Shattered Rainbows: Audio & Interview!

by Mary Jo

The Sound of Shattered Rainbows

I don't spend enough time driving to be much of an audiobook listener, but I know a lot of romance fans love them, so ideally I'd like to have all my classic backlist titles available in audio for those who prefer the format.

However, producing them myself is very expensive and after doing audio of The Bargain, Thunder and Roses, and Dancing on the Wind, I gave up doing them for a while.

However, the market and the economics are continually changing, so I decided to give it another try, starting with Shattered Rainbows, Fallen Angel #5, which is a particular favorite of mine. A RITA finalist and 4 1/2 star GOLD rating from Romantic Times, it's a complicated story of complicated people and enduring love. Here's the blurb:

 

The Book: Broken Dreams and Second Chances…

Honed by danger and haunted by the past, Lord Michael Kenyon finds it easy to risk his life for his country’s sake. But in the shadow of Waterloo, he faces a far more dangerous threat—the loss of his heart to the beautiful battlefield nurse who saves his life, yet can never be his.

Called a saint for her virtue and selfless courage, only Catherine Melbourne knows the tragic flaw at the core of her spirit. In Michael Kenyon, she sees the strength and kindness she craves, yet for honor’s sake she must conceal her love and send him away. Even when freed from her empty marriage, she conceals the truth because of the bleak knowledge that she can never again be any man’s wife.

Then fate offers Catherine a fortune, a title, a heritage for her daughter—if Michael will impersonate her husband on a visit to a wild Cornish island. Reluctantly he agrees to the masquerade. But what begins as a simple journey leads them into a shattering vortex of danger and betrayal—and a fiercely passionate love that can no longer be denied.

The Audiobook:

The most important part of audiobook production is finding a great narrator. For production and distribution, I worked through FindawayVoices.com, and they suggested several narrators. Clearly I needed a British narrator skilled enough to handle the multiplicity of voices. I leaned slightly toward getting a male narrator--until I heard the samples from Siobhan Waring.  An experienced narrator, she has a voice like brandy and chocolate, and I was lucky that she was able to fit Shattered Rainbows into her schedule.

She was also kind enough to do an interview for me, and here she is!

MJP: Could you talk a bit about how you became an audiobook narrator?

SW: Roughly six years ago, I was made redundant from my job (I was quite glad really!). During my quest for things other than housework to do, I saw an advert from a community radio station offering to train people in the use of recording and studio equipment, and from there they hoped it would encourage people to do their own shows for the . I loved it and duly did my own weekly show (about Middle Eastern music) for 6 months.

A year or so afterwards, I took a class with a Voice Over trainer in London who guided me through the bewildering array of voice applications in e-Learning, Commercial, Videos and much more.

There followed many months of auditions (including many rejections!) and learning technical know-how in to make studio-worthy recordings - I discovered mine really weren’t and so invested in a pre-loved studio booth and some decent software. This enabled me to do more long-form narration (without children arguing, the washing machine rattling and the family dog snoring in the background!) and together with my enjoyment of telling a good story, a new love of narrating books began.

You never stop learning, or listening. I’ve just finished a year of coaching with one of the best non-fiction narrators in the business (funnily enough non-fiction is harder to do than fiction!) and I continue to tune-in to different voices and dialects of people I meet or pass by in the street to “collect characters” I then use for different projects.

A coach once said to picture someone I know or who have met every time I voice a character so that they become that person – very simple really but very effective. My aim is always for a listener to be able to immerse themselves in the story I’m narrating, rather than them feel they are being talked at, if that makes sense.

MJP: What are the challenges and rewards of audiobook narration?

SW: The number one challenge for me is undoubtedly the time it takes to produce a book! People would be staggered at the number of hours it can take to produce a single hour of audio. I do now sub-contract out much of the proofing and editing, but I think with fiction there is always a danger of wanting the characters to sound ‘just so’ and so there can be quite a few retakes, especially when there are multiple voices and accents having a conversation!

Unwanted traffic noise, lawn-mowers and construction work (can even be heard when in my booth) can be challenging too! ‘Perfection is the thief of profitability’ I once read – this is very true but when you haven’t been a narrator for very long and know your name will be associated with a particular audiobook for seven years, you want to make sure you’ll still be proud of it at the end.

The most rewarding things about narrating audiobooks is delighting your author. Their book will have been their creation and the air they have breathed for umpteen weeks and they will have given all their characters a voice in their own heads. I always think it must be a really big leap of faith to hand over their work to someone else to tell the story to others. When, as a narrator, they let you know that you got that right, it is a very good feeling. Of course, just as important are the fans and readers of the author – they have expectations too and a narrator can make or break those sometimes. When they let you know ’ve really enjoyed the audiobook, it’s incredibly rewarding.

MJP: Can you tell me more about yourself and your evolution as a narrator?

SW: Both my parents are Scottish (Scottish/Irish really) and I spent the first 2 years of my life there. We then moved to the Middle-East where I had a wonderful childhood immersed in the sounds of Arabic voices and music, heat and sand, lots and lots of sand! Later I joined my sister in a boarding school in the South of England that was run by Irish Catholic Nuns (say no more). I managed to complete my education there relatively unscathed but I think I can attribute the way I speak now to my time there.

I live in Lincolnshire with my husband and two children and our very sweet black Labrador.

Siobhan, thanks so much for joining us today and telling us about your work!

The Future and the Giveaway

I like Siobhan's voice so well that we've agreed to do River of Fire and One Perfect Rose, (Fallen Angels #6 and #7) together. After that, I'll evaluate how the audiobooks are doing and I hope we can do more.

I will give away one free audiobook of Shattered Rainbows to one commenter between now and Tuesday midnight.

NOTE:The code comes from the distributor, Findaway Voices, and is good only with iOS and Android devices within the US and Canada. But if you love audiobooks and can fit the parameters of geography and device, this is your chance! Are you an audio lover?  If so, what do you like to find in an audiobook? 

Mary Jo, who loves Lord Michael and Catherine's story.

Comments

[Sue McCormick]

This is a fantastic look into how audio books are made. I don't use them — the main reason is my hearing problems, but secondary is wishing to continue with my own voices.

If I could conquer the first, I'd love to give Siobhan's work a try.

(And for the reasons above, don't put my name into your drawing.)

[Quantum]

There are many book lovers who suffer from reading problems, myself included. For these people, audio books are literally a life saver! They are of course also perfect for long journeys.

Delighted to see that more of the fallen angels books are also scheduled. 'Shattered Rainbows' is already in my audible wish list, just waiting for new credits. As it is available in the UK with publisher named as 'Pandamax Press' I'm a little puzzled to find that 'Findaway Voices' imposes geographic restrictions. I don't think I will ever understand the logic used by the publishing industry!!

I love an audio book that mixes adventure or mystery with romance. Fast paced, focused on a small number of characters with a narrator who can convey emotions and thoughts through skillful use of the voice. I really want to feel that I am inside a character's head, seeing the world through his/her eyes.I find that first person is particularly good in this regard.

I listened to the sample of Siobhan's voice for Shattered Rainbows and really liked it .... can't wait to get the book.

Roll on more audios for the fallen angels .... please! 😊

[Gin]

I LOVE e-audiobooks. I commute for my job as does my husband. We are huge fans of audiobooks. We can drive and listen each day. Sitting in traffic isn’t so frustrating when I have a good story being read to me. I look forward to any time in the car, on a plane, or out walking when I have a good story playing. A talented narrator who can put voice to each different character is key to a great fiction audiobook. When humor, sadness, and other emotions are communicated in a way that connects me to the story as though I am there in the story I am thoroughly engaged. So thanks MJP for taking time to select good narrators for your stories. I am a public librarian. I hear from patrons on a daily basis how much they enjoy listening to good stories. Audiobooks bring such good quality of life to many people for a wide range of reasons. Having a wonderful talented narrator makes such a difference. I know it’s hard, tedious, and costly but it’s so worth the effort for all the joy listening to audiobooks brings to people.

[LilMissMolly]

I absolutely love audiobooks! In fact, I’ve been listening to books for the past 20 years and started listening on cassette tapes before I owned a CD player or computer. I now exclusively listen to audiobooks and for the past 10 years, I’ve listened to over 100 audiobooks per year. I keep track of them on Goodreads and so far I’ve listened to 107 unique titles this year (I don’t Keep stats on how many audiobooks I relistened to this year).

[KathyK]

We especially love to listen to audiobooks while on a long car trip. It makes the miles fly by. Having a narrator who can become the various characters is key to enjoyment. I don't know how they can keep everyone straight and come up with a different voice for each character. Thank you for creating the book and the audiobook.

[Kantu]

Hi Mary Jo,
Thank you for this opportunity. I do love audiobooks. I mostly listen to them when I am sitting still and knitting, crocheting or weaving. Unless it’s an intricate pattern, and I need to wait till I get the hang of it. I also have a severe hearing issue. But solved it by getting hearing aids with Bluetooth. Fortunately most phones and tablets come with Bluetooth these days.

I first got into audiobooks because my son does them too! He has done several bestsellers for Random, and was recently interviewed by audiofile magazine. Please. I am not advertising for him. Just a ver proud mom letting you know how she got to be in love with audiobooks. And would love a copy of one of yours.

Regards
Kantu

[Anne Gracie]

Wonderful interview, Mary Jo and Siobhan. Siobhan, I was so interested in hearing about how you trained yourself. Well done.
As for audio books, I don't listen to them as much as I used to as when I was driving longer distances. These days you don't fit in much to a quick trip to the supermarket. But I do enjoy listening to them while I do boring household chores and looking around this house it might be time to dig out the cleaning products and the audio books.

Quantum said he didn't understand the logic used by the publishing industry. Me too. I'm forever being locked out of some purchases for no good reason that I can see. Geographical restrictions are spurious restrictions when it comes to on-line selling. I find it endlessly frustrating -- and illogical -- that I can't buy something on line that's not available in my country. I'm willing to *pay*, it's not piracy for heaven's sake. Crazy.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Sue, isn't it always fun to learn how things are done? I'm happy that Siobhan had time to explain her end of the process.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Quantum, Pandamax Press is the imprint name I use for all my indie publications. Pandamax is my senior cat, and like lounging by my keyboard. *G* I don't understand why Findaway Voices restricts the codes geographically. No doubt they have their reasons, but I haven't a clue about what they might be.

I don't look to making lots of money off the audiobooks; it's more a matter of making them available in audio for readers like you who prefer. If the financial hit isn't too bad, I'll continue with Fallen Angels 3 and 4 (Petals in the Storm and Angel Rogue.) We'll see. I'm lucky that so many of my more recent books are in commercial audio commissioned by the publisher.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Gin, I'm glad to see a librarian so enthusiastic about audiobooks! If you have any hints of how to get my audiobooks into the library market, I'd love to learn how it's done.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Wow, LilMissMolly--you are a SERIOUS audio listener! That's an audiobook about every 3 days. Impressive.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're very welcome, KathyK! A lot of audiobook narrators are trained as actors, I think, which I imagine helps with all the different voices.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kantu, how cool that your son is a pro narrator! I didn't know about hearing aids being Bluetooth enabled, but I can certainly see the advantages.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne, the territory restrictions are a hangover from the past, and one that I'd love to see go away! And you have even more reason to resent them. We can hope that in time the restrictions will go away. It can't be soon enough.

[Siobhan Waring]

Hello Sue
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading about audiobook creation! The narration is nothing without a good story and so whether those stories are listened to or read, the enjoyment is the same. I hope you enjoy reading many more 😊

[Siobhan Waring]

Oh yes I agree about being in a character's head as a listener. I have sat in the car on my own front drive after a journey, completely immersed in a play or story on BBC Radio 4, and unable to get out of that car until I've listened through to the end!

[Siobhan Waring]

Hello Gin
You know, sometimes we become so invested in the characters and story that the emotions are very real and the heartbreak and wobbly lip you can hear in the voice isn't acting! Maybe we're just softies 😉

[Siobhan Waring]

That's amazing! It's so lovely to hear how much people enjoy audiobooks! Your reference to cassette tapes made me smile - I have enduring memories of them getting chewed in players and having to wind the tape back in to the cartridge with a pencil! 😂

[Siobhan Waring]

It can be easy to lose track of your voices for different characters if there are lots in one book Kathy! Many of us keep a small sound file of each one handy so that if they arrive in chapter one and then appear later in chapter 20 we can remind ourselves what voice we gave them! 😊

[Siobhan Waring]

You must be understandably very proud of your son Kantu and not least because he is probably loving being creative and making listeners very happy!

[Siobhan Waring]

Thank you Anne Grace! I did have an early start with acting lessons at school to be fair, but never thought back then I'd find a love of voice acting decades later!
It's wonderful that you enjoy audiobooks while you do the housework... I do the same with music but very little actual housework really gets done if I'm honest!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Siobhan: You're right. We are softies.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Siobhan--as a writer, I do something similar: keep a small notebook by the computer for jotting down names and descriptions.

[Michelle H]

I enjoyed the 'making of' audiobooks, and the interview with Siobhan as much as I do hearing how an author came to writing a book or series. I wish this were more rewarding to both the author and narrator, for your own success ladies, and selfishly for we the listeners who are hungry for more and more audiobooks to listen to, especially our most loved authors. MJP, I loved listening to The Lost Lords!!

Now that I'm retired and have more time to read, I'm plagued by eye fatigue by the end of the day and would rather read than watch anything on TV. So in the past year or two I've really become a fan of audiobooks. Thank you ladies, this was so interesting.

Merry Blessed Holidays everyone.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Michelle, it's nice that audiobooks are now becoming such fun for you! I don't think that production will ever become inexpensive, though, because quality narrators command and deserve a professional level fee. Luckily I have enough irons in the fire that I won't starve if the audiobooks take a long, long time to earn out!

[Jeanne Behnke]

What a great interview. Siobhan - your story could be a book! I don't listen to many audio books because I have a very short commute. I do download a few thinking I'll listen while on my long exercise walks but it never happens because I like to hear what's going on around me. I guess it's a feeling of safety. Oh well.

[Siobhan]

Thank you Jeanne. I like to hear what's going on around me when I walk our dog too, so I do know what you mean. My time for listening to audio books when I'm not in the car, is when I'm ironing - it's usually a marathon session by the time I get around to doing it, so I can listen to quite a lot (and there is sometimes a glass of wine involved)!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jeanne, you're absolutely right--it is safer to have awareness of your surroundings when out walking. What if a light plane is about to crash down on you? You need a warning to bolt out of the way! So stay safe.