Hearing Voices: How An Audiobook Brings a Story to Life
Today, I’m not talking about hearing voices as in auditory hallucinations, but hearing one’s characters come to life in the spoken words of an audiobook. Characters are born in writers’ minds who imagine them in exquisite detail, envisioning their appearance, life histories, quirks and vulnerabilities, and, most importantly, how they speak.
Creating interesting characters with distinctive speech patterns and voice qualities is as enjoyable as it is challenging. Giving your characters unique voices enables readers to create personalized images, which may vary from person to person. Although audiobooks may deprive the reader of ascribing their own internal voices to the characters, they may also help breathe life into them as characters emerge from what can sometimes be static written text and into vibrant voices and personalities.
Deciding On An Audiobook
Well-written characters do not need to be enlivened by audio performances, but if done well, an audiobook may offer a new dimension of vitality and presence beyond what the written page can offer.
So, with this lengthy prelude, I’m pleased to announce the release of the audiobook version of Tears Are Only Water, available wherever audiobooks are sold. Transforming my novel into an audiobook has provided an education into the process of finding a recording company, deciding of the narrative style, and ultimately choosing the distribution platforms.
I chose Audiobook Empire, which a friend had recommended. I initially thought of people whom I wanted to narrate my story, but I soon learned that a special recording environment and equipment are required for professional recording, editing, and production.
One typically does not record an audiobook with a tape recorder and microphone alone.
The next decision was the narrative approach–whether to use a single narrator, dual, or serial narration. Having been most familiar with single narration, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the alternatives.
Typically, a professional narrator or the author reads the book. Best-selling authors often opt to narrate their books, giving listeners the added pleasure of hearing them tell the story in their own voices. Two recent audiobooks provided me this delightful experience, which felt more personal and intimate.
Here, I’m referring to Abraham Verghese’s reading of The Covenant of Water, and Jonathan Rosen’s narration of his nonfiction The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions.
Having not read either book before listening to the audiobooks, I cannot compare reading versus listening to the authors narrate their books. I’m sure their written words would have compellingly told the stories, but I found listening to the authors read their own words gripping.
Audiobook Narration
More contemporary trends in narration involve having multiple readers read major characters from either their points of view (POV), called dual narration, or having several individuals speak the characters’ words throughout the book (duet-style). The latter seemed almost like having a script of a play with different actors reading the parts of various characters. I chose dual narration for TAOW. I have no regrets about my decision.
The process began by providing extensive notes about the primary characters as I envisioned them and witnessing them take shape in my written narrative. Audiobook Empire then issued a casting call for my primary characters––Carmine Luedke, his sister Anne Schivalone, the courageous female Deputy Nicola Kitts, and the inscrutable Navajo healer, Dr. Hazel Lukachunai.
Weeks later, I received a sampling of over ten auditions from talented actors who read excerpts from the book. They each narrated material from the character’s POV, including expository narrative and dialog. I listened to the auditions and, with the input of others, selected a cast of three narrators for the parts/POVs, Noah Michael Levine, Natalie Beran, and Julienne Irons.
Each talented and experienced actor/narrator read through my character scripts and responded to my feedback notes after listening to their chapters’ samples. I am so pleased with the job they did! While the characters come to life through the written word, hearing Noah, Natalie, and Julienne speak their thoughts and words added depth and intimacy to the experience. Each voiced the characters as I had heard them in my mind.
Audiobook Distribution
The final decision was how to distribute the book––whether to publish exclusively with Amazon and Audible or go wide and have the audiobook released on a large number of platforms, including Amazon and Audible, as well as Kobo, Google Play, Audiobooks.com, and more. The royalty structure differed according to which route I decided to take. I opted for a broader distribution network, which I thought offered financial and practical advantages.
Investing in a professionally produced audiobook is not cheap, but you won’t need to take out a second mortgage on your house either. Typical prices are $3000.00-$3600.00. You may pay more depending on which type of narration you choose.
You then own the book and are entitled to all the royalties based on the formulae of the distribution platforms.
If you’re self-published, it probably makes sense to shop around to find a production group that fits your budget. Of course, if your book is picked up and released by a traditional publisher, then most of these decisions are out of your hands.
The timetable is never soon enough for authors eager to hear their writing and characters transformed into the shapes and textures of spoken words. Expect several months, especially if you choose dual or serial narration. Obviously, the more people involved, the longer this will take.
Oh, for those who self-publish, your cover designer will need to prepare an audiobook-compatible PDF or PNG for audiobook cover.
I’m considering creating an audiobook version of my first novel The 11th Inkblot. Written as a fictional memoir in the first person, the book will probably lend itself well to a single narrator. Having had such a positive experience with the performers who voiced characters in TAOW, I’m confident I can find an inspiring reader for my character Anton Zellinsky in The 11th Inkblot.
If you haven’t read Tears Are Only Water, I encourage you to get the audiobook. While it is a good read, listening to talented actors breathe life into the characters and demonstrate their well-honed performance skills to tell this story is a treat.
Bravo, Noah, Natalie, Julienne, and Audiobook Empire! 👏
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