Steve Ember, Welcome to A Paris Mystery Writer’s Café Society©

"Life is good. Oh, yes, and besides all that, I’ve got me a great cat.”


Over a long career in fine arts radio and international broadcasting, Steve Ember refined his natural skills in the authentic pronunciation of multiple foreign languages, enhancing his uniquely nuanced and intelligent style of delivery.

Since 2010, Steve's long-form narration, including for audio books, has been recognized in the prestigious New York Festivals, Association for International Broadcasting, and mid-Atlantic TIVA/DC Peer Awards. Steve Ember was designated Finalist for Best Narration in the New York Festivals Awards international competitions.





Steve Ember accepting New York Festivals Award

Guest: Steve Ember
Interviewer: Peggy Kopman-Owens

Peg: Merci, encore, Monsieur Ember, for accepting my request for an interview.

Steve on a train in Europe

Peg: You keep quite a busy schedule these days with the demands of your production studio schedule and your photography.

Monsieur Ember: Well, Peg, it’s definitely a case of ‘happy-busy!’ And, of course, very happy to ‘sit down’ with you. Please, call me Steve.

Peg: Merci, Steve. Not everyone in the entertainment industry has enjoyed the privilege of such a long career. Did you anticipate this when you started?

Steve: It started so long ago, I’m not sure if I can remember having such thoughts. Additionally, the media has changed to such a degree – especially radio – that my largest measure of gratitude now has to do with the fact I was able to enjoy such a career for as long as I did…and that I was able to exit on my own terms and schedule. It was a fine ride and I can look back with pride on lots of peaks, whether as a music host/interviewer/producer for many years in commercial and public radio or a teacher of spoken English in the second phase of my broadcasting career at the Voice of America’s ‘Learning English’ unit.

Peg: Your talent has been recognized with numerous awards. Which of these has been the most coveted?

Steve: To me, Peg, they have all been coveted, as they represented, in all cases, peer-recognition of programs or bodies of work of which I was – and continue to be – very proud. I do have fond memories of holding the Finalist Plaque for Narration at the New York Festivals Awards Gala in 2013 and speaking to the audience about the great satisfaction of presenting American history, to a worldwide audience of attentive English learners at all levels of proficiency, and reading those listeners’ letters and web site comments, and thanking my editors at VOA Learning English for giving me the opportunity to re-image a long running series with a higher level of narrator engagement and more sophisticated production.

Peg: Please tell me more about your work in documentaries and the fine arts.

Steve: Well, the documentary part covers both a large share of my tenure at VOA Learning English and my most enjoyable time in fine arts radio.WETA-FM, a public radio station in Washington DC, gave me lots of opportunities to produce music related documentaries (and interview/music program segments), as well as to meet and talk with so many of the arts figures I’d admired for years.




Steve recording narration for one of his documentaries

The scenario would usually involve on-location interviews, whether at the Kennedy Center or Wolf Trap, London, New York, Hollywood, or elsewhere, and then editing them into segments and mixing with related music in my home studio. These might range from 15-minute intermission features for the syndicated Library of Congress Chamber Music or National Symphony Concert Series to (and this was the real fun!) one- (or two) hour segments of my eclectic ‘Ember at Large’ music program.

I also remember doing a one-hour program on Amtrak (on its tenth anniversary) which included a 110 mph cab-ride from Wilmington to Philadelphia in the then-new and advanced AEM-7 electric locomotive. I’ll always remember that ‘new locomotive smell’ and passing trains in the opposite direction at a closing speed of perhaps 200 mph. That kinda wound your watch!

Another fun project was doing a documentary on the Flying Circus Aerodrome air show, a recreation of the aerobatic barnstorming biplane antics in the early years of the 20th century, and speaking with the pilots, many of whom fly airliners as their ‘day jobs’ but go up in their Stearman PT-17 biplanes for the sheer fun of flying and entertaining an enthusiastic public. This also led to several open cockpit rides for that first-hand experience.

Wing Walker by Steve Ember

But most of the documentaries were music- and arts-related. And some of this work, in edited versions, also made its way into programs on NPR.

Also in the documentary vein, I produced and hosted, for the Wolf Trap Foundation, a series of commercial CD programs on composers and lyricists of American Popular Song (a favorite musical area of mine) with pianist/vocalist John Eaton and bassist Jay Leonhart performing and discussing music by Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, Vernon Duke, Hoagy Carmichael and others. That was fun, particularly as the performances were recorded before a live audience.

During my last few years at VOA Learning English, I enjoyed producing weekly 15-minute ‘mini-docs’ on both American history and travel destinations in the U.S. and these I enjoyed very much indeed.

Peg: What other career path might you have taken, if voice acting and broadcasting had not played such important roles in your life?

Steve: I suppose it’s a measure of one’s serenity when one can say he or she cannot imagine having taken a different professional path!

I think entering radio in my teen years was almost pre-ordained. I’d always loved good music (and that covers a lot of ground!) and was, as a child, an avid radio listener, with the chance to hear a lot of very fine broadcasters.

So, it seemed natural taking that first job at a small radio station in Baltimore and progressing up the ladder.

The only other possible career path I could possibly imagine would have been as a travel photographer. But the truth was, broadcasting quickly became so all-encompassing that, while a camera was always close at hand and lots and lots of images were shot over the years, it is only now that I’m having the chance to more actively pursue shooting, displaying, and publishing.





Steve pauses on trail coming back from shooting trains on Landwasser Viadukt from overlook near Filisur Rhätische Bahn station in Switzerland's Canton Graubünden

Peg: What does the art of photography bring to your life that, perhaps, other artistic pursuits do not?

Steve: That one’s easy. It has taught me to see with a keener, more perceptive eye…to cherish beauty while documenting it…to savor the special kinds of light playing on a New York or Paris cityscape or Alpine landscape…in short, to genuinely enjoy ‘stopping to smell the roses,’ after too many years of never really having enough time to do so. Here’s an example of what I mean by that:

A Regional Park & a Mighty Little Minolta by Steve Ember

Also, for me, this has been a gift that repeats itself over and over, and never fails to delight. By this, I mean there is the initial enjoyment in capturing a scene or a special human (or cat!) moment, whether on film or digital. Then there is the ‘re-living’ of that moment when my processed film arrives from the lab:

The way we were by Steve Ember

…or I jump into my digital images…and the editing process begins. Also, photography being an often-solitary pursuit, there is great enjoyment to be derived from sharing one’s work, whether on my photo web sites or at a gallery exhibit. I like to think most of my images have a back-story, and it is fun to share the enthusiasm born of travel or simply walking about locally with a camera or two.

Over the last few years, I’ve also been sharing some of my shooting adventures in some podcasts, which I call ‘Photo-Moments.’ These give me the chance to combine the photographic with my narration and production side. It’s all about communication, which can be visual or aural…and sometimes it’s fun to combine the two in telling a story. Some of these can be heard on my SoundCloud page.

Click on link to podcasts:

She lifts her lamp by Steve Ember

A Bicycle on Bayswater Road by Steve Ember

Flushing out some 7 scapes by Steve Ember

Wildromantisch by Steve Ember





Steve editing an audio production

Peg: Where could our readers see your photographs? Do you have an online gallery for viewing?

Steve: I display on two sites, actually. Since 2009, I’ve been publishing to Foto-Community, a Europe-based site, and I currently have a rather broad-based catalog there, numbering a bit over 1000 images. Earlier this year, I also began displaying on 500px.com where I have over 200 images on display in several galleries. My Foto-Community catalog can be seen most easily by visiting: http://SteveEmber.com and clicking on ‘Photography.’ And here’s a link to my work on 500px: https://500px.com/steveember

Peg: The production of audio books can be quite a tedious and long process. What has been the most challenging aspect of this business for you?

Steve: It varies, of course, from book to book, with well-written novels usually the most engaging to voice. The challenge – with any audio book – is to keep it sounding fresh and engaged. Perhaps the biggest challenge is selecting which books to take on as multi-month projects.

Peg: How does a narrator protect his voice in order to meet the demands of a production schedule?

Steve: Don’t go to discos or football games ;-) The voice, like any part of one’s anatomy needs to be properly used and not abused. I try to keep something warm nearby to drink, as well as ensuring the studio environment is at a comfortable temperature and humidity. Oh, yes, and try to get enough sleep.

Peg: What criteria do you use for selecting a book for audio production?




Steve in London at Phantom of the Opera

Steve: First and foremost – at least in terms of fiction – the author’s ability to tell an engaging story populated by a range of interesting characters that can challenge the voice-actor. In the case of PARIS APARTMENT FOR RENT, the audition suggested an engaging gentle mystery, some romance, an American trying to adapt to the Parisian way, and an interesting variety of characters, Parisian, British, American, and an intriguing Russian.

Well, in retrospect, it wasn’t that the audition embodied all of these, but the Parisian ambiance did most definitely attract me and give me the feeling I could bring the story to life as an audio book in an engaging manner. And, certainly, as I got into the recording, and those characters introduced themselves to me, it gave me lots of ‘meat’ with which to work up my characterizations. Plus it was fun to be able to use my French again!

Peg: How important is your enjoyment of a story in order to narrate it? For example, could you narrate a book that did not resonate with your appreciation of its content?

Steve: That answer varies. As an experienced narrator, I like to think I can make the most of anything I tackle and make it engaging. But, as each project can take up several months of one’s time, between preparing and recording the narration and the editing and post-production, one learns to be selective. It’s best when an audio book project makes you want to tackle and give life to each new chapter, instead of, ‘Oh, gosh, I’d better get that next chapter done to stay on schedule.’

To give the clearest, most concise, answer, I’d say that, as I go down this road, enjoyment of a story is of greater and greater importance. At this stage in my career, and in the context of other activities that beckon, this is an elective, and it needs to be enjoyable. And, yes, I have turned down offers where there wasn’t a good resonance with content.”

Peg: Would you share a bit about your recently completed project?

Steve: My most recently completed project was a book with which I think you are familiar.It is a charming Paris-set mystery romance called PARIS APARTMENT FOR RENT. It’s available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

And your readers can hear a montage from it here: https://soundcloud.com/steve-ember/pa...


There'll be more montages to come. https://soundcloud.com/steve-ember/pa...







Cover Art © Roger Kopman

As I’m sure we’ll discuss, it was a most enjoyable project and it definitely stimulated my desire to return to Paris…

Earlier this year, I completed the narration and production of a (non-fiction) audio book about Chicago, another favorite city. Chicago, Metropolis of the Mid Continent

Plus I’m frequently out with the cameras – autumn is my favorite season – and between presenting new work and editing and presenting my earlier film and digital images, I’m pretty actively engaged in that side of my activities.

Peg: Would you be willing to say what was your first impression of PARIS APARTMENT FOR RENT and how did your opinion change as the project progressed?

Steve: I think I covered that first impression in my answer to a previous question, but as the project progressed, I found myself genuinely liking (even visualizing) most of the characters. I should be careful here not to give away any of the charming little mystery, but it was fun to see how little ‘clues’ very casually dropped along the way by the author would feed into the plot as it unfolded. It was also fun to step into Zack’s shoes as he works his way through the Parisian milieu, the different cultural outlooks, making his mis-steps, and so forth, as he becomes a more organic part of the ‘village.’

A Paris Moment - no. 3 © Steve Ember

Also, as the project progressed, I found myself wanting to return to Paris (too many years since the last visit!) and make a point of exploring – and photographing – some of the locations in the novel. I was genuinely a bit saddened as I approached the end of the narration. As I mentioned to you, I’m going to miss this one!

Peg: Then, you won't mind if we use this moment to share a surprise announcement?

Steve: I am looking forward to narrating, over the coming months, another of your novels, this one a darker, more noir story, The Mist of Montmartre, which really got its hooks into me as I read pages from the first few chapters. Happy to be working with you again.

Another happy ‘side-benefit’ of the earlier project was that, early on, it caused me to explore several boxes of slides and strips of negatives shot in Paris on my long-ago visits. These had, by and large, been neglected over the years, owing mainly to the non-stop demands of the broadcasting work, so it was like re-discovering and re-living some of the magic of those experiences. And, as I felt they have a Parisian-timeless quality about them, I have started publishing some of them to my sites, as well as submitting to various gallery show opportunities.

Peg: Has narrating and producing audio books inspired you to write your own material for an audio book? Perhaps, a book about your other love – photography?

Steve: Have you been reading my thoughts, Ms. Kopman-Owens?





Steve enjoys a cold Calandabräu in the shadow of the Calanda peak at Kunkelspass, Canton Graubünden

In a sense, that book is already ‘written,’ although I haven’t yet found a way to make it an audio book. As I mentioned in answering another question, I greatly enjoy sharing the whole process of shooting. My enthusiasm for an image, or the travel experience it represents, led me early on to start writing narratives for the photos I publish on Foto-Community and 500px. Sometimes these narratives also appear in my wee bloggie, Thunderflakes.

http://thunderflakes.blogspot.com

Thus, when I feel I’ve the time to ‘stretch out’ and do that coffee table book – and can narrow down the choice of photos! – I think the writing part will be (you should pardon the expression) a ‘snap.’

Peg: Has my Goodreads blog: Mysteries for the Inspired Traveler or work on my book PARIS APARTMENT FOR RENT inspired you to search for your passport?

Steve: Staring up at me from my cluttered desk is my U.S. passport, which expired last year. Shame on me, but the past year had so many things clamoring for my attention, with no windows for travel, that the need to get a new photo taken and send off the application kept getting put off.

So, yes, searching for it has definitely been inspired by my narration of PARIS APARTMENT FOR RENT

Now, it’s time to get the doggone thing renewed!

Peg: If you found yourself at the airport this afternoon, passport in hand, and no luggage other than your camera – where would you go and why?

Steve: Oh, you must know the answer to that one. Paris, Paris…and Paris. I think I’ve already answered the ‘why.'

Peg: How has the narration and production of audio books changed your retirement plans?”

Steve: You mean, aside from convincing me that retirement from the ‘day job’ was a good choice? I’ll never – I hope! – consider myself ‘retired.’ My voicing and photographic activities keep me stimulated and feeling vital…travel destinations and new experiences beckon.

Life is good.

Oh, yes, and besides all that, I’ve got me a great cat.






Monsieur Mewer & Monsieur Ember

Peg: Where can readers / listeners enjoy free samples of your narrations?

Steve: I have a variety of audio book narration samples, ‘Photo-Moment’ podcasts, and other narration samples available on my SoundCloud page.

https://soundcloud.com/steve-ember

Hope your readers will visit and enjoy some clips!

Peg: If someone wanted to engage your services for an audio book project or a voice acting assignment – how would they contact you?

Steve: I have an easy to remember web site called SteveEmber.com which links to my SoundCloud web presence. I’m also, of course, willing to audition for projects in the event my voicing samples on SoundCloud do not suggest an immediate connection with someone’s project. I can be contacted by e-mail via the web site.

Peg: Merci, encore, Steve, for sharing this time with us. It’s been a pleasure.

Steve: Merci, Peg. The pleasure was mine. I genuinely enjoyed answering your insightful questions.

Steve Ember interview originally published Oct 2016. Updated and re-published May 2017. For permission to use or reprint, contact: parismysteriesreview (at) gmail.com

Peggy Kopman-Owens Paris Mysteries
Amazon, Audible, iTunes

Cover Art © Roger Kopman
http://www.KOPMANPHOTOS.com

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A Paris Mystery Writer’s Café Society© 2017 Peggy Kopman-Owens