Xe Sands's Blog: Confessions of a Obsessive Narrator - Posts Tagged "narration"

So here's the deal...

I've been thinking about listener feedback lately, and how to encourage more dialog between narrators and listeners.

And I've been thinking that I'd really offer a space for listeners to share how they feel about my work and narration in general.

So I'm throwing open the doors to you - your thoughts/complaints/compliments/whatever.

My only request is that we keep it civil all around, and thoughtful when offering criticism.

OK so got something to share? BRING IT!

Great discussion happening over at Speaking of Audiobooks: Untrained Narrators? I'm Not Interested

Here's the intro from the post's author:

There’s a new trend sweeping the audiobook industry and it’s the frequent use of untrained narrators. Narrators who are more likely to take away from the audiobook experience rather than add to it. It’s a trend that I hope will simply spend itself and go away, but one which I’m afraid is here to stay. I can only assume that somewhere along the line, the decision to use untrained narrators (with lower pay) translates into the ability to produce more audiobooks. But in the process, an invisible price is paid as the listener’s trust slowly erodes. How many listeners will continue to buy audiobooks (or even use the library) if the experience is less than enjoyable? It’s not only a waste of the listener’s money but their time as well.

The comments have extended and deepened the discussion. And the author let me know that they will be doing a 6-narrator panel on the subject in February, offering a positive path forward.

Feel strongly about this? I know I do. Head over, read the column and comments and add your thoughts.

Over in the well-traveled Audiobooks group on Goodreads, I've started a thread called Listener Q&A in hopes of generating lively discussions between narrators and avid listeners.

I encourage all narrators and listeners to cruise over and participate...narrators lobbing questions that they've been pondering, and listeners offering their opinions. I've long wanted a way to pick the collective brain of avid audiobook listeners and hope this will become a viable and dynamic forum.