So far 2024 has not been a great year. . . I'm hoping that will turn around soon.  

 

On a fun note, I'll be on CBS Chicago tomorrow morning at 11:15 for the PAWS Chicago Spring-adopt-a-thon!  I've been a media representative for them a few times, but I'm usually paired with a volunteer who's been doing this for years (he has no acting/improv/spokesperson background, but makes it look like it's the easiest thing in the world); this time, it'll be just me.  It'll be brilliant. 

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As for acting/narrating work, I've had many callbacks, but no bookings, so it's been more frustrating than usual lately and I'm trying to keep my head up.  

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* I'm taking a 2nd French class!

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* I think I have a new public domain novel to narrate-- I was super excited to find this obscure, talented author and may look to do more of her work in the future.

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* We're fostering this sweetheart.  She's a beauty and quite trainable (already housebroken), but she has separation anxiety; her biggest issue.  I'm learning how to balance showing her love with not showering her with too much attention before/after leaving the house, as that's when she gets anxious.  She cowered A LOT when we first got her, particularly around my partner, as if she was prepping to get hit.  In less than a week, she's already doing so much better-- he's been able to leash her without her running away.  We only have her until May 10th.  Our last foster was adopted the next day; hopefully someone scoops her up just as quickly as she has so much love to give!

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Audiobook NEWS:

Current Project:  I'm on the hunt for a new audiobook project!  

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*Had an awesome opportunity through PANA to read for Allison Light of Simon & Schuster and the following day, had a Meet the Producers session for the APA, where I had the pleasure of meeting Laura Essex of Hachette.  It was a big week for audiobook business, as I'm still catching up on my APAC videos.  

 

December release!  I was delighted that indie author, Angelika Hofmann (aka Audrey Fitzgerald), asked me to work on Quick and Simple Chair Exercises for Seniors; a follow-up to her Q&S Chair Yoga for Seniors.  I love fitness & leading a healthy lifestyle, so I have enjoyed narrating her books, as they teach seniors techniques & wellness tips to promote good health in later years.

 

December Release and New Producer!  I was thrilled to work my first job with Fireside Audio!  Kennedy L. Mitchell chose me from an audition for her book; Cherished by the Agent!  It is a suspenseful romance with a HEA and plenty of heat, so I gave it to my pseudonym, Daryl Hix.  I didn't use a pseudonym when I first started narrating, but have since decided it will be a guide for the books that get steamy or violent, as listeners of my other books can take note, Daryl Hix does dark & steamy. ;0

 

November Release, Returning publisher & new Producer!  I can't tell you how excited I was to get an audition from Outloud Audio (first time working with them) on behalf of Brilliance Publishing, of whom I worked with years ago, before I understood anything about the industry.  Olivia Miles' picked me from their auditions for her new book, A Wedding in Driftwood Cove.  It was my 4th book with her, having recorded her Blue Harbor series last year.  She writes sweet, relaxing women's fiction with a touch of romance and a load of humor.  It was so much fun to perform!

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Returning Indie Author!  Kristy McGinnis is a brilliant indie writer of whom I had the pleasure of working with on her debut book:  Ellipsis.  I connect so much with her writing and was elated when she contacted me.  She weaves complicated characters and emotional story lines with ease in Motion of Intervals, newly released in October.

 

October Release!   Early Autumn by Louis Bromfield! I  was thrilled to find this gem in the public domain with no audio yet!  It won the Pulitzer prize for fiction in 1927.  I hope I gave it the justice it deserves; it was challenging and OH SO MUCH FUN!!!  Erin Dunn designed this gorgeous cover!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am grateful to Spoken Realms, who published it with me, and to Karen Commins for all her advice in her narratorsroadmap.com on producing works in the public domain.

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Theatre NEWS:

A dear friend and talented Chicago theatre director, Spencer Diedrick, asked me to perform in a short off-night workshop of The Delivery by Charlotte Jung.  Years ago, Spencer & I collaborated on my first and only "devised" play, Sweet Sixteen Extravaganza!, where the acting ensemble used improv to construct a play based on the ideas brought by him and members of the ensemble.  There were some awesome stage pics, that I'll be adding to my Actor Reels page.  I hope to work with the both of them in the future. . .

 

TV/Film/Commercial NEWS:   

Lastly, I'm grateful to my agents at Lily's Talent who booked me my first commercial last  summer.  I'm also thrilled that production has started in Chicago again.  Hopefully, I'll get to jump into a few of those opportunities this year! 

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Hope this finds you drinking a beverage that makes you happy,

~AmyJ