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Narrator Pseudonyms
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Vida
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Oct 28, 2019 04:37PM
Here is a new one - Is Leland King and Austin Stone the same person?
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Belinda wrote: "I believe Sebastian York is Pete Simonelli"That I believe. They sound really similar!
Kelly wrote: "Also Rock Engle and Chris Ciulla (I might be butchering the spelling) are the same and Savannah Peachwood and Bailey Carr are the same."Thanks! Helps to search for books by a favorite narrator. Rock Engle is also Leo Barnabas.
I'm currently listening to Roman Crazy, narrated by Randi Geddens. She sounds just like Kate Rudd and I can't find anything else narrated by Randi Geddens. Does anyone know if they are the same person?
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It’s hard to keep track if my fave narrators have multiple names. Today I discovered that Savannah Peachwood and Bailey Carr is the same voice and I LOVE SAVANNAH!!! Now I’m wondering if she uses another name and I’m missing more of her work. I love Erin Mallon and Maxine Mitchell too!!! They are so great with portraying male voice!!!
Erin Mallon is also Muffy Newtown you are right about Erin Mallon and male voices - she's excellent. I'll have to pay more attention to Maxine Mitchell. I like Grace Grant, but man, I find at times her male voices take me out of the flow of the story. I thought that the earlier Sebastian York and his female voices were similar, but, I believe, he's gotten so much better over time, The narrator pseudonyms I'm aware of are: Sebastian York is Pete Simonelli. I've heard he's Rob Shapiro, but I'd have to disagree respectfully. Teddy Hamilton/Andrew Eiden. Andi Arndt/Elena Wolfe. Zachary Webber/Jacob Morgan. Steve West/Shane East. I appreciate knowing these alternate names because it means there is a more significant narrator body of work to enjoy. Thank you for sharing that Savannah Peachwood is also Bailey Carr.
Outing narrator pseudonyms doesn't show appreciation for the narrator's work. Most narrators prefer that their pseudonyms not be publicly discussed, just like many authors do the same. Here's an article for reference about their perspective. Some do for financial, family, or safety reasons. Just something for your information.https://hersmoothvoice.com/pseudonyms...
Consumer of audiobooks here. We aren't talking about a pseudonym used to disguise someone's actual identity, we are talking about pseudonyms used by narrators for additional narration work. If the goal here was to hide your true identity - then I would respectfully suggest that you don't use the name on your driver's license for any of your narration work. The previous comment started out by saying that mentioning the narrator's pseudonym doesn't show appreciation for the narrator's work. For many of these very successful narrators, the only thing that happens when an alternate stage name is discovered is that they expand their audience, and they sell more of their product. Audiobook sales are the applause for the narrator. Otherwise, we'd all just buy the book. The narrators mentioned have distinctive voices; it's one of the aspects of their talent that makes them successful. In that genuine way, they do announce who they are every single time they narrate a book. And their fans are going to notice. Whether it's on FaceBook or Twitter or Audible or Amazon or Goodreads people will comment as we have here. I've also read similar comments on different blog and magazine sites. You might take your complaint to them as well. However, the articles that quoted narrators on their use of pseudonyms also mentioned the pseudonyms used - it does not appear that your complaint is a universal problem for narrators.
Mod
Lydia, I must ask...
Was your only purpose in joining the group solely to make this comment? The previous poster was NOT a narrator as was claimed and had a sketchy profile and has been removed.
The “article” you cite is one person’s blogpost with a very biased perspective. I take your point of view respectfully but you weren’t exactly straightforward in your positioning. This is one person’s opinion with limited outreach, not the typical research undertaken by an experienced writer or journalist that would constitute an “article.” I read it in its entirety.
Nowhere have I ever found that “ Most narrators prefer that their pseudonyms not be publicly discussed, just like many authors do the same.” I’ve interviewed many who use pseudonyms and the explanations run the gamut. But I’ve never had an author (J. D. Robb/Nora Roberts for one) or narrator indicate they felt unsafe for being associated with the work they chose to do using a pseudonym.
Those posting here are being their authentic selves. This is a place for honest discussions and discourse and I take serious issue with how you entered the conversation.
Jonetta wrote: "...I’ve interviewed many who use pseudonyms and the explanations run the gamut. But I’ve never had an author (J. D. Robb/Nora Roberts for one) or narrator indicate they felt unsafe for being associated with the work they chose to do using a pseudonym...."Agreed. I worked as a bookseller for years and met authors who used pseudonyms. They were quite happy when people knew their identities because they wanted to sell books.
Didn't meet as many narrators but the ones I met who were using pseudonyms had no objection to people knowing their identities. They were not hiding but were using pseudonyms for various reasons such as avoiding confusion because they were narrating a variety of books.
Hi everyone. Before anyone asks, I did indeed join this group to comment on this thread. I am a narrator of erotica and romance under one pseudonym, and a narrator of other fiction under another. I've even done a few religious titles under a third! I've done somewhere around 350 books since 2012, the genres just about split as far as the number of titles I've done. With some sleuthing, you could probably find out who I am, my real name, and my three pseudonyms. If you do, great! I'd like to hope it's because you're a fan and you want to hear more titles. But please don't post it on a public forum. I think some folks here might not understand the reason some narrators, including myself, prefer to have anonymity with their pseudonyms. Because it can cost us our jobs. Last year I did a book written by a GOP Senator. Politics aside, it was non-partisan and quite good. I'd like to do more by the author, frankly. I landed the title because the author picked me from a group of auditions. But if this Senator found out that the narrator for his next book also has voiced hundreds of romances and erotica, Harem fantasy, etc...I would lose that title, guaranteed. That's the way it would be handled, absolutely. I have no problem with that content, but others do. I've also narrated around 40 or so children's books. Some authors are more conservative than others, and if the estate of *insert famous children's book author here* found out about my erotica pseudonym, guaranteed I could lose titles. That's why we do it, and that's why this thread is dangerous. Some folks don't mind having their pseudos outed and discussed publicly. And others do. I'd say about 80% of narrators (myself included) are actors, on stage, and in movies and television. We're out of work in that field, like so many other people. Audiobooks are my ONLY source of income for the foreseeable future. Please help us keep the work we can get. Thanks for listening, everyone. Stay safe! -Jeremy
Mod
Thanks for your perspective.
If I might also ask, who directed you here?
Mod
When I go to the profiles of all these posters, the profiles are vague. I’m a firm believer in this being a space for differing points of view, but I believe we’re being confronted by those who aren’t being transparent with their motives.
Hi Jonetta, it was brought to my attention on a private Narrator’s FB group yesterday. Narrators (many in these lists) had a problem with it five years ago, and they still do. I understand your suspicion but I can assure you, I’m legit!
And my motives are all right there in the post in black and white: protecting my meager income. We’re not rolling in the dough, here. I wish I was!
Not to make light of someone's unemployment plight but all I really heard was "blah blah blah romance genre shaming blah blah blah".
Mod
These people are not members of this group, nor are they particularly active on Goodreads at all. I resent them “helicoptering in” at the obvious request of someone else and posting their potentially biased points of view here. I have a suspicion about the source but because I cannot substantiate it, I won’t post it. And, a Facebook group? Please. The home field of destructive bots.
Yes, I’m angry because I feel we are being used.
I got so many things floating around in my brain to say but have an appointment in an hour so they'll wait......for now.... but I'm not just mad.... I'm kinda pissed. 🤬
Mod
Yes, this may have been a problem five years ago as I have read through some of the past comments but it still leaves me wondering the "why now"?
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Sorry to come on so strong but I despise it when others use an agenda they won’t disclose.
I can help with some of this. Lydia moderates a facebook page about audio romance, I am a member there. They have a strict policy of not outing narrators, you will be removed if you do it. Yesterday she messaged me about a post I made over a year ago (before I joined her page) here regarding Zachary Webber and one of his pseudonyms. She asked me to take it down, which I though was ballsy of her but whatever. I had to rejoin this group in order to do that, but because I want to stay a member on her page I decided to remove the post, which I have done.My personal feelings about narrators are diametrically opposed to hers, however. These are performers. As such, its to be expected that they will develop fan followings and become known to at least a few people in all of their various names. In this day and age its unrealistic to maintain such a private persona. Even the notoriously reclusive Sebastian York has been outed in a few forums. I'm sorry if this has made life difficult for these artists, and right now especially I know its hard to find other means of employment. But that's a risk they took when deciding to become performers.
Not every author or publisher is going to be open to hiring every narrator for any of several reasons, no matter how idiotic of a stance that may be for the writer to take. Talent should be the only consideration, but this is the real world. Actors get rejected for parts constantly, its the nature of the business. I don't want anyone to lose their livelihood, but neither do I want to infringe on anyone's right to free speech. People have the right to share this information and if the artists don't like that they are free to complain about it.
Mod
FYI, there’s something really bothersome about your being asked to delete a post on another site in order to maintain membership.
Again, I welcome divergent points of view but something smelled rotten about those two posts, especially Lydia’s. I’ve just been around too long I guess.
Jonetta wrote: "Gayle, thank you for clarifying. FYI, there’s something really bothersome about your being asked to delete a post on another site in order to maintain membership.
Again, I welcome divergent poin..."
I was bothered, too. (To be clear, she didn't threaten me in any way, but I'm not sure I entirely trust her either.). But she's a martinet about this issue. Many romance narrators and writers are members of her page and she wants to keep their goodwill, which is understandable. They do live interviews on her page, attend her conventions, all of that. It has helped enormously with her membership numbers, I'm sure.
I suppose the reason for 'why now?' is because that so-called article has come to someone's attention and since this thread is cited they tracked it down.
Mod
Thanks for enlightening.
I am with Jonetta on this one. Thanks for the work you all do in this group.
Jonetta wrote: "I’d forgotten about that. Thanks for enlightening."
It's an interesting topic, and I honestly can see both sides of the argument. I don't want anyone to suffer financially for this.
But really, diehard listeners like me are going to recognize voices, it's unrealistic to expect otherwise. It's equally unrealistic to expect that this info won't get shared on social media somewhere. And, listeners have the right to do that imo.
Mod
Thanks for the work you all do in this group."
You’re welcome! Our members are great and you make it easy.
Mod
But really, diehard listeners like me are going to recognize voices, it's unrealistic to expect otherwise. It's equally unrealistic to expect that this info won't get shared on social media somewhere. And, listeners have the right to do that imo...."
I thank you for your thoughtful discourse.
Jonetta wrote: "Gayle wrote: "It's an interesting topic, and I honestly can see both sides of the argument. I don't want anyone to suffer financially for this.But really, diehard listeners like me are going to r..."
Sure! Happy to help.
Could Christine Lakin also be Lauren Fortgang?
Thank you Gayle for your input. I appreciate what you've brought to the discussion.Now...I wasn't pissed about this whole discussion at first and originally ignored Lydia's post completely but when Jeremy pipped in I took a second and third look. For someone who hasn't been active in over 2 years on Good Reads or in Jeremy's case, over 7, to come into our group and tell us what should get posted and what shouldn't is pretty ballsy and absolutely unwanted.
Yes it pissed me off and I commented. This resulted in Jeremy privately messaging me accusing me of thinking he was just a bot and not caring if someone would lose work because of this group thread.
His statement included his work history of doing "hundreds" of romance/erotica but should this get out he'd lose his other work opportunities. Now as Gayle pointed out book narration is a performance. Performers get the gig or they don't. They can audition and rock it but still not get it for one reason or another. That's the work they have chosen to do in their life. It just rubbed me the wrong way and after witnessing decades of romance shaming, to have someone perpetuate this here in our ROMANCE group, it really pushed me over the edge.
In his private message to me he literally stated he has loved the work he has done in the romance/erotica genre and pointed out some really great points as to why the genre is so great. YET, his work in the genre should remain a deep dark secret despite it making him money to support his child (also divulged to me in the private message). It reminded me of a struggling actor who might do porn on the side to pay bills hoping no one ever learns of it.
You cannot act proud of the work you've done and simultaneously complain that same work is holding you back from work.
With that said this group is for romance audio book fans. What that entails is along with favorite authors we find we love certain narrators as well and would hate to lose out on hearing a favorite narrator because we didn't realize they also narrated under a different name. What I find ironic is I'm listening to an audio book right now that has "Narrated by Kate Fleming AKA Anna Fields" right on the cover. I think if someone really wants anonymity perhaps they should find work outside the performance aspect.
I'm late to the party, but thought I'd give my two cents. I was in the FB group (Aural Fixation) Lydia moderates, but jumped shipped after a few months. I found very few credible recommendations and there were so many fangirls. The mob mentality was in full force if one accidentally mentioned a narrator pseudonym. It seemed to be their mission to shame anyone who dared to mention a pseudonym. I've never seen anything like it, it was weird.
Christina T wrote: "Thank you Gayle for your input. I appreciate what you've brought to the discussion.Now...I wasn't pissed about this whole discussion at first and originally ignored Lydia's post completely but wh..."
Christina, thanks!
It does seem a bit 'bass ackwards' to achieve success in your field and complain about it at the same time. And to try to control the conversation of folks you don't even normally interact with seems like hubris to me! I need better arguments if they want to convince me, and I CERTAINLY need better articles to be cited!
That said, I plan to out no one. I have taken down the post Lydia was concerned about even though it has been there for over a year and I felt she was presumptuous to ask. I don't want to hurt anyone's career.
None of these actions - inactions, more like - mean they have convinced me. We have the right to discuss this, we have the right to post these narrators identities on Twitter if we want. I suspect a lot of them have been posted already.
And like you, I'm really sick of romance shaming.
If narrators and writers would stand up and be counted it it would help a great deal toward legitimizing romance, which is after all what pays the bills at most publishing houses. Be proud of what you do! Be vocal about it! And don't insult and alienate the listeners who pay your salaries. That's pretty disrespectful too, imo.
KathyB wrote: "I'm late to the party, but thought I'd give my two cents. I was in the FB group (Aural Fixation) Lydia moderates, but jumped shipped after a few months. I found very few credible recommendations an..."Kathy, I agree its a very strange culture. I've even seen them jump on folks who have left bad reviews of an audio romance somewhere else. But if I pay for a book and take the time to listen, I don't hold back on my review. If the narrator sucks, I say so. God forbid however if you say on Aural Fixation that you don't like an author/narrator! Your life is not your own.
I go there strictly to see what's being published and find out what my favorite narrators are putting out. When you consider that the unofficial motto there is 'Don't be a d*ck', you know you're in for a passive-aggressive ride. Pot, let me introduce you to kettle...
Mod
I was told many years ago that women have great intuition...we just are programmed not to trust it. I decided that day to trust mine and it served me well. Her post never rang authentic.
Mod
Mod
Now...I wasn't pissed about this whole discussion at first and originally ignored Lydia's post completely but wh..."
Sorry, I missed your post. Shame on him for sending you a PM. He knew better than to send one to me. Aside from all your other valid points, how dare these people join just to criticize one point of view, fairly anonymously.
I’m too old to be ashamed of anything I do and if I am, I should stop doing it. Some of my book snobbish friends look at my romance reading with wonder and curiosity but others have dipped their toe in out of that curiosity and became fans. There’s a lesson there for those like Lydia and Jeremy who are allowing fear to dominate them and their choices.
Now I’m truly done😏
Excellent and well-made points, Ladies. Narrators who are sensitive to this need to be realistic about how they want to manage their business. They are public persons with every name they use, and that happened the minute they put any name out there - they can't just take it back because it isn't working out exactly how they thought it should. I also take issue with how the term "outing" is thrown around. Outing suggests that the person is a victim, that the disclosure is an intensional act to humiliate or embarrass. Not only is there nothing about any of this thread that fits that meaning, but also the discussion serves as praise for those narrators who have additional work to be enjoyed. In fact, I don’t believe that I’m wrong in noticing that all the narrators discussed were crossing over in fiction titles, not because they narrated a religious tract and BDSM erotica. Again, we aren't talking about people who didn't sign up to get noticed. Jeremy - very respectfully, this is like complaining about getting a sunburn after you willingly sat in the sun all day sans sunscreen.
Go to https://www.romancenarrators.com/our-... to hear samples of these and other romance narrators.Any errors in spelling are mine as I typed these.
Male Narrators
Gary Tremblay aka Greg Boudreaux
Rock Engle aka Leo Barnabas
Shane East aka
Female Narrators
Emma Wilder aka Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Erin Mallon aka Muffy Newtown
Jillian Macie aka Renee Chambliss
Jo Raylan aka Xe Sands
Lidia Dornet aka Amanda Dolan
Lucy Rivers aka Amy Landon
Lynn Barrington aka Teri Schnaubelt
Pippa Jayne aka Christa Lewis
Samantha Cook aka Suzanna Elise Freeman
Sophie James aka Caroline McLaughlin
Tanya Eby aka Tatiana Sokolov
Tieran Wilder aka Traci Odom
Well, it was my turn to get a private message, only mine was from Lydia. *Rolls eyes* I won't get into details since everyone is moving on, but I think we have shaken hands and decided to agree to disagree.
Ezinwanyi wrote: "Lol at Shane East and Shane West 🤣🤣🤣"Actually, Shane East's other name is Steve West, which appears elsewhere in this thread.
ETA: See post 129
Gayle wrote: "Ezinwanyi wrote: "Lol at Shane East and Shane West 🤣🤣🤣"Actually, Shane East's other name is Steve West, which appears elsewhere in this thread.
ETA: See post 129"
You're right. I'll correct what I posted. Guess my mind blipped because there is an actor named Shane West.
Corrected.
Maybe the 101+ heat index today got to me. I visited websites for both Shane East https://www.shaneeastreads.com/about.... and Steve West https://www.stevewest.la/ and listened to samples. I can't blame ignorance. I can't even blame auto correct... though I'd like to...
L J wrote: "Gayle wrote: "Ezinwanyi wrote: "Lol at Shane East and Shane West 🤣🤣🤣"Actually, Shane East's other name is Steve West, which appears elsewhere in this thread.
ETA: See post 129"
You're right. I'..."
Blame it on the dog. Or your neighbor's dog. The dog certainly won't care and the neighbor doesn't need to know...
I love Shane East for his portrayals of upper-crusty Brits. I've listened to a few interviews he's done, and he's a bit militant about British things like tea. He's hilarious about it, too. I wish he could get more work doing historical romance, he's got a great accent for those Regency/Victorian novels. He'd do well narrating Georgette Heyer imo.
Gayle wrote: "...Blame it on the dog. Or your neighbor's dog. The dog certainly won't care and the neighbor doesn't need to know..."Now there's an idea! Gonna blame lack of goats.
First thing in the morning took out garbage and there were 2 not my cats in front yard. Next I took out recycling and there were 2 large friendly not my dogs in the yard. I said if the next time I went out there were 2 goats I was figuring out a way to protect rose bush and put them in the back yard to feast. Alas, no goats. Obviously the problem is I haven't gotten over the disappointment. (or my amusement at There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly...)
L J wrote: "Gayle wrote: "...Blame it on the dog. Or your neighbor's dog. The dog certainly won't care and the neighbor doesn't need to know..."Now there's an idea! Gonna blame lack of goats.
First thing in ..."
Lack of goats is a sad thing indeed... It has ruined many a day for me.🐐
Romance Audiobooks
Books mentioned in this topic
Sweetheart (other topics)Sweetheart (other topics)
When a Scot Ties the Knot (other topics)
The World Between Blinks (other topics)
Rebecca (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Greg Boudreaux (other topics)Greg Tremblay (other topics)
Nick Spalding (other topics)
Ilona Andrews (other topics)
