Hx
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
When is the audiobook for Rhune coming out? Surely there will be an audiobook?? Audible doesn't have any mention of Rhune, it's not possible to pre-order it. That must mean that it's not even being currently recorded. How long will it take? I don't want to be the last on the planet to experience Rhune, after everybody else has read it and talked about it for ages.
Michael J. Sullivan
Yes! There will be an audio book for Rhune, and all the books in The First Empire series. The plan at the present time is to have it released simultaneously with the ebook and print editions. I actually signed the contract for these books last year, even before the print/ebook publisher was determined. We will be getting pre-order pages up as soon as we firm up the release date.
As for not even being recorded...you are correct. As the book isn't yet finished being written ;-). Right now there is a version that is essentially the one that was submitted to the publisher for consideration. That version has gone through quite a bit of editing, but there are still the following that has to be done to it.
1. The second beta is finishing up now, and there will be changes based on it.
2. There will be changes based on how the series "finishes out." As soon as I have the fifth book finished (scheduled for April or May), then I'll know what those changes will be.
3. My publisher's editor will provide their feedback and structural changes which I'll weigh and implment.
4. My publisher's copy editors and line editors will go over the whole book to ensure consistency, fix clunky sentences, and ensure perfect grammar.
At that point the book will be "done" and the manuscript can be given to the audio book producer to do the recording.
Generally audio book recordings can take a few weeks to record. Usually twice as long as the "finished" version. The narrators generally don't do more than 4 hours a day as they can't strain their voices. Then it can take a month or so to do the "editing" (fixing multiple takes) and "mastering" - where things like levels are smoothed out.
No worries...you won't be the last. We'll have the audio book available for per-orders about the same time as the print and ebook, and again, they will "go live" simultaneously.
Thanks for asking, I'm glad you are enthusiastic about the new series.
As for not even being recorded...you are correct. As the book isn't yet finished being written ;-). Right now there is a version that is essentially the one that was submitted to the publisher for consideration. That version has gone through quite a bit of editing, but there are still the following that has to be done to it.
1. The second beta is finishing up now, and there will be changes based on it.
2. There will be changes based on how the series "finishes out." As soon as I have the fifth book finished (scheduled for April or May), then I'll know what those changes will be.
3. My publisher's editor will provide their feedback and structural changes which I'll weigh and implment.
4. My publisher's copy editors and line editors will go over the whole book to ensure consistency, fix clunky sentences, and ensure perfect grammar.
At that point the book will be "done" and the manuscript can be given to the audio book producer to do the recording.
Generally audio book recordings can take a few weeks to record. Usually twice as long as the "finished" version. The narrators generally don't do more than 4 hours a day as they can't strain their voices. Then it can take a month or so to do the "editing" (fixing multiple takes) and "mastering" - where things like levels are smoothed out.
No worries...you won't be the last. We'll have the audio book available for per-orders about the same time as the print and ebook, and again, they will "go live" simultaneously.
Thanks for asking, I'm glad you are enthusiastic about the new series.
More Answered Questions
Beth
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I am currently reading Age of Empyre. I have read pretty much everything you have written. I have to say even without finishing it yet, you have out done yourself. You have moved my heart like no one since Tolkien. I devour books, looking for one that will make me think and feel something greater than myself. Brother, you HAVE DONE IT! Thank you and please will you Never stop writing? I couldn't bare it.
Doris Mahala
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I receive emails from you and the project of Age of Empyre. I have also donated to this project and paid for bookmarks!! I would like to know if you could send me an email for this project or do you give back a refund for everything that you were paid or do you keep all of the money?
K.S.
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
First, I want to say that Royce and Hadrian are some of the most fun characters I’ve read. Can’t wait to read more. Me and some friends have been publishing our books as a team. We have good feedback so far, but are struggling to find readers. Do you have any advice for us? What were some of the challenges when you first started and how did you overcome them? Anything you share will be much appreciated.
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