Xe Sands's Blog: Confessions of a Obsessive Narrator

Calling all questions! Well, not ALL questions, but if you've got one for an audiobook narrator or audiobook reviewer, read on...

Friday, June 28th, is my posting date for Going Public...in Shorts. In addition to talking about the project, my blog host, the fabulous The Oddiophile and I will be having a li'l chat about all things audiobooks, starting with reviewing/being reviewed.

If you've got a question on that topic for either of us, OR on another topic, post it here, message me on FB, tweet me (@xesands) or Oddiophile (@Oddiophile), or comment on the blog post (link below) by 1:00 PM PST this Wednesday. We'll pick a bunch of questions to answer after out initial discussion...if one of those chosen is yours, you'll be entered to win your choice of a download of the #GPShorts collection or and Audible.com audiobook of your choice (region restrictions on both apply).

Check the post for a far more clever write-up...then ask away! Feel free to share this with other inquiring minds as well. Conversation will then continue in the blog comments of Friday's post.

http://theoddiophile.com/2013/06/23/i...

This June, the audiobook community is giving back! Spoken Freely, a group of 30+ professional narrators, has teamed with Going Public to celebrate June is Audiobook Month (JIAM) 2013 by offering a serialized audio story collection: Going Public…in Shorts. Each narrator has recorded a short piece from the public domain, including the work of Chekhov, Twain, Chopin, Poe, Lovecraft, Fitzgerald, Joyce, Wilde and many others, even Lincoln’s pivotal Second Inaugural Address. All proceeds will go to the Reach Out and Read literacy advocacy organization.

Throughout June, 1-2 stories will be released online each day via Going Public, as well as on various author and book blogs. Each participating narrator will be hosted by a different blog. As a “Thank you!” to listeners, stories will be available to listen to for free, for one week (online only – no downloads). Please see the Spoken Freely pageof the Going Public website for a full release schedule.


In collaboration with Blackstone Audio, stories will also be available for download purchase via Downpour, starting on their day of release, with the full compilation available beginning June 30th. Cost for individual story downloads will vary based on audio length. All proceeds go directly to Reach Out and Read, an innovative literacy advocacy organization serving more than 4 million children and their families across the nation, with an emphasis on serving those in low-income communities.

Going Public…in Shorts is made possible by the efforts of the Spoken Freely narrators and many others who donated their time and energy to bring it to fruition. Engineering and mastering provided by Jeffrey Kafer and SpringBrook Audio. Graphic design provided by f power design. Project coordination and executive production provided by Xe Sands. Published by Blackstone Audio.

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.

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.

Hello All!

Just noticed that HighBridge Audio is offering The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro as their Featured Audio Giveaway.

Great chance to read/listen to a wonderful story. This one inspired me to learn more about art, and even appreciate it differently. Not to mention I could relate to the main character and how we might talk ourselves into just about anything for another shot at the future we've dreamed about. This was most definitely one of my favorite projects to work on in 2012.

Visit HighBridge Audio's website for details via this link:
Featured Audio Giveaway

There is an audio clip up on my website or on the HighBridge Audio giveaway page.

Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day




Well that was a great ride! I can see why Day has a legion of fans for the Warriors of Poseidon series.

And for those who say that Quinn is annoying and unlikable? I'm going to say, quite horribly I'm afraid - suck it up! Personally, I love a heroine that is tough, sarcastic and will do anything she needs to do in order to survive (while secretly dying inside). We need them to counter the ultra-sweet, innocent heroines who also have their place.

So Quinn, honey? *mwah* Love you almost as much as Evy *ducks to avoid being pummeled by Evangeline*

Now to do justice to all these characters who've been waiting a long time for this wrap-up...and for the fans who have patiently waited for this particular love story. I'll do my very best for y'all...



View all my reviews

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!

Hello!

This fall, I recorded my 50th audiobook narration, Magnificence, by Lydia Millet. This is a big milestone for me, and to celebrate and give back to the listeners who've made it possible, I'm holding a week-long blog hop and series of giveaways of audio and (wait for it)...HOMEMADE COOKIES!

...because savvy narrators know that the way to a listener's ears is through their stomach...so....

Here's the schedule of festivities. I'd love to have you join me!

Monday, 11/5
Books Personally Blog
Indepth interview & discussion of Magnificence, by Lydia Millet
Giveaway: Audio of Magnificence + cookies!


Tuesday, 11/6
Southern Romance Magicians Blog
Chatting with author M.V. Freeman : "World-Building As Character"
Giveaway: Audio of Hearts of Darkness, by Kira Brady + digital copy of Incandescent, by M.V. Freeman + chocolate from Theo's Chocolate Factory!


Wednesday, 11/7
AudioGals Blog
"The Nightwalkers: Jacquelyn Frank's Growing World
Giveaway: Audio of new release, Forbidden + full set of Nightwalkers in audio + cookies!


Thursday, 11/8
Literate Housewife Blog
"Under the Influence: When Books Inspire," beginning with discussion of The Art Forger
Giveaway: Print and audio of The Art Forger + cookies!