Audio Books - What It's Like To Record Your Own

[Bouncy Castle]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17214012

Audiobooks are increasing in popularity but many authors admit they have a phobia about reading their own books. What is it like for those writers who record audio versions of their work? Two writers give their contrasting experiences to BBC Radio 4's Front Row.

"I was sitting in a recording studio going, 'this is filth'."

For Caitlin Moran, recording her best-selling memoir How To Be a Woman entailed overcoming a lot of embarrassment.

[Tonyblack]

There's a well known author in the US, sadly dead now, named Tony Hillerman. His readings of his audiobooks were terrible.

Get an actor - preferably a character actor - to do it.

Stephen Briggs is marvellous.

[Tonyblack]

When I was a Beaver Scout leader, many, many years ago, we were supposed to read a story to the new Beavers called 'Friends of the Forest' - it's roughly what Beaver Scouting is based on. But it's an awful story - really boring and nonsensical. To get around constantly reading this, I thought I'd made an audio tape of it and then, when a new Beaver joined, I'd loan them the tape to play at home and return.

Great idea in theory, but very difficult to do and make it sound interesting. Still, I did make it and at least it meant I only had to read the thing the once.

[Bouncy Castle]

Scouting for beaver, eh Tone?

[Tonyblack]

[meerkat]

dib dib dib!

[Tonyblack]

dib dib dib!

First off it was DYB DYB DYB (Do Your Best).
Secondly they haven't done that in Scouting since Wolf Cubs finished in the 60s.

Even when I was a Cub Scout we didn't do DYB, DYB, DYB and that was hundreds of years ago.

[Bouncy Castle]

Tony was a personal friend of Baden-Powell.

[ runs ]

[Tonyblack]

[Del]

Is THAT what DIB I mean DYB DYB DYB means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So okay.. back to subject....

I have spent most of my life reading out loud... to nephews, nieces, for library events for children, presentations, introductions, theatre, on radio, advertisements, and to my own children. Because of my "speaking voice" (as opposed to my "WILL YOU KIDS GET TO BED!" voice) I have spent alot of time reading things out loud.

Most times when I have waited with antici---------------------------PATION! for an author to read their own work it has been a huge disappointment.

And NO problems with that either..... the authors are usually great at writing. You cant expect them to be amazing at everything else.

[raisindot]

There's a well known author in the US, sadly dead now, named Tony Hillerman. His readings of his audiobooks were terrible.

Get an actor - preferably a character actor - to do it.

Stephen Briggs is marvellous.

Well, sometimes you're only as good as your material. I think Hillerman peaked with "A Thief of Time." His last 10 or so books were terrible. Never heard his audiobooks. though.

100% agree on Briggs, though. He really brings the characters to life much better than most of Nigel Planer's readings.

[LilMaibe]

I once worked on a radio play for an MMORPG. Gods, it never finished, but I learned a lot about speaking back then

[raptornx01]

In my experience most of the time when the author reads their own work it comes off as flat. Even George Carlin and Bill Maher's books, both read by them, were funny, but could be on the boring side. their timing was way off at times. really they need an audience to get it right.

and don't get me started on Bob Grants reading of the Red Dwarf Book Backwards.

The only one i found to do great in his own audio book was Al Franken, but he spiced his up with audio clips and bits from other people.

[Who's Wee Dug]

I liked Robert Rankin reading his own books the two that he read.

And James Masters (Spike ) is good in the Jim Butcher "Dresden series"

[Bouncy Castle]

Oooh. I've been looking for another audio CD to venture into, and your mention of the Dresden Files made me skip to Amazon.

They're thirty five quid each.

Bugger that.