Audiobooks discussion
Narrators' Corner
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Guest Narrator Simon Vance 1-14-16
My daughter and I are huge fans of your audio books, Simon. I could not get her started listening to audio books, until I bought her one of your books on CD. She told me later that her husband was jealous of you because she would rather sit in the car in the driveway after getting home from work and listen to you instead of coming in the house. I bought her an iPod, so now she can come into the house and listen. She has been going through all of the classics you have recorded and even though I have read most of them, she insists that I still have to listen to you narrate them to me.
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful work.
Julie wrote: "Simon, I have a few of my last questions for you that I'll post now. It's been very quiet in the group today, which is unusual. I think maybe the bulk of the members came in yesterday . You had qu..."
Copy and Paste again:
>Is there a book yet that you'd like to have the opportunity to narrate that you'd consider a dream job ?
Hmmm - I might need time to think of that and it's possible the answer might change depending on mood... Right now? I've never been asked to narrate The Pickwick Papers...
>Since you have READ so many books in your career to date, have you ever thought of trying your hand at writing your own book ?
Yes, but writing is so time consuming and I have so much on my plate right now that the idea of giving over so much time to something that would not bring immediate rewards (I do need to earn money to buy food - which audiobooks does so well, right now) means it's not a priority... That, and the fact that I have no immediate ideas for a story.
>And if you'd like to mention once again any new projects that have been just released or will be in the near future ,to remind us to keep an eye out for them ?
Remind me about this tomorrow and I'll list a few things (I think I may have mentioned the last three, but I can always post again!)
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, I'll leave one last question here for today as well. I noticed that Audible classifies only 5 of your narrations under Romance. One I looked at, Faerie by Delle Jacobs, was more historical f..."Yes, it's funny that I haven't been asked to do more Romance... My friend and colleague Simon Prebble was giving up a long series he'd been the narrator for and I was asked to audition. I didn't get it, for whatever reason. But, it's funny, there have been several books over the years that, when I actually had to audition, I didn't get. It's so much down to personal taste of the people making the decision.
It used to be the professionals at the publishers who always made the choice but often nowadays it's people who don't really know audiobooks (but they hold the rights and have it written into the audio agreement)... and maybe they hear someone who sounds good for 2-3 minutes (but don't have a track record for the long haul).
Ha! ...maybe that's just sour grapes on my part.
I certainly have nothing against Romance per se. I just have to accept I don't fit that model.
And I shouldn't be greedy - I think I'm doing just fine with what I AM asked to narrate :)
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, I mentioned to a friend you would be on the boards with us. She literally became tongue-tied. She begged me to say hello to you from her. I pointed out she could do that herself. She said s..."
Hi, Violet. Love back at ya!
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, My above comment is absolutely true... which makes me wonder if you've had any other, uhm, "interesting"fan encounters?"
Not really - I usually have to stop myself from gibbering when I meet people I'm a fan of.
I'm more comfortable meeting Neil Gaiman than I used to be - and Rod Stewart had me weak at the knees when he agreed to meet me after he complemented my narration of his autobiography (and now we're old pals - he flew my wife and I in his jet to Vegas for a show a while back... and that was after taking us out to dinner in Beverly Hills).
So I completely understand the nerves that can come over people... But Neil, Rod... me... we're just human beings and we still put our pants on one leg at a time (it's just that some very famous rich people have servants to help).
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, Your earlier comments about what it takes to effectively narrate a book, finding the soul of the characters and the narrative, makes me think of just how demanding your job is... and then t..."
As part of my R&R I'm finally taking professional lessons for guitar (I've been playing for nearly 50 years... just not well). I'm learning blues for the electric and fingerstyle for the acoustic. That's really just for fun. I'm also trying to pick up some Italian for my birthday trip to Tuscany in March (first time to Italy) - and that sort of answers your other questions.
There are so many places I'd like to visit... and sometimes it's just nice to sit at home with time off (that does happen).
Best idea of 'down time'? Sitting round a table with close friends and bottle (or two) of Bordeaux and some good food (I would once have included hunks of cheese in there somewhere - but for health reasons I have to keep that to a minimum).
I'm off to do that tonight (though I think the wine is Italian) :)
Simon, The vacation in Tuscany sounds marvelous! I hope you have a wonderful time.
BTW, I do speak Italian... if you need a translator, I work cheap--by that, I mean I pay you to take me! ;P Buon compleanno! (Happy birthday... in advance)
I'd like to say that I'm very glad indeed that I bought all the Aubrey/Maturin audiobooks from Downpour! I ration myself on them, so I still have much listening pleasure ahead of me.I do have a question. I alternate fiction and non-fiction (usually history) listens. One of my first audiobooks was Catastrophe 1914 which was excellent, but i don't think I've heard any other histories read by you. Do you have any titles you could recommend or that are particularly close to your heart?
Simon, I enjoyed your narration of the Lawrence Anthony books as well, and the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. Today, I listened to Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England and really enjoyed that one too. Another one that I loved loved was Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson.
I have a boring job, but the best thing about it, is that I can listen to audiobooks all day long. Last year, I listened to over 600 books. I'm grateful there are many fabulous contributions to this industry.
You have been well received in this group, so here is my question. Do the different producers of audiobooks have an idea what it means to have a well-loved narrator read their books? Or does our love of narrators not translate into dollars on their end? Or do they jut look for narrators who are okay with the minimum? For me, as an avid listener, it makes a difference. The narrator can make or break a good review because I can't always separate the story and its author from a bad narration.
Simon, You're obviously a fan of Neil Gaiman. If you could narrate one of his books or short stories, which would you choose?
Neil has done some audiobook productions. Would you like to work with him on one, or would you find yourself too starstruck to speak?
Simon, You did the narrations of the novelizations of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. How did that come about? Did you enjoy being a pirate?
Simon,You seem to have become the voice of James Bond in audiobooks with over 30 titles for that character and a number of new releases in the past few months. While we fans may say, well, of course, who else could be Bond? Do you know how this came about? How do you like doing Bond books, both the original and newer ones?
Hi, Simon. I do have another question.I've noticed that you usually adhere to the text when you read. Other readers sometimes make small changes.
I'd guess that your philosophy is to generally read the text as exactly as possible. Do you think it's ever ok to deviate from the written text a bit in a reading?
Nancy wrote: "I'd like to say that I'm very glad indeed that I bought all the Aubrey/Maturin audiobooks from Downpour! I ration myself on them, so I still have much listening pleasure ahead of me.I do have a q..."
I took a quick look on Audible and they list 41 histories. If you like the World War theme then you could continue with Max Hastings and 'Retribution'. I know Cornelius Ryan's The Last Battle has been well received. A recent book that combines biography, and that I loved, was 'In Search of Sir Thomas Browne'.
I find it very difficult when people ask me to recommend a book since there are so many tastes and, frankly, I read so many I don't always remember what I've recorded. The books I've most recently recorded are the ones that linger in my mind and while the occasional title will remain longer in the memory they may not be to the taste of the person who is asking.
I would always suggest going to Downpour.com or Audible.com and doing a search for my books then checking out which genre you think you'd like and looking at what people are saying... In other words, I like passing the buck :)
There's been so many wonderful books listed here, I'm excited to get started reading them. I found my library has all the Patrick O'Brien series with you as narrator and I've been seeing them pop up in my recommend list for some time now....I guess I need to check those out and start listening. Thank you for letting us "put you through the ringer" as it were. You've been so kind to answer our questions and share your time. May your birthday vacation in Tuscany be filled with delights.
The weather just cut loose here on the Oregon coast and the "evil twins" have once again lost all their bravado and joined me in the studio. Time to go before the power is down.
Thank you again Simon.
Donna wrote: "Simon, I enjoyed your narration of the Lawrence Anthony books as well, and the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. Today, I listened to [book:Winter King: Henry VII and..."
I believe most of the casting is done with a great deal of thought and I have a lot of respect for those who have that responsibility - it can be tough job. That said, sometimes the casting is out of the hands of those with the most insight - that's not to say that casting always goes against me, it probably goes in my favor just as much... Obviously any performer has a voice in their head that says 'I could have done that'! It's part of the confidence that allows us to do what we do.
At some levels it has to be down to economics and I really have no idea of the numbers in this business - I'm sure my name adds sales here and there, but would they be enough to make a marginal title economically feasible? I couldn't say (publishers keep these numbers very close to their chest).
The audiobook business here is still developing and who knows what might happen - I understand in Germany the best audiobook narrators are stars...
However things turn out I've been very happy so far and will continue to enjoy the art and craft of narration. As is made obvious here, I know I am appreciated. :)
Simon, I called my friend Violet to point out your response to her. I may never hear out of that ear again. Now she want's an autographed picture. I pointed out, again, that this is an online chat. She didn't see that as an impediment. "He can autograph a picture, scan it or take a photo with his phone, and send it to me at {email address} so I can keep it on my phone and show it to everybody!" I'm leaving that ball in your court. How would you feel about being wallpaper?
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, You're obviously a fan of Neil Gaiman. If you could narrate one of his books or short stories, which would you choose?
Neil has done some audiobook productions. Would you like to work with ..."
...and Neil is very much a fan of mine! (He's embarrassed me in front of people on more than one occasion... In a very good way I should say)
Neil is one of those few authors who brings so much to his own books when he narrates them that I cannot really complain about not getting a look in - I have kidded him on this point on a couple of occasions...
I would love to have narrated The Ocean at the End of the Lane... and when I spent a day filming with Michael Sheen (British film and stage actor of awesome talent) recently I had to tell him how much I envied him being asked to narrate that book for BBC Radio 4. That's the level of stardom you need before you'll be allowed to touch the text of one of Neil's books.
Just finished reading Good Omen's this week - that would have been fun... Oh, alright, I'd be happy to read anything by Neil (his short stories are wonderful).
If Neil were in the studio at the time I would have had heightened nerves - but then I would have had any author been present at a recording... But Neil's such a reasonable guy I think he might have actually been more encouraging than not.
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, You did the narrations of the novelizations of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. How did that come about? Did you enjoy being a pirate?"
Not to over simplify but it came about in the way all my narrations came about - I was asked by the publisher (maybe someone asked for me, maybe Bryan at Blackstone just thought I'd be the best suited).
Interesting thing about that was that I was under strict instructions not to do any characterizations based on the actors in the movies - the whole thing should be done in just the voice of some 'unknown' narrator... I think that comes down to people's copyright over their own creations - only Johnny Depp can sound like Johnny Depp. (I certainly think it influenced me... how could it not?)
I always enjoy being a pirate, who doesn't. Sadly my first ever Audie nomination 'Treasure Island' is no longer available - I did it for Books on Tape (as Richard Matthews) and when Random House had another version by a famous actor mine got withdrawn :(
'Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates' was fun too!
Jeanie wrote: "Simon,You seem to have become the voice of James Bond in audiobooks with over 30 titles for that character and a number of new releases in the past few months. While we fans may say, well, of cour..."
Many, many moons ago Blackstone won the rights to the Ian Fleming Bond books and I was asked. Seems I did a pretty good job.
Since then Brilliance has had the rights to the Raymond Benson Bond stories and the author who took over the reigns between Fleming and Benson, John Gardner. They must have liked what I'd done and came back to me for both those series.
I loved doing Bond - He's an iconic character in much the same way as Sherlock Holmes. I have a preference for the Raymond Benson books over John Gardner, but I honestly can't remember why right now. Ian Fleming was the original though, in the same way as Sean Connery is in the films.
Mona wrote: "Hi, Simon. I do have another question.I've noticed that you usually adhere to the text when you read. Other readers sometimes make small changes.
I'd guess that your philosophy is to generally r..."
I'm very surprised to hear that some narrators may change the text... I think most of the publishers would be surprised to hear that too. Our job is to read the author's words exactly as written (unless there's some obvious proofing error in the text that has never been corrected and makes the lines unreadable).
No exception, ever.
I can only assume the person tasked to proof listen to the recording before publication has been falling down on the job. Perhaps these are recordings done as cheaply as possible and certain steps have been missed.
Do you sense that this disturbs me?
Powder River Rose wrote: "There's been so many wonderful books listed here, I'm excited to get started reading them. I found my library has all the Patrick O'Brien series with you as narrator and I've been seeing them pop u..."You're very welcome!
Simon,Have you ever had an author present while you narrated? If so, who and what was that like?
Simon wrote: "'Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates' was fun too!"
Fun Fact: Did you know that Howard Pile was an illustrator and is responsible for the illustrations that form our images of pirates even today?
Hi, Simon, I completely agree with you about sticking to the text and you should be disturbed that so many narrators don't. Probably Quality Control isn't paying attention. I've noticed lots of small lapses and mispronunciations from other narrators and they bug me. I've never noticed those problems in any of your recordings and I appreciate your conscientiousness and attention to detail.
Jeanie wrote: "Simon,Have you ever had an author present while you narrated? If so, who and what was that like?
Simon wrote: "'Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates' was fun too!"
Fun Fact: Did you know that Howard P..."
No, I don't recall an author ever being present at a recording... and to be honest, I probably wouldn't ever want an author there.
(Yup... I knew that!)
Mona wrote: "Hi, Simon, I completely agree with you about sticking to the text and you should be disturbed that so many narrators don't. Probably Quality Control isn't paying attention. I've noticed lots of sma..."Well, mispronunciations are another matter - sometimes difficult to avoid even given extensive research... but, yes, also carelessness.
Maybe the mellifluousness of my voice has disguised the number of mistakes that slip though in my recordings. I'm sure I'm not totally fault free (though that's always my aim).
Anyone out there who immediately wants to point an instance out can just... keep it to themselves, please :)
Simon, Before the day gets away from us, I just want to thank you for giving so much of your precious time to us and for answering all of our questions. Perhaps the one thing I didn't expect was how genuinely funny you are... what a delight! We can never thank you enough for your generosity in sharing your time and insights with us. And, of course, there are no words to adequately express how much pleasure and enjoyment your narrations have given us. I personally have loved so many... all your Dickens, Trollope, Fionavar series, The King's Speech, Dust and Shadow, The Complete Sherlock Holmes, War of the Worlds, Black Beauty... the list goes on and on!
Really, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Jeanie wrote: "Simon, Before the day gets away from us, I just want to thank you for giving so much of your precious time to us and for answering all of our questions. Perhaps the one thing I didn't expect was h..."
Thank you - and everyone who has contributed - it's been fun!
Simon wrote: "A recent book that combines biography, and that I loved, was 'In Search of Sir Thomas Browne' ."Thank you! Exactly my kind of thing!
Simon wrote: "I always enjoy being a pirate, who doesn't. "I loved your Captain Blood!
I'm very late coming to this discussion, but I just want to add to the chorus of fans saying you're a major favorite narrator. I have so many of your recordings - Dracula (your solo and the multi-voice), the James Bond books, and on and on. Finding that you are the narrator of a book makes it a must-have. After reading all the thread, I was able just now to snag a CD of your Master and Commander recording. I do enjoy Patrick Tull's work (especially his Brother Cadfael), but I couldn't pass up the chance to hear your reading.
Thank you for the hours of enjoyment you have provided.
Julie wrote: "Simon Would you happen to know any statistics regarding the popularity of audiobooks in different countries compared to the US ?
I'm just guessing that the most sold are from here , but I'm wonde..."
I have no idea about the market around the world... But, of course, that fact that I've heard narrators are treated like superstars in Germany, seems to have lodged in my mind...
I began narrating for the blind and partially sighted 30+ years ago and I've never forgotten that audience. I didn't begin doing this because I thought I could ever make a living at it - it was because I had time on my hands as a new arrival in London and I looked around at what might contribute the most (and in some ways, yes, be the most enjoyable at the same time) back to society. I was lucky - there was never any pressure to be 'successful' - I just did what I did and it allowed me to grow and mature at a pace that was almost invisible to me. No rush.
When I began receiving emails from fans the ones that moved me most were those from people with physical disabilities who found a whole world opened up, that had somehow been denied them, by being able to listen to audiobooks... They still move me now (as I know they do my colleagues).
When I was a BBC newsreader I was aware that Margaret Thatcher always tuned in from 10 Downing Street to hear the 6am news broadcast... and when I did a spell as a BBC TV announcer and introduced the episode of Dallas that began the season after JR had been shot I knew that 8 million people across the UK probably heard my words as they scurried to their armchairs. That was very immediate and visceral.
There's something a little bit more distant about what I do now but whenever I see a recording of mine released I can't help but wonder about the people who are going to hear it. Who are they, where are they, what are they doing? And I do hope it's bringing either a smile to their faces or perhaps (my interpretation, working in tandem with the writer) is bringing a greater understanding and appreciation of this wonderful world we're living in.
I'm getting a bit deep now... hey, it's just me reading to you!
CatBookMom wrote: "I'm very late coming to this discussion, but I just want to add to the chorus of fans saying you're a major favorite narrator. I have so many of your recordings - Dracula (your solo and the multi-v..."Thank you!
Julie wrote: "SimonI'd like to go ahead and also post my thank you for all the time you have given us in the past 3 days , the entertaining and informative comments you've shared with the group and those readin..."
Oh, I'll keep checking back - it's been fun.
As far as books to look out for...
I've been very lucky in the run up to the end of the year - at least three books I've enjoyed reading as much as any in my career:
We, The Drowned by Carsten Jensen is available now on Audible
The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monserrat I loved, loved, loved
The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth - wow, what a challenge - I love books in which I can inhabit a single person's mind throughout (see Hilary Mantel's Bring Up The Bodies) but this one had the added challenge of being written in a very particular way with archaic spelling, barely any punctuation and odd syntax... I'm excited to see how it will be received.
Coming up I'm looking forward to the third in a series of fantasy novels by Brian Staveley The Last Mortal Bond and further ahead more fantasy from Brent Weeks in his Lightbringer series... and although I haven't been asked (so it's not confirmed) I'm finding it hard to maintain my patience as I wait for the next novel by Hilary Mantel... may be a long way ahead yet.
Lots to look forward to!
Thanks for asking me to contribute,Julie! (and I'm not going away!)
Talking about pirates... Do you ever act out - physically move about - while narrating to get better into a character? And, thank you for the past three days and the previous years of entertainment! I'm looking forward to listening to several more books of yours.
Lilmissmolly wrote: "Talking about pirates... Do you ever act out - physically move about - while narrating to get better into a character? And, thank you for the past three days and the previous years of entertainme..."
I sometimes wave my hands about - but it's important to keep things under control because microphones can pick up any slight movement in clothing... and you want to avoid hitting the mic stand :)
No question. Just chiming in to express my thanks for your great talent. Audiobooks are my favorite book format and you're one of the best narrators ever; if not the best. You're definitely my favorite.
tubemonkey wrote: "No question. Just chiming in to express my thanks for your great talent. Audiobooks are my favorite book format and you're one of the best narrators ever; if not the best. You're definitely my favo..."Thanks you - much appreciated.
Just a reminder to the members... everyone who has commented is eligible for special prizes of some of Simon's recordings to be drawn after today's visit. Given what a treasure Simon has been, this is gilding the lily, but I'm sure no one will say 'no' to a free audiobook narrated by Simon!
Simon, thanks so much for giving up so much of your time to patiently answer our questions! I appreciate your wonderful narration and your humility.
Thank you Simon.....I'm sure it's apparent that you have a good many fans here who think you're the best!
I have to admit to spending the day with Simon reading Eric Clapton's autobiography. Interesting book. Which brings me to my one complaint about this question and answer thing... All of the books narrated by Simon which I want to check out from my libraries are already checked out! Return those books! Don't be a hog. I wanna listen too!
Finally, to Simon, thank you very much for spending your time here talking to us. You have made our day. <><
Simon, thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions and chat. My first audiobook of yours was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I've listened to many others since. I particularly enjoy your Dickens and Doyle, but love all your work.I saw an interview in which you said your favourite audiobook (series) was A Dance to the Music of Time. Is that still the case, and if you were to recommend it, do you think being English is important to appreciating the story, or are the appeals of it universal?
Edited to add: well, it looks like I missed my chance :) I hope Simon drops back in some time in the future and reads this last question.
Julie wrote: "Notice :Winners of the Simon Vance Giveaway were as follows "
Yay! I was so impressed by remarks in this thread about Simon's reading of Trollope that I chose Barchester Towers.
Congratulations everyone... you're receiving real treasures! And, Barth, great choice, imho!
I would like to thank Simon for taking so much time to answer all of our questions. I so enjoyed reading all your answers. And thank you so much for the gift! Whoo-hoo!!! Now I just need to decide which book I want...decisions, decisions. I'm checking Overdrive first to help narrow it down. And thank you Julie & Jeanie for your part in this! It takes a lot of work and I appreciate the time you have devoted to it.
Barth wrote: "Julie wrote: "Notice :Winners of the Simon Vance Giveaway were as follows "
Yay! I was so impressed by remarks in this thread about Simon's reading of Trollope that I chose Barchester Towers..."
Great book & a great narrator :) Congratulations Barth & to all the other winners!
Hunchback Jack wrote: "Simon, thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions and chat. My first audiobook of yours was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I've listened to many others since. I particularly e..."Hi Jack, Still around!
Yes - 'A Dance to the Music of Time' is an extraordinary work... I think it probably helps a little if you're English. But good writing and story telling should transcend boundaries and I'm certain this does. You have to think of it as 12 novels in a series revolving around the same characters... If you love and enjoy Dickens I think you'll love this.
Just so you guys know - I WILL check in here from time to time and do my best to continue answering any questions you might have!
Audiobooks
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Lawrence Anthony (other topics)Naomi Novik (other topics)
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Do you typically avoid taking Romances or is it that publishers think of you as a classics, mystery, or thriller kind of guy and simply don't send them your way?
Oh, and Simon, I'm not that fond of oatmeal, so if you ever need me to give it up for the cause, I'm right there for you!