David Risner
asked
Jennifer Foehner Wells:
Now that you're an established author, will the audiobook versions of your books come out closer to the release date of the written version?
Jennifer Foehner Wells
Well that's a very nice complement. Thank you.
The logistics are very different for me, as an independent author, as compared to a traditionally published author. Though I go through all the same pre-publication steps with professional subcontractors (content editing, copy editing, artists for the cover art, formatting, narrator for the audio book etc) there is a significant difference. I'm the one organizing all of this, one book at a time.
Traditional publishers are going through this process with dozens if not hundreds of books a year and that's why there is such a long wait time between when the author finishes a book and publication--usually at least a year, sometimes two.
As an independent author, I can cut that process down to just about three months or even less--between the last word written on the final draft and the finished product. But what that doesn't allow for is the time needed to produce an audio book. The moment the book is finished I usually pass it on to the narrator.
Now that's when it gets sticky. If the narrator is really good, they've got other gigs. In the case of the narrators I use, one of them is also a working actor and the other is also a college professor. Both also do other types of voice work and have other books in their queues. Most of my books run 10 to 14 hours and they typically spend twice that time in the booth--that's after the extensive prep work they do, refining voices, and we discuss and record any new word pronunciations they need to use. It takes time.
The only way I can release all formats on the same day is to hold the other formats. I don't think most of my readers would be on board with that.
Now, believe me, I sympathize. I consume most of the books I read these days through audio. And sometimes even traditionally published audio books are released late. I know, because I've waited for them with great anticipation.
Just know that I'm working, always, to cut down the gap as much as I can!
Read on!
The logistics are very different for me, as an independent author, as compared to a traditionally published author. Though I go through all the same pre-publication steps with professional subcontractors (content editing, copy editing, artists for the cover art, formatting, narrator for the audio book etc) there is a significant difference. I'm the one organizing all of this, one book at a time.
Traditional publishers are going through this process with dozens if not hundreds of books a year and that's why there is such a long wait time between when the author finishes a book and publication--usually at least a year, sometimes two.
As an independent author, I can cut that process down to just about three months or even less--between the last word written on the final draft and the finished product. But what that doesn't allow for is the time needed to produce an audio book. The moment the book is finished I usually pass it on to the narrator.
Now that's when it gets sticky. If the narrator is really good, they've got other gigs. In the case of the narrators I use, one of them is also a working actor and the other is also a college professor. Both also do other types of voice work and have other books in their queues. Most of my books run 10 to 14 hours and they typically spend twice that time in the booth--that's after the extensive prep work they do, refining voices, and we discuss and record any new word pronunciations they need to use. It takes time.
The only way I can release all formats on the same day is to hold the other formats. I don't think most of my readers would be on board with that.
Now, believe me, I sympathize. I consume most of the books I read these days through audio. And sometimes even traditionally published audio books are released late. I know, because I've waited for them with great anticipation.
Just know that I'm working, always, to cut down the gap as much as I can!
Read on!
More Answered Questions
Monica T. Rodriguez
asked
Jennifer Foehner Wells:
Will you be making Fluency available for the Nook?
A Goodreads user
asked
Jennifer Foehner Wells:
Not a question; just a thank you for being a writer. A writer I enjoy reading. I hope you and your muse may find some serenity. Please? Jon
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