Nerds, I have to be honest with you. I suck at self-promotion. There was a time in my life when I was reasonably good at it, but now I’m just terrible.
My memoir, Still Just A Geek, is going to be released in like 34 days. Today, I will finish the audiobook narration. I have lots and lots to say about it, and I will when I have time to catch my breath and reflect.
Until then, though, I wanted everyone to know about this thing we’re offering everyone who has pre-ordered (or pre-orders in the next 33ish days) the book, as posted on my Facebook before the weekend:
When you pre-order (or if you have already pre-ordered) Still Just A Geek, you can get an early audio chapter of my book. All you do is go to this link, and fill out the form. Something something something then you get it like magic!
Okay, self-promo completed, as long as I have your attention, I wanted to share some stuff. I think most of you know that I’ve been narrating Still Just A Geek for audio two weeks. I’ve been given permission to add in occasional thoughts as they occur to me, and because I am working with my favorite director in the industry, who I trust implicitly, I can be as vulnerable as the material deserves and in places demands. I’m emotionally wrung out, and physically exhausted, so I know that I am leaving everything in the booth, putting everything I am capable of putting into this narration.
Still, we (the director and I) felt like the audiobook needed its own introduction, so I wrote one yesterday that I literally just now realized is kind of a good pitch for the audiobook, if someone is on the fence about it. Here it is:
Hey nerds! This introduction is specifically for this audiobook. There are a few things I want you to know before we get started that are obvious to readers, but not to listeners. The first half of this book is my 2004 memoir, Just A Geek. All the material in that book is from around 2000 to about 2004, when I was in my late twenties. The second half is essays and speeches I’ve written in the last handful of years. If I did this right, you will hopefully see how I grew and changed as a person, and as a writer.
I’ve heavily annotated and reflected on who I was and what I wrote in the early aughts. In the print version of this book, it’s very easy to see where almost-50 me is talking about the experiences of almost-30 me. In audio, I suspect it will present a challenge, at least at first. I’ve worked to lower my voice and clearly indicate when 2022 me is speaking, and not 2002 me. When I feel that isn’t clear enough, I’m just going to tell you that we’re going into footnotes.
I’ve worked with this director and this studio for over a decade, and this is unlike anything we have ever done together. Industry professionals tell me this is kind of a new thing for audio memoirs, and I wanted to offer a suggestion that may help ease you into the whole experience.
I suspect it will help if you imagine that we are sitting in a room together, and I am just telling you my story. I’m reading to you from the book I wrote 20 years ago, occasionally looking up to reflect on it. I’ve adopted a more conversational tone, then, for this narration than I do when I’m narrating someone else’s words. This is a conversation. It isn’t a performance.
I’m actually writing this introduction the day before I finish recording the book. I’ve been working on it for two weeks, saying most of it out loud for the first time in 20 years. It turns out that saying it all out loud woke up stuff in me that stayed asleep when I was writing it, and while I narrated it, I had additional thoughts I wanted to add, additional context or whatever which came up that wasn’t there until it was. You can identify this entirely free bonus content because it is usually preceeded by something like, “this is just for this edition” or “here’s something I’d forgotten until just now,” and so on. I make a joke a couple times about how I’m going to annotate the annotations in another 20 years, but it turns out I have already done that.
There are also a few footnotes from the print edition that I cut, because they really only work in print, and are almost entirely jokes that I don’t think you’re going to miss. But, you know, full disclosure and all that.
Finally, a content warning. I talk a lot about my traumatic childhood. I talk about experiencing abuse, neglect, and exploitation. A lot of that was incredibly hard for me to read, much more challenging than it was to write. I need you to know that this book gets raw, vulnerable, and intense in a few places. If any of that sounds like it could be difficult for you, I want you to know ahead of time, so you can be prepared.
We’re going to spend a little over 20 hours together, if you stick with me to the end. I want you to know how grateful I am that you are giving me so much of your time, that you are listening to my story. You’re going to hear about a son who just wanted to be seen and heard, from the father that he grew up to be; a father who will do his best to give that kid, that teenager, that struggling twenty-something the voice he never had. On behalf of every person I’ve been at every stage of my life, I want to say thank you, from all of us for listening.
I feel like the audiobook will be something special. At least, it will be to me, and if anyone else feels the same way, that makes me really happy.
I super am going to order the audiobook when I can (I already pre-ordered the print book!) because I know it’ll be great. I really enjoy listening to your podcasts (and your narration of Dead Trees Give No Shelter and Dancing Barefoot); you have a great voice and narration style. And I want to hear your story, in your actual voice. Thank you for sharing it, and your story (especially the parts that are very difficult), with all of us.
Will definitely check this out!
As a fellow geek in the same age category I really want to recommend some music for you, a SIDmetal band called Machinae Supremacy, music and texts that have taken me through some really bad times…
Would like to see a No Man’s Sky remix for “Sill ^ Just a Gek”. 😀
I’m SO excited about listening to the audiobook. You’re one of my favorite narrators out there, and hearing your own story in your own voice will be amazing!
Having heard your narration on one of Cory Doctorow’s books, I am very excited to pre-order the audiobook version. Can’t wait to hear it.
It absolutely will be something special. Your writing is always something special, and your narration is art. The combination is incredible. Can’t wait!
I’ve always been a print-only guy but that introduction makes me want to pick up the audiobook as well. I guess I’ll go grab the free audio chapter and see (great promo idea, btw!)
Seriously, if you never listen to another audiobook, try Wil’s reading of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It is fabulously better than the print version, IMHO.
Agree! And I also loved his duet read of Boneshaker more than the print!!
I pre-ordered it from Audible in November! I am excited to read it. Thank you for doing the thing.
Will there be any book signings in LA Area? Also people will ask why I didn’t say “Wil there be…”
I’m hopeful that I’ll be invited to do a signing at Vroman’s in Pasadena, because it’s kind of my hometown shop, but beyond that, I don’t believe the publisher has any plans at the moment to do in-person events.
“I feel like the audiobook will be something special.”
I feel like every audiobook you’ve narrated has been something special, how could this be any less than?
My pre-order has been placed, I can’t wait to listen!
Pre-ordered my copy yesterday, after I read this post. And this morning I started listening to Dancing Barefoot on your Bandcamp. After you introduced me to board games with Tabletop one year ago, now you’re introducing me to audiobooks: I’ve never listenend to one before!
Thank you for being a big inspiration for me with all you’ve done and you’re doing.
I’m very much looking forward to the audiobook on this. I’ve always loved your voice in narration, and the idea of feeling like we’re having a chat that I’m not participating in (which given my social anxiety is on-brand) is appealing to the point of happy fuzzies. Thank you for your so rare as to be Legendary tier tweet because I’m ashamed to say I lost touch with this site when I lost my bookmarks a while ago. I’m glad to be back. Glad you’re still doing the internet presence thing, m’dude.
Really looking forward to the book. I am hesitant to get the audiobook version, however.
Having experienced a similar childhood family experience, and now also an almost-50 who has come to terms with the past and strived not to repeat those mistakes as an adult (through lots of writing in a personal journal, nearly 1000 pages over the past 11 years), I am concerned that hearing the stories out loud will send me to therapy.
How you have overcome so much in so many areas is an inspiration. May each year continue to be better for you.
Hi Wil, looking forward to your book. Will there be a way to order signed copy directly from you or perhaps a signed book plate?
Really loving Ready Room! Please keep up the great work!
Thank you and LLAP and please keep making it weird,
Geremy
Will there be an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of your new book, or maybe a signed bookplate, directly from you? Or might you be doing any virtual book chats that would include the option to purchase a signed copy? Sorry if you’ve announced that and I missed it.
Really enjoying Ready Room, especially the latest Discovery Finale episode. Please feel free to keep making it weird!
LLAP
Not directly from me, but my publisher and I are working with booksellers to offer signed copies for purchase. I’ll post about it when we get all of that locked in.
Amazing. Thanks so much!
Wil – I thought of you immediately as I read this post FB from a fellow author Colleen Hoover. It is her nonprofit bookstore: There’s this quaint little independent bookstore that needs your help.
It opened in 2015 and later gained non-profit status because 100% of net profits are donated to various charities. This bookstore doesn’t make anyone rich. It gives everything back. It’s also unique because every book on the shelves is signed by the author and donated to the store. The autographed novels can be found on their website and on their shelves in the adorable town of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
This store operates on the generosity of authors and the book community. Right now, they desperately need autographed books of every genre so they can restock.
In the first six months of 2022 alone, this bookstore will have made over $100,000 in cash donations to over fifteen charities! That’s an average of around $17,000 a month going straight to charity! (The subscription boxes are a big part of that, check those out on their website too!)
To donate a signed book, send it to 204 Main St. Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482. You will even receive a donation receipt for your taxes if you include a return address. ☺️
Tag an author you think might like to donate a book to this store. And if you’re a reader/blogger looking to get rid of signed books in good condition (not personalized, just signed), feel free to send the signed books to the above address.
If you’re ever in Texas, stop by for a visit. 😍 They have all of my books in stock because I founded this store with my sisters, and it would be rude if my sisters decided to stop selling my books. 😅
No amount is too big or too small! Send us one signed book or 500 signed books, we will happily accept them and find good homes for them. ❤️
Follow the store @thebookwormbox
The website is thebookwormbox.com
I just have to say this. I love you. You‘re my idol and I look up on you. You literally saved my life and I‘m so happy because of you at the moment. Thank you so much.❤️