Michael Watson's Blog, page 4
December 5, 2013
Audio Book Completed
The audio book for TREASURE OF THE ANASAZI: A Jack Trader Adventure has been completed and is now available at Amazon http://www.goo.gl/0y9wpB. It is also at the Audible site and soon to be at iTunes.After completion of the narration and after my final review, the book went to ACX for their review. We were told it would be a two-four week process. We were fortunate, hoping it would be out before Christmas.As I mentioned previously, the process was free on a shared royalty basis. Other than time, no cost was involved. Ted Brooks, the narrator, has also put together a video that plays the audio sample. If you get a chance, please take a look and a listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpjCAn... From the time I made an offer to Ted on October 18th, the narration took about one month. Then with ACX's review, another two weeks. So, the entire process took only a about a month and a half. I hope you like it. Even though I wrote it, I was excited to hear it as it was performed. The characters came to life. I think you'll like it too. It is suitable for both adults and YA, male and female. No graphic content.
November 14, 2013
Going Audio #3
This portion of the process has gone by quickly. The narrator has finished all twenty-four chapters of the book, along with the preparation of a four minute sample. I am currently listening to the entire book one more time before it is handed off to ACX for final preparation. My narrator, Ted Brooks, has informed me that this part can take two to four weeks. So, if everything goes all right, it will hopefully be out by Christmas. In my slightly biased opinion, I think it turned out great.
I did learn one thing in particular during this process, that the manuscript should be read out loud during the review process prior to publication. While following along in the book while listening to the narrator, I spotted editing errors I would have sworn weren't there. The manuscript had been gone through numerous times, by myself, beta readers, and the editor I had hired. I had heard this little tidbit of info about reading your work out loud before, at conferences and during writer's group meetings. I thought "Yeah, sure." Well, it's true. From now on I will read my own manuscripts out loud in an attempt to hopefully catch any issues.
I'll let you know how it goes and when it will be ready to go public. Hope this has been somewhat informative and helpful.
I did learn one thing in particular during this process, that the manuscript should be read out loud during the review process prior to publication. While following along in the book while listening to the narrator, I spotted editing errors I would have sworn weren't there. The manuscript had been gone through numerous times, by myself, beta readers, and the editor I had hired. I had heard this little tidbit of info about reading your work out loud before, at conferences and during writer's group meetings. I thought "Yeah, sure." Well, it's true. From now on I will read my own manuscripts out loud in an attempt to hopefully catch any issues.
I'll let you know how it goes and when it will be ready to go public. Hope this has been somewhat informative and helpful.
November 5, 2013
Going Audio #2
Thought I would give you an update on the narration of 'Treasure of the Anasazi.' I have received Chapters 10-12 and will be reviewing them today. So far it's been a fairly simple process. I did assume I would be allowed more input, but was quickly corrected. You know what they say when you 'assume' anything. I didn't especially care for the voice given to one of the characters. He had been made to sound simple-minded, which he wasn't. I mentioned that I'd like to see it changed. I was informed that it would take too much time and that while he was working on a royalty share basis, it wasn't worth his time. Also, I was informed that he was the narrator and producer and that those decisions were his. After all, he was the professional. I informed him that I already had over a year invested in the book. It didn't matter. I should mention that I did provide a list of the characters with their descriptions as an indicator of voice.
On the positive side, I like everything else about what he has done. Even though I know the story inside and out, I get a kick out of listening to it. The characters really come to life. There are a total of twenty-four chapters, so we are about half-way there.
There will be a final review. Currently, I am allowed to ask for changes in pronunciations, to shorten gaps of dead space between sentences or paragraphs that are too long, and that's about it. It appears to be in his hands for the most part. By contract through ACX, if problems arise that cannot be worked out, the narrator is paid an hourly fee for their time up to that point. Or that's the way I interpreted it. It would be my recommendation that during the audition process of choosing a narrator that you ask lots of questions. And if you can afford it, you might consider the hourly rate. It can range from $50-$400 per finiI don't know if my experience is the norm. I hope not. Maybe you can find a narrator willing to accept input. My narrator was chosen because his voice seemed to fit well with the genre and, not the best reason, he was available immediately. Since I have essentially accepted my current role, things are moving along nicely.
I'll continue to post comments as the process continues. Please check back.
On the positive side, I like everything else about what he has done. Even though I know the story inside and out, I get a kick out of listening to it. The characters really come to life. There are a total of twenty-four chapters, so we are about half-way there.
There will be a final review. Currently, I am allowed to ask for changes in pronunciations, to shorten gaps of dead space between sentences or paragraphs that are too long, and that's about it. It appears to be in his hands for the most part. By contract through ACX, if problems arise that cannot be worked out, the narrator is paid an hourly fee for their time up to that point. Or that's the way I interpreted it. It would be my recommendation that during the audition process of choosing a narrator that you ask lots of questions. And if you can afford it, you might consider the hourly rate. It can range from $50-$400 per finiI don't know if my experience is the norm. I hope not. Maybe you can find a narrator willing to accept input. My narrator was chosen because his voice seemed to fit well with the genre and, not the best reason, he was available immediately. Since I have essentially accepted my current role, things are moving along nicely.
I'll continue to post comments as the process continues. Please check back.
October 19, 2013
Going Audio
I had never considered making my book(s) into an audio format. I believed the cost would be just too expensive. I started thinking about it a few weeks ago when I attended a writers conference at Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. One of the paths included a session on audio books. It turns out that an author has two choices when hiring a narrator through ACX (Amazon/Audible). One is to pay an hourly rate based on the finished product. The other is to do a shared royalty where the author and the narrator split the income without any initial cost. All this is covered at the ACX site.
First, you must choose narrators to audition. You can choose based on whether the listener will be YA, adult, middle-aged, etc. and the type of voice you're wanting, for instance smooth, straightforward, storyteller, quirky, etc. The list initially starts with thousands of names, decreasing in number as you fine-tune the parameters. Each narrator has sample readings to listen to. I sent audition requests to eight. Two declined because of busy schedules, and three were interested. I downloaded my manuscript to the ACX site and they sent back their auditions. It was extremely hard to choose. I listened to additional samples of their audio books on Amazon. For now, I'm going to withhold the name of the one I chose. He now does a narration of the first fifteen minutes of my book for my review. At that point, if there is a problem, we each can end the process and I can start over with another narrator. Hopefully we will get past the fifteen minute hurdle. If so, he believes he can have a finished product by early December. His narrative and character voices will make for a great audio experience
I'll let you know as the process proceeds.
First, you must choose narrators to audition. You can choose based on whether the listener will be YA, adult, middle-aged, etc. and the type of voice you're wanting, for instance smooth, straightforward, storyteller, quirky, etc. The list initially starts with thousands of names, decreasing in number as you fine-tune the parameters. Each narrator has sample readings to listen to. I sent audition requests to eight. Two declined because of busy schedules, and three were interested. I downloaded my manuscript to the ACX site and they sent back their auditions. It was extremely hard to choose. I listened to additional samples of their audio books on Amazon. For now, I'm going to withhold the name of the one I chose. He now does a narration of the first fifteen minutes of my book for my review. At that point, if there is a problem, we each can end the process and I can start over with another narrator. Hopefully we will get past the fifteen minute hurdle. If so, he believes he can have a finished product by early December. His narrative and character voices will make for a great audio experience
I'll let you know as the process proceeds.
October 1, 2013
After Effects
I sat down to start another round of revisions to the third Jack Trader adventure, starting at page one. The problem was that the information I'd learned at the weekend writer's conference was still fresh in my mind. As you may recall from yesterday's blog entry, there was a session at the conference called The First Page Panel. I read and re-read page one then tweaked it a little here and re-wrote a sentence there. I did this over and over. I couldn't get past the first page. I played what the panel had said over and over in my mind. They had been very upfront with us on why they would reject a submission based on the first page, or in many cases the first paragraph or first sentence. This morning was very frustrating. I set it aside and went to work. I'll try again tonight with fresh eyes. I encourage you all to pay special attention to your first page, if you want them to turn to the second page. Then the process continues.
September 30, 2013
David Morrell at the Conference
Yesterday was the last of a two-day writers workshop at Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The highlight of the course was meeting David Morrell, co-founder of the International Thriller Writers. Other than being our keynote speaker Friday evening, he also gave talks on when it might not be appropriate to write in the first person, and a class on the state of the publishing world. I learned that he has placed many of his backlist on Amazon as ebooks under Morrell Enterprises. He is always ready to adapt to changes in the industry. As for authors, he doesn't think there is nearly the stigma of self-publishing that there was just a couple of years ago. He recommends that an author at least attempt the conventional route before pursuing the self-publishing route. Mr. Morrell was also on two panels. The first was called The First Page. We submitted the first page of a WIP to get his opinion and that of two agents, Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency, and Marcy Posner of Folio Management. The moderator would read until one of them would say "stop," at the point whee they would typically stop reading a submission in their office. It was an eye-opening experience. One big no-no was a flashback on the first page. Others included misspelling (or wrong word), excessive descriptions, and cliches. Another panel was ask whatever you want. Again Mr. Morrell was a wealth of information.
He was available throughout the weekend. Very approachable. I spent at least fifteen minutes one-on-one with him, asking him everything I could remember to ask about writing. By the way, after a 40 year career as a published author, he still tries to write five pages a day. This weekend was exceptional.
For those of you who may be interested, he just released a new book, Murder As A Fine Art, a thriller set in 19th century London.
September 26, 2013
Rose State Conference
This weekend I will be attending a conference/short course at Rose State College at Oklahoma City. It is an annual event hosted by best-selling author William Bernhardt. The keynote speaker will be David Morrell, author of Rambo: First Blood. I'm looking forward to meeting and learning from him.
The event starts Friday evening and goes through Sunday afternoon. There will be over thirty writers, agents, and editors presenting on three tracks covering fiction, nonfiction, and the business side of writing. Agents and editors will be on hand for pitch sessions.
I submitted a short story in the fictional category to their writing contest. We find out the results Friday evening. I also will be submitting the first page of my current WIP. On Saturday the First Page Panel, made up of David Morrell, Marcy Posner and Regina Brooks, will critique our works.
I'm still hoping to make a connection with an agent or publisher. I've been working at being an indie author for about eight years now. So far, it hasn't worked out very well. Even though I hire editors, formaters, and cover artists, it doesn't seem to matter.
I'll let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed.
The event starts Friday evening and goes through Sunday afternoon. There will be over thirty writers, agents, and editors presenting on three tracks covering fiction, nonfiction, and the business side of writing. Agents and editors will be on hand for pitch sessions.
I submitted a short story in the fictional category to their writing contest. We find out the results Friday evening. I also will be submitting the first page of my current WIP. On Saturday the First Page Panel, made up of David Morrell, Marcy Posner and Regina Brooks, will critique our works.
I'm still hoping to make a connection with an agent or publisher. I've been working at being an indie author for about eight years now. So far, it hasn't worked out very well. Even though I hire editors, formaters, and cover artists, it doesn't seem to matter.
I'll let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed.
July 20, 2013
Book-A-Holics Book Signing
Last weekend I had a book signing from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. They don't do any advertising other than posting to their facebook page. I also mentioned it on my facebook page and on the Kansas Writers Association and Kansas Author Club pages. The first hour was pretty slow. They had set up a table for me near the front door. I tried to make eye contact whenever possible, but most avoided it. I had taken my laptop and was ready to show my book trailer to anyone who would watch. I did end up playing it a few times. Two long time friends said they would be there, but I had told them not to make the long trip if that was their only reason for coming to town. Well, they showed up and I was very glad. We had a nice chat and even though I told them they didn't need to, bought two books, the 1st and 2nd in the Jack Trader series. I had one stranger come in, go directly to the checkout and buy both. She had seen the facebook mention. I don't really make any money at these things, but it's nice to meet new people and hopefully they will like what they read and spread the word. Expectations, for me, are always greater than the actual results. I was hoping I had enough books on hand. It didn't turn out to be a problem. I did talk to one family who would be going to the Durango area in the near future for a vacation. I was able to give them some insight into things to do there and gave them my card with website, which has pictures of some of the sites. It was very enjoyable. We
July 12, 2013
Some Mesa Verde Facts & History
Just thought I would share a little of the facts and history incorporated into the 2nd Jack Trader adventure, Treasure of the Anasazi. The following are a few of the facts you might find interesting. Enjoy. And if you get a chance to go, I highly recommend Mesa Verde National Park.
Facts:
1) On June 29, 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a Bill creating the Mesa Verde National Park.
2) There are more than 4,000 archeological sites in Mesa Verde National Park, of which 600 are documented cliff dwellings.
3) Mesa Verde is Spanish for “green tableland”.
4) Anasazi is a Navajo word meaning “enemy ancestors.” Recently the term has been replaced with “ancestral puebloans”.
5) Mesa Verde National Park contains 52,073 acres over 81.4 square miles.
6) The Anasazi began to drift into the Mesa Verde area 1,400 years ago, flourishing for the next 700 years until mysteriously disappearing.
7) It wasn’t until 1971 that the first woman was allowed to take law enforcement training and carry a gun. And it wasn’t until 1978 that women gained the right to wear the “man’s” uniform, badge, and “Smokey Bear” hat.
Facts:
1) On June 29, 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a Bill creating the Mesa Verde National Park.
2) There are more than 4,000 archeological sites in Mesa Verde National Park, of which 600 are documented cliff dwellings.
3) Mesa Verde is Spanish for “green tableland”.
4) Anasazi is a Navajo word meaning “enemy ancestors.” Recently the term has been replaced with “ancestral puebloans”.
5) Mesa Verde National Park contains 52,073 acres over 81.4 square miles.
6) The Anasazi began to drift into the Mesa Verde area 1,400 years ago, flourishing for the next 700 years until mysteriously disappearing.
7) It wasn’t until 1971 that the first woman was allowed to take law enforcement training and carry a gun. And it wasn’t until 1978 that women gained the right to wear the “man’s” uniform, badge, and “Smokey Bear” hat.
May 6, 2013
2013 OWFI Conference
For those of you who don't know what OWFI is, it's the Oklahoma Writer's Federation Inc. I attended the conference that started Thursday evening, May 2nd, with Jane Friedman giving a presentation titled 'The Basics of Independent E-Book Publishing.' The biggest idea I took away was to offer my ebooks for free to gain an audience. The next day I heard Mark Coker of Smashwords say the same thing. It must be true. This concept was further reinforced by NY Times Best Selling Author, Jodi Thomas, at her lunchtime workshop on Saturday. She also mentioned the importance of writing a series and offering the first in the series for free, indefinitely.
I had heard the idea of giving away our books for free before,and had tried it for limited periods of time. Somehow it didn't seem right to work so hard to produce my baby and then give it away. However, I am beginning to see the light. I may be slow, but once the idea does get through, I'm ready to run with it. So, soon you will see my ebooks for free at Smashwords, where you can find whichever format you need. Before you ask, I am not in Kindle Select, so they will not be there for free.
By the way, our keynote speaker was Patrick Rothfuss, whose first book, The Name of the Wind, won the Quill Award and made the NY Times Bestseller list in 2007. His 'Wise Man's Fear' came out in March 2011 to even more acclaim, reaching #1 on the NY Times Bestseller list. He also published a not-for-children children's book titled 'The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle,' in 2010. DO NOT READ THIS TO YOUR KIDS! He admits his writing intentionally messes with people minds and perceptions.
The conference was well organized with 5-6 choices of speakers per hour for two days. On top of that there were six agents and five editors/publishers to pitch to. This conference is the largest and best in this region. Highly recommended.
I had heard the idea of giving away our books for free before,and had tried it for limited periods of time. Somehow it didn't seem right to work so hard to produce my baby and then give it away. However, I am beginning to see the light. I may be slow, but once the idea does get through, I'm ready to run with it. So, soon you will see my ebooks for free at Smashwords, where you can find whichever format you need. Before you ask, I am not in Kindle Select, so they will not be there for free.
By the way, our keynote speaker was Patrick Rothfuss, whose first book, The Name of the Wind, won the Quill Award and made the NY Times Bestseller list in 2007. His 'Wise Man's Fear' came out in March 2011 to even more acclaim, reaching #1 on the NY Times Bestseller list. He also published a not-for-children children's book titled 'The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle,' in 2010. DO NOT READ THIS TO YOUR KIDS! He admits his writing intentionally messes with people minds and perceptions.
The conference was well organized with 5-6 choices of speakers per hour for two days. On top of that there were six agents and five editors/publishers to pitch to. This conference is the largest and best in this region. Highly recommended.
