It’s the 1st Wednesday of the month. Time for science fiction writer, Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. If you want to join click this link – https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
April 6 question – Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?
The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise – Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!
I don’t have audio versions of my books, but I do have podcast episodes of a few horror shorts. Below is an episode I shared with co-host/writer, Keri Schroeder.
Link –
https://ghoulsjustwannahavefun.podbean.com/e/episode-11-happy-horror-holidays/
While I’m an unapologetic bibliophile, I love my audio stories! If Hulu’s major hit streaming comedy/mystery series on the popularity of podcasts is any testament, the rest of our device loving world does too.
Enter writer, Alex Dolan and his binge worthy Patron Saint of Suicide! He was generous enough to give me a brief Q&A located below the link and description of the series. Thank you, Alex!
About the show –
Created by author Alex Dolan and produced by Audiohm Media, The Patron Saint of Suicides is a full-cast podcast thriller & mystery audio drama.
Haven Otomo spends her spare time saving people from hurting themselves. Possessed with unnatural powers of persuasion, she’s always been good at talking people in and out of things.
When a rash of suicides hits the city, a detective reaches out for her help on the investigation, and her insight into why people kill themselves. When the crime becomes more complicated, she must question the people she trusts most, and whether they are involved.
CAST
Elissa Park | Haven Otomo
Rob Schwarb | Victor Blossem
Richie Amos | Narrator
Georgia McKenzie | Zoey Gibson
AJ Beckles | Walking Sam, Turo Torres
Jason Webb | Wesley Pope
Adrienne Reiter: What were the main challenges involving production, and what are/were the biggest highlights?
Alex Dolan: This was the first time I’ve done a recording session where I wasn’t physically in the same studio. Impressed by the caliber of performances the cast brought to the show; working with actors remotely and hearing how a trained actor can bring writing to life was an amazing experience.
Working with producer Auidiohm Media gave me insight into how foley (sound effects) works, and how to bring a scene to life through sound. In season 1, there’s a pivotal shooting on a BART train, and we searched around until we found a good recording of an actual BART train. It’s a very specific sound. When we created the scene on the Golden Gate Bridge the team and I minimized the sound of the water (hundreds of feet below the bridge), and increased the sound of traffic (naturally very close to pedestrians). We then added horns for the cargo barges traveling under the bridge. That’s just one example. It’s subtle, but a lot of work goes into creating a scene convincing to one’s ears.
Thanks again, Alex.
Do you have audio books, serial podcasts, or short story anthologies? Have you thought about it? Please share in comments below. Unless abducted by aliens or kidnapped by Bigfoot, I always return comments on my fellow IWSG member’s blogs. Looking forward to reading yours!
