Friday Features Gail Ingis Remember Radio?
Guest blogger
Gail Ingis
Asks
Remember Radio?
First a brief note – be sure to read all the way down as there is a chance for a treat. Now over to Gail.
Hats off to C.D. Hersh, who’s invitation to this blog spot came along at a perfect time, when my print book and audiobook are practically on my doorstep. Now, with the changing and the rapid growth of the book business, authors like myself, are looking for fresh ways to capture a new audience.
Readers and listeners have been lured to audiobooks, but then so have narrators. It’s a, pardon the pun, novel opportunity for actors to perform. Audible.com, an audio company owned by Amazon, has a large pool of professional actors as narrators, and producers who are signing on more and more celebrities. Very often listeners buy based on who is performing. They follow a narrator, like readers follow an author. My actor, Jane Oppenheimer, has brought my book, Indigo Sky, to another level. I like her style and how she interacts with my characters. Here’s her website for your perusal and for contact: Janeoppenheimervoice.com
AM radio is 1968 transistor portable. We bought it to take to the beach. It still works.
Do you remember the old radio programs and the dramatizations, the stories, the mysteries, the comedies? We all sat around and listened. Dagwood and Blondie (the Bumsteads). The Shadow Knows, Great Gildersleeve, Fibber McGee and Molly, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and more. I even listened to tap dancing on the Children’s Hour on Sundays. Storytelling is older than Moses, you remember him, right? People were telling stories long before writing stories.
You can discuss finances with your narrator. You will need to discuss the time frame as well. The narrator provides a sample. It’s quite workable.
So how do you hire an actor to produce an audiobook? Audible.com has a great website with information and narrators. If you would like to work or interview Jane Oppenheimer, you can request her on Audible, or you can touch base with me, and I will give you her contact information.
Here’s the direct link to the author page at acx.com.
Writing . . . learning to write . . . for me, took a village, you know, like raising a child takes a village. I had to interface with a village (lots of professionals) to write Indigo Sky; mentors, editors, judges, critics, instructors, workshops, lectures, meetings, discussions, research, trial and error. It’s like getting born, going to school, and growing up. Then graduating, instead of a degree, I got published. First an eBook, now a print book, and simultaneously an audiobook. My publisher has not given me a release day for the print book, the audiobook is expected at the end of the month. I expect the book to be in my hands soon, says my publisher. I’m not sure what that means, but I am having a signing on Thursday, September 8, 2016, 5:30-7:30pm at my Coney Island art exhibition at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Call 203-838-9799 for more info and RSVP.
Here’s the scoop, a one-liner, a brief excerpt and how to follow me.
One-liner: A dream marriage becomes a trap of addiction, lies and women.
Excerpt:
Rork raised his glass in response. He took another long drink. “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. Just doing what any man would. Once she revived, the poor girl was so distraught she bolted.”
“What made her so captivating?”
Rork shrugged. He kept her state of undress to himself, as well as his aspiration, and forced a grin. “She was a beauty, a vision, like new leaves in spring. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”
Hank’s laughter sent whiskey cascading from his glass. “Too bad the encounter was brief, but you’re in trouble. Never let a woman captivate your mind, least of all a beauty. It only leads to heartache.” His mouth twisted.
Rork cocked one eyebrow. “And you know this firsthand?”
“Yes. I’ve had my fair share of trouble with beautiful women. More than I want to admit. Ended up marrying one, to my eternal regret.”
Hank was a successful syndicated writer who had a flair for the theatrical as he related entertaining, grandiose stories.
Hank lifted his glass to Rork. “Friend, let us toast to our meeting and upcoming journey. May we have pleasant weather and safe travels.” He drained the contents of the glass.
Rork grimaced and downed his drink. “I fail to see how you can regret marrying a beautiful woman.” Perhaps it isn’t a happy marriage, Rork mused. Hank swayed in his chair, waving his arms as he engaged other guests. What woman would be happy with a drunkard?
Hank poured another whiskey and stared at the amber liquid. “Humph.” He looked up at Rork, rolled his eyes, and said, “All women are beautiful in their own way. My wife’s beauty comes from her wealth and important family connections. They’re impressive.”
The flippant answer amused Rork. “How does your wife’s beauty, in whatever form it comes, cause you trouble?”
“What wife doesn’t cause her husband trouble? My wife has been nothing but grief since the day we married. She is always irksome about one thing or another. It’s because of her considerable assets that I tolerate her crap.”
“So, clearly, her physical beauty isn’t the problem.”
Hank chuckled. “You’ve got me there, my friend. Maybe not all beautiful women are trouble . . .
Follow me . . .
Amazon Author Page (If you want to buy the eBook, please click this link)
Twitter (You can check out the trailer here, please click this link)
Oh yes, the treat. T o two lucky commenters will receive an e-book copy of Indigo Sky. Comment before Monday July 25th 12:00 p.m. EST. for a chance to win.
