Abhisek Dash
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey. I just wanted to ask if you've heard of GraphicAudio? I'd love it if you'd let your books be re-imagined in the GraphicAudio format. Question was too long to fit in. Here's the rest of it: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s299/sh/23216de9-886d-4aa9-b2fa-6a979e25e400/34ba15d4f2b0acfb05dfa0017ad850ae
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Abhisek, No, I wasn't aware of GraphicAudio so I went over to check it out. They are basically doing what in the industry is known as "full cast dramas." Generally audio books come in two different formats: A narrated book (where one or more voice actors read the text), or dramas where sound effects are added and of they will always implement multiple voice actors.
It's definitely a personal preference kind of thing as to which one listeners prefer. You like them better...for me I find the sound effects distracting.
As for my books...its a bit tricky as to whether a drama version could be made. Here's why. Orbit owns the audio rights, but the contract restricts them to doing narrator versions and the contract prohibits them from producing an "audio drama." You would think that would mean that I own the rights and could have one created...but...there is also contract language about "competing versions" which this certainly would be. So the bottom line is neither Orbit or I can produce one of works. It's possible to make an amendment to the contract. Orbit won't remove the competing version language but they obtaining additional rights for the audio drama is something they "might" be interested in.
It seems like GraphicAudio is relatively new. Right now in their fantasy category they only have a few authors/titles but some of them are with Orbit (like Brent Weeks). I'm not sure if Graphic Audio approached the publisher or the other way around, but I can look into it. It's kinda interesting in that some are "big sellers" such as Weeks, Brett, and Sanderson...but other ones are very modest sellers (like Jim C. Hines and Jon Sprunk).
In any case, thanks for pointing out the site to me. It's food for thought.
It's definitely a personal preference kind of thing as to which one listeners prefer. You like them better...for me I find the sound effects distracting.
As for my books...its a bit tricky as to whether a drama version could be made. Here's why. Orbit owns the audio rights, but the contract restricts them to doing narrator versions and the contract prohibits them from producing an "audio drama." You would think that would mean that I own the rights and could have one created...but...there is also contract language about "competing versions" which this certainly would be. So the bottom line is neither Orbit or I can produce one of works. It's possible to make an amendment to the contract. Orbit won't remove the competing version language but they obtaining additional rights for the audio drama is something they "might" be interested in.
It seems like GraphicAudio is relatively new. Right now in their fantasy category they only have a few authors/titles but some of them are with Orbit (like Brent Weeks). I'm not sure if Graphic Audio approached the publisher or the other way around, but I can look into it. It's kinda interesting in that some are "big sellers" such as Weeks, Brett, and Sanderson...but other ones are very modest sellers (like Jim C. Hines and Jon Sprunk).
In any case, thanks for pointing out the site to me. It's food for thought.
More Answered Questions
D. Vernet
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael, which one of your books can you recommend to read first? I usually do not read fantasy novels, but I was quite thrilled by the way you wrote description of your books. Fascinating language, I would even say hypnotizing—it makes one to read more. Thank you in advance, D.
Christomir Rackov
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I really like the multiple POVs in your "Legends of the First Empire" books :) But, when you have several main characters together (sometimes for a long time, like when a group of them goes on a quest - we notably had such group quests in "Age of Swords" and "Age of Legend"), then how do you choose which one of them should be the POV character at a certain point in time?
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