Many of you first came to know me through my Speaking of Audiobooks (SOA) column over at All About Romance (AAR). I started writing it in 2009 and it was one of the first online gathering places dedicated to romance audiobooks. There I met Brenda, Melinda, Kaetrin, and Carrie plus many others I now consider my audio friends.
Last month [May, 2015], I wrote my last SOA column. I loved my ten year affiliation with AAR and especially those six years I penned SOA. It was a very good time. But, as we all know, life changes and mine has in the most wonderful of ways with some additions to my family. I desired more family time and letting go of my obligations as SOA columnist and AAR Audio Editor was the answer.
I want to give a special thanks to Brenda for all her technical support (and as my brainstorming partner) during my SOA days.
Lea Hensley
Editor (2019): Lea’s original post linked to AAR’s original website, specifically to a list of SOA columns. Over time AAR changed it’s format and URL, and unfortunately, there is no longer a link to a repository of the columns. You can use the keywords “Speaking of Audiobooks” at AAR to locate the original columns.
I will miss SOA….it was always a fun post to read and comment on…..glad you will still be around here. :)
I plan to write the same sort of features here. Since I saved the majority of that type of writing for SOA, I’m hoping it will add another dimension to AudioGals. Thanks for your loyal following of SOA. :)
Lea, thank you for all your wonderful columns for SOA, all of which I have greatly appreciated. You are fabulous!
All the best to you,
Lisa
Thank you! They were really a work of the heart.
Lea, I have always enjoyed your SOA column and will miss it at AAR, but certainly understand the need to change and move on. I look forward to seeing any future contributions you make here and hope we’ll still see you at Goodreads participating in the Romance Audiobook discussions there. Jane
Thank you Jane!
I’ll continue to moderate the Romance Audiobooks Goodreads group. I almost mentioned that group in the article but decided it might cause confusion for those who don’t know its history. :)
But I do think it’s good to add that history now. I started the Romance Audiobooks group in 2010 as a place for us to discuss romance audiobooks in between SOA columns. As I’m sure you know, it quickly grew into its own entity and continues to grow with over 1000 members and constant discussions of one sort or another. It is sorta a stepchild of SOA in that its first members were SOA readers and I referred listeners to it in each column as there wasn’t an audio discussion board at AAR. But it isn’t officially a part of AAR.
I started listening to audio books because of you! I started when you started SOA. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. Thank you Lea and best wishes!
Kathy
I love that you have traveled this journey with me!
Lea, so many thanks to both you and Brenda, for all you’ve done to bring audiobooks, and especially audiobook romance to the public eye. I don’t know where we’d be without you! You both are so talented and continually inspirational! And while words really don’t do it justice…… THANK YOU!!!!
Thanks Renee. Now when is the next Raudman romance narration? I’m ready for another. :)
Lea, Beginning Magic Shifts this week and another Marina Adair before the end of the month!