My Audiobook Journey - Reviewing ... & an Update

Part 4

Click here for Part 1, Getting Started
Click here for Part 2, Finding My Producer

Click here for Part 3, The Audition

So. you've signed with your narrator, and the process of production has begun. There are different ways for your producer to submit the product for your approval.

1. Wait to submit the entire audiobook.

2. Submit the chapters one at a time or in smaller batches. My narrator, Tristan Hunt (aka Jason Downs), did it this way, and I loved it.

Either way you'll need to listen to your audiobook--with the manuscript open before you. Getting the chapters in smaller batches made it easy for me to go through a few chapters after work and get back any feedback. By the time he submitted the last of the book, it was almost ready to be reviewed by ACX before going live.

Something to consider--what if once in a while your narrator reads the words a little bit differently from how you wrote them? What if he uses a contraction when you didn't? You can certainly request that s/he fix it. Bear in mind that ACX allows a small percentage of differences between the ebook and the audiobook. Maybe 3%, I think Jason said. I forget the details.

Prior to starting this process, I'd seen a discussion where an author chose to accept some of those variations and changed her manuscript instead. I kept this in mind. I chose to be flexible and made several small changes to the ebook manuscript. There were some that I had him change back to the way I'd written them. So, it was a give and take.

Remember, you are the author. This is your story. But the audiobook is a collaborative effort. If you've got a good narrator who's "getting" your story and your characters, be open minded. If it makes for a better end product, you might decide to accept a few changes.

I'll conclude with an excerpt from one of the early reviews because the third sentence made smile:

I really enjoyed both the story and the narrator. He added a lot of personality to Jori by just the tone of his voice. I might have a little bit of a crush. ;)
     ~K.R. Patterson

Next week, I'll be sharing an interview with Tristan, and you'll get to hear a sample of his work. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Update - Operation Underground Railroad

Source: ourrescue.org

Last month I posted about the tough issue of child sex slavery. I'm excited to see the movement is gaining momentum now that Timothy Ballard has become a spokesman for the program of rescuing these poor kids.

There's a great post here, I would recommend you check out. I love the concept of the Abolitionist Moms. She's got some great suggestions for ways to help. One is by joining the Facebook Group where various events to raise money to help free these children will be posted.

The words of Edmund Burke were never so true:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil

is for good men to do nothing."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What I'm currently listening to is White Dragon by Rebecca Shelley. This is the second book in Shelley's Dragonbound series. It continues the adventures of Kanvar from Blue Dragon. 

What do I think? Holy smoking volcanoes but there's a lot of action in this book. It's got me sitting right on the edge of my seat as I listen. Tren Sparks, the narrator, does a great job handling the mental communication between Kanvar and his dragon.

While Kanvar searches for his grandfather, Kumar Raza faces a savage Great White dragon that attacks his village. With no armor and only a fishing spear, Raza fights the white dragon but is mortally wounded in the battle. Raza's youngest son, Denali, must find a way to save his father and bring him safely out of the frozen wasteland. Lost in a blizzard, hunted by a pack of wolves, followed by a Great White dragon hatchling, Denali must use all his wit and skill to survive.

What have you been up?

Have you ever become involved in a social movement like Operation Underground Railroad?

  

Define Paradise

My daughter put on a fun Harry Potter party for her son. I love that my grandkids love Harry Potter. My grandson just barely turned 8, and he's already halfway through Goblet of Fire. Not too shabby. I got to help make the Owl Snacks and Cauldron Cakes. The Butterbeer was to die for.

I brought him a fun book--Bees in My Butt, which he and his older sister both read. Hilarious books. I'm going to have to get the others in the series.

 

I got my granddaughter Mist Warriors, and they both read that one. 

Then I remembered that I brought Confessions from the Realm of the Underworld (Also Known as High School) to her. She blew through that one in a day.  

 Some addictions are good to pass down to future generations.

We made it safely back to the mainland.

To snow.

Sad. Really sad. Though it's supposed to be nearly 70 degrees one day this weekend. Which is actually a bit better than what we experienced on Kaua'i. They had rain of nearly biblical proportions. It's a good thing we went for a family event and not sightseeing. Besides the airport and the church (and my daughter's house) I only made it to Walmart.

But it was awesome seeing my daughter and her family again. I miss them so much.

Got back yesterday and had my last wisdom tooth removed. I'd been putting this off for 30 years because the other bottom wisdom tooth was a bear afterward. Well, this one was a bear getting out. The dentist had to take it in pieces.

And the tooth area isn't the only place that can take a hit during an extraction. Like my lip here. I haven't had the guts to look at the tooth extraction site.

One positive note though. The oral surgeon (as he's cutting the tooth from my jaw bones) assured me I didn't have osteoporosis.

Anybody doing anything fun this weekend?

Winter Workshop - iWriteNetwork . . . And Books I've Read

iWriteNetwork is excited to announce their first Winter Workshop, being held on Saturday, January 21st, in Provo, Utah. The classes are:

Killer Hooks by author Greg Park
Head Hunting for POV by Canda Mortensen
I Have a Feeling - Writing Emotion and Making It Stick by author Tristi Pinkston
Taxes and You - Figuring it Out by author Rebecca Shelley
Savvy about Story Structure by author Cindy Hogan

The conference begins at 9:00 and goes until 2:00, with a break for lunch (provided). The cost for the day is $30. Register by clicking here.

Now here's something fun ... if you are one of the first 25 to register, you will be entered in a drawing for a free manuscript evaluation* by Tristi Pinkston Author Services (250 pages maximum). There are only a few slots left for the contest, so if you're in the area and would like to attend, you'll need to hurry and register.

Lunch is included in the cost of registration.

Books I've been reading

CassaStaR by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Book Description

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship… Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard. Much to Byron’s chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential. As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit? “…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Got this for hubby for Christmas, and we read it together. We very much enjoyed it and look forward to the release of CassaFirE next month.

 Bound by C.K. Bryant

Book Description

When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira’s life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she’s falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love. 

I've had this book on my to-read stack for a while now and was happy when I finally had a chance to start reading it. Really enjoyed it, though I was a bit dismayed when I found out it's a series . . . and we're left hanging. Grrr.  I'm glad the next book is due out in March.

Outer Edge of Heaven by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Book Description

Montana truly is heavenly. Especially those handsome cowboys.

Filled with colorful characters of all shapes, sizes and species, including an orphaned baby pig, most of the Langston family put the fun in dysfunctional, give or take a couple of black sheep. There's one in every family, isn't there? Add to that glorious scenery, a horse of her own, and one extremely attractive cousin rancher, Luke Lanston, and it makes for a summer Charlie will never forget. Which might not be a good thing. She has the time of her life, but her heart may never recover.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh out loud several times with the images Hawkes paints as Charlie works with the little children. Those baby pigs . . .

To say nothing of Luke.

Identity by Betsy Love

Book Description

While vacationing in Mexico, two similar-looking young women find themselves caught in a chain reaction of mistaken identities. Amelia is a wealthy heiress and business owner, and Savannah is a sweet Mormon girl deciding whether or not to serve a mission. When they end up on the same flight to Phoenix, Savannah and Amelia unravel the sequence of events that wreaked havoc on their trips, and they make plans to resolve the subsequent misunderstandings. But their flight is cut short when the plane crashes, killing one of the young women and plunging the other into a world of intrigue and deceit where identity means everything.

I read this on the plane while flying to Hawaii--so glad it was a long flight because I didn't want to put this book down. I was totally hooked and felt so bad as I realized what was going to happen.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Book Description

Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

I generally enjoyed the first three books in this series, but I'm really having a hard time getting into this last book. I think I may have to put it aside and try listening to it again later. It discourages me that this final book that was supposed to wrap up the series is so dang long--four audible downloads.

Stealing Mercy by Kristy Tate

Book Description

After a night of terror, Mercy Faye flees New York. Disguised as a boy, she sets sail for a new life in Seattle, but her nightmare, Mr. Steele, follows close behind. Armed with only her chocolates, laced tarts and wits, Mercy sets out to destroy Mr. Steele and his Lucky Island brothel.

Trent Michaels is searching for his missing cousin. He can't afford complications - or romance - yet, at every turn he finds Mercy Faye. The night before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, flames spark between Mercy and Trent leaving the life they know and the city they love in ashes.

Their story reaches forward through time to Bette Michaels, a genealogist, struggling with grief after the sudden death of her husband. Although generations apart, as Bette unravels Mercy's story, she learns that a life can be rebuilt - even after everything is lost.

Through Mercy, Bette discovers that sometimes the only way to find happiness is to steal it.

I just started reading this one a couple of nights, and I'm intrigued by the double stories. It reminds me a little of The Forgotten Garden that had multiple times and points of view.

Have you read anything good lately?