Well, they arrived. (Did you hear me whooping it up from coast to coast?)
Um ... I haven't had the courage to listen to it, although I've had my author copy for well over a year now. Before I got it, I listened to the sample on the Books In Motion web site. It's a scene that's very vivid for me--the end of one of my very favorite scenes in the book, so it's a pivotal moment, and I must say an excellent representation of the book.
However . . . the performer got Richard all wrong, at least in that scene. He came off as bombastic, when in fact he was extremely worried about Jeff's sanity. That intonation scared me away from listening to the book. (So much so, I've never opened the packaging.) Still, I have had one report that the audio version was good. (A Goodreads review.) It made me think I ought to give the audio version a chance. (And besides, my mother has been nagging me to loan it to her.)
I'd love it if people would find this version of the book. I mean, in a year I've made exactly $15 in royalties. (How's a starving author supposed to eat?)
I don't think the audio version of the Booktown Mysteries will have that lack of sales problem. First of all, the series is many times more popular than my poor Jeff series. (Pout! I love Jeff, Richard and Brenda and I'd LOVE for them to find a HUGE audience.) Cassandra Campbell performs the books.
As soon as the Fed-X man left yesterday, I ripped open the package and ran into my office to play the first part of Murder is Binding. Whoa! It was great--so great, I couldn't believe I wrote the thing!
I found it too distracting to play while I'm working (even on boring stuff like emptying my spam filter--I want to listen rather than work), so I'll be listening to all the books while I do housework and cook (Why do I suddenly have this urge to do laundry, too?) or driving in the car.
I sure hope a whole new audience will find the books. I was proud of them as books; I'm even more proud of them as audiobooks.
Any chance you'll give them a listen? (Hint, hint--libraries are the biggest audiobook buyers!)
I'm a big fan of audio books, but since I've read all but the newest Booktown book, I'm not likely to listen to them on audio. But I will certainly recommend the audio versions to my friends who are looking for a good listen.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had the opportunity to listen to your audio books (yet) -- I hate ear buds! -- but I'm sure I'll give them a try. I DID just finish your latest Booktown book, CHAPTER & HEARSE, and I have to congratulate you! Excellent plotting and pacing and a couple of twists and turns that caught me absolutely flat-footed. Whoo-whoo!! After all the mysteries I've gobbled up over the years, I gotta say I did NOT see those twists coming. DE-lightful to see ya got me! The turmoil your life was in while you were writing this book -- which is the best I think you've ever done! -- belies the crisp writing, careful plotting, and warm thread of humor you wove through the story. Good job!! (Looking for many more -- when is A CRAFTY KILLING coming out??)
ReplyDeleteWhew! Glad you liked it, Laurie. Gee, I can't wait to listen to it to see what all the buzz is about. (I'm sure it'll seem like somebody else's book.)
ReplyDeleteA Crafty Killing is set for Feb. 1st, 2011. I'm really looking forward to it!