Stepping into the Audio

So, this week I got a box in the mail with a microphone, courtesy of Valerie and Jamie Archual with whom I’ll share a space at Steppin’ Out this year in Blacksburg.  For quite a while I’ve been toying with the idea of an audio book because everywhere I go, people ask if the books area available in that format.

So, I figured I’d give it a try, and Jamie, who is an independent film-maker in his free time, knows a thing or two about electronics helped me out and picked out for me a microphone. What I’ve attached here is a DRAFT, I cannot express enough that there is no (zero, nada, ziltch) editing on this audio file. I realize a couple of my breathing issues and there are some long pauses – but that’s not what this test is about. This is about my voice.

I’ve never been a fan of my voice, most people aren’t. But I need to know – honestly – could you listen to me read a book for several hours? It would sound pretty much like this and for some people that might be an issue as many of my characters are women; but that’s the deal.

So, please do me a favor, and listen to chapter 1 of Magic’s Genesis: The Grey and let me know what you think.

Be specific – why do you like/dislike something? what about the volume/speed etc?  (Again, this is a draft so there is background noise etc. that won’t be there if I do this for real)

I’ve listened to books I liked because of the reader; I’ve listened to books I’ve hated because of the reader – It was a good book, but the narrator ruined it. So the question, again, is will my voice deter you? If the answer is ‘yes, your voice is not fit to be listened to for that long‘ then fine. I’m a big boy and I’ve got very thick skin. If I can’t do it by myself, I’ll have to bring in someone else. I’m ok with that.

Thanks for your help everyone. It’s just a few seconds over 20 minutes. If you can, please listen to the whole thing.

http://rosairebushey.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Magics-Genesis-The-Grey-Chapter-1.mp3

Roe