Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘audiobooks’

LOVE this short video Pat posted a few hours ago.

Having experienced one of his brilliant audiobook workshops, I know of what he speaks.

On FaceBook?

Watch the video HERE.

CourVO

Everyone pretty much agrees that AudioBooks are a bit of a different animal among the panoply of niche voice opportunities that stand before the working voice actor.

The general word right now is that the AudioBook Publishing industry is fertile ground for new work, ’cause the medium of audiobooks (helped along by iTunes) is booming.

A newsletter the other day from James Adams offered an especially cogent assessment of the AudioBook Publishing industry, and I’m repurposing most of it below, with the express permission of Mr. Adams.

Here’s his resume’:  James Adams is the former Managing Editor of the London Sunday Times, CEO of United Press International, founder and CEO of iDEFENSE, a cyber intelligence company, Board member at the National Security Agency and NCIS, author of 13 bestselling books on warfare and intelligence and currently Chairman of ADRevolution http://adrevolution.com.

Yeah, I know…pretty impressive.  You’ll concur after reading his articles below.

Please pay special attention to the final article:  WHAT PRICE NARRATORS?

Thanks James!

CourVO

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Voice-Coach/Psychiatrist/Enabler/Connector/Sage/Mentor/Branding Wizard Nancy Wolfson and partner Anna Vocino are announcing a kick-A#%^ seminar later this month on AudioBooks.  They’ve landed about the best 3rd-party for this party they could hope for:  Hillary Huber.

Hillary has not only done a ton of AudioBooks, but is a veteran of live announcing for the Emmy’s, and People’s Choice awards, among other achievements in VO. (see bio below)

I had the honor of studying with Hillary at a Pat Fraley audiobook workshop/weekend, and learned SO MUCH.

Knowing Nancy and Anna, this March 31st event will cover all the audiobook bases and more.

I’ve taken the liberty of reprinting their newsletter/annoucement below so you can see the straight story.  It has all the links you need to sign-up.

If this is where you want to go in voice-acting, you need to be on this call!

CourVO

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….publishing industry, that is. 

This statement from Becca Price, of the AudioBook Publishing ListServ:

October was a good month for book sales.  Nearly every category saw a positive increase.  The increase in adult hardcover is probably attributable to Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol.

    * Adult paperback increased 37.5% to $130.4 million.
    * Children’s/YA hardcover fell 0.5% to $87.9 million.
    * Children’s/YA paperback increased 20.2% to $52.7 million.
    * Adult hardcover rose 6.3% to $259.9 million.
    * Adult mass market was down 1.8% to $61.2 million.
    * Audiobooks dropped 1.8% to $19.7 million.
    * Ebooks were up 254% to $18.5 miillon.

Note the next-to-the-last line, re: drop in AudioBooks.

BTW, you might find LOTS of interesting tips about the AudioBook Publishing industry on that ListServ.  Send a note asking for a subscription to this address:  audiobooks-owner@list.audiodiversions.com.

Also, the quote Becca makes above was gleaned from an article on a blog written by a collection of readers who love fiction called:  “Dear Author,….”

You can find it HERE.

CourVO

‘Guess I never thought too deeply about audiobook-narrating requiring a specific microphone, but after reading THIS article on the Open Book Blog, I can see the wisdom of it.

Check it out…there’s a nice explanation here of the different types of mics regardless of whether you’re into long-format narration or not.

CourVO

Call me crazy, but lists fulfill me.

I’m sure it has something to do with my OCD tendencies, or  maybe it’s my inherited pack-rat genes, but there’s something about a list that seems so….tidy.

Well, I’ve been at it again, and this is a list you may want to follow on Twitter, especially if you’re interested in being an audiobook narrator.

But let’s recap:

First, I created the Twittgroup for VoiceActors VOICETWITTER…which is now almost 300 strong and has some very helpful ways of gleaning information from all of those who signed-up.

Then…when Twitter started allowing lists to it’s general API, I started the VOICEOVERISTS list, which has about 430 profiles of voice over people and a few studios.  This list is currently being followed by almost 80 people.

Last night, I started my 3rd list…for people and publishers in the business of audiobooks.  You’ll find that list HERE.  So far, it is following almost 40 Twitter profiles.

For the Twitter lists, all you have to do is get to that link, and follow the list like you would any person’s profile on Twitter.

Hey, I did all the work…all you have to do is sign-up or follow along to reap the benefits.

See?  My craziness works in your favor!

CourVO

There’s been a lot of traffic recently on a forum populated by AudioBook readers, bantering about issue of computer-generated voices.

That topic is traditionally disdained by a group so dedicated to the finer nuances of a good read. These are serious audio-book listeners who celebrate the various human narrators, and the interpretation each one brings to a narrative.

But something new and improved has surfaced, and it’s making some converts even among this hard-core group of those favoring the real human voice.

So listen to the samples at LOQUENDO and then I’ll finish up below.  It’s an international site, so you have to scroll down to hear the US/English samples.

——————————

So….whadya think?  I agree, it’s the best computer generated voice I’ve ever heard.

Much of the give ‘n’ take on this forum moved into the realm of where the artistry is in this sort of software solution…and how would the audiobook publisher business model change.  Beyond that, the discussion also addressed who has rights, and what is the revenue stream.  Can a programmer replace a narrator?  How labor-intensive and artistry-intensive is that?

This hard-core group of audiobook aficionados, agrees this is the best “fake” voice they’ve heard, but also agree it’s not there…yet.

Which, of course prompts the question: “When?”.

Text-to-Speech and voice recognition programs (eg. Dragon Naturally Speaking) have always been reliant on complex formulas or algorithms that incorporate the finer points of artificial intelligence.  They’ve steadily gotten better with each new jump in computer speed and function.

It’s likely that we’re not far from a computer-generated voice accomplished enough to satisfy a sector of buyers who aren’t as discerning as the audiobook group mentioned above.

So now, I’ll state the question that has already likely bubbled-up in your own mind:  “Is this likely to hurt yet another sector of jobs/clients now available to us as voice-actors?”

Your thoughts?

CourVO

John Florian…the force behind everybody’s favorite VO website – VoiceOverXtra – saw my mention on this blog of an upcoming Marc Cashman audiobook workshop on the East Coast, and wrote to remind me that VOXtra is sponsoring another great audiobook coach soon.

Alan Sklar is certainly one of the most highly-recognized and respected voice-ACTORS in the business of audiobooks.  Spending a session with him – I’d reckon – would be worth the tire tread getting there.

Here’s the info as provided to me by John:

Alan Sklar’s workshop – Mastering Audiobook Narrations – in NYC on Nov. 7.

Alan is a dynamic individual – former Shakespearan actor and businessman, who definitely makes a lasting impression on people … all for the better.

I’ve published an article revealing some of the traits that make him a great narrator – and also explain the workshop. Here’s the link:

http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=ur2kmges

CourVO

BTW….Sklar is such a unique surname, that I couldn’t help but wonder if Alan was in any way related to the celebrated bass guitar player Leland Sklar.  Anyone?

Marc Cashman is voice actor, voice coach, and someone you should get to know in this business.  Besides being a good guy, and a smart guy, he’s got a boatload of experience.

You can see that first-hand attending one of his many workshops.  He’s holding one in the middle of Oct. in LA for budding AudioBook narrators, and all the info is below.

Also, check out the Edge Studio newsletter above where you’ll find that Marc is also holding an Audiobook workshop on the East coast. 

A good rule of thumb is to seek some sort of coaching once a month…even if it’s the valued opinion of a peer your respect (I know budgets are tight all around).

CourVO

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Ace AudioBook narrator Scott Brick writes to say the contest for amatuer audiobook narrators is behind schedule, but by no means abandoned.  See his note below:
___________________________

Yes, we’re still alive — thanks to everyone who checked in on us, just to make sure — and the judges are still plowing through all the entries we received for the Share the Experience contest to celebrate Scott’s 10th year as an audiobook narrator. Check out Scott’s update right here:
http://www.scottbrickpresents.com/wordpress/
Know someone who wants to keep up with the contest? Send them to this link to subscribe to Scott’s newsletter:
http://www.scottbrickpresents.com/wordpress/subscribe-to-my-newsletter/

CourVO