My world exploded. :)
Nowadays I try to find all my research books on audio and (when it isn't too frickin' cold) I listen to the books on dog walks or when I'm doing housework. Win-win.
Recently I decided to take the plunge into getting my self-published titles produced in audio format. I put it off for about a year because I can not stand listening to my own words being spoken out loud. All five of my traditionally published books are out in audio, but I've never got past the first page.
I needed to get over that. :)
After signing up to ACX, the first thing I had to do was choose a narrator. Sounds easy enough, right? :) Pick a voice, any voice. I went online and started listening to various excerpts (you can do that on audible--in fact you can go ahead and listen to a sample of A COLD DARK PLACE right here). And once again my world exploded--only not in a good way. I was overwhelmed by the selection.
I've heard a few people saying they don't like male narrators in general, but I really felt my COLD JUSTICE series needed a guy. A sexy guy. A sexy American guy :) So I went with my gut and I loved the results.
I decided to search for a male reader who'd narrated both Romance novels but also Suspense/Thriller books. There's a big suspense component in my books but more importantly it's hard (ha!) to read a love scene without making it sound weird--and my books are pretty sexy. But I lucked out and found a guy who'd read for both JR Ward and Bob Mayer (amongst others) and knew I'd found the right person. So I emailed him and discovered he was a singer, narrator and an author, and all around good guy. His name is Eric G. Dove
The process itself was painless. The only thing I had to do was listen through and proof the files. There were a couple of funny errors. The one that made us both laugh was when my hero 'flashed his lace-edged stockings' as opposed to 'flashed back to lace-edged stockings' (that the heroine was wearing) :) Glad I caught that one :)
So, I've lost my audio virginity, and it was awesome :) If you aren't an Audible customer yet you can sign up and listen to A COLD DARK PLACE for free. The title is also available on iTunes and Amazon.
I'm going to give away a copy of my new audiobook to one lucky commenter. I'd love to know how you feel about male narrators--love? Hate? Indifference?
15 comments:
I'd rather listen to a male rather than a female narrator. Men's voices tend to be smoother and easier for you ear to "tune" in to...probably why males dominated radio for eons. Even now I get fed up with female DJ's on FM stations. Their voices just seem forced or irritating after awhile, especially if they're laughing. But that's probably just my own peculiar peev!
Wow, Toni! With the self-publishing learning curve this year, I've been hesitant to look for a narrator and jump into the audiobook world. My first three or four books (with Carina Press) were made into audiobooks, but I haven't had the time or energy to look into doing the self-pub books. Thanks for the encouraging post! :) (And I, for one, love listening to male narrators. So sexy. :) )
Hmm... Let's see... Having a deep male voice murmuring in my ear? Yes, I'm fine with that. :-) Congratulations on taking the leap, Toni!
Laurie--I hadn't thought about radio, but yes, I generally prefer males voices.
Anne Marie--I think finding the right narrator goes a long way to smoothing the process. You need a professional. It was easier than I expected but I had to put in say, two full days, really listening to the recording word by word and comparing it to the book. Interestingly it makes you see your writing more clearly.
Ha! Marcelo :)
LOL--Marcelle --I did NOT call you Marcelo.
Bold steps, but the world will be a happier place with your books in Audible.
As a kid, I can remember a local radio station reading scary stories live on the radio every Wednesday at 10pm. I used to hide under the covers with the radio up against my ear so that my parents didn't hear. That was my first introduction to Audible, and I loved it. :)
I joined Audible this year and so far I have probably listened to more male narrators than female. In my opinion as long as the narrator is good it doesn't matter male or female. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway,
I began listening because of vision problems. For me audio books are better than reading the book or seeing the movie. Water for Elephants was absolutely brilliant. I had no desire to see the movie. I have no preference as to male or female narrators. I will tell you a guy reading a hot scene is well…hot. There is one male narrator, that no matter how much I want to read the book, if he’s reading, I WILL NOT get it. He makes a thriller sound like an economics textbook. Ugh! Audio books are expensive. If I am disappointed by a narrator I will not pick a book with them again. But thankfully there are only three.
Long books, as in the Outlander series, get me through ugly housework chores. I cannot listen while driving. I pay too much attention to the story and not driving.
Perhaps as Maureen said it was early years listening to radio that makes them so comfortable.
Maureen--I recognize the rebel in you, even now :)
ardent.ereader--you're welcome :) And glad to hear it.
Rita--my hubby is the same in the car. I have to remind him to watch the road. I'd love to know what you think of this one.
Hey Toni!
I have a friend who adores audio books so I'm glad I can recommend this one to her now :)
I'd love to dip my foot into Audio waters when ACX opens up to Canadian authors, so I'm glad to hear the process isn't crazy complicated :)
Toni, If you have to be a virgin, audio is good choice. I've had two wines. Forgive me. Great post, informative and entertaining. The big two.
Kathryn--it's happening :) And thank you.
Jean--ha :) I live to serve X
Winners--because I'm feeling happy...
Laurie Wood, ardent.ereader and Kathryn Jane--
contact me and I'll send you a coupon for a copy of the audiobook!
email toniannanderson at gmail.com
Congratulations! Some books sound better with a female narrator (I'm listening to one of Evanovich's now) but in general I like male narrators also.
I'm working my way up the indie learning curve and have eyed ACX... you've inspired me to take another look :)
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