The Audiobook Club with John York: Episode Featuring Holly June Smith | Author and Quinn Writer
Release Date: October 4, 2024
In this engaging episode of The Audiobook Club with John York, host John York sits down with Holly June Smith, a multifaceted author renowned for her work with Quinn Audios. Holly shares her diverse career journey, insights into indie publishing, and her unique approach to writing audio erotica. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key topics, notable quotes, and valuable advice for aspiring writers.
1. Guest Introduction and Background
Timestamp: 00:00 – 03:17
John York warmly welcomes Holly June Smith to the show, commending her on reaching a milestone of 150k followers. Holly opens up about her eclectic career path, rooted in her education in TV and film production. She describes her early years in Scotland and Hampshire, leading to a college education focused on TV, film, and radio production.
Notable Quote:
"I have a really, really, well, what I would describe as a really roller coaster career journey."
— Holly June Smith [01:10]
Holly recounts her diverse roles—from working in a bank and running a ski center to managing digital projects in the charity sector. Despite these varied experiences, writing remained a constant passion, eventually guiding her towards her current success as an author.
2. Transition to Serious Writing and "Boyfriend"
Timestamp: 03:17 – 08:20
Holly discusses the pivotal moments that led her to take writing seriously. Her role as a wedding celebrant played a significant part, allowing her to craft personal ceremonies and hear numerous love stories, which deeply influenced her romantic storytelling.
Notable Quote:
"I have always believed that when in your working life you just go towards the things that you do, more of the things that you love and away from the things that you're not enjoying."
— Holly June Smith [05:59]
She shares the development of her first full-length novel, "Boyfriend," which emerged from a burst of creativity that saw her writing nearly 10,000 words in a single day. This novel marked her commitment to her writing career, leveraging her scriptwriting skills honed from her TV and film background.
3. Influence of Wedding Celebrant Work on Writing
Timestamp: 06:13 – 08:20
Holly explains how her experience as a wedding celebrant enriches her romance novels. Interacting with diverse couples and understanding the nuances of their relationships provides her with authentic material for character development and plot dynamics.
Notable Quote:
"It’s given me a really, really good understanding of the many different ways that people can find their happy ever after."
— Holly June Smith [07:47]
She emphasizes the variety of real-life love stories she encounters, which translate into the diverse romantic experiences depicted in her books.
4. Writing "Can I Tell You Something" for Christmas
Timestamp: 08:20 – 11:47
Holly introduces her first Christmas-themed book, "Can I Tell You Something," an indie publication set in the French Alps. The story follows Hannah, an entertainment lawyer with a newfound interest in audio erotica, whose Christmas plans are upended when her favorite voice actor unexpectedly arrives at her family's chalet.
Notable Quote:
"It is a perfect winter read, and it is about this young woman called Hannah... what listeners of Quinn and other kinds of audio erotica, it's that kind of fantasy that come to life."
— Holly June Smith [09:03]
The book blends romance with Holly's passion for audio storytelling, appealing to fans of Quinn Audios and romance readers alike.
5. Writing for Quinn and the Audio Erotica Medium
Timestamp: 11:47 – 26:11
Holly delves into her process of writing specifically for Quinn Audios, an innovative platform for audio erotica. She discusses the differences between traditional book writing and crafting scripts for audio performances, highlighting the importance of dialogue and sound effects in creating immersive experiences.
Notable Quote:
"The craft of telling that story through one person's dialog and, you know, sfx, that's one of my favorite bits about it is figuring out, like, what's going to go where."
— Holly June Smith [13:35]
She explains her collaboration with Shane, a talented voice actor and producer, emphasizing the synergy between scriptwriting and audio production. Holly's approach involves writing detailed scripts akin to screenplays, complete with dialogue and stage directions to guide the narrator's performance.
6. Collaborative Process with Shane and Production Team
Timestamp: 26:11 – 36:02
Holly elaborates on her collaborative workflow with Shane and their sound effects specialist, Rob. They operate a tight production schedule, allowing them to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Holly describes the dynamic of working across different time zones and the seamless integration of feedback and edits to refine their audios.
Notable Quote:
"We have a really tight production process that works really well for us now... it's a full production schedule that works really nicely for the three of us."
— Holly June Smith [26:43]
The team’s collective expertise ensures high-quality audio productions, making the listener experience deeply immersive.
7. Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
Timestamp: 30:02 – 36:02
Holly shares her perspective on indie publishing, contrasting it with traditional publishing models. Initially skeptical about self-publishing, she grew to appreciate its flexibility and control, allowing her to experiment and grow as an author. She highlights the successes of fellow indie authors and the potential for substantial earnings without the constraints of traditional publishers.
Notable Quote:
"For now, I'm really, really happy being able to do things myself at my own pace and having all of that control."
— Holly June Smith [32:42]
Holly underscores the importance of collaboration and the ability to handle multiple roles—from writing and marketing to managing cover art and beta readers—as key advantages of indie publishing.
8. Advice for Aspiring Quinn Writers
Timestamp: 37:29 – 42:15
When asked about advice for those looking to write audios for Quinn, Holly emphasizes the importance of listening to a variety of audios to understand different storytelling styles. She recommends treating scripts as screenplays, focusing on clear dialogue and emotional conveyance to aid narrators in delivering compelling performances.
Notable Quote:
"Just give it a go and get started and treat everything as an experiment. You learn as you go with everything."
— Holly June Smith [38:21]
Holly encourages aspiring writers to embrace experimentation and continuous learning, highlighting the communal and supportive nature of the Quinn community.
9. Personal Insights and Challenges
Timestamp: 42:15 – 47:25
Holly opens up about the challenges of managing time, especially with concurrent projects and personal responsibilities. She shares her strategies for balancing writing with family life, such as dedicating specific times for writing and leveraging a supportive team to handle various aspects of her work.
Notable Quote:
"I'm always working on two books at the same time and then I'm always working on two to four audios at the same time that are in different stages."
— Holly June Smith [26:43]
She reflects on the evolution of her work-life balance, acknowledging the relentless nature of indie publishing but also the fulfillment it brings.
10. Upcoming Releases and Future Projects
Timestamp: 47:25 – End
As the episode concludes, Holly excitedly announces her upcoming audiobook "Can I Tell You Something," set to release on November 1st, narrated by Evelyn Rose and Adam Gold. She also teases the sequel, "See You Next Winter," scheduled for release on November 7th, promising more engaging and passionate storytelling.
Notable Quote:
"The sequel to that book, which is the brother's story, is called 'See You Next Winter'... the initial feedback from Beta readers has been that people have been very upset and very horny at the same time."
— Holly June Smith [47:25]
Holly expresses her enthusiasm for these projects, anticipating positive reception from her readership and the Quinn community.
Conclusion
Holly June Smith's interview on The Audiobook Club with John York offers a deep dive into her journey as an indie author and her specialized work in audio erotica. Her insights into the creative and collaborative processes, coupled with her experiences navigating indie publishing, provide valuable lessons for both aspiring and established writers. Holly's passion for storytelling and dedication to her craft shine through, making this episode a must-listen for audiobook enthusiasts and writers alike.
Connect with Holly June Smith:
Note: Links and additional resources mentioned in the episode are available in the show notes.