Oct 12, 2015

I'm researching development of the audiobook of One Murder More—I have a growing waiting list for  the book in that  format!  I'm interested in what you think with respect to the  "reader" on the audible download/CD. Reading it myself or having a professional actor?

I did some acting in high school, even started out as a drama major  in college. So I'm comfortable that I could do an engaging reading of my work, and an advantage is I know each sentence, the intent, emotion, etc. Plus I come cheap!  I've  had several people  express hope that  the book would be read by "the author", that they specifically look for that. Downside  is I don't see myself doing voices for different characters—Polly as a Brit, Jake as a 14-yr old boy. My favorite audiobook reader is Jim  Dale (Harry Potter books)— characters still sound like him,  not phony, but  like  him as different people.

If we decide to go professional ( "we" meaning  you and me, not the "royal we"...) does  perceived gender matter? I know someone really good who also happens to be my brother (which I think would be  cool for readers), but he has a strongly male voice. Since One Murder More is not first person—it's not Maren speaking, but rather "close 3rd person", where the reader "hears" what's happening in Maren's head—does perceived gender of the reader matter? Will the reading "ring true"/be more compelling/comfortable   if read in a female-sounding voice? (I  don't say "read by a male or female" since gender is increasingly  a personal and fluid concept, but I do think  when  we hear someone speak we still  mostly identify genders with certain  registers/tones.)

Any and all input appreciated, would like to get this going! Thanks for everything,

Kris

ps One more thing, if you haven't ordered the One Murder More e-book as a gift for someone yet,  please consider it. Still trying to build a reader-base/momentum, seem to have hit a lull.  It's easy on Amazon, when you click on the right-hand side "give as a gift" Amazon walks you through it.  All you need is the recipient of the gift's email address, and  $4.99 per book. Each order  really helps! http://www.amazon.com/One-Murder-More-Kris-Calvin-ebook/dp/B00VJQQW60/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1444661111&sr=1-1