Dreamspinner Press discussion

I sent in a query via the DSP website last week but haven't received a response. Just sent another one off this morning.

I now buy both the ebook and the audiobook if it's offered on Amazon at a special price. I've bought ALL the audio versions of every MM romance ebook I enjoyed, and even those I didn't because I've found that a good narrator (Like Paul Morey, Sean Crisden or Jeff Gelder) can get me to like a book that was just so-so when I read it.

So far, I've spent about $200 a month on audiobooks the last few months, mostly buying from Audible.

I'd love to see more promotion of audiobooks and hope that DSP will produce their backlist in audio.

"I've bought ALL the audio versions of every MM romance ebook I enjoyed, and even those I didn't because I've found that a good narrator (Like Paul Morey, Sean Crisden or Jeff Gelder) can get me to like a book that was just so-so when I read it."

I totally agree with your comment. I don't think I've listen to any Audio Books narrated by Paul Morey (that I know of) but I have several with Sean Crisden and Jeff Gelder, and I love them both. I love audio books. I wish everyone did them :)

I listen to more books than i read. I just don't have the time to sit and read, but listening can be done while I'm gardening or on the bus to work. I absolutely love audio. And i spend a fortune on them....

I love Sean (he's one of my big three favs, the other two don't record for DSP), but Paul Morey really came into his own with Amy Lane's A Solid Core of Alpha and all of Cardeno C.'s Home series and I just love him now. I keep a running list on my computer of m/m audiobooks because my iPod can't hold them all.

...oh fuck, completely forgot about Charlie David. I still go back and listen to Hot Head thanks to him. He's just adorable.

Oh yes they do:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...

I also look for Dreamspinner on Audible and see many books there, including the Cut & Run series. You start looking for specific narrators and they even have their own following. I enjoyed listening to HotHead as a re-read. Was even better to listen to, and I was able to get things done around the house at the same time!

Vicky wrote: "I'm a new member at Audible and love to listen to books, but a bad narrator can ruin the experience for me. I will be on the look out for Paul, Sean or Jeff and also may stalk you bookshelf. We h..."

I didn't like Gelder in Bulletproof (A Matter of Time #5) because I love Morey's voice and he did Sam to perfection! To suddenly have another narrator after FOUR books, was an unpleasant shock.

However, I don't mind Gelder anymore and believe the fault lies with the audio producers/publisher/narrator not completing a series with the same narrator. Hopefully, those responsible will take note and become conscious of the fact that if the initial narrator did a good job and went on to do more installments, listeners do not take kindly to the change!

Vicky wrote: "DsP has audio?"

DSP audios are generally of good quality. MLR Press has only three or so and after the horrible Mexican Heat, I will never buy another audio produced by them.

Another audiobook to avoid is Victor J Banis' Deadly Nightshade. It is the worst audiobook I've listened to and has made me leery of self-published audiobooks. It is filled with mistakes, the narrator makes several omissions from one or two lines to an entire paragraph and sounds like someone's grandpa with a 3-pack-a-day habit. Avoid at all costs!

Kylia wrote: ""I've bought ALL the audio versions of every MM romance ebook I enjoyed, and even those I didn't because I've found that a good narrator (Like Paul Morey, Sean Crisden or Jeff Gelder) can get me to..."

Kylia, is you enjoy MM Romance then try Mary Calmes' A Matter of Time Vol 1 and 2. These comprise 2 ebooks per volume and are beautifully narrated by Paul Morey. He captures Detective Sam Kage's gravelly voice so wonderfully. Book 5, Bulletproof, is the narrated by Jeff Gelder and I hated it so I waited awhile to get Morey out of my system then went back to Book 5.

I have Book 6, But For You, in ebook but I won't read it until the audiobook comes out. If it does.

For Josh Lanyon fans, his line of self published audios seems to be a hit. I've listened to a couple (the first of the Adrien English series and the Moriarty and Holmes series) and I really like the narrator.

I've read a lot of Mary Calmes books and I have the audio for all the ones that are available (except Matter of Time). that's the one series I have yet to read in either ebook or audio. I keep meaning to get to it and just having yet. *g*

I was real pleased when they started doing audiobooks fromn the Adrien English Series by Josh Lanyon,a nd I've bought them all but I've decided to hold off on listening to them until the whole series is completed.

ElaineY wrote: "I sent in a query via the DSP website last week but haven't received a response. Just sent another one off this morning.

I now buy both the ebook and the audiobook if it's offered on Amazon at a s..."

Hi! Where did you send your inquiry to? / Julyssa

I LOVE Sean Crisden and Paul Morey and have listened to MANY of their books. But hands down the best, sexiest narrator on Audible is Jack Le Fleur. The man could read the phone book and I'd listen. He did Reason to Believe and others. I MUST listen in the MM genre. Also, I was recently told that Charlie David will be narrating Who We Are by TJ Klune; the 2nd book of the Bear, Otter & The Kid series. Can't wait!!

Question for DSP staff. Although I agree with everyone that Paul Morey did the best job on Matter of Time 1 - 4 and Jeff Gelder was HORRIBLE on Bulletproof, will there be an audiobook of But For You? Hopefully bringing Paul back, PLEASE PLEASE!!!

Kylia wrote: "II was real pleased when they started doing audiobooks fromn the Adrien English Series by Josh Lanyon,a nd I've bought them all but I've decided to hold off on listening to them until the whole series is completed. "

Same here. I hope it won't take too long as it's one series I really wouldn't start on unless I had the complete thing - or I'd be so angry with Jake I'd e throwing my Kindle at the wall!

I'm in the middle of Book 5 of the Cut & Run series, Armed & Dangerous and liking it very much. I hope Riptide, which seems to have taken over the series from DSP, will bring the others out in audio soon.

Dreamspinner wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "I sent in a query via the DSP website last week but haven't received a response. Just sent another one off this morning.

I now buy both the ebook and the audiobook if it's offered ..."

I sent both through the website contact form.

Riva wrote: "I LOVE Sean Crisden and Paul Morey and have listened to MANY of their books. But hands down the best, sexiest narrator on Audible is Jack Le Fleur. The man could read the phone book and I'd liste..."

I bought the Bear, Otter one. I bought the ebook and it was a so-so read for me but it was in Present Tense and I DETEST present tense. The fact that I could read it (I can only last one page at most) means it must be good so I decided to buy the audio. I've not heard Charlie David.

I love Morey so much in A Matter of Time that I feel a re-listen coming up but dread having to spoil it with Gelder when I come to book 5! Aargh! Why, why why did DSP do that!!!

Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished the first book and once again, Sean Crisden did an awesome job. I'm hoping I won't have to wait too long for the sequel's audiobook and that it will be Crisden again narrating.

ElaineY wrote: "Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished the first book and once again, Sean Crisden did an awesom..."

I emailed TJ Klune with this exact question. He said even though he agreed Sean did an amazing job, Charlie David (who narrated Hot Heads and others) will be narrating WWA. It is in production now, but no release date that I am aware. I was a little disappointed but Charlie David is a good narrator as well. Hot Heads was great. Plus I think he narrates a lot of Eric Arvins books and he is TJ's partner I think.

Riva wrote: " But hands down the best, sexiest narrator on Audible is Jack Le Fleur."

Mr. Le Fleur was my MM audiobook debut with Outcast Mine. He's the tops on my "favorite narrator" list.

Riva wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished the first book and once again, Sean Crisd..."

Thanks, Riva! I'm thrilled to hear WWA is already in production! Perhaps the more active we are on this thread, the more helpful it will be for DSP to know how/who/what is popular and we can get more audiobooks out.

I have Hot Head but only listened to the audiobook partially. I loved the book, though, so I'll certainly finish the audio the next time. I don't recall Charlie David's narration in it but it wouldn't have been bad or I'd remember it.

I have the two SkyBound books by Jack LeFleur that you mentioned but haven't finished the one I'm listening to yet. He's good, too, I agree, but currently my two favs are Sean Crisden and Paul Morey.

ElaineY wrote: "Riva wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished the first book and once agai..."

Hi, guys. I was told there were some questions regarding BOATK and Who We Are, so I figured it's best coming from me. =D

Sean was AMAZING on BOATK. It was my first audiobook and I loved everything he did. He will always be Bear to me.

I can't say specifically why he did not do the sequel (I'm not privy to the hiring of narrators), but Charlie David has put his own spin on the sequel, and having heard part of it already, I can say easily that he did a fantastic job. Production was actually complete on Who We Are a couple of months ago, so it should be coming up some point this summer/beginning of fall.

Thank you for supporting audiobooks! I hope that the audience for them continues to grow in the m/m genre so you can see more of your favorite works done.

Thank you for reading!

Tj Klune

TJ wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Riva wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished the first bo..."

Thanks for updating us, TJ! I canNOT wait for WWA's audiobook to be released. I'm fine with Charlie David doing WWA even though I've only heard a little but of him in Hot Head.

Personally, though, I do not like the producers to switch narrators unless the first one was a poor job. The change from Paul Morey to Jeff Gelder in the Matter of Timing series by Mary Calmes was a disaster! I think everyone I know who followed the audiio series hated it, too. It wasn't that Gelder did a bad job but Morey had become Sam Kaje and Jory so much that it was horrible to suddenly have someone else!

It's ok in your case since there's been only one book before WWA so I won't mind the change so much.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be more MM romance audiobooks out SOON! I'm running out of them and have been forced to buy MF romances which I hardly read anymore!

I've probably only listened to one audio book in my life and that was over a decade ago. I didn't enjoy the experience so I never really tried it again..but this discussion has piqued my interest. Which audio books are your top favorites that I should definitely try out?

Anna - a lot of the dsp titles in audio are great :)

Timing by Mary Calmes
Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune
Hot Head by Damon Suede
American Love Songs by Ashlyn Kane
A Matter of Time, Vol. 1 by Mary Calmes

I have a shelf called 'loved-the-audiobook-narration' that you're welcome to browse (though it includes non m/m as well... if you want to see only lgbt titles, you'll have to select my lgbt-characters shelf and the loved-the-audiobook-narration shelf at the same time... hopefully this link will do that for you: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/... )

FlibBityFloob, Thank you so much! your link worked and I see that you already have some books on there that I've read (and loved!) - I'll definitely check out these audiobooks. Thanks again!

Flib, that a great idea; here is my audio shelf. Much to my surprise it has 89 books, I didn't realize I listened to that many, Yikes.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

Anna D. wrote: "I've probably only listened to one audio book in my life and that was over a decade ago. I didn't enjoy the experience so I never really tried it again..but this discussion has piqued my interest. ..."

I would definitely start with either Matter of Time, Bear Otter and the Kid or Reason to Believe. All are great book in their own right, but the audio book brings it to a new level.

wow wow wow!! soooo many on the list and more than half have 4-5 star ratings! Thanks Riva :)

TJ wrote: "Hi, guys. I was told there were some questions regarding BOATK and Who We Are, so I figured it's best coming from me. =D"

TJ, the audio of BOATK was my intro to reading more from you, so I can't wait to get my mitts on WWA, since I already love it so much on my Kindle.

I really should import my "list of m/m audiobooks" from my computer to Goodreads. I rotate between about 100, taking some out, adding more, etc.

Quirkythrope wrote: "TJ wrote: "Hi, guys. I was told there were some questions regarding BOATK and Who We Are, so I figured it's best coming from me. =D"

TJ, the audio of BOATK was my intro to reading more from you, s..."

Awesome! Thank you for reading (listening) to BOATK! I think WWA is going to be pretty dang rad! =D

ElaineY wrote: "TJ wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Riva wrote: "ElaineY wrote: "Anyone know when the audiobook of Who We Are , the sequel to Bear, Otter and the Kid, will be out? If it will be, that is.

I just finished t..."

I agree there should be more, though I must admit ignorance to just how many m/m books are out in audiobooks. I know DSP tries to do as many as financially makes sense, but I don't know other publishers that do the same in m/m?

Actually most of mine are by DSP, Carin Press or Hudson Audio. However I am now see some authors like Jordan Hawk and Josh Lanyon self publish audio versions of their books. That is very exciting.

FlibBityFLooB wrote: "Anna - a lot of the dsp titles in audio are great :)

Timing by Mary Calmes
Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune
Hot Head by Damon Suede
American Love Songs by Ashlyn Kane
A Matter of Time, Vol. 1 ..."

FlibBityFLooB:) Thanks for your link! It's what I'd been looking for but none of my GR friends have an audiobook shelf. I hope that changes soon.

Riva wrote: "Actually most of mine are by DSP, Carin Press or Hudson Audio. However I am now see some authors like Jordan Hawk and Josh Lanyon self publish audio versions of their books. That is very exciting."

I checked out Hudson Audio in case they have titles not available at Audible.com but all the MM romance titles are and Audible has them at the member's price which is way cheaper. For example, Keeping Promise Rock (Amy Lane; narr. Sean Crisden) is now selling at only $3.49.

I just finished that and am listening to Book 2, Making Promises. If you haven't listened to Keeping Promise Rock, I do rec it highly. My review will be up shortly.

Just received a reply from DSP to my query about whether the sequels to Mary Calmes A Matter of Time series (latest are Book 6 & 7) as well as After the Sunset, the sequel to the highly enjoyable Timing.

DSP's reply:
A list of upcoming Audiobook titles is not available for release. We currently have a number of titles in production and their completion is dependent on many factors. It could be 6 to 8 months before the next release or we could have one become available tomorrow. For the most up to date information regarding the availability of new Audiobook titles please keep an eye on the Coming Soon page or the Audiobooks page.

Thank you for choosing Dreamspinner Press!

Tammy

It would have been helpful if DSP gave me the list of audiobook titles not available for release! What does that mean, anyway? They actually compile a list that they do NOT plan to release in audio? I'm hoping that was a typo error because if I were an author and knew my fans are clamoring for the audio release only to find I'm in DSP's "not available" list, I'd be very disappointed. To put it nicely.

Anyway, I'm just getting the standard non-helpful replies from DSP to my queries about audio titles so I won't bother to email them anymore. At least they bother to reply (eventually). I emailed Silver Pub weeks ago and never got a response but that could be because one author told me they are near insolvent so I guess they got bigger issues to deal with right now.

I only have the one credit a month too. But the MM books are generally under $10 for members or you can also pre purchase 3 credits for about $30.

In a way, it's a good thing new audiobooks are so slow at getting released or I'd be broke every month. I know I've exhausted all the audiobooks I want to buy - the MM romance ones, anyway. The mf ones I'm interested in are way too expensive - like Sandra Brown's Ricochet.. If I bought that, I wouldn't be able to buy Play Dirty as both are over $25. So far, I've bought up all the MM romances I want first then working my way through the mf romantic suspense using my monthly credit.

Still, at those prices, I borrow as much as I can. Since I've just about run out of MM ones to buy and nothing I want is coming out soon, I'll be using those credits on another Sandra Brown, I guess.

Vicky wrote: "Can you borrow an audiobook?

Do you have a gr shelf for your audiobooks?"

My GR audiobook shelf

I borrow most of my MF books from my local library and buy some using my Audible credits. If there's something I really want and it's not too expensive, I buy if I don't have a credit. I don't live in the US but from what I know, my GR friends who listen to MF audio borrow from their local libraries, too.

All my MM ones I have to buy, though, since my library doesn't carry any and will unlikely to ever! LOL!

There is a great app called Overdrive that can link to many local libraries Once you put in your library card # you can download ebooks AND audiobooks from your library. I live in Chicago so I have access to all of Cook counties' selection thru this app. Lots of mf romance but no MM that I have seen. Still a great app for other types of audible books.

Vicky wrote: "I'll check out your shelf so I don't have to hunt through Audible. It always takes me forever to pick out my monthly book."

I don't have many listed yet. Less than a 100. I have some on MP3 Cds which I have not listed on Goodreads yet as they are older MFs like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julie Garwood etc, which I'd bought some years back and have not even listened to though I've read the paperbacks or ebooks. I will list them eventually:p

The Audible site could do with some fine-tuning of its search engine! I'd like to see a list of authors, for instance, and narrow this by genre. Right now, I'm doing what everyone else is, I guess - check Goodreads reviews then go to Audible.

I've given up checking the Dreamspinner site for new audiobooks as I have to go through the entire list of New Releases' ebook and print to look for the audio and then find there's zilch for months. Going through a GR member's bookshelf is the quickest way at the moment.

Any plans for Dreamspinner to bring out the audiobooks of K C Burn's Toronto Tales series? I enjoyed Cop Out very much and would love to have it in audio. I bought Cover Up but haven't read it as I'm hoping the audio will be out, too.

I enjoyed the author's Alien & Outlaw and bought the audiobook but haven't listened to it yet because Carina is bringing out the audio of the first book, Spice & Solace in November.

I don't know why the audiobooks are being released out of order but I'm guessing Carina didn't expect the audiobooks to be so popular and, like other publishers, are now producing their backlist in audio.

Speaking of 'borrowing' audiobooks, I wish Amazon would allow lending of Audible titles the way they do with Kindle ebooks. There's a been a few audiobooks that I would have liked to borrow (as well as lend out). By library is pretty large, I'm sure someone could make use of it. I feel like I'm hoarding it all to myself. *g*

FYI, Dreamspinner just announced five new completed Audiobooks coming soon, including Who We Are!

https://soundcloud.com/dreamspinnerpress

=D

TJ wrote: "FYI, Dreamspinner just announced five new completed Audiobooks coming soon, including Who We Are!

=D"

That's fabulous news!! Thanks for sharing, TJ :)

TJ wrote: "FYI, Dreamspinner just announced five new completed Audiobooks coming soon, including Who We Are!

https://soundcloud.com/dreamspinnerpress

=D"

Squeee! Thanks, TJ:) I hope it will be available from Audible soon as that's where I buy all my audiobooks. I'm waiting for the latest Coda series, Fear, Hope and Bread Pudding by Mary Sexton to get on Audible.

Also the new sequels to Mary Calmes' A Matter of Timing series. I bought the two new ones but have held off reading them as I'm waiting for the audiobook. Could be years at the rate they come out...:(

I am listening to Hot Head right now and I have to say Charlie David is fabulous! I first started listening to audiobooks a few months ago as a way to catch up on the J. R. Ward BDB books and I feared I'd been spoiled by the guy who does her books because he did a great job. But Charlie David is fantastic!!

I just listened to an excerpt of WWA and Charlie David is great. Lots of emotion. I can't wait!!