What Are Anna H's Thoughts About Audiobooks & Soundtracks As An Author?

 

How's it going lurkers? I read an informative article on The Creative Penn about audiobooks being the future trend in self-publishing.

Audiobooks: Tips For Distribution With ACX And Marketing Ideas

The thought of this is a great idea! If someone happens to be a self-publishing author, this can be of some benefit. People don't always have the time and energy to sit down and read a physical book.

More should take into consideration, that not everyone enjoys reading. Therefore, an audiobook can possibly attract a bigger audience consisting of both book readers and non-book readers.

Don't get me wrong. Even though my current chapbook is bound yet unpublished, I plan on having it expanded, revised, and rebound for publishing.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I keep my chapbook stashed on the side of my bed. It's there as a reminder of my past and future accomplishments.

Aside from my old Carthage College chapbook, I want the next version of my chapbook to be rebound in a smaller hardcover and converted into ebooks and audiobooks. That same chapbook would include a soundtrack. 

Think about it! Doesn't that sound like a cool idea? After all, some popular stories and movies have audiobooks. The same applies to Manga (Japanese comic books) in Japan.

Some of the most popular "Light Novels," Manga, Anime, video games, etc. in Japan have what they call, "Drama CD's."

Imagine being a reader or a really busy parent listening to an author's audiobook, while driving to work, picking up kids, and/or traveling. 

Having an audiobook is especially convenient for busy multi-taskers.

I reiterate, audiobooks can potentially increase an author's fandom with non-book readers. This is something to definitely keep into consideration.

You are probably wondering, "Anna," who would you want to voice/narrate your audiobooks?"

I have been thinking about Anime voice actors such as Crispin Freeman and Johnny Yong Bosch, to only name 2 examples. I've also considered actors and musicians such as Wes Borland from Black Light Burns/Limp Bizkit and Jared Leto. 

I definitely wouldn't mind having Jared voice Alan a.k.a. "Loose Lips" for "All Of Chastity's Men." In past interviews, Jared mentioned that he enjoys playing characters that die in movies. I haven't decided if I am going to kill "Loose Lips." However, he is getting tortured without a doubt. You'll have to forgive me for being such a sadist.

I don't know, which voice actresses I would want on my audiobook. That would be a tough decision to make. 

Since I already have years of experience doing PA announcements in Japanese and worked as a Radio DJ/Hostess, I would probably do the narration and voice acting for my female protagonists. 

More money for my wallet, right?

I do not want my short stories to be turned into movies. Hollywood filmmakers are skilled at turning movies based on books into Shit Sandwiches. Take Queen of the Damned, for example. Anytime Anne Rice said the movie was a "great disappointment," you know it's bad.

Anne Rice's Thoughts About Queen of the Damned

Queen of the Damned was a shitty movie. Jonathan Davis as the ticket scalper was the BEST part about it. God knows it wasn't Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend's horrendous acting. Just thinking about those 2 make me clinch my chest from pain.

No disrespect to the late Aaliyah because I did enjoy some of her songs during my youth, and I believe that had she been alive today, we wouldn't be forced to endure Beyonce ad nauseam. 

Despite her singing and dancing, Aaliyah could NEVER act. Ever try watching Romeo Must Die? I rest my case.

Luckily, the Queen of the Damned Soundtrack compensated for that trainwreck of a movie. Ugh!

Speaking of soundtracks, I don't know every soloist and group, that I would want on a soundtrack for my work if any of my work EVER had a soundtrack. However, Enigma's song, "I Love You... I'll Kill You" would be my ideal theme song for "All Of Chastity's Men." Listening to the song is quite fitting.

The more I think about it, my readers would probably enjoy "All Of Chastity's Men" more than "Across The Street."

"All Of Chastity's Men" is probably my longest short story compared to all the other short stories I've written within the last 3-8 years. I wasn't planning on turning that particular story into a novel but anything is possible.

Right now, I'm playing everything by ear. The biggest challenge with finishing it is how much of my past do I want to insert into this story.

It is a Semi-Fiction Woman Scorned type of Horror Story. When I say, "Semi," I mean not everything in it is true. It is still Fiction.

Before anyone asks, no I have never killed anyone, unless killing them on paper qualifies. No, I am not a misandrist ("man-hating feminazi").

Women without any self-respect and sleazebag men love to label me a "man-hater" because I reject them and/or refuse to be submissive. Otherwise, I am automatically considered a "threat" in almost every aspect.

Most of the time, my female co-workers viewed me as a threat to them. I never bought into the whole "sisterhood" bullshit.

Then again, I have no sisters (at least not to my knowledge). It's always about, "Who's the alpha female?" Anyway, this is all I have to say, for now. Let me know what you think!

Enigma "I Love You... I'll Kill You" The Cross of Changes (1993)