mother. I was sorry when the story ended!
Ferber originally published this book as a serial story that ran in the April-November 1917 issues of The American Magazine. Check out my companion Kindle ebook which contains the original, beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations that accompanied the magazine segments


The Story of the Statue of Liberty
Narrated by Karen Commins
Although the statue commemorates the friendship between two countries, the gift almost didn’t occur!
In this concise history, developed by the US National Park Service, you will learn how the colossal statue was conceived, financed, built, transported, and dedicated.
Whether you’re planning to visit the Statue of Liberty in person or from the comfort of your home, this audiobook is the perfect companion!


The Heart of the New Thought
Narrated by Karen Commins
For instance, have you ever noticed that the more you talk about being sick, the illness worsens and stays with you for a longer period of time?
I’m especially proud of this book because it is the first publication for my new audiobook company Jewel Audiobooks! Jewel Audiobooks will specialize in self-development and travel treasures and long-hidden gems of fiction.