Reading Audio Books is Hot! Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.org by Viacheslav Blizniuk
Hello and Welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog! So glad you are here. Today I need you to help me make a decision on producing audio books or not. I certainly enjoy listening to audio books, especially since I can easily download them from my library using Overdrive.com. But, I have to be patient because the waiting time is long due to the popularity of audio books and authors. It's crazy easy to order them from Amazon and read them just a minute after ordering. Have you tried audio books? When I was a kid, I loved when the teacher read to the class after lunch. Audio books have taken that experience and enlarged it into an entertaining time. Audi books remind me of the plays that were performed on the radio way back when--I was a tiny child at the time. Plays like the Green Lantern and Orson Welles' War of the Worlds (known as radio drama) and of course soap operas. The Wall Street Journal described audio books as “a rare bright spot in the publishing industry.” According to audio book expert, Robert Reiman, " E-book sales are waning, but, audio book listening on Audible grew 38 percent last year. Audio book sales growth is up 20 percent worldwide two years in a row." So I am thinking about jumping in on this "rare bright spot". I have a novella I would like to make into an audio book. The whole process is daunting, but then again, I look back at my first experience formatting an e-book to upload to amazon. That was a challenge indeed, but I did it.
One of the many decision I would have to make is to find the narrator. I wouldn't consider narrating my own book, so I would like a voice actor who can use his/her voice to conjure up the many characters via voice inflections when a nasal quality. rich baritone or squeaky voice is needed to portray the character. The narrator has to pull the reader/listener into the story. Owen McCuen narrated my author friend, Miss Mae's, zany story, Ahoy Gum Drop. He certainly knows how to perform amazing characterizations to bring this fun story to life. Here's a sample from the audio book
This summer I plan to explore bringing Sunshine Boulevard to life via audio book.
What is your experience as a reader with audio books? If you are an author, have you published an audio book or considered creating an audio book? Please leave your comment below. I look forward to reading them. Thank you.
Vintage Movie Camera
freedigitalphotos.com by 2nix
Hi and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog.
Do you know that I'm a movie star??? Yes, it's a fact, and I can prove it by introducing you to the man who made it possible, my producer, Owen McCuen. Owen has kindly agreed to visit the J.Q. Rose blog to answer any questions about his work and the process of how he made me a movie star.
Actor and Narrator Owen McCuen
Now, puh-leeze, people, Owen is NOT an author, or anyway, he isn't promoting a book. So be kind to him, okay? He's not used to appearing in this capacity. He's usually on video as an actor, or he is behind the scenes as a narrator for audible books. Here's more about this talented (and may I add, handsome?) guy.
About Owen: Owen McCuen began his voiceover career in 2004 with coaching
from the renowned vocal coach Joanne Joellla. Under her guidance, Owen earned
roles in radio and internet commercials for companies like NJ Lottery, Giant
Foods, Lacroix Restaurant, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Tozour Energy Systems, and
Tremor Video.
Following Joanne’s advice, Owen expanded his skill set by
working on camera as an actor. This led to dual roles as actor/narrator for
Rita’s Water Ice, UMDNJ, Learning Ally, Trending Accessibility, and Einstein
Creative. Now managed by VS Talent Group in Mt. Holly, NJ, Owen continues his
acting and voiceover career with challenging roles in front of the camera as
well as behind the microphone.
Owen’s newest role is that of audiobook narrator. “Noble the
Moose Was a Bully” is a pre-K tale about bullying; character voices abound. But
one of the most nuanced performances to date is the thriller “Itsy Bitsy
Spider” by Kimberly Shursen. Steady exposition and lively dialogue give
listeners the opportunity to experience Kimberly’s expert storytelling,
even when they are unable to focus on the written page. ACX has provided the
opportunity for Owen and Kimberly to work as a team to bring “Itsy Bitsy
Spider” to life.
It wasn’t long before Owen connected with author Miss Mae on
her fantastic family-friendly book, “Ahoy Gum Drop!” The author’s imagination
paints a vivid picture of foreign lands and quirky characters. Over a dozen
unique voices spring to life in this audiobook adventure featuring the Mishaps
from Gum Drop Island. Intrepid internet reporter I.B. Nosey has jumped off the
page and into video as Owen, Miss Mae, and Patrick McCuen collaborate on
Nosey’s video interviews.
Listen to Owen's amazing voice characterizations in this book trailer for Ahoy Gumdrop! (It's okay to giggle outloud.)
I.B. Nosey,
Intrepid Internet Reporter
# # # #
Yikes, his bio includes his work with I.B. Nosey, the official unofficial cyberspace reporter who is the only nominee and title-holder of the Pukelitzer Award.
Welcome, Owen, to the J.Q. Rose blog. I'm delighted you're here and are willing to answer some interview questions.
My pleasure, J.Q. Ask away.
Who or what influenced you to become an actor?
I've been doing voices,
impressions, and accents since I could talk, I think. Voice acting and
performing have been "my thing" for as long as I can remember, mostly
influenced by Mel Blanc and The Muppets' Jim Henson, Frank Oz, et al. Kermit
the Frog is pretty much my hero.
I finally got interested enough to investigate
a career in voice acting back in 2004. Joanne
Joella is a voice coach and performer in the Philadelphia area. I began
training with her in 2004 and she gave me my first opportunities in voiceover.
Her ability and integrity as a coach were everything to me. Voice Acting is a
competitive business, so Joanne encouraged me to try acting on camera as well.
Acting gave me practice being expressive and taking direction, and has informed
my voice acting greatly. My career would not be what it is today without
Joanne.
What is your experience in this field?
I had some voiceover jobs in
2004/2005 and began acting on camera in 2010. My experience coaching kids at
The Little Gym, though, really gave me some OJT with crazy voices and getting
in and out of character at a moment's notice. Acting in independent films and
commercials have allowed me to meet some great people who needed narration for
their projects. My agent VS Talent Group has supported me immensely. I've also
narrated two audiobooks for audible.com ("Itsy Bitsy Spider" by
Kimberly Shursen and "Ahoy Gum Drop!" by Miss Mae).
Where do you perform?
I live in Southwestern New
Jersey, so I mostly work in the Philadelphia area, with a lot of my narration
done from home.
What is your best asset?
I am a very expressive person. I can be over the top or subtle, depending on the role.
What are you most proud of in your career?
That's hard to say because I'm proud of my work, especially when a creative person calls me back to do another project. On camera, I'd have to say that the independent short film "Like There's No Tomorrow" by Time to Back Out Productions is a highlight because I am the only actor on the screen for the entire 25 minutes. The film led me to connect with the horror movie podcast "The Last Knock" on which I was interviewed; That has led to some great friendships and even a role in the short film "Case # 5930". In voice acting, the narration of audiobooks has given me the professional weight I needed to take my career to the next level.
What are your goals for your career?
I am interested in being a working actor, both on camera and behind the microphone. With audiobooks, audio drama, commercials, and independent film experience, I believe I can achieve that goal. I want to earn interesting and challenging roles in projects large and small; to make people laugh, cry, think, or feel something and make a decent living doing it!
What is the process for recording an author’s audio book?
ACX.com is the technical wing of audible.com. Narrators, authors, and studios can create profiles on that website so that they can find the right match for their projects and talents. As a narrator, I upload samples of my narration and voiceover demos, and then peruse the available titles that are accepting auditions. If the rights holder (that's usually the author) likes my audition, we agree to terms and begin production. The terms are usually a named price per finished hour or a royalty share agreement. I'm open to either arrangement!
Please tell us about the intrepid internet reporter, I.B. Nosey, and
your videos for promoting authors and their books with this character.
Ah, from the mind of Miss Mae
comes I.B. Nosey, the official unofficial reporter! Our videos serve as a
promotional tool for folks who want to spread the word about their work. The
videos would be useful for any artist, but authors in particular seem to like
the videos because they can introduce the world to the work or characters who
live inside the books. Nosey has a child-like aura but he's not strictly for
children: Family-friendly but managing to appeal mostly to adults who enjoy a
good journey into the fantastic! I.B. is nosey indeed and almost never gets the
information right. He frequently ends up (not unlike the Three Stooges)
attempting to escape trouble by the end of his adventure. Thank you so much, Owen, for participating in the interview and for offering us a peek inside the world of voice-overs and audible books. I'm sure readers want to know more about these promotional videos, so I now present J.Q. Rose starring in the interview by that zany rascal, I.B. Nosey.
# # # #
An I.B. Nosey Mini-Movie with J.Q. Rose
You too can be a "star" and promote your books and projects through
this creative I.B. Nosey video. Nosey interviews the author (or character of your book) in a way that entertains the viewer while introducing the story. You'll have a multimedia promotional tool that Miss Mae and Owen McCuen will help to promote by sharing with their thousands of fans.
It was so easy to be a part of this production. Miss Mae asks three questions and from there she creates a script for Owen. Patrick McCuen designs the colorful drawings, and Owen narrates and directs the production of the movie. For more information on promotional mini-movies, go to Feeling Nosey's site
If you wish to know more about the audio book process and video production, please ask in the comment section below. Owen will be popping in to answer your questions.
AND let me know what you think of my hairdo, my nails in the mini-movie. Do I look better with the camera shot on my left side or right side? Was the lighting complimentary to my delicate skin??? Thanks!!
Hello and welcome to our series, Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing. Our "tipster" author today is Miss Mae. She is giving away of three downloads/ gift coupons of her mystery, It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred. Enjoy an excerpt and please leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing on Sunday at 9 p.m.
DIALOGUE:
Make
it believable. I still have a hard time with this one, though, especially if
I’ve included a set of characters from different regions of the globe. I’m
wondering, ‘am I writing this right? Is this what they’d say?’ However, for my
Victorian books set in London, I’ve had a wonderful critique partner who lives
in England. She’s set me right on the many different accents. So I advise
finding someone who lives where your character does, if that’s possible.
SETTINGS:
I like to have my characters all in one area where I can control them. For
instance, I mean, if I should place my story in France, then I’d need to
describe the landscape, the sight, the smells of the area. To be realistic, I
should have at least visited there so I could get everything correct. Well,
I’ve not been there. So, to get beyond that hurdle, I’ll create something to
where I don’t have to write that. I’ll set all my characters trapped in a
snowstorm, a basement, a closet - anywhere! So that I’m able to “show” my
readers the setting through my main character’s senses without actually having
set my physical foot anywhere but outside my front door.
1.EDITING:
Get another good pair of eyes.
Eek, I still find errors even after three people have read the finished work.
LOL
Miss Mae, what was your light bulb moment about your writing experience? When I decided to self-publish. After having signed with three traditional publishers, then discovering that I was still expected to promote/market as hard as if I were self-published -- well, why not self-pub? I get a bigger pie piece of the royalties this way.
Back of the book:
Do bizarre
and unusual mysteries only occur in imaginary tales?
Amateur sleuth Winifred
Merryweather, along with dashing newspaper hound Remington Hawthorne, find
themselves in the throes of a real life mystery when they’re plunged in the
bowels of a dark and ancient castle. Booby-traps abound with disappearing
floors, hidden sliding panels, and spider-webbed shadowy corridors.
Danger threatens to steal Winifred’s very breath -- or is
that the annoying allure of Remington’s flirtatious charms?
Miss Mae is all about romantic mysteries. Said the Spider
to the Fly, When the Bough Breaks, Dove Island, It’s Elementary, My Dear
Winifred and See No Evil, My Pretty Lady
are award winning best sellers. Her
latest, Catch Me If You Can, and the novellas, Miss Penelope’s Letters and Through a Glass Darkly, have already received top rated five-star reviews.
Tantalizing trailers and more information are readily available at Miss Mae's website
Miss Mae also enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles.
Some of her publications can be found in The Front Porch Magazine, Good OldDays, and WritersWeekly.
Her
alter ego, M.M., has her first children’s/humor book, Ahoy Gum Drop! In
this slightly cracked tale, readers are introduced to I.B. Nosey, the ‘official
unofficial’ reporter. To learn more about cyberspace’s only Pukelitzer Award winning
interviewer, visit ‘Feeling Nosey?’
How I wish I could capture in photos the most amazing works of art presented at Artprize this year in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This international art competition is the biggest in the world with artists competing for $560,000 in prizes in various categories. Winners are determined by the public vote and a juried group of professionals. This experience is like no other and free to the public! I am sharing some of the amazing entries we encountered out of the 1537 pieces entered. The competition is open to any artist 18 and older. Please take a peek at the photos for a taste of the 19 day festival held every fall in Grand Rapids.
This installation is made up of living plants. A great reminder to just step away, enjoy the festival's unique works of art, and breathe.
The author framed by flowers
These little colored pencil drawn ladies made me chuckle.
Brilliant lighted art piece of blown glass.
A 23 foot long panel of galloping mustangs created from all kinds of wood.
The "Chihuly-inspired" hanging is actually made of plastic bottles, not blown glass, painted by elementary students and put together by the art teachers. I appreciated its beauty even more after learning about the creation of this masterpiece.
A whimsical family of turtles. Smile...
The title of this piece is "Wind."
Grand Rapids Petroglyph--Fish carved and painted in stones that line the banks of the Grand River. This river runs through the downtown area of the city.
A horse made of junk. Lots of car parts. Art fashioned from trash.
This Week
Monday, October 6--All week at the Girls Succeed Blog, I read an excerpt from the chapter in Girls Succeed! about Angela Ruggiero, Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Ice Hockey. Okay, I may be driving you crazy with these audio recordings and sharing them on my blogs. It's a lot of fun to make the words on the page come alive by recording them for listeners. But please be honest, and let me know if it is annoying. Thanks.
Wednesday, October 8--Author Miss Mae celebrates the launch of her new audio book, Ahoy Gum Drop, October 7 and 8 on Facebook. The invitation to join this zany gang of characters and the link to the party are below. I'll be a guest from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm on October 8. The narrator Owen, will be there too. He does an amazing job with all the voices of Miss Mae's entertaining cast. Come on over for fun and prizes with the gang from Gum Drop Island.
https://www.facebook.com/events/689129674506574/
Thursday, October 9--Miss Mae shares writing tips on dialogue, setting, and editing at the Romance and Mystery Authors On Writing Event. Giveaways too!
Welcome talented mystery and humor author Miss Mae to the Seeds of Inspiration Event! Miss Mae is all about romantic mysteries.
“Said the Spider
to the Fly”, “When the Bough Breaks”, “Dove Island”, “It’s Elementary, My Dear
Winifred” and “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” are award winning best sellers. Her
latest, “Catch Me If You Can”, and the novellas “Miss Penelope’s Letters”, and
“Through a Glass Darkly” have already received top rated five-star reviews.
Tantalizing trailers, and more information, is readily available at Miss Mae's website Connect Online with Miss Mae:
Her alter ego, M.M. also has her first children’s/humor
book, “Ahoy Gum Drop!” In this slightly cracked tale, readers are introduced to
I.B. Nosey, the ‘official unofficial’ reporter. To learn more about
cyberspace’s only Pukelitzer Award winning interviewer, visit Feeling Nosey? or watch I.B.Nosey's Video. Connect Online with I.B. Nosey:
After reading Miss Mae's fun story of what inspired her to become an author, please enter to win MM's e-book, It's Elementary, My Dear Winfred, by leaving a comment.Drawing ends at 12:01 a.m EST Sunday.
Seeds of Inspiration by Miss Mae
As a young girl growing up in the 1960’s books were my hobby
and passion. I loved flipping through the pages of a Nancy Drew, Donna Parker,
or Trixie Belden mystery. Ooh, I dreamed of having adventures just like these
glamorous heroines! Their exciting stories whisked me away from the boredom and
loneliness of being the baby sibling of an older brother and sister (and rarely
welcomed inside their ‘mature’ circle of friends).
One night when the teen-agers visited, with their usual
array of TV, records, and games enjoyed and exhausted, I heard the question,
“What are we going to do now?” I spoke up, “Why don’t we act out a play?”
(You’ll note I added ‘we’. Ha!)
There were some grimaces from the boys but interest was
piqued enough to ask, “Like what?”
And so, with my limited knowledge of how exactly to go about
it, but equipped with boundless imagination, I enthused, “We’ll make something
up!”
I, a mere fifth-grader, inspired with eagerness to become a
part of the high school ‘crowd’ even for one night, grabbed a pencil and some
paper and conceived my first story, Midnight Horror. It was all of ten
pages long, and entertained us for maybe half an hour. Before you ask - no, no
one was good enough at reading the lines for them to later grow up and become a
famous actor. But the thrill of writing that little story ignited a spark
within me and set me on fire to pen my own books and to create my own mystery
solving heroines.
Hopefully, none of them have been a horror!
Miss Mae
Feb. 2, 2014
Do bizarre mysteries only occur in imaginary tales? Winifred Merryweather, and dashing newspaper hound Remington Hawthorne, find themselves in the throes of a real life mystery. A dark and ancient castle, complete with disappearing floors, sliding panels, and spider-webbed shadowy corridors threaten to steal Winifred's very breath. Or is that the annoying allure of Remington's flirtatious charms? BUY LINK for It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred Thanks so much, Miss Mae, for participating in the Seeds of Inspiration Event.
Pastor
Christine Hobbs never imagined
she would be caring for a flock
that includes a
pig, a kangaroo,
and a murderer.
Please note: Readers,Coda to Murder, my mystery e-book, is FREE. Add the book to your shopping cart, type in capitals CODA, save, then finalize the order.
Yes, I'm pounding the keys on my laptop. I made a vow I would finish my work-in-progress (WIP) by the time we are ready to head back to the North Country. It's getting down to the wire. I have about 8 more chapters to write before I can wrap up the story in my first rough draft. And it is a very rough draft.
A book is never done after one draft. Revising is called for in the next draft, and the next and the next. So instead of finishing, this is just the beginning of this long process of creating a novel for readers, and for me, to enjoy.
I'm having so much fun with this one. The story includes everything I like to write about--mystery, murder, paranormal, and romance. Is that enough genres for ya'??
Who'd think a sweet gal like me would write about murder and paranormal events? Is this my true self running wild? I wonder. The best thing about writing is to let your imagination loose to consider all the possibilities and fantasy bottled up inside you. Have fun with it!
If you are an author, how many times do you revise your work before you submit it for publication? If you haven't submitted your stories for publication, why not? Please, leave a comment after you find out what's up for this week and this month.
This Week: March 27--Seeds of Inspiration Event--Miss Mae comes to visit and giveaway a book too!
March 23-April 5
Devoted reader and reviewer, Jackie of the Book Maven, is celebrating the second anniversary of her book review blog, The Book Maven. Join in the party.
Below you will see the list of authors and/or bloggers who have donated presents to win. All you have to do is enter the RAFFLECOPTER at the Book Maven usilng this linkand BAM! you could be a winner. Here are your possible prizes:
Georgie Tyler-ecopy of Doctors Beyond Borders
Linn B Halton-3 copies of Falling, Angels Among Us and a signed paperback of Never Alone.
Katie O’Sullivan-ecopy of Son of a Mermaid
Stephanie Keyes-Signed copy of The Star Catcher
JQ Rose-ecopy of Coda to Murder
AJ Nuest-Ecopy of entire Golden Key Chronicles
Theresa Rizzo-Ecopy’s of Just Destiny and He Belongs to Me
Stacey Jay-Signed Copy of Of Beast and Beauty
Melissa Snark-Signed copy of Hunger Moon
Lindsey Loucks-Ecopy of The Grave Winner
Jerrie Alexander-Ecopy of Hell or High Water and Cold Day in Hell
Darlene Jones-Ecopy of all 4 of her books
Bette Lee Crosby- Ecopy of The Twelfth Child
Gena Showalter-signed book
Kacey Vanderkarr-paper copy of Antithesis and Reflection Pond.
Andrea R. Cooper-E copy The Garnet Dagger
Bella Andre-Autographed copy of The Look of Love
Panty dropping Book Blog- 2.99 ebook
Coffee and a Good Book Blog- 2 I <3 books stickers
Pepper Winters- Ecopy of Destroyed
Butterflies, Books & Dreams Blog- BBD Bookmark
Alyson Raynes-$5 Amazon Gift Card and Kindle Copy of Deception
Kandi Steiner-E copy of Tag Chaser and signed bookmark.
Forever Me Romance-Ebook up to $5
Joan Swan-Print copy of Shatter and Ecopies of Intimate Enemies, First Temptation and First Deception.
Melanie Codina-Ebook of Love Realized
Lisa Suzanne-How He Really Feels (He Feels, Book 1)
Halos and Horns Book Blog-$5 amazon gift card and swag pack.
Clarissa Wild-2 ebook copies of Fierce and Fury.
Jade C. Jamison-Ebooks got the Life and Quickies
Ella James-Ebook Trapped
Marie Wathren – Ebook All This Time
Jaden Wilkes-Ebooks Dirty Little Freaks and The Beast
Cassandra Giovanni-E books Flawed Perfection, Love Exactly and Walking in the Shadows
Jody Kessler- Ecopy of Death Lies Between Us
Sibelle Stone-1 Ecopy and 1 Print copy of Prudence and the Professor
Nancy Jardine-Ecopy of Beltane Choice
LJ Kentowski-1 Ecopy of Guardian of Fate and 1 Ecopy of Seeker of Fate
Michaela Dubelius-Ecopy of Decoy
Heather McCullom-Signed copies of Prophecy, Tangled Hearts and Siren Song
Lyndi Alexander- Ecopy Conviction of the heart by Alana Lorens
Lisa Renee Jones- Ecopy of If I Were You
Carlene Love Flores-1 Ecopy of Sidewalk Flower and Sin’s Flower.
Regina Morris-1 Ecopy of Enduring Service
Zack Love-1 Ecopy of Sex in the Title
Janice Horton-1 Signed copy of Bagpipes and Bullshot and 1 Kindle copy of How To Party Online
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