Escape from Snow with Summer #Romances by Karen Rose Smith, #Ebooks and #Audiobooks

Spring seems a long time coming this year!  The wonderful thing about reading is that it's a superb escape and can take us to any location in any season.  Here are a few of my summer romances that can melt the snow and make way for sunshine!  These novels are available in ebook and in audiobook formats.  (CASSIDY'S COWBOY is also in print. )

I hope you enjoy them and the warmer weather which has to move in soon!

Karen Rose Smith

Kit trusted a man who conned her.  Grey is keeping a secret. Can Kit learn to trust and can Grey confide in Kit about his special needs sister who will always need his protection.?


KIT AND KISSES on Amazon








Shara and Nate became friends after she became a widow.  She has a child on the way.  When Nate helps deliver her baby, an irrevocable bond is formed. But Nate has a thirst for danger and Shara needs stability.  Can true love conquer all?


A MAN WORTH LOVING on Amazon

Seth is a cynical child custody attorney who is looking for a change in his life. When circumstances lead him to Darcy's auto repair shop, they are highly attracted to each other.  But Darcy is the type of woman who needs commitment.  Seth doesn't believe he can give it.  Can Seth trust Darcy to keep his heart safe forever?


FOREVER AFTER on Amazon







Two eight-year-old girls have a plan.  Kristy needs a mom and Heather needs a dad.  Why not get their parents together?  But the best plans can go awry even when Amanda and Alex are wildly attracted to each other.  Can children hold a couple together or...must they trust the message of true love in their hearts?


WHEN MOM MEETS DAD on Amazon

Cassidy Sullivan's twin sister had found her with the help of Gillian Moore's intuitive gift.  The sisters had lost their mom and never knew who their father was.  Should they try to find him? What might happen if they do?  Cassidy doesn't count on her foreman's nephew stealing her heart or his daughter confiding in her as if she were her mom in the midst of their search.  The search for a father and true love is a lot to handle at the same time.  But Cassidy isn't your ordinary cowgirl and Ben O'Donnell could possibly become CASSIDY'S COWBOY.


CASSIDY'S COWBOY on Amazon

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

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©2015 Karen Rose Smith

An Interview With #Narrator Leslie Ellis--The Search For Emma by Karen Rose Smith

I've developed 16 books into audiobooks through ACX.com.  Each time I post a project for auditions, I consider the point of view of my main character as the foremost aspect of choosing a narrator.  I was sure I wanted a woman narrator for ALWAYS DEVOTED, though many of my romances are narrated by male narrators.  ALWAYS DEVOTED--a romance/mystery--is definitely Emma's story.  So I went on a search for the perfect voice for Emma.  I sent messages to narrators, asking them to audition.  I received several auditions for the novel after I uploaded the audition script.  Leslie's audition easily stood out from all the others.  As soon as I heard her voice, I knew she was perfect to tell this emotional story.

My readers often ask me about my narrators and the process of reading an audiobook.  That's why I do interviews with my narrators.

So...let me introduce my actor/narrator for ALWAYS DEVOTED, Leslie Ellis.

Leslie, can you tell me where you were raised?

I was raised outside of Boston, MA.

Did you read a lot as a kid?  As an adult?

It's funny, but I didn't read a lot as a kid.  I came from a very academic family and I was the black sheep, so to speak.  I just wanted to act and sing.  I really enjoy reading now, when I have the time and I love supporting my friends who have become indie writers!

Where did you attend college?

I attended Carnegie-Mellon University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting and Music.

What did you expect to do after college and, in reality, what did you do? 

After school, we all shipped out to New York City to take the world by storm.  While I was there, I played some lead roles on Broadway (Griz in CATS; LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; CITY OF ANGELS) and Off-Broadway in a revival of THE ROTHSCHILDS.

Since those early days, what else has furthered your career?

Since my days in New York City, I've acted in movies, industrial films and commercials and become a hard-working voice over artist.  I narrated before for films and then got into book narrating, which I absolutely love.

Why did you decide to begin narrating audiobooks?

I have listened to audiobooks forever and always thought I could be good at it.  I love the variety of characters that I have to embrace and analyzing the different ways, pitches and speeds of their voices.  Teenagers speak VERY differently from their dads!  I would love to get into doing more accents in future books as I studied dialects in school and absolutely love acting with dialects.

Can you explain to our readers what is involved in the process from setting up a home studio, to editing, to putting the book for sale.  How long does it take?

In my case, I had some help setting up my home studio.  I got advice from a fellow narrator in LA and a friend in Nashville who is a professional studio engineer.  I use an AT2020 USB mic and either Audacity or Protools.  Both of these programs make it very easy (albeit time consuming) to edit the files once I have them read down.  I think people would be really surprised to find out how much time goes into one hour of narrating.  As I'm approaching it from the standpoint of an actor instead of a reader/narrator, I'm sure it takes me a lot longer because I really need to get the characters and their emotions right.  I will work anywhere from three to six hours to produce a finished hour of audiobook.  I work through ACX.com so they handle all of the sales elements of the finished book.

I want to mention here that Leslie is a perfectionist in the best way, redoing an audition piece until it's right, going over editing to improve sound in question.  When I hired Leslie, I knew she was the voice of my heroine and she never wavered from that.

What is the toughest part of narrating?

Keeping my voice in shape.  In addition to books, I do professional voice overs, sing demos and do live music shows.  I have to keep disciplined about warming up, talking, singing and resting!

Why narrate a romance?  

I have narrated young adult books, mysteries and what they call "Chick Lit."  I've also narrated tech stuff.  ALWAYS DEVOTED was my first romance novel and it intrigued me.  I wanted to make the sensual scenes sound really real--not corny or overly dramatic.  I took the challenge because I've been told my voice would lend itself well to a romantic story.

Leslie's take on the love scenes was perfect.  Not overly dramatic, not underplayed, but just right.  Perfect for the tone of the book.

Can anything in an author's history sway you toward narrating thier book?

If I'm doing a book for royalty share, I have to feel that author has a sense of sales and promotion because that's the only way I get paid.  When I'm not sure of what to expect, I often opt for the union per hour wage to ensure I use my time wisely.

What do you like to do most when you're not narrating?

I would say singing, acting and songwriting.  I love flipping around among all of it.  It keeps things interesting!


Find out more about Leslie at http://www.leslieellis.com

Hear a sample of ALWAYS DEVOTED or buy at:

ALWAYS DEVOTED Audiobook on Amazon

ALWAYS DEVOTED Audiobook on Audible




ALWAYS DEVOTED now avaiable in audiobook

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©2014 Karen Rose Smith

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A Perfect Day! What is yours? by Karen Rose Smith

What is your idea of a perfect day?

On a perfect day, I would be free of a to-do list!
Maybe days I feel my life runs me instead of me running my life.  I easily get caught up in the have-to-do's whether they are personal or career oriented.  I automatically prioritize, whether on my paper to-do list or the one in my head.  On an energetic day, I can tick them off one after the other until all tasks are completed.  On a slower day, they spill over into the next day or the next , depending on importance.  But what would I do if I didn't have a to-do list?  Great question.  But so hypothetical because I don't think it will ever happen.

The sun would be shining.
This is a must for my perfect day.  Sunshine not only helps the flowers grow, it gives me energy, lets suncatchers make rainbows on the walks, and reminds me there's a whole big world out there I want to see.

The flowers in the garden would be blooming.
I love color and sweet natural scents.  Something about sitting or walking through a garden enlivens my creative spirit, soothes my soul and relaxes me.  Nature is vibrant and that vibrancy seeps into me when I remember to enjoy it.

My favorite people would surround me. 
My perfect days are simple. At the end of the summer, family who lives across the country flies in.  We have a picnic with family and friends, sometimes making s'mores over the fire pit.  On those evenings when the moon and stars are bright and loved ones are close, I feel the day is perfect.

I'd love for you to share YOUR perfect day in the comments.

©2014 Karen Rose Smith

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6 #Tips on choosing a #Narrator by Karen Rose Smith

How do you choose a narrator? 

I delved into the project of developing some of my novels into audiobooks, never realizing what type of challenge this could be.  I listened to hundreds of narrator samples on ACX.com, attempting to decide which voice will best convey my hero or heroine, emotion and multiple characters.  This can be a difficult decision to make from a ten minute audition sample.  With fifteen audiobooks for sale, another one with an agreement, I've developed a set of guidelines that help me.  Maybe they will help you.

1. Choose an audition sample with multiple characters and emotion as well as narrative.

I usually upload an audition script that includes three characters so I can tell if I can distinguish voices with the narrator.  I also upload a scene containing dialogue, narrative, and emotion.  This is a true test of a narrator in a short script.  It makes a difference to me if the narrator only readers the minimum required or all the pages I uploaded.  That is a sign that shows me if the narrator is willing to go the extra mile.  That could be vital in working together, whether for deadlines or editing concerns.

2.  All recording equipment is not created equal.

You will have varying levels of expertise in not only the telling of the story but in the equipment narrators use to tell it.  First thing to do is buy a set of studio headphones.  (I found mine at Sears.)  You will have customers who listen on everything from computer speakers at their desktop to earbuds and expensive headsets.  You need to know exactly what they will be hearing.

3.  When you listen to an audition, you will need to listen on several levels.

First, listen for tone and cadence of voice.  Could this person be your hero?  Could this narrator be your heroine?

Second, listen to the story itself to see if you're distracted by the voice or propelled into the plot by it.  Is there some type of speech that takes your attention from the story?  Does the narrator have an accent?  Does that add to or detract from the telling?  (Example.  My narrator for ALWAYS HER COWBOY is Australian.  His accent is somewhat evident.  However, his voice and his talent for reading the exact emotion into scenes made the accent irrelevant.  He was my hero.)

Third, listen for pronunciation.  My rule of thumb for this issue is if a word stops me from concentrating on the story, it will stop someone else.  This can easily be handled in editing if the narrator has expertise with editing.  And your narrator should.

Fourth, listen for emotion and natural dialogue.

4.  Listen several times.

You can probably do all of the above on the first listen-through.  But you're not finished there.  Adjust your earphones again and listen for any strange noises...any background noises.  Some narrators leave natural breaths in.  Others take them out.  Figure out if leaving them in is distracting to you.

What I've discovered wearing earphones are the noises you won't hear if you are trying to analyze a voice from your desktop computer.  Automatically the hum of your computer will cover noise someone using earbuds or earphones might hear.  One of the noises I've picked up with earphones is the hum of the recorder when it starts and when it goes off.  If I can hear it, a listener with earbuds in a quiet setting will hear it.  You want a nothingness vacuum in back of the voice that acts as a cushion for it.  You don't want to hear pages turning, static, or any type of hum or echo.

Listening can be an art, but you want it to be an effortless endeavor for the buyer of your audiobook.  The best way to insure their positive experience is to choose the best storyteller for your novel.  But you also need to choose a narrator with a level of expertise as the producer.  (Some use outside studios to edit but many edit and upload the chapters themselves.)

And...  After the audition, once you approve the first fifteen minutes, you are tied in to that narrator whether you like the finished product or not.  This is a seven year commitment.  Remember that if you're tempted to make a fast decision rather than a more thoughtful one.

5.  Male or female narrator?

I'll be writing more about this in future blogs when I spotlight my narrators so my readers can learn more about them.  For now, I'll tell you that out of fifteen projects, all romance novels, I have chosen seven male narrators.  I look at my opening scene, check the book for point of view shifts, then decide whose story is being told the most--my hero's or my heroine's.  If it's a toss up, I ask both to audition then make an agreement with whomever tells the story the best.   I've found I enjoy listening to a male narrator reading with a higher voice for my heroine more than listening to a female narrator reading a male voice I often can't distinguish from the heroine's.

So if you're considering developing your books into audiobooks, find a set of headphones and start listening carefully.  We want our readers to get lost in our story.  Choosing a narrator who captures the essence of our work is the best way to make that happen.

6.  Royalty share or finished hour production fee.  

I've used both.  Again, this depends on whether or not I can find a narrator who fits the book.  I start out listening to royalty share narrators.  But I've paid production fees on six of my projects.  There again, listen for the voice.  A higher production fee doesn't always mean a better finished product.

I've enjoyed the process of developing my romances into audiobooks.  Be aware it is a time consuming process.  One of the huge problems with marketing audiobooks is the lack of promotional opportunities other than social media.  I developed these books for the long tail of promotion.  I believe this market is set to take off because of smart phones, Ipads, etc.  However, just as with ebooks, this market is becoming glutted too.  Just something to consider when starting this process.

It's been a wonderful experience hearing my books come alive.  As I write more indie projects, I will continue to develop them into audiobooks.  

©2014 Karen Rose Smith

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Narrating #Romance, An interview with Johnny Peppers

I have developed fifteen romances into audiobooks and worked with many different narrators. Johnny Peppers was my first audiobook narrator and he's still one of my favorites.

My first interview with Johnny was about his background and the technical side of narrating.  I enjoyed working with him and his style of narrating so much on TOYS AND BABY WISHES that he recorded a second romance for me WHEN MOM MEETS DAD as well as a third APRIL'S PROMISE. THe first two are romantic comedies and the third is more of an emotional family drama.  They are all a slice of real life so I decided to explore with Johnny more details about a narrator's everyday life--from recording love scenes to favorite books.

So about those love scenes....   Here we go with my interview with Johnny Peppers.

The topic of love scenes surfaced when I asked Johnny--What is the funniest thing that happened to you while you were recording?

The funniest thing that has happened to me is when I recorded my first "love scene" for my first romantic novel, TOYS AND BABY WISHES.  My wife was listening at the door, and I had to stop recording because of the noise she was making on the other side.  It's not what you think--she was laughing at me.  I suppose she has never heard those words come out of my mouth in that order, and she was a little embarrassed and blushing outside the door.

If you could have lunch with one famous person, who would that be?

If I could have lunch with one famous person, it would be Henry Clay.  He ran for President four times and lost.  He is the Buffalo Bill of Presidential Elections.  He was a statesman and a smart man, but just didn't have the political clout to win.

What is your favorite all time book?

I don't really have a favorite book, but I love reading Johnathan Kellerman, Dean Koontz, J.D. Robb and similar authors who write thrillers.

How about a favorite theater production?

My favorite theater production has to be Father of the Bride.  I played Stanley Banks (the father) in the play.
It was my first leading role on the stage, and I could perform that play 100 times without getting bored.  My favorite play I have directed is Mrs. John Marsh--The World Knew Her as Margaret Mitchell.  This was a one-woman play that ran in Atlanta, Georgia during the summer of 2012, discussing the life of the author of GONE WITH THE WIND.  My wife, Kandace, played the role of Mitchell, and I was the technical director on the project to start.  A month before we left for the run, the playwright fired the director and asked me to step in and finish it up.  I did, and my wife and I had a marvelous time working on this project together.  And, Kandace received high praise from the local community of theater goers and critics for the work.  By the way, she is a former Miss Mississippi and has a new jazz album out now on ITunes and Amazon and Spotify as Kandi Peppers (ON MY MIND). We are a performing family!!!

Do you read through a manuscript before you narrate it?

I do read through the chapter before recording.  I don't read the whole book, though, because I don't want to give anything away thorough my vocalizations.  I want to know what happens chapter by chapter like the readers do.

How do you create different voices?

As an actor and generally silly human being, I have been creating voices since I was a kid.  I simply change pitch, placement of the voice, accent or whatever else to make it different.  I usually channel a family member or character voice that I love.  My favorite voice is "Toby", a character I created that is sweet, innocent, has a slight lisp, talks in the back of his throat, and love life.  I have yet to find a place for Toby in my narrations, but I hope to soon!!!

How do you keep the characters straight?

I use Markers on the audio tracks the first time a character appears.  That way, I can go back and listen if I need to.  Also, if there are a lot of characters, I create a separate character file and keep lines form each character on one line (using markers to keep them separated).

If you had to name TV shows that hold your interest, what would they be?

My favorite TV show of all time? Has to be Quantum Leap.  Of course, favorites change.  I love Friends, Seinfeld, King of Queens, Big Bang Theory, Dexter, 24, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and Survivor!

Do you have a snack that you prefer above all others?

My favorite snack is Banana Chips. I am a muncher, and those are healthier than potato chips and oh, so good.

Do you have any pets?

I have two dogs that I love!  Ella is a 6 year old white Toy Poodle and Gilly is a 2 year old red Teacup Poodle.  Ella and Gilly weigh 8 pounds total. (Ella 6 lbs. and Gilly 2 lbs.)

I just want to repeat again what a joy Johnny is to work with--a talented narrator, professional and a great technician. His contact info is jpeppers02@gmail.com

Copyright by Karen Rose Smith 2014

APRIL'S PROMISE on Amazon

AMAZON

Audible

AMAZON

Audible

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SLEIGH BELLS RING Giveaway, MP3 Players, an Ipod Nano and Audiobooks!

Audiobooks are becoming more and more popular as readers listen to them while driving, cooking, cleaning, wrapping presents and relaxing.  The mysteries, romances and suspense novels come alive in this genre that is growing day by day.  In celebration of the holidays and the readers who are "listening," I'm co-sponsoring a contest to give away listening devices for the pre-holiday celebrations.


What a great time of year for a huge giveaway!  Each day there will be one winner of a SanDisk Sansa Clip+ 4GB MP3 Player from December 14 to December 24.  Free audiobooks by many authors.

On December 25 there will be 1 winner of a 16GB Ipod Nano and twelve audiobooks.
Co-sponsors with WENDY LINDSTROM for this fabulous contest are KAREN ROSE SMITH, SYLVIA McDANIEL, DENISE GROVER SWANK, EDIE CLAIR, KELLY McCLYMER, JULIANNE MACLEAN, JULIE ORTOLON, SHELLY THACKER, and PATRICIA RYAN.

Go to this link to enter. http://tinyurl.com/o4twoq9

I wish you much luck at winning one of these terrific prizes.  I hope your holidays are filled with friends, family and lots of love.
Best,
Karen Rose Smith

NATHAN'S VOW on Audible

JAKE'S BRIDE on Audible

ALWAYS DEVOTED on Audible

ALWAYS HER COWBOY on Audible

CASSIDY'S COWBOY on Audible

HER SISTER on Audible

©2013 Karen Rose Smith

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#Contest to #win #AUDIOBOOKS from Ten Authors

I'm banding together with nine other authors to promote the campaign--Don't Text And Drive...Listen To An Audiobook!  To get the word out, we have developed a contest for readers to win an audiobook.

Where else do you have the chance to win an audiobook from one of ten bestselling authors! Just look at this list.

Judith Arnold
L.L.Bartlett
Evelyn David
Donna Fasano
Libby Fischer Hellmann

Stacy Juba
Patricia McLinn
Kelly McClymer
Kathryn Shay
Karen Rose Smith

To enter, go to The Incredible Indie Authors Audio Page on Facebook.  Like the page, then click on the tab in the upper right with the earphones--under the banner .  You can enter the giveaway there and also learn about ways to earn more chances to win.

To watch our YouTube Video for the Don't Text And Drive...Listen to an Audiobook! campaign, click on the link.

YouTubeVideo

Good luck!!!


©2013 Karen Rose Smith

HER SISTER Paperback on Amazon

HER SISTER Kindle Edition on Amazon

HER SISTER Audiobook on Amazon

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Four Qualities to Listen for in a #Narrator's Sample of an #Audiobook by Karen Rose Smith

I belong to Audible.com and I've developed fifteen titles with ACX.com.  The process of choosing a narrator was a well-thought-out one as well as an instinctual one when I heard the right voice.  It was well-thought-out in the fact that audio quality had to be superb--no background noise, no distracting mouth noises, a voice floating in a vacuum making only the words important.  It was instinctual when I could listen to a voice and say, "He is my hero.  She is my heroine."

I have always listened to audiobooks.  I've been impressed by many narrators and put off by others.  I've stopped mid-book because I just couldn't connect with the narrator.  I've been propelled forward into a novel because I couldn't wait to hear the next scene.  In an audiobook, it's all about enjoyment in listening.  Tastes are as varied as the number of listeners.  This is one reason why I used a variety of narrators when I chose them for my books, though I did like two of the male narrators so much that I used them for three books each!

Especially when I'm trying a new author, I listen to the sample first.  Here is what I listen for:

Pacing--Does the narrator's pace work for me?  Some narrators read so fast that I can't absorb the words.  I listen for that because listening should be an easy experience, not a struggle to keep up.

Natural conversation--Can you tell the dialogue from the narration?  Does conversation flow easily as if you were overhearing it at your favorite fast food restaurant?  Can you tell who is speaking?  Is there a change in voice for each character?

Expression--Is emotion coming through the words?  Are the words more than words?  Can you feel the story in your heart as well as hear it in your mind?

Style--Do you want to feel as if you're watching a play?  Or would you rather have a narrator read to you?

The whole experience comes down to getting lost in a story.  If a narrator can take you with him or her into the essence of a book, you will enjoy hours of storytelling and feel as if you've attended a play. 

©2013 Karen Rose Smith

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Five Advantages to Becoming an Audible Member

When I learned I could develop my indie-published titles into audiobooks, I jumped on the chance to do it.  I had spent a year revising and updating backlist books that I had the rights to and was now ready for this new leap with ACX, Audible and Amazon's help.  Through ACX, I have developed fifteen books--some old, some new--and with narrators have produced them as audio books to sell on Audible, Amazon and iTunes.  However, long before this year, audio books were a godsend to me.

At age fifty, I found myself with severe cataracts that impaired my vision.  But I was concerned about having them removed because I had another condition that was also affecting my eyes--fibromyalgia.  At that point, I had written and published about thirty books.  I had no intention of stopping writing.  I began to use a tape recorder to write, but I couldn't read more than my own work for editing.  Even through that process, my husband often read me copyedits to save my eyes further strain.  But writers must read to say fresh and current.  They must also be able to do research.  So I began looking around for audio books that could help fill that creative spirit to hear good stories as well as find new avenues of research.    

What I soon found were libraries who couldn't keep up to date with current authors and a market that was so expensive the only time I bought an audiobook by a favorite author was before a trip.  Something had to give.  It did.  The audio book market began changing as it switched from actual physical disks to digital downloads.  It took me a while to sign on, but since I did, I've been nothing but satisfied.

Here are the advantages to using Audible for your book listening enjoyment:

Buy the Kindle version and get the Whispersync narration at a reduced price.  Be able to switch back and forth between them from listening to reading and reading to listening.

With a Kindle Fire HD, you can consider enjoying the experience of immersion reading.  The book is highlighted as the narrator tells the story.  You can listen with your Audible app for iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire, Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard.  I use Audible on my iPad, Android phone and Kindle Keyboard!

Becoming a member of Audible can grant you benefits.  Exchange any book you don't like, no questions asked.  If you are a member, every month you receive credits that save you money on audio books.  Save 30% off regular price when you buy books without credits.  You also have access to exclusive sales as well as the gift membership center.

On Audible, there are over 150,000 audiobooks to choose from.  You can try Audible with a free audio book for 30 days.  After that, you will be charged $14.95 a month and you will receive one credit.  You can cancel at any time.  I often listen to more than one audio book a month and I'm picky about what I listen to.  Often Audible will run specials like three credits for $33.95.  So I have extra credits to save up and use.  They also run sales so if I don't want to use my credits, I can just purchase the book outright.

I've found the process easy.  Downloading is simple, too.  Once you buy the book, it's sent to your Audible app library.  You simply refresh your library, then download the book.  You're ready to listen.


Using Audible has brought me hours of reading pleasure I couldn't access another way.  I highly recommend becoming a member of Audible if you are an audio book listener or want to become one.

©2013 Karen Rose Smith 

Karen Rose Smith's Audio Books on Audible 

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DISCLAIMER
Since I have been writing blogs about choosing a narrator and the audio book development process, Audible reached out to me to ask if I'd be interested in writing a blog about the benefits of using Audible.  I said I would be glad to write the blog and I received two promotional credits. I sell audiobooks through Amazon, Itunes, and Audible.

ROYALTY SHARE OR PAY FOR PRODUCTION?

In developing your audiobooks, should you agree to royalty share or pay for production?

I went into the venture of audiobooks thinking that making the decision about royalties or paying for production was a no-brainer.  Why would I want to put out money when I don't have to?

However, let's look at my goal.  I had fifteen books I wanted to develop into audiobooks.  Seven of them were part of a continuing series.  The main characters were different in each book.  So it didn't seem a viable option for me to have the same narrator do all seven.  I wanted to get the books up quickly, yet using an effective voice for each.  I also realized that the "perfect" voice is different for each and every listener.  I've avidly listened to audiobooks over the past fifteen years because of eye problems.  I know the voices I enjoy and those I don't.  I also realized that the audiobook market will get glutted just as the ebook market has, so I wanted to be efficient and timely in getting the books ready for retail.

About that "perfect" voice...

I knew whatever narrator I chose, I would have to live with him or her for seven years, the life of my distribution agreement with ACX.  And even if the voice is "perfect", presentation is rated on Audible along with the story, so the narrator will be receiving reviews, too. The rating is averaged.

Let's look at both royalty share where payment is split between ACX, the narrator/producer and the rights holder.  The narrator is usually the producer.  In some cases, the narrator uses an outside producer to clean up the recording for sale (extraneous sounds, mouth sounds, editing discrepancies).  But in that case, the narrator pays the producer.  This can be the arrangement in both royalty share as well as pay for production.

On my first audiobook, TOYS AND BABY WISHES, a narrator who was looking for royalty share agreements came to me.  However,  I had romances to develop into audiobooks and I wasn't sure I wanted a male narrator.  After all, weren't most romances read by women?  Yet when I listened to his audition, I loved Johnny's voice and his performance of my characters.  His narrating, as well as his technical skills, were excellent and I had no doubt I wanted him to produce my book.  We worked well together and the process was easy.  He uploaded chapters, I listened and gave him editing changes.  He edited and I listened to those changes.  At the end, I listened to the book again.  This process took about six weeks.  He was taking a chance on me as well as I was taking a chance on him.  What if the book didn't sell?  When that first book went live, I wanted it to do well for him as well as for me.

My second narrator came to me, too.  However, there was a difference.   This book had a stipend.  (ACX puts stipends per production hour on some books.  I'm not sure how they choose.)  Because the narrator would receive the stipend in addition to the royalty share, I received several unsoliticed auditions.  I listened to the first voice who was again male.  Not only male, but Australian male.  He absolutely nailed my hero in his audition.  It had just the right tone and the right emotion.  And I liked the way he made his voice "lighter" for my heroine.  But he was Australian.  How would listeners take to the light accent?  I asked Ben to do a second audition with different characters.  I also listened to more men and women audition.  Every time I heard Ben's voice, I fell into it.  I liked the sound of it.  I had my BFF listen to the audition and she said any woman would want to listen to his voice!  He was good.  She just confirmed what I'd realized from the first time I heard him.  He was my hero and that's what mattered.

My third project to be developed was also royalty share.  This was my first female narrator. She uploaded the chapters when she was finished and I listened to the whole book at once for editing.

I kept listening to other female narrators and not connecting with them.  Taking a look at the next book I wanted to upload to ACX, I auditioned male narrators when I found the book was very much the hero's story.  This book was also royalty share.

For the next few books I knew I needed female narrators.  One, which was a new release, would need a more mature woman's voice different from my younger heroines.  I believe at this time more authors were finding ACX.  I went through hundreds of audition samples on the site by narrators who were accepting royalty share terms, unable to match voices to books.  Or if I did find someone, I would message them.  Many were busy.  Two told me they would only look at royalty share projects with stipends.  So I decided to explore samples from pay-for-production narrators.  I ended up with four at various fees--$100, $125, $140 and $225 per production hour.  You'd think with paid production there would be no technical problems.  That wasn't true.  After we started the project in two cases, hearing the recording machine go on and off and echoing sounds was something I had to note.  These were eventually corrected thanks to the professionalism of the narrators.

I want anyone deciding to develop audiobooks to understand excellent narrators with excellent technical skills can be found in both royalty share as well as paid production.  And vice versa.

Shared royalties drew my attention first because my investment in the projects was time rather than money.  But then I rather liked the idea on the pay-for-production projects that I wouldn't have to share royalties with my narrator, just ACX.  I look at this whole audio adventure as an investment in my future earnings.  And, as with any investment, I believe diversification is the way to go.  I've diversified with my narrators.  If a listener doesn't like one, hopefully they'll be drawn to another.  I've diversified utilizing both payment options because seven years is a long time.

I still have books which need narrators.  But now I'm easier with the whole process.  Five are live and six are developing in stages.  I do need time to write for other deadlines!  So I'm biding my time for the next books to be put into audio.  I'm waiting for two narrators who were booked when I wanted to collaborate with them.  One is male and is a pay-for-production rate, the other is female and will participate in royalty share.  They both will be worth the wait.

So...  After reading everything on the ACX.com website, after deciding whether or not you have time to give to this venture--listening to sample of auditions, uploading books with a marketing plan, listening to the finished product in stages--should you enter into a royalty share plan or a pay for production agreement?  Analyze your goals, your finances, the voices you hear on samples, then jump into the audio waters with whatever you're more comfortable with and can afford.  Then sit back and wait for your book to really come alive.  


 Hear a sample of ALWAYS DEVOTED or buy at:

ALWAYS DEVOTED Audiobook on Amazon

ALWAYS DEVOTED Audiobook on Audible

 Hear a sample of ALWAYS HER COWBOY or buy at:

ALWAYS HER COWBOY on Audible

ALWAYS HER COWBOY on iTunes

ALWAYS HER COWBOY on Amazon 

©2013 Karen Rose Smith

IN TOUCH with KAREN ROSE SMITH ezine
Karen Rose Smith's romance website
Karen Rose Smith's mystery website

AUDIOBOOK LISTENERS, What type of audiobook listener are you?

What type of audiobook listener are you?

Many types of listeners enjoy audiobooks.  There are the car drivers who want to help their commute pass by more quickly.  They put an audiobook in and let it play while they drive.  Their car becomes a haven with something enjoyable to listen to and help pass the time.  Another type of audiobook customer likes to listen while he or she works, either clearning house or doing something methodical that doesn't recquire concentration.  One of my listeners is a biologist who reads slides at a home microscope.  She listens while she works.  I fall into the next category at times--the cook who likes to have a background story playing while she's in the kitchen.  I enjoy cooking and I enjoy reading.  Combining the two works well for me.

With the advent of smart phones, I have friends who like to hop in and out of one book or two depending on where they have waiting time.  These are casual listeners usually who just want to pass time in an entertaining way while life goes on around them.  I've found my most serious listeners are readers who have eye problems.  I fall into this category also.  Fibromyalgia affecfts my eye muscles.  I've always been greateful for audiobooks because they allow me to rest my eyes while also letting me become involved in captivating adventures, romances and mysteries.  I can totally immerse myselef in a book in this almost play performance art way.  A devoted reader might also listen in this all-encompassing manner in absolute silence with quality earphones.

Each listener listens differently and on different qquipment from an IPAD to an IPOD dock, to an mp3 device to earbuds, to earphones to the desktop computer's speakers.

If you have a chance, I'd like you to leave a comment and tell me which kind of listener you are and how you usually listen to audiobooks.  Knowing my listeners will help me make choices that will enhance your reading and listening experience.  More about this next audio blog.


Hear a sample of TOYS AND BABY WISHES or buy the audiobook at:

TOYS AND BABY WISHES Audiobook on Audible 

TOYS AND BABY WISHES Audiobook on Amazon

TOYS AND BABY WISHES Audiobook on iTunes

 ©2013 Karen Rose Smith

IN TOUCH with KAREN ROSE SMITH ezine
Karen Rose Smith's romance website 
Karen Rose Smith's mystery website