Abstract:

On 14 February 2025 Dr. Reul released the audiobook version of a highly personal illness narrative, Perfect Timing, which she had published as an open educational resource in December 2021. It was aimed, in part, at students enrolled in an English 110 class on Medicine and Mortality taught at my institution, Luther College, University of Regina.

Keen to remove another access barrier to sharing her lived experience with a global audience, Dr. Reul began to explore the possibility of creating an audiobook version of Perfect Timing in May 2024.

Today’s talk provides a snapshot of the unexpectedly complex decisions she faced over the course of the nine months it took to turn her dream into reality. For example, should she do everything herself or outsource parts (if not all) of it? What would either scenario involve – and how much would it cost?

Looking back, Dr. Reul is happy with the “narrated by the author” option she ended up choosing. It taught her valuable lessons which will inform her next audiobook project, that is, the open access sequel to Perfect Timing from December 2023, Right on Time.

We are hosting an in-person watch party for University of Regina members. Registration is required (see below).

• For online registrants, the Zoom link will be included in the confirmation email.
• For in-person watch party registrants, the location will be included in the confirmation email.