When you and your book are ready to go forward with the free, serialized audiobook route of building author publicity, you'll need to consider getting the following tools. First, you'll need software.

Software

Are you on a Mac? Do you already have GarageBand installed on your Mac? If so, you’re fine.
If you do not, go to your local Apple Store and buy iLife, or buy it from the Apple online store.  Audacity (see below) is also available for Mac as a free download.

Are you on a PC? Then download Audacity
Go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/  

Click the link to download Audacity. Check that you meet the system requirements, then run the Audacity installer.

Download Levelator (FREE):

Go to http://www.conversationsnetwork.org
Choose your platform: Windows or Mac (OS X) and Download The Levelator. This program will "magically" make all your audio sound better!

Download the most recent version of iTunes (FREE):
Go to http://www.itunes.com
Click on the button that says “Download iTunes.”
On the next page, enter you email address and click “install now.”
This will call up an installer. Run it, and install iTunes on your computer.

See the pre-class homework page for additional software information.

Hardware

Zoom H2You will need a good digital recorder. For sound quality, ease of use, and other reasons explained in class, we recommend the Zoom H2 Digital Recorder (pictured). It's the best bang for your buck in all of the qualities that count. You can usually get one on Amazon.com for around $150.

Simply reading your work into this device and editing your reading with the software below are the main components of creating your own serialized audiobook. The H2 comes with ample instructions for uploading your recordings right into your computer using the included USB cable.

SD CardNote: The Zoom H2 comes with an included 516 MB SD card. I recommend buying an additional 1GB or 2GB card, at least one, to give you more flexibility and data storage for your files.

Here, too, are some cheaper options that are USB mics. You'll plug these directly into your computer and record right into Garageband or Audacity. This process is simple and affordable but ultimately will lead to computer fan-noise issues. Still, one of these is a great way to begin! Seth began with a Blue Snowball and used it for two years!

Optional:

Flip MinoFlip Mino Camcorder - mini-video recorder. This tiny, high-quality little baby is a must-have for your on-the-fly video creation and distribution. Comes with easy-to-use video editing and allows you to upload videos to Youtube, MySpace and Facebook all super easy!

Keep in mind that you don't need to be doing video and might want to save that additional learning / content-creation for later.

Handbook

In addition to your notes from class, Podcasting for Dummies will be your manual and guide. Written by Podiobooks founders Tee Morris and Evo Terra, this little volume is invaluable for answering all of your remaining questions from the class. Of course, we're always here to help and our forums, as well as the Podiobooks.com Online Community and Mentorship Program are great places to post your questions. But for the step by step and getting through the creation of a podcast, we cannot recommend this book enough. For under $20, it's a no-brainer to pick this up. It even has a section on how to use the Zoom H2!

At some point, you'll also want to download the Podiobooks Author Guidelines and give them a read as well. This free PDF is short and sweet, full of tech specs you'll want to catch. 

Remember: have a minimum of four episodes complete and in the can before you try to get your book onto Podiobooks.