Q&A with narrator Edward Mittelstedt, The Warrior

How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance?

About a year ago I was in this online boardgaming community and played against a gentleman named Christopher Meyer.  At one point during an online game, he casually mentioned that he should have been editing his audio book that he was narrating instead of playing games.  My ears immediately went into prairie dog mode, and started asking him a bajillion questions about it.  It took me a few months after that to set up some rudimentary recording equipment and narrate my first book.  It was terrible and I will claim it unless you force me.

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?

I am a rabid audiobook listener.  I have a two-hour commute each day in the car, so that provides a lot of dead time.  I focus on listening to books with narrators that fit my style and voice, and try to pick out small things that each narrator does wrong or does right.  This makes me hyperfocus on my own performance and reading style, and allows me to pick up new things that I think are really cool that the narrator has done.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook?

By far my favorite aspect is recording.  This is the easiest part of the process, and the most fun.  I dread editing, where you have to listen to every sentence and get the timing between them just right, listen for errant breaths, etc.    It’s tedious, boring, long, did I say boring?  Many established narrators farm out this work to editors, thereby allowing them to concentrate on simply the recording.  Someday I’ll be in that position, and when that happens I’ll know I have hit my stride.

What would you say are your strongest narration abilities?

Character voices.  I can do a multitude of voices, from Gizmo the Gremlin to Kermit the Frog, to a lot of things in between.  I think being able to do character voices add a level of complexity to the listen, as you can create memorable secondary characters to support the plot..

What about this title compelled you to audition as narrator?

The audition script blew me away.  I had just finished narrating a dark fantasy romance under a pseudonym and I was still in a “romance narrator” mode.  So I started looking for other romance titles that caught my eye.  The premise of Soul Bound itself is fascinating - I lived in a haunted house for about 5 years so anything paranormal or supernatural catches my eye.  So after reading the audition script and seeing how dark and broody the main character was, I had to audition for it.

Have there been any characters that you really connected with?

I really connected with Jace.  We’ve been through similar situations (I won’t tell what aspects) so I really felt for the guy, and felt I could read his story with all the suppressed emotions that I have to give.

What type of the review comments do you find most constructive?

I read all of my reviews.  I like the positive ones of course, but I really look for the negative reviews that provide constructive criticism.  The ones that say, “Narrator sucked” sucks as reviews.  Why did I suck?  What did I do that caused you to hate it?  Let me try to improve it for the next time.  I have one review where the writer literally compared my voice to Tattoo of Fantasy Island.  While I disagree with that to some degree, there’s not much I can do about it.  Those types of reviews bother me.  Was it a compliment or an insult?

Who is your “dream author” that you would like to record for?

Stephen King.  I grew up with his books.  I bought “It” the week it was released in hardback and read it from cover to cover in 5 days.  Also, Joe Abercrombie.  His “The Blade Itself” series is an amazing read.  I love his writing style.

If you could narrate one book from your youth what would it be and why?

The Gunslinger by Stephen King.  It’s already been done by the amazing George Guidall, but that book blew me away when I read it in my first year of college.  That opening line: “The man in black fled across the desert, and The Gunslinger followed.”  Such a brilliant statement.  So much packed in there.

What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?

I can see some people thinking that way, but for those of with long commutes and therefore long periods of pointless non-productive dead time, audiobooks are a godsend.  When you drive, you enter a trance-like state anyway.  Getting sucked into the story being read to you in this state, you are like a sponge to the story, the action, the emotions.  I love it.

Q&A with Shelly Hickman, Believe

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Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

As of now, I only have one other audiobook and the narration was done by someone else - an honest to goodness actress. That process was a learning experience for me, but when I decided to narrate this book myself, it required an even steeper learning curve. I had to familiarize myself with Audacity software and its basic editing features, as well as get to know the studio grade microphone I purchased. I’m a teacher and have recorded many a video tutorial for my students, but the precise reading required was understandably much more demanding.

Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

Believe is my first book, so definitely no. In fact, when I first started writing it I didn’t even have any concrete plans to publish - it was simply therapy after losing my daughter. Publishing the story sort of came about by chance through a publisher friend of my niece before I eventually self-published.

What made you decide to narrate this yourself?

As I mentioned, because the writing of this story was a therapeutic process I was very much in need of after the loss of my daughter, it didn’t feel right to have someone else read it. My only hope is that the personal, heartfelt story will make up for the fact that I’m not a professional who is equipped with unique character voices and pitches. It’s just me, folks - hopefully portraying enough emotion to keep your attention.

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

This novella is semi-autobiographical. Rachel is a loose version of me after I lost Sydney, and most of the scenes involving Rachel and her daughter are based on my own experiences. I was also a heavy reader of anything with a spiritual/religious/”power of thought” subject matter at that time, and Rachel’s skepticism and confusion about such topics are very much me. However, the relationship between Rachel and Jack is entirely fictional.

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?

I have become such an audiobook lover in the last few months and I tend to gravitate toward comedy. I’m reluctant to try novels, because if I don’t care for the narrator it can really put a damper on the story itself - which is why I’m extremely nervous about doing the audio for my own book and pray my delivery doesn’t ruin the story for anyone.

I recently listened to an Emily Giffin book. I had never read anything by her before and while I really enjoyed the story itself, I felt the narrator was not a good fit for the character telling it and it did somewhat take away from the book.

I just finished listening to A Man Called Ove, and I adored the audio version. It took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I absolutely fell in love with the story and its characters.

Audiobook format appeals to me most because I can listen during my commute or at the gym, and it makes the time go by so much faster.

Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?

There is a pivotal scene between Rachel and Jack when he is taken off guard by a verbal attack from her. For the first time he sees that she isn’t the same person he knew years ago, and doesn’t hesitate to tell her so. The naivete of his assessment further stirs her anger, and she responds with, “Of course I’m not the same person!” And well, hopefully you’ll listen to the book to hear her entire rant. But the audio is particularly resonating because once you lose a child, you are never the same again. You can never go back to who you were. Sure, you may make an effort to be the same on the outside, but you’re not. It’s simply impossible.  

If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the  primary roles?

I’ve never given this a whole lot of thought for this particular book because it’s literally about me, though I’d like to think I’m not abrasive the way Rachel can be. I think Anna Kendrick would be a great choice for Rachel - she’s got the snarkiness. Jack is the reformed charmer, and though he’s a bit old for the role, Ryan Reynolds would be a good fit.

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Not that I’m a bestselling novelist with pearls of wisdom to cast, but I think honesty in writing is most important. Skill will come the more you write, but you should always follow your voice. Don’t try a writing style that feels awkward or unnatural to you because it will come across clunky to the reader. I could never write mystery, erotica, or a work of literary fiction because it just isn’t me. Find your voice and refine it over time

Q&A with Shannon A. Thompson, Bad Bloods

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

My favorite (and first) part about turning Bad Bloods into an audiobook was discussing my book with the narrator, Jonathan Johns. I let him know some exclusive behind-the-scenes info that
never made it into the book but was essential to understanding the characters. He was really receptive to it, and he truly understood what each person and scene represented. After he recorded, I listened to each scene and provided more notes. Then he recorded more, and now, we have an audiobook!

Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?

Yes, I think it’s absolutely possible—not to mention that there are readers who NEED audiobooks in order to access novels and other pieces of text, so audiobooks are extremely important.

Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

Yes and no. I always loved the idea of an audiobook, but I didn’t let it change my writing style. However, I always read all of my books out loud in the last editing phase to check the sound and overall flow, so that’s very similar. Sound is important.

How did you select your narrator?

My publisher sent me a few auditions, but Jonathan Johns stuck out the moment I heard his voice. He captured both the dark essence of the story and the characters’ individual voices. From the beginning, I felt as if he understood it more than anyone else, and he truly brought it to life.

How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?

Yes! I provided pronounciation for any words or names that might be difficult, but I definitely gave him insight into each character. Bad Bloods is very character heavy (and a character-driven story), and it was important to me that they were distinguishable and matched what I pictured when writing. He learned facts that will never even make it into the series. Why? Because those details often shape characters, but they might also be unseen details. I needed to know those details to create the prose, so I thought Jonathan would need to know them in order to create the audio. He absolutely nailed it!

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

I think there is truth in all types of writing, including fantasy. For me, I originally wrote this book shortly after my mother died very suddenly. I was eleven, so I had a lot of anger and depression and confusion about how terrible things can happen to very young people. Those feelings are scattered throughout Bad Bloods, and to this day, Bad Bloods still feels like the closest books to my heart—probably because writing these books saved me when I was young.

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?

Actually (eek), I’m not. I have a difficult time remembering anything when it’s in audio format. Even when I was a kid, I struggled to learn from lectures. I’ve always taught myself by reading materials. (Maybe my dad was right when he said I was a bad listener. Ha!) But I’m so glad it exists for those who need and love audiobooks.

What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?

That’s just silly! Would anyone say the same thing to those who read brail? Or those who read a text in a different language aside from the original language the text was written in? Absolutely not. Audio books are another format that allow readers to access books. Reading is reading, no matter the format.

Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?

Definitely communicate with your narrator. You have the same goal—to turn your book into the best audiobook it can be—so work together to reach that goal.

What’s next for you?

Hopefully the audiobook for Bad Bloods: November Snow, then Bad Bloods: July Thunder and Bad Bloods: July Lightning! I’m currently working on the third duology in the series, but I also have lots of other projects in the works. I’m looking forward to seeing the unknown future unfold!

Rain Falling on Tamarind Trees: A Travelogue of Vietnam, by C. L. Hoang

By nature I am a slow planner, especially when it comes to long trips away from home. So imagine my surprise when in late 2016 I was presented with an opportunity to join a group tour to Southeast Asia, with the main focus on Vietnam, and I heard myself spontaneously blurt out, “Sign me up!”

It turned out to be one heck of a trip. Seventeen days in total, beginning and ending with a twenty-hour flight over an eight-thousand-mile stretch of ocean, across fifteen time zones and the International Date Line and a wide scale of climate changes. Most significant to me, it marked my first time traveling back to the ancestral homeland I hadn’t seen in over four decades.

This travelogue retraces the major segment of the tour—the final ten days—which took us on an itinerary of discovery through the length of Vietnam: from Saigon, my former hometown in the south where I grew up during the war, to Hoi-An, the best preserved medieval seaport in Southeast Asia; Hue, the ancient capital of imperial Vietnam, on the central coast; Halong Bay, a world-renowned natural wonder on the Gulf of Tonkin; and our final destination, Hanoi, the country’s thousand-year-old capital, in the north.

I tried not only to recapture the highlights of this whirlwind journey—with their historical background and mythical lore—but also to explore a few special sites that I wish we could have squeezed into our packed schedule. At times the travelogue may read like a journal because it is sprinkled throughout with all kinds of resurrected memories—of my own childhood, in a time and place long since gone.

The book contains many pictures, forty-three in all. Most were taken by me on this trip—so please kindly overlook imperfections—and the rest were generously contributed by family and friends who had visited there before. Color printing technology being where it is today, I was forced to limit the total number of pictures and pages to reduce the setup and printing fees. This is so the book can be reasonably priced for a wide audience, even though my personal inclination was to share every relevant and worthwhile photograph I have.

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I also decided to include many historic names in Vietnamese, along with their English translations, of course. As it was in our age-old tradition, names were never merely names; they carried great meaning and were often used to promulgate noble aspirations. Over the millennia, many of these ancient names also took on an extra aura, as they became associated with momentous events that still resonate with the Vietnamese people to this day. By incorporating them into the travelogue in their original spellings, I strived to convey an intangible aspect of our heritage, one that extends beyond pictures and descriptive words.

To people who have read my Vietnam novel, Once upon a Mulberry Field (Willow Stream Publishing, 2014), this travelogue offers a glimpse of the story’s setting as it appears half a century later. For others, I hope it kindles your passion for travel and discovery and also provides you with a different view of this once ravaged land—and perhaps the inspiration to visit there some day. As the French writer Marcel Proust once reminded us, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

This journey across the Pacific Ocean accomplished both for me.

About the Author: C. L. Hoang was born and raised in Vietnam during the war and came to the United States in the 1970s. He graduated with degrees in electrical engineering from Ohio University and the University of California, Berkeley, and earns his living as an electronic engineer, with eleven patents to his name. Books, history, and travel are his hobbies. His first book, Once upon a Mulberry Field, is an award-winning novel set at the height of the Vietnam War. It is followed by Rain Falling on Tamarind Trees, the travelogue of his recent return trip to the ancestral homeland.

Visit him at his website: www.mulberryfieldsforever.com or find him on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter @CLHoang

If I Knew Then What I Know Now About Writing by Charles Curtis

I’ve spent most of my career as a sportswriter for magazines and, later, blogs. While there was some advanced planning involved if I was writing a longer feature, most of the time I had to react on the fly to what was happening at events or games and to write about it quickly. 

That was relevant when I sat down to write The Accidental Quarterback – I had one scene in mind that I just needed to put on paper (fun fact: It turned out to be the final chapter of the book, not the first!) right away. After that? I wrote the rest of the book from what I envisioned in my brain. I always saw the novel cinematically, as scenes in a movie inside my head that I would convert into chapters. 

But when I wrote myself into a corner or had no idea what to do next? That’s where an outline really could have come in handy. It took me weeks to dig myself out or to find a solution.

And that’s the big lesson here: Plan ahead! You’ll save time and mental energy if you work your plot out ahead of time. There’s also just something about seeing words on paper after you’ve rolled your ideas around in your mind for months. Maybe that chapter you had in mind that went off in a weird direction suddenly looks out of place in the context of your outline. It’s a lesson I only learned after finishing the second book of the Weirdo Academy series, The Impossible Pitcher.

If you like the thrill of flying by the seat of your pants, by all means, go for it. But I wish I’d known to plan my books before I wrote a single word of them.

Q&A with Parker S. Huntington, Asher Black

How did you select your narrator?

Lacy and I connected through the Audio Loves group on Facebook. I posted in there, asking for narrator recommendations, since I was going through the process of putting an audition script up on ACX. She messaged me, and when I got her audition, I just knew she needed to be Lucy.

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing? 

This is going to sound ridiculous, but Lucy is me—from our majors to our schooling to our geographic history to the mental rambling. I think that’s why I was able to write Asher Black so quickly. 

How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?

I’m working on my Master’s in Literature and Creative Writing right now, so I write a lot. I’m talking twenty-five thousand words a week. Minimum. But… what I write is often what I don’t want to write, which is actually how I avoid burn-out. After writing what I have to write for school, writing novels is a relief—an exercise that I thoroughly enjoy. 

Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format? 

Lucy is a mental rambler. Seriously. She goes on and on about the most ridiculous things, from social commentary to her self-named “Horny Lucy”… And Lacy is able to bring her character to life, narrating the mental rambles with such skill, it feels like her voice is the voice in my head. Did I mention how blessed I am to have Lacy as the narrator?

What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?

A while back, I encountered someone who wanted to read Asher Black, but she couldn’t due to her eyesight. I got to thinking: what can I do to make my book more accessible? This is where audiobooks come into play. It’s not about cheating or being inferior/superior. The reality is that, in today’s world, accessibility matters. People may choose to listen to audiobooks for so many reasons—it’s convenient, they commute, they have vision impairment, or they just plain like it. At the end of the day, who are we to judge other people’s choices? So long as we continue to make books accessible in every format, we’ll continue to promote reading… and isn’t that a great goal?
 
How did you celebrate after finishing this novel? 

I slept. A LOT. I wrote Asher Black in less than two weeks, which meant a lot of sleepless nights. By the time I was done, I was too exhausted to celebrate. It’s far from glamourous, I know, but hey—#authorproblems.

In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series? 

For a standalone novel, you can be done with characters after writing, and you don’t have to worry about losing readers with each subsequent release. But as a writer (and reader), you get more time to delve into a world, and that’s an awesome experience for anyone.

Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?

My God, Asher is the man of my dreams. Does that count?

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I still consider myself an aspiring author, but I’d say to just do it. I spent a lot of time floundering and second guessing myself, wondering if I should take the risk (and it is a risk). But ultimately, I’ve been happier since deciding to do it. On a second note, writing is a business, and the best advice anyone could ever give, beyond craft advice, is to treat your writing like it’s a business. You have marketing, social media management, graphic design, customer service, business, writing, etc. to handle. It’ll be a lot to take care of, but if you’re on top of it, it’ll feel so rewarding.
 
What’s next for you?

I published the second book in the series in July, and I’m currently working on Bastiano Romano, book three in The Five Syndicates series. Once I’m done, I’ll work on the Turner Triplets trilogy!