I am recording the audio files for the handbook I just published. This is the fifth book I’ve published, but the first one I’ve made into an audiobook.
When I published my first book 15 years ago, the new format choice was making sure it was an ebook. I got that published almost at the same time.
The current way to consume books is by listening. I understand. I have the habit of listening to books as I move around. I want to give my readers an audiobook in my own voice.
I have the equipment, and most of the skills to do that. To get the sound right, I drape a blanket over my head and microphone, reading in a level tone to get the audio quality just right.

I have worked hard on each of my books. This last one took a lot longer than I meant it to. With all the cancer and surgeries in the middle, I paused on getting it published. Then I through all caution out the window and passed go without collecting 200 dollars.
What that means is I didn’t do the quality check of hiring an editor to verify that the text was right. I have always been so careful of that, but not this time.

And unlike the other books, no one had come back to me to point out mistakes. I felt safe and shrugged that the first pass was good enough.
I am reading the chapters out loud. Those good enough chapters are showing my failings in naked embarrassing contrast.
Did I forget a period? AGAIN?
Mortified, I make corrections in my manuscript to read aloud. What is my error tolerance?

I have lowered my standards. Yet, this book is my most popular. But I rushed it to press without my usual attention to detail.
And now I see what I missed. That my readers have been forgiving.
I’m trying to forgive myself.
What is the balance between perfecting and presenting?
I’m happy with how my book has been received. And I’m not happy with its obvious and basic flaws.
And yet the book was so well received even with its flaws, I have to consider that good enough can be welcome when there is nothing else fill that need.
That’s what I’m telling myself. Done is better than perfect. That’s good because I can get it done and I’m not sure I’ll ever get it perfect.
Still I feel like I have my shoes untied. I’m going to update the book with my corrections after I finish the recordings.