Books · Memory Preservation · Auditions
Professional Creative Services
Practical, affordable help for authors, families, performers, and anyone preserving a meaningful story.
I bring experience as an author, instructional designer, book creator, and performer to projects that need both technical care and a creative eye.
Choose the Service That Fits Your Project
Author & Publishing
Covers, interior layout, query letters, back-cover copy, and bundled publishing packages.
Family Memory Books
Turn photographs, histories, journals, and family stories into a polished printed keepsake.
Media Preservation
Convert aging tapes, cassettes, photographs, negatives, and slides into accessible digital formats.
Vocal & Audition Coaching
Online coaching for singers preparing auditions, performances, and stronger musical storytelling.
For Independent Authors
Author and Publishing Services
Get your manuscript ready for readers with affordable cover design, interior layout, marketing copy, and submission support.
Cover Design
- eBook cover: $50
- Front and back cover design: $75
Interior Design
- Paperback or eBook interior design: $50 for manuscripts up to 80,000 words
- Above 80,000 words: $75
Copy and Submission Support
- Query-letter writing and editing: $25 per letter
- Back-cover copywriting and editing: $25 per book
Combo Package
Book cover and interior design:
- $90 for eBook
- $115 for paperback
- Add $25 for manuscripts over 80,000 words
Best Value
Full-Service Package
Book cover, interior design, back-cover copy, and query letter.
- $130 for eBook
- $155 for paperback
- Add $25 for manuscripts over 80,000 words
Preserve Your Family Story
Family Memory Books
Bring together family histories, photographs, journals, recipes, letters, and other meaningful material in a professionally designed keepsake book.
$0.75 Per Designed Page
A 400-page memory book would cost $300 for design, including the cover and interior layout.
Printing costs are separate. You are responsible for the cost of printing, and I can arrange printing at cost.
Past Preserver
Digital Media Preservation
Preserve home movies, family recordings, photographs, and older digital media by converting them into formats that are easier to access, share, and keep for the future.
Formats I can convert:
- VHS
- VHS-C
- Hi-8
- 8mm
- Mini-DV
- Audio cassettes
- Film slides and negatives
- CDs
- DVDs
- Mini-CDs
- Mini-DVDs
- Betamax
Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.
Home Media Only
Commercial media of any kind cannot be converted. This service is intended for personal and family media and is not available for making copies of copyrighted VHS tapes, discs, or other commercially produced material.
Conversion Pricing
Simple per-item pricing makes it easy to preserve a few favorites or an entire family collection.
| First conversion (digital/physical) for a tape or disc | $10 |
| All subsequent tapes/discs | $5/disc |
| Additional copies of a DVD | $1/disc |
| 32GB thumb drive | $10 |
| Tape repair | $5/tape |
| Data preservation from floppy discs/CDs | $2/disc |
| Convert photo negatives/slides | $10/100 photos or slides |
| Convert physical photos to digital photos | $10/100 photos |
Have a Large Collection?
If you have a large order of 50 or more tapes, contact me to discuss a bulk discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to open the answer.
How much can you fit on one DVD?
Each DVD can hold up to 2 hours of footage, so if your tape is longer, it will need to be split up into multiple discs.
How long does conversion take?
The VHS tape has to play through the entire recording to transfer it, so please take the length of the tape into account when considering turnaround time.
What kind of formats can you accept?
I can convert standard VHS tapes and smaller VHS-C, Hi-8, 8mm, audio cassette, Mini-DV, and Betamax tapes. I can also retrieve files from old floppy discs, CDs, and mini-CDs, and convert photo negatives and slides to digital files.
Can you put my memories on a flash drive in addition to a DVD?
Yes! For a small surcharge, I can create digital files for you that can be placed on a flash drive and shared with family through cloud-sharing services or video-hosting sites.
How do I deliver the tapes?
If you are a Utah local, you can drop them off at my house. Otherwise, you can ship them. You are responsible for shipping costs to and from my house.
What if one of my DVDs or drives doesn’t work?
If any of your DVDs or drives do not work, I will make you another copy at no extra cost.
Can I get my original media back?
Yes. The conversion process will not damage the original media, and you can have it back when I am finished.
Can you convert a tape that won’t play anymore?
Unfortunately, I can only convert tapes that can still play. If a tape is broken or too dirty to play, I will not be able to convert it as-is. If you would like, you can pay me to attempt a repair. If the tape needs cleaning or the film has come off the reel, I can attempt to repair it for a surcharge. I will do my best to get it working, but some tapes may still be unplayable despite my best efforts.
Can I convert my old commercial VHS movies?
No. My services are meant only to convert personal videos to digital formats. I do not accept commercial VHS movies or other copyrighted commercial media. Many commercial tapes also include copy protection that prevents conversion.
What do I do if I still have questions?
Please contact me, Michael Young, at thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com, or use the Contact Michael button above.
Michael D. Young · Your Personal Singing/Audition Coach
Vocal Coaching
Mike Young will help you take your singing to the next level.
Ace your next vocal audition with expert feedback. Prepare with focused help on vocal technique, interpretation, acting choices, confidence, and stage presence.
Free eBook with Any Order
Get a free eBook with any order: Seven Steps for Sensational Singing. With your order, you will receive a coupon code to download a free copy.
Seven Steps to Sensational Singing by Michael D. Young is a practical guide built around seven manageable steps: Stand, Breathe, Warm Up, Shape, Shift, Express, and Show Off. Each chapter offers exercises and techniques designed to improve vocal skills, confidence, and stage presence. The book draws on Michael’s experience as a vocal coach and member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
What My Students Say
“I loved working with Michael! He helped me find audition pieces for each project I was auditioning for and really worked with me to break down and focus on the specifics of the songs in both style and acting choices. He was supportive and kind and always listened to my feedback and thoughts. I have been able to use the techniques and tools he taught me as I’ve gone further in my performing career, and I am so grateful for the time I had to learn under him. He is incredible!”
Boston Bean
“My voice has improved so much since taking lessons with Michael! He is really good at pinpointing what needs to be tweaked and helping you know how to tweak it. He is very talented and wants you to utilize your voice to its best capability!”
Sydney Hill
“My daughter, age 12, started taking voice lessons from Michael around 6 months ago. She is a beginner with no prior experience or knowledge of singing other than hymns from church or singing along with the radio. In a short period, he has helped her singing abilities improve and her self-confidence.”
Emily Klobas
“During my sophomore year of high school, I was doing a theater competition. The section I was competing in was Musical Theater. I reached out to Michael and asked if he could help me with my song, and he did just that! He not only helped me with certain singing techniques, but he also helped with my character. It was a lot of fun, and I won first place!”
Julianne Furguson
Audition Feedback Pricing
Send in a video recording of your audition. I will evaluate it based on a rubric and send you my video feedback. Break a leg!
| Normal | $30 |
| Rush | $50 |
The Mic Drop YouTube Channel
Preparing for an Audition?
Watch this playlist for general audition preparation.
Looking for an Audition Song?
Watch this playlist for audition-song ideas.
Vocal Coaching FAQs
Click a question to open the answer.
Who are you, and why did you become a vocal coach?
You can read more about me on the About Me page, but I’m an avid singer with decades of experience singing in choirs and performing in musicals. I also taught for seven years in public schools and love working with people. I have taught formal voice lessons for years, and while doing that, I especially enjoy helping people with auditions. It’s so exciting to see success stories!
What information do you need about my audition?
As much as you’d like to give me! The more I know, the better I can coach you. Before you submit your order, I have you complete an Audition Information Form.
What if my audition is not successful? Do I get a refund?
Part of being a performer is realizing that not every audition will be successful. I’ve personally experienced many failed auditions. But you can learn something from every audition, and each one will give you valuable experience. Even if you provide an excellent performance, you might not be what the casting team or director is looking for. The best advice I can give you is to reflect on what went well and what did not, then sign up for your next audition. The vocal coaching I provide can help you improve future performances, but a coaching session is not a guarantee that you will have a successful audition, so sessions are non-refundable.
What should I do to prepare for my coaching session?
I have a YouTube playlist you can watch with general tips on how to ace your audition. Watch a few videos that deal with topics you want to practice.
Can I change my audition song after I have started?
I encourage you to make a firm selection of your audition piece before our session. We can change songs on a case-by-case basis, but only if we determine that the song does not fit the criteria for the audition in some way.
Can you help me pick my audition piece?
Yes! If you are having trouble picking a song, you can use a live or pre-recorded song-selection session to have me help you pick your audition piece. These are separate sessions from the regular audition sessions. You can also refer to my suggested pieces page for audition suggestions organized by voice part.
What criteria do you use to evaluate performance?
I use pitch, tone, control, diction, expression, and stage presence. Please refer to the performance rubric for a breakdown of what falls into each category.
How much notice do you need to schedule a session?
For sessions, I need at least a week’s notice before your audition to get the regular price. You can pay an additional fee for a rush session if you are within that timeframe.
What payment methods do you accept?
I prefer either Venmo or PayPal, but other forms of electronic payment can be arranged.
Can I get a discount for referring my friends?
Yes. If you tell someone about my services and they order a service, you will be eligible for a free asynchronous session for your next audition.
I aced my audition! What should I do next?
Congratulations! Take all of your new-found knowledge and apply it to your new role. If you would like to help me out by spreading the word, share your success story on social media with the hashtags #micdropauditions and #acedtheaudition.
Why Work with Michael?
Creative Experience
As a published author and book creator, I understand the practical decisions behind covers, layouts, copy, and reader expectations.
Technical Precision
My instructional-design background supports organized workflows, careful formatting, clear communication, and dependable project delivery.
Performance Insight
Years of singing and theatrical performance inform practical, encouraging audition coaching grounded in real performance experience.
Tell Me What You’re Creating
Share the type of project, its approximate size, your preferred timeline, and the service you need. I’ll help you identify the best next step.
Michael D. Young 