It's here! My book has made it to Barnes & Noble

Happy hour starts in 5 minutes

burgold

Super Bowl MVP
Staff member
BGO Ownership Group
Joe Gibbs Club Member
2nd Monthly Contributor
Joined
Jul 16, 2011
Messages
8,143
Reaction score
6,785
Points
643
Several of you are familiar with this book's bumpy journey. The publisher ran a kickstarter in the fall that fell $200 short. Even so, they decided they believed in it enough to continue ahead. I think that was partly because the reviews were so stellar. We got raves from two multi-Hugo Award winning lit critics and the buzz has just been amazing for a book that shares more in common with Mel Brooks than literary high art. In any case, I received my advance yesterday for the audiobook and exactly one day later... I found it on Barnes and Noble website.

The print version of the book is still on pre-order and scheduled for a March 17th release, but apparently audiobooks don't do presales so as soon as it passes it is available.

Anyway, thank for your past well wishes and support... and as Old Blue Eyes said, "Start spreading da news!"

Hornytown Chutzpah is out!

 
Congratulations burgold !

All of my best for your success!
 
How does one produce an audio book? Do you rent a studio and hire someone to be the voice? How is it produced to go to market, does the publisher get the discs burned and packaged?
 
Darrell Green Fan said:
How does one produce an audio book? Do you rent a studio and hire someone to be the voice? How is it produced to go to market, does the publisher get the discs burned and packaged?
Click to expand...
These days, for the most part, the books aren't produced as CDs. They are streamed to the device you designate and that's where it lives. I suspect if a specific request for CDs are made it would be accommodated, but while I still love hard medium myself, a lot of it is done via MP3 streaming.

As for the production, there are a number of different ways. Usually, the publisher hires a voice over artist and a director. The pair work together to produce a sample chapter and a character bible (a file which illustrates how each of the major characters will be voiced,) This is the opportunity for the author to give f,eedback about style, tone, or character choices. After that, the director and narrator work together in a studio to finish, mix, edit the project and make sure it meets ASX and Audible standards in terms of noise floor, levels, etc. After that, the finished files are sent to the publisher who does a quality check to make sure that no words are missing or inserted and that it passes their quality test.

In my case, I was asked to voice the audiobook and since I was an old radio hand, I had a home studio and all the equipment needed to produce broadcast quality sound. I did produce a demo and a character Bible. I also recruited my sister who is an actress with Off Broadway and TV credits to do some of the voicings and help direct/ensure quality control.

Hopefully that answers (and doesn't over answer your question.)
 
burgold said:
These days, for the most part, the books aren't produced as CDs. They are streamed to the device you designate and that's where it lives. I suspect if a specific request for CDs are made it would be accommodated, but while I still love hard medium myself, a lot of it is done via MP3 streaming.

As for the production, there are a number of different ways. Usually, the publisher hires a voice over artist and a director. The pair work together to produce a sample chapter and a character bible (a file which illustrates how each of the major characters will be voiced,) This is the opportunity for the author to give f,eedback about style, tone, or character choices. After that, the director and narrator work together in a studio to finish, mix, edit the project and make sure it meets ASX and Audible standards in terms of noise floor, levels, etc. After that, the finished files are sent to the publisher who does a quality check to make sure that no words are missing or inserted and that it passes their quality test.

In my case, I was asked to voice the audiobook and since I was an old radio hand, I had a home studio and all the equipment needed to produce broadcast quality sound. I did produce a demo and a character Bible. I also recruited my sister who is an actress with Off Broadway and TV credits to do some of the voicings and help direct/ensure quality control.

Hopefully that answers (and doesn't over answer your question.)
Click to expand...
This was the very first thing I read this morning. I found it interesting and informative. If there was anyone set up to produce his own audiobook that would be you. Congrats.
 
I was actually a little nervous about doing it. There is a difference between radio journalism and being a narrator. Also, I love what outsiders can bring to your work. They see flavors and nuances in your words that you don't because they bring with them their own set of experiences and philosophies. But when Atthis approached me about doing it I didn't really hesitate.

It will say it was a lot more work than I expected it to be (and I predicted it would be a lot of work.)

There's a story that Dave Goelz (Gonzo from the Muppets) tells about his first show. Having joined without any performance experience he always felt shy and restrained. When a celebrity entered the room he exited because he didn't think he belonged so throughout the first season Gonzo was downbeat. It got to the point that Frank Oz pulled him aside and said, "Look! Your job is to be a fool. You really can't be too big or go too far. Just go for it!"

I tried to take that lesson to heart. When you play it safe you often wind up with a blah product. We saw that in football. When Norv Turner throttled down, the opponent would come back and often win. Prevent defenses mostly prevent wins. Likewise in art and a lot of fields you need to risk looking the fool. You have to go for it.
 
Last edited:
Jayden uses FB? Hell, I’m too young to use FB. 🤣
 
It's been a really long and strange journey with this novella. It is almost out. Thanks to all who have held my hand, helped with beta reads, or edited my little Jewish fantasy noir along the way. I should be kvelling, but in truth I'm a little more verklempt
 
My author copies arrived today. The novella looks sharp as hell!

It's not the first time, but there is a certain euphoria seeing something you've worked on become a real thing. I'm sure we all have experienced this in one form or another. The first time you went from a practice field to a real game perhaps? The first time you played guitar in front of a nonfamily crowd and got a cheer or people to sing along?
 
Not sure how many BGOers are local, but if you are and want a nerdy night out, I have a couple of readings and book signing events around town. Would love the support and it would be great to meet some of you in person (not all of you, but definitely some.)

1771718962114.png
 
If anyone is planning to go to the Baltimore event DM me and I'll give you the password so that you don't have to pay to ride the elevator up to the 27th floor. The reading is taking place on the observatory level overlooking the harbor.
 
If anyone's looking for something to do on Saturday and lives in or near the DMV, I'd like to invite you to my reading at Mojomala Books and Cool Things in Silver Spring tomorrow (Saturday March 28th at 6:30 pm).

It should be a fun time. The event will be free. The shop has amazing science fiction props and tchokes. If nothing else... I'm told there will be cookies :)

If you dig fantasy, Mel Brooks, and hard boiled noir, you'll have a blast.
 
burgold said:
Several of you are familiar with this book's bumpy journey.
Click to expand...

I remember all the way back when it started.
Had to be more than 20 years ago when you made a thread on ES about it.
Congrats burgold on the accomplishments as well as the persistence. That is a testament, not just to your ability, but to your patience and perseverance, as well
 
Last edited:
Mickalino said:
I remember all the way back when it started.
Had to be more than 20 years ago when you made a thread on ES about it.
Congrats burgold on the accomplishments as well as the persistence. That is a testament, not just to your ability, but to your patience and persistence
Click to expand...
Thanks! Means a lot. Many of you been along for the whole ride.
 
Couple pages in, opening ten commandments definitely my style of explanation. The guide in the back, lmao. Only finished chapter one so far but it'll be finished with a few brews out by the pool when I can relax this weekend. Got it from Amazon, for your records Burgold.

20260407_185929.jpg
 
Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    You haven't joined any rooms.
    Top