Text to Speech · Non-Fiction Author Lab

Text to Speech

Can I share a little secret that helps me dodge the curse of knowledge and catch sneaky grammar slips? Text-to-speech.

Yep, a huge part of my writing toolkit is letting someone else read my words back to me digitally. I use Speechify, which means Gwyneth Paltrow reads my drafts (don’t judge). I make some edits. Then I take it up a notch and let Maya Angelou read the next version via ElevenLabs Mobile. Having Ms. Angelou read my words humbles me. But I make more edits. Finally, I bring in my closer, Christopher, my go-to professional voice in ElevenLabs.

By the time I hear it in Christopher’s voice, the chapter sounds exactly how I want it to land. It is at this level where I truly hear what I want the reader to hear as I experience my book.

These services are not free. But I justify the cost because I’ve put real value on hearing my words through different voices. And honestly? The various perspectives are priceless.

One other secret. I create an audio file of the chapter and put it on loop. That forces me to hear (aka Read) my chapter at least forty times before I sign off.🤫

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