I recorded the Audio Book for my forthcoming memoir, WISHFUL THINKING, this week . . .
And it was pretty cool. So I wanted to share.
This spring, on March 26th, 2024, my second memoir, WISHFUL THINKING: How I Lost My Faith and Why I Want to Find It, will be out in the world. The book is about faith and my family, especially focused on my parents, who are both now gone, and really this book is about doubt. I set it up as a “mystery of faith,” as in, why have I never been able to have faith in my life, when my parents, my mother especially, found it so easy to be people of faith? For me, the book is particularly emotional because it is so much about my mom and dad, and my grandma too, who were all devout Catholics. I love the cover that Hachette did for it:
I think it’s perfect—so much of the story takes place when I am a child, and I think (hope!) a lot of it is also funny. I think this image captures the playfulness of the story.
But, on to the audio book experience . . .
I think a lot of publishers of memoirs will invite the author to read for the audio recording. For my first memoir, CONSENT: A Memoir of Unwanted Attention, I didn’t want to do it—it felt too painful, too hard, to read that story aloud.
But when my editor, the wonderful Beth Adams (see Beth below!), and the audiobook people at Hachette wrote to offer me the chance to read this new memoir, I knew right away I wanted to do it. The book is special to me, given its subject matter, and even though I knew it would be emotional, I felt like I could get through it.
This week, we recorded the entire thing. I did enjoy it—a lot—though it was GRUELING. Six hours per day, of reading out loud, which is intense. The funny parts were the easiest and most fun, but the emotional parts about my mom, my dad, my grandma? I must have cried about 15 times while reading. But I got through it, and I’m so glad I did. The team at Hachette was fantastic (see below), and they coached me through everything, and they cried a few times too, apparently, and one of the women (Sara) kept talking about how she could totally relate to all the stories I told about growing up Catholic, since she also grew up Catholic.
I’m so glad it was such a positive experience—I’d definitely consider doing it again. It’s funny: I’ve written 25 books now, and this is only my second time recording the audio book! I hope it comes out okay and I don’t sound ridiculous. Honestly, I probably will never listen to the recording because it would be so weird! But hopefully, people won’t hate it.
My friend Amy Scher and I have been engaged in an ongoing conversation about writing & healing ever since we became friends. This November 11th, we are holding an all day writing workshop on the topic, which is open to anyone, writer or no. Full details below—we’d love to have you join us!
Online: Transforming Grief Workshop
Using Energy Therapy, Journaling, and Letter Writing for Healing
with Amy B. Scher & Donna Freitas
Nov. 11th from 11am to 5pm (Eastern)
Recordings included
Full day Zoom workshop
Class: 11am to 12:30pm ET
Lunch: 12:30 (1 hour break)
Class: 1:30 to 3pm
Break: 3pm (30-mins)
Closing: 3:30-5pm
An Intimate & Uplifting Day
Clear heart-centered blocks holding you back and work through unresolved grief for a powerful healing experience—all in a fun and loving community.
Guided Energy Therapy
Using Amy's energy therapy techniques, you'll gently release stuck emotions, clear old beliefs, and open your heart up for vibrant healing.
Journaling Practices
With introspective journaling tools, we'll walk you through finding deeper meaning and healing through your experiences around loss.
Letter Writing
Discover the healing power in letter writing (even if you never send it). Through thoughtful prompts, letters can catapult your healing.
All online, recordings included.
Sign up here. We hope to see you there!
I’m so excited you have a memoir coming out and I love the topic, Donna! Fun to read about the recording process. Thanks!
Congratulations, Donna! I can’t wait to listen :)