[sunnycoast]

I don't really.

I just want to link bait our fellow KBers because I have a question I want to ask.

That said, while we're here, I guess I should ask you something... so, what the hell is going on with that author photo of yours? Are you sitting in a train, a boat or is it some airship fitted out with steampunk-influenced furnishings?

Also... that pillow. Why? I keep looking at it. The crochet edges. The loose threads. I can't take my eyes off it.

And the orchid ... I'm finding that thing sexually suggestive. Do you want me to connect with you in that way? Is this deliberate? And are you wearing pants? Because I can't see any. Look, I don't find you attractive, Hugh. I'm sorry. It's not because you have a pillow growing out of your head ... it's because I'm a straight married man. And, well, you're married. I can see the ring. And I know you are very much 'taken'. By our own David Adams. Who, let's face it, is slightly crazed. I know the Northern Territory. That place doesn't send you crazy ... that's a prerequisite before you even move there.

Last thing: what are you reading? Look at the endless inches you have your hand wrapped around. Column inches. That whole newspaper appears as if it is devoted to words. Some possibly even more well written than these. What parallel universe did you find that rag? Did you steal it from Dickens? Does it have the first instalment of the 'Pickwick Papers' in it? Because, you know, my local paper has, like, 100 word articles accompanied by a giant photo of some random grinning idiot ... whose story doesn't even have a connection -- not even a tenuous one -- to the ads highlighting the 'Coast's Largest Range of Discounted Walking Aids' or 'Saturday is Sausage Day @ Mick's Meat Barn'.

Anyways...

Can any KBer answer my proper question?

Audio Books - do you like the voice artist doing accents or would you prefer a straight reading?

I love John Le Carre's readings on his books but that old bastard can do accents. Now, I love the sound of my own voice too (so my wife keeps reminding me) ... but I can't do accents. Excepting drunken English. I can do a whole book reading in that voice. I call it my Scotch accent, which -- oddly enough -- contains no celtic lilt whatsoever.

Also, what makes a good audio book in your opinion?

EDIT: Added author pic...

 

[60169]

Can't answer any of your Hugh-centric questions, sadly.

I am a heavy consumer of audio books, and I really enjoy accents, as long as they're done well.

 

[SBJones]

You nailed it.  That is me at the airport waiting for my airship and I write steampunk.

 

[sbaum4853]

I've done two of my own audiobooks a few years back. I didn't try to do accents because I couldn't.

Right now I'm listening to a book a professional voiceover artist did for me. He did accents and they are marvelous. It's much better, I think. He's giving every character a unique voice and it is amazing how much better that makes it.

 

[sunnycoast]

I've done two of my own audiobooks a few years back. I didn't try to do accents because I couldn't.

Right now I'm listening to a book a professional voiceover artist did for me. He did accents and they are marvelous. It's much better, I think. He's giving every character a unique voice and it is amazing how much better that makes it.

Spencer, where did you find the pro?

I checked ACX but couldn't find anyone that suited.

 

[CJArcher]

I checked ACX but couldn't find anyone that suited.

Don't get too excited about ACX. I see from your profile that you're an Aussie. You know we can't use ACX, right? Don't get me started on this. I wasn't a happy camper when I found out. Let me know if you find another way to do Audios and get them into Audible.

BTW, drunken English could work for some scenes in my books. Just sayin'.

 

[Shane Murray]

I have nothing of value to add here, but thanks for the entertaining thread!

 

[sunnycoast]

Don't get too excited about ACX. I see from your profile that you're an Aussie. You know we can't use ACX, right? Don't get me started on this. I wasn't a happy camper when I found out. Let me know if you find another way to do Audios and get them into Audible.

BTW, drunken English could work for some scenes in my books. Just sayin'.

I didn't know that, CJ.

Not that it matters. There's not a big selection of Aussie voices on ACX. And I do need an Aussie voice.

I have done some corporate voiceover stuff myself in the past ... but I suck at accents. Particularly the accents that feature in my current project.

Worst-case scenario is that I give it a go and run it by some unbiased listeners.

 

[sunnycoast]

I have nothing of value to add here, but thanks for the entertaining thread!

My pleasure, Shane.

That Howey fella is an easy mark.

Apparently he's rich too.

And clever.

Terrible writer, though!

 

[NoCat]

Ahem.

I think you meant, "Step inside, Hugh Howey, I've got a bone to pick with you" so that you aren't actually inviting us all to literally step inside Hugh himself, to pick bones. Cause...that's creepy.

 

[sunnycoast]

Ahem.

I think you meant, "Step inside, Hugh Howey, I've got a bone to pick with you" so that you aren't actually inviting us all to literally step inside Hugh himself, to pick bones. Cause...that's creepy.

That stuff is for editors ... I'm more about story.

Plus, I'm an idiot.

 

[JeanneM]

But a very funny idiot.  LOL  I love this thread, but don't let David Adams find out about it..not unless you have a witness protection program in Australia.  One that can airlift you out at a moment's notice.  'Cuz David just may not want Aussie competition. 

 

[sunnycoast]

But a very funny idiot. LOL I love this thread, but don't let David Adams find out about it..not unless you have a witness protection program in Australia. One that can airlift you out at a moment's notice. 'Cuz David just may not want Aussie competition.

Jeanne, seriously ... he's from "Darwin". A place that, ironically, shows zero sign of the evolution of our species.

In that part of the world, natural selection favours men who can read beer labels ... not street directories. He won't be showing up on my doorstep anytime soon.

 

[dalya]

Ahem.

I think you meant, "Step inside, Hugh Howey, I've got a bone to pick with you" so that you aren't actually inviting us all to literally step inside Hugh himself, to pick bones. Cause...that's creepy.

I'll see that correction and raise you a period instead of that second comma.

 

[JeanneM]

Jeanne, seriously ... he's from "Darwin". A place that, ironically, shows zero sign of the evolution of our species.

In that part of the world, natural selection favours men who can read beer labels ... not street directories. He won't be showing up on my doorstep anytime soon.

LOL...In that case, I'm going to grab some popcorn, pull up a seat, and await David's arrival in the thread. It was nice knowing you.

 

[sunnycoast]

I'll see that correction and raise you a period instead of that second comma.

That's the problem with this joint... too many bloody writer types!

 

[FrankZubek]

Shawn.....    Are there any Audio community boards online you hang out on? I only ask as I am trying to find heavily active boards such as this where they enjoy audiobooks. (Trying to get more listeners for my own stuff) Thanks

 

[Bob Ryan]

Can any KBer answer my proper question?

Audio Books - do you like the voice artist doing accents or would you prefer a straight reading?

What makes a good audio book in your opinion?

Hi there,

I did a bit of recording for a small audiobook company and have listened to a ton of audiobooks over the years, and of course I can only talk about my personal preference.

Accents are good but only if they're done reasonably well. Don't attempt them if you suck at them. That's the kiss of death. I think that, in general, the book should have them rather than be totally without them, because, using the US for example, it's not convincing if the guy from Brooklyn sounds the same as the guy from Alabama.

Here's another biggie for me, others may not share this opinion. Lots of audiobooks are overproduced. People want to throw in a lot of grandiose music and special effects--gunshots, tires squealing, and so forth. For me it only distracts. Often the music is playing over the reading, taking focus from the story instead of adding anything, not to mention that you can't hear what's being said. Just read the book and let the words stand on their own two feet. We don't need to hear the gun shots; we'll get it. And when you start recording, that's a slippery slope anyway. Which sounds do you record and which ones do you leave out? The knocks at the door? Horns honking? Crowd noises? I've made some recordings of my own stuff, and it's complicated and tedious enough as it is. I absolutely don't want to have to make things harder for myself. I think an audiobook without music and sound effects is a much cleaner and more enjoyable listening experience.

Anyway, just my two cents. Best to everyone, Bob

 

[Danielle Kazemi]

Plus, I'm an idiot.

I was following along all merrily til I reached this and nearly spit up my coffee. Well played.

I don't know about ACX but I think Hugh's picture was taking in NYC. Maybe. Wait, what is his last picture? The one where he is smiling in the freezing old right? I only remember because he told us at one point. As for the other one with the orchid and pillow - no idea. That was before he made it big if I remember. He has since upgraded to a much larger pillow.

 

[sunnycoast]

Anyway, just my two cents. Best to everyone, Bob

Hey, thanks for that input, Bob.

We're both thinking the same on this stuff.